My amazing friend Mary recently had her husband write a post entitled "Ten Things that Make Me Happy." Before I share my list, I think I should give you a few of my favorite Mary moments.
One: singing back-up as Mary belted out her best Aretha-style "Respect"
Two: Dorm dance parties to songs like "One Nation Under a Groove"
Three: Oscars' parties, a movie premiere, and lots of movie-going!
And now to the list...
Ten things that make me happy are:
(1) Any non-caloric Coca-Cola product (ie: Diet Coke, Coca Cola Light, Coke Zero). My dad used to work for Coke and we were never allowed to order Pepsi products at a restaurant. It took years to break that habit and I still think Coca Cola is the far superior product. :)
(2) Magazines: getting one in the mail, flipping through one in line at the grocery store, getting a few to read on the flight...it's all good. I'll admit it...my favorite is People.
(3) Being called a fun nickname by someone who's earned the right to do it. You know those people who give you a nickname the second they meet you? You've just been introduced and all of a sudden they're name-shortening like you go back 15 years. Let's not rush this. We are not that close.
(4) Lip-syncing scenes in movies/on TV ala Stepmom, Hope Floats, The Cosby Show...
(5) My Iphone: I'm sorry. I'm turning into one of those people who can't talk about anything else. But the apps, people, the APPS. And the GPS. And the calendar. The list could go on and on!
(6) Driving: I love cruising around on a sunny day, windows down, sun roof open, music blasting, and me singing along just as loud. That's the good life. I think 24-hour-long road trips with the fam conditioned me to enjoy time in the car.
(7) Books: I inherited a passion for reading from my dad. I had a 2-year hiatus during grad school from reading for fun, but now I'm back at it full force and loving every minute of it. Got any recommendations?
(8) Stand-up comedy: My favorites are Mitch Hedberg, Brian Regan, Demitri Martin, & Ricky Gervais.
My cousin Jordan does a great impression of Hedberg's club sandwich bit, which goes a little something like this: "I order a club sandwich all the time. And I'm not even a member. I don't know how I get away with it. 'I like my sandwiches with three pieces of bread.' 'So do I.' 'Let's form a club then.' 'Okay, but we're gonna need more stipulations.' 'Yes we do.' 'OK...instead of cutting it once, let's cut it again.' 'Yeah, four triangles.' 'And we will position them in a circle. And in the middle we will dump chips. Or potato salad.' 'Let me ask you a question. How do you feel about frilly toothpicks?' 'I'm for 'em!" 'Well, this club is formed. Spread the news on menus nationwide.'"
(9) Christmas cards! Usually I like to send out my own update letter, but it just didn't happen this year. But thanks to everyone who send me a Christmas card/letter! I had them all set out on the counter and it made me smile every time I saw them.
(10) NPR: You know you're an adult when you start listening to NPR and enjoying it. My favorite show is Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me (a quiz program) but I like it all. So it's a toss up between that and hip hop on my radio.