Day 29... #100HappyDays

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to the good stuff.  Macallan 18, neat. 

Day 28... #100HappyDays

Yes, I was at the Amsterdam Red Light District.
Yes, we went to sing karaoke.
Yes, I sang Britney Spears...for the crowd.
Yes, I dropped a tray of Sambuca shots (15 of them) down the front of my shirt.
Yes, I found me an octogenarian who sang Frank Sinatra.
Yes, I jumped on stage and took a selfie w/ him.

Day 27... #100HappyDays

Reason #15238432347 I'm digging Amsterdam: this is SO what I'd name my boat too.  I think I've found My People here. 

Day 26... #100HappyDay

I'm in Amsterdam for work this week...and I adore it here.  It's lovely and charming.  The people are nice and they know how to enjoy themselves.  Here's a shot I took of the houseboats lining the canal.  I'm especially impressed the pretty pink flower in the bottom corner (that happened completely by accident!) :) 

Day 25... #100HappyDays

Wheeee...I'm 1/4th the way through with the 100 Happy Days project! Suh-weet!  

Today,  I wanted to say how much I love my Google Chromecast!  I realize I'm probably late to the party, but I honestly didn't even know this existed.  When I decided to "cut the cord" and not pay for cable TV anymore, my Roku XD became my best friend.  My only complaint was that in Hulu and YouTube, there is some "web only" content not accessible via the Roku.  Well, the Chromecast fixes all that! I now can see anything on my TV that I can see on my laptop.  And it's fantastic.  This morning, i watched a ton of YouTube clips of my new obsession, Shameless' Ian & Mickey (<-so. much. love.)

Day 24... #100HappyDays

I have this theory:  work, relationships, family...at least 2 of these things need to be ok for life to feel in control.  The moment the balance tilts, however, it's when things start to get hard.  Struggles are never easy, but made more difficult when they start to feel overwhelming.  I'm having a rough go of it as of late in all 3 areas...but today was a good day at work and because so, I actually felt like I could breathe a little.  Here's a pic of me and a couple of my work buds counting down the minutes until the weekend! 

Cracked...

Do you ever fear that you'll one day crack under all the pressure and stress and emotion of...life?

Somedays I feel like I'm barely holding it together.  

Day 23... #100HappyDays

Gotta be honest...it was a rough one today. Struggling to find something to be happy about. I really just want a magic wand or a genie's wish...to make things ok.  Got a last minute save on my way home...the corner of my street.  They're not cherry blossoms, but something about them make me feel like things will work themselves out.  Thanks random blossom tree...

Day 22... #100HappyDays

Meet Speckles.  And why does Speckles make me happy?  Well, returning from my trip to Tampa, I came home with quite a few bites. And being the paranoid crazypants that I am, I started to freak out that I might've brought back bedbugs from the hotel! So, I called an inspection/ extermination company and in walks Speckles.  She's trained to sniff out bedbugs and their eggs!  And after a quick sweep of my luggage and my apartment, she wagged her tail, licked my hand and gave me the all-clear. And then she dropped down and decided her day was done. :)  $200 to have Speckles come over and give me some peace-of-mind? So worth it. 

Day 21... #100HappyDays

One of the things I've always romanticized about living in NY is having a fabulous stoop.  I pictured myself sitting on the stairs, drinking coffee, watching people walk by, enjoying the neighborhood.  

In the few years I've lived here, I've yet to do any of this. And though I've had stoops at each of my apartments, none have been quite that...romantic.  But today, I've forced myself to do it. So I'm sitting here, in front of my building, on some very dirty steps, with a lingering smell of dog poop and trash in the air, writing this post.  Huh...not as fabulous as I'd always imagined. 

Here, however, is one of my favorite stoops...just a few doors down.  And, I'll have you know, home to a famous and much-adored NY'er. Even just walking past it daily makes me happy. :)

Day 20... #100HappyDays

Wheeeee! I'm 1/5 th of the way through this project! See? I'm not a commitment-phobe after all! :D

Today our neighborhood had a "planting the public planters" day.  The neighborhood chips in for all the supplies and flowers, and we meet to plant around the trees on the sidewalks and public areas.  And if all those 'p's aren't enough for you...I happened to plant PANSIES!  ...pretty!

Day 19... #100HappyDays

Yeah...so this happened on twitter...

Best. Day. EVER.

...BUDDY!!!!!!

Day 18... #100HappyDays

The best part of this book con so far is the happy hour held in Jordan L. Hawk's room.  Drinking random PNR whiskey w/ my boo Whyborne. :)

Day 17... #100HappyDays

Despite having a bladder the size of a pea, I never take the aisle seat on airplanes.  There's something about being cocooned in the window seat, getting to look out at nothin' but fluffy clouds and blue skies, that makes it worth climbing over irritated neighbors to get to the restroom...every 10 minutes.  My view today flying from NY to Tampa...

Day 16... #100HappyDays

On a day needing just a little bit more comfort than usual, I turned to the ultimate comfort food. Might not be as happy tomorrow trying to squeeze into my jeans, but today, this works...just fine...

Day 15... #100HappyDays

This past weekend I had a really good cry.  Well, at the time it didn't feel good.  I mourned some.  Regretted some.  Heartached some. And I cried and cried and cried.  And then...it stopped.  And I felt...better.  I needed it - to get it out - to release it all.  It's the first Spring rain today in NY and I'm surprisingly happy about it.  It reminds me that somedays even Mother Nature needs to cry and let it all out. 

Day 14... #100HappyDays

Some days, many days, most days...this is all it takes... :D

Day 13... #100HappyDays

I have to say...I LOVE my apartment.  It's kind of a dream. I love the neighborhood, I love the street, I love the exposed brick walls and the built-ins.  And I love this...my window seat.  I drink my coffee here on weekend mornings. I read here when it rains.  I people watch when I'm feeling particularly creepy, erm, I mean curious. It's almost worth the LIFE'S SAVINGS I pay to rent this place... :-/

Day 12... #100HappyDays

Although the thought of doing laundry often feels like cruel torture, once it's done, once everything's folded and put away...it feels like...possibility. I can wear whatever I want and it's CLEAN! :)  And all before noon on a Saturday. *fist bump me*

Day 11... #100HappyDays

One of the things I really really love about living in NY is that fresh flowers are so readily available. Every corner market has them proudly displayed and they are surprisingly affordable.  I bought some tulips today...a dozen for $8... :)  It's pretty amazing how flowers can really liven up a home!

Day 10... #100HappyDays

Let's get real...gelato makes EVERYTHING better. Yummmm...

Day 9... #100HappyDays

It's kind of impossible to feel too depressed during Spring. What with flowers starting to bloom, colors sprouting up everywhere, birds literally chirping...and it's bright out...so one can actually COOK dinner w/o feeling like it's bedtime! And nothing like some fresh herbs to motivate such a feat! (check back w/ me in a week - those will probably be dead and my trash filled w/ take-out containers! But one can feel hopeful, yes? :) )

Day 8... #100HappyDays

NEVER STOP LEARNING. 

At the beginning of the year, I decided to take up something new.  Thus, my ukulele...why not?  I have really grown to love it.  Contrary to popular belief in island lands, not every song sounds great on a uke.... compounded with the fact that I am...well...not very good - YET.  :)  But, it's become a really fun hobby.  One my neighbors, I'm sure, are thrilled about... 

You've Got Mail...

Sad thing happened recently.  A once-dear friend and I had a parting of ways.  I guess it's the course of life, and those things...happen.  I'm learning as I go.  

One lesson I'm really embracing is that I get to protect myself should the need arise. I get to say no in situations that might hurt me or make me feel badly about myself.  And it's amazing the power this realization wields.

I have one unread email in my inbox.  

If this was my work inbox, that would go without saying. I'm so overloaded, I currently have 197 emails unread from today alone...and I've been answering emails all day.  But for my personal email, I cherish correspondence and typically read them immediately.  Still, this one unread email remains...from my once-dear friend.  

Yes, I'm curious as to what it might hold.  But, I also know that, based on where our conversations left off, it most likely will be laced with words that have the ability to break me, to hurt me, to make me feel...low.  And something about that makes me angry...not at the writer of the email, necessarily.  But more just the thought that I might allow one single message to make me feel badly about who I am.  

So with each new day, I'm less and less tempted to read it or even curious about what's in it.  At this point, it stands as a symbol to me that I'm ok...I'm a good person who makes mistakes.  I'm a solid and loyal friend who sometimes is weak.  I'm a likable person that deserves better.  

Maybe one day I'll read this email...but maybe not.  Either way, it's being the one that gets to choose, and making the choice that works for me, that makes me STRONG.

Day 7... #100HappyDays

I have to be honest...some days, my job is really tough. It can be really stressful and there's immense pressure. Then there are times that I'm reminded I work with some really kickass people.  Tonight's one of those nights.  Bowl-a-rama w/ the coworkers. Good times!

Day 6... #100HappyDays

This morning, on my way to get coffee and a mani/pedi, I walked past Christopher Street Park and saw that someone "planted" pinwheels until the first flowers start to bloom.  How AWESOME is that?!  *smile*

Day 5... #100HappyDays

It was a gorgeous Spring day here in New York.  And to celebrate...liquid brunch!  (ok, ok, there was some food involved too, but this was the best part...and...um...the wine made me a little extra happy today! :) )

Be Okay...

It's pretty much impossible to complain about anything while listening to this song! :)

"Be Okay" by Oh Honey

Day 4... #100HappyDays

Do you know what I'm loving about doing this project? No matter what life throws my way, I'm consciously looking for something, anything, to make me happy every single day.  And that makes it worth it...because I need that reminder.  

So, on this rainy day, after a really shitty week all-around, while sitting at my desk at work, I turned to my right, looked out the window, and realized...THIS VIEW is what I get to look at. People pay for this view and I essentially get paid for this view.  :D

Empire State Building via Spotify NY offices

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Day 3... #100HappyDays

I could probably post this same picture every single day, but today especially, when I need to not think about anything and just be distracted...I'm happy to have my trusty Kindle Paperwhite.  Today's read:  "The King" by JR Ward.

Day 2... #100HappyDays

I walk past this tree every day.  I love how the owner took care to decorate it and make it look pretty during the winter months.  Pretty soon it will be wearing it's own accessories of green leaves.  But for now, this is darling...

Perry Street, New York

Loosen Your Grip...

liberosis
n. the desire to care less about things - to loosen your grip on your life, to stop glancing behind you every few steps, afraid that someone will snatch it from you...rather to hold your life loosely and playfully, bouncing freely in the hands of trusted friends, always in play.

Day 1...#100HappyDays

A friend of mine introduced me to this website:  100happydays.com.  Its not a new concept but really something so simple...and I'd love to just focus on some good stuff...

Every day submit a picture of what made you happy!  
It can be anything from a meet-up with a friend to a very tasty cake in the nearby coffee place, from a feeling of being at home after a hard day to a favor you didto a stranger.  


#100happyday challenge is for you - not for anyone else. It is not a happiness competition or a showing off contest. If you try to please / make others jealous via your pictures - you lose without even starting. Same goes for cheating.



So here goes!  

Day 1: 

Admittedly, I'm a little hungover this morning.  I got swept up in "Monday Funday" at a little tapas place last night...sangria and tequila shots gone awry. 

So today, I'm happy for my egg/cheese/prosciutto on croissant breakfast sandwich, coconut water, and iced coffee aka my "hangover cure".