Sunday, April 24, 2005

My Favorite Things

Must be the fast approaching threat of winter that is making things seem gloomy. Or maybe life is just being it's silly self -- making things harder so I can strenghten my resolve and trying to test my ability to stay positive when everything is going downhill. Let's just say the past few days haven't been the easiest for me -- it's crunch time in uni because the semester is coming to an end -- everything's menacingly close to the deadline.. and all other things aren't as dandy as I hoped it would be. So while I was soaking in the tub this arvo.. I tried to think of things that would make me feel better and the load lighter. And I thought of Maria in The Sound of Music (I grew up with this musical.. we used to watch it in my aunt's house almost every weekend) and I thought I'd think of my favorite things (juvenile i know.. but it worked to some extent).

So here are the things that make me smile, gurgle (okay so i haven't done that since i was a baby.. but still..), giggle, laugh or bring a twinkle to my eye, a bounce in my step, oh u get my drift!:

1.) goodberry's concrete (with strawberries!) and plain krispey kreme donuts! -- I've once said that happiness is in those tubs they put the ice cream on and i am avidly waiting for the first krispey kreme store here in Canberra - now i don't have to pester anyone going to Sydney to bring me back a dozen.

2.) long drawn out baths.. with bubbles, candles and my favorite music of the moment wafting from the boombox.

I used to soak in the tub for hours when we lived in Kazahkstan.. I doze, read, think, sing along, splash around until my dad would knock on the door to ask me if I've drowned. I even managed a bath or two when I visited my family for two weeks in Myanmar last October. The good thing about moving bathrooms is this one has a bathtub. So this afternoon when i was feeling under the weather (physically, emotionally and mentally) I soaked my tired bones on the bubbly water and cleared my mind of everything that was making me feel down.

3.) Vodka, tonic and a splash of lime -- my preferred poison. When i am majorly pissed off - just one chug of this makes me feel marginally better. It especially makes me feel good when someone shouted and I didn't have to pay for it (i am a cheap skate! So what?! :P)

4.) getting mail (e-mails are good.. but the one's posted are best!)

Last week, I was having one of those i-just-wanna-crawl-in-a-cave-and-hibernate days when i randomly checked our mailbox (which is always just full of catalogs, junk mail and bills) when I found a post card from my favorite person in Puerto Rico (actually he's the only person i know in Puerto Rico :P) It made me smile instantly and allowed a ray of sunshine in my otherwise gloomy day. Thanks Johann!

So if anyone wants a ray of sunshine from down under their way.. email my gmail (check sidebar), gimme ur address (don't worry I'm not a stalker) and i will send one right over. I have a bunch of stamps and Australian Post is very reliable so there shouldn't be any trouble. And maybe one day.. u'll return the favour and make one of my shitty days heaps better.

5.) My room. It's my sanctuary.. I have a comfortable bed, a nice view, all my personal belongings, my favorite music and my beloved teddy bear here. After a harrassing day stuck in lectures and tutorials -- seeing my refuge always relaxes me.

6.) Ooooohh.. the KZ crew. I'd say more about them.. but they deserve a long long post I just have no time to write right now. But let's just say they played an integral part in my life.

the mosh pit: rowan, tris, russell, chris, tom ,roxy, larla, taz, nick, laura.

7.) Blueberry cheesecake, strawberry icecream and Crispy M&Ms -- the sweets I couldn't possible say no to.

8.) Flowers.. I like seeing them and I love receiving me. If u know this about me and u've done something terribly wrong to me -- know that a bunch of flowers would mean u are half way forgiven.

An ex knew this and when he did something that made me really really upset -- he gave me a gorgeous bouquet when he apologized and the guilt trip I had all prepared was forgotten when the pretty things were handed over.

9.) Good books! i am a book worm.. i read before I sleep, a bit when i wake up, when i'm bored, when i have heaps to do. I looove reading. i am especially hooked on them english writers right now.

10.) Bodies of Water. there's something about being near a river, lake, ocean or whatever that makes me chill out.

I recently went to the lakeside of Lake Burly Griffin with good friends.. it was surreal seeing the lights reflected on the water.. bodies of water just makes me content for some reason. There's a serenity to it that makes me divulge my inner most feelings and makes me pensive (like the bus stop :)

11.) Butterflies. Just the thought of them and seeing them makes me smile. They're so pretty and free I just admire these creatures that has to crawl in the mud before they develop their colourful wings.

12.) Comments on my blog! hahahaha.. no it's not a hint for u to leave one (or maybe it is). It just makes me feel good knowing people care enough (or are as bored as i am) to read through the senseless blabber i post here. And when people leave a comment it just makes me think that the seemingly incoherent stuff i write actually made sense enough for someone to add a piece of their mind.

13.) My family. Despite the distance, the squabbles, the differences. I love each and every one of them. Having them around, talking to them over the phone,internet or in person.. is a blessing through and through. having them makes me realize that life isn't all that bad if I have these beautiful bunch of individuals in my life.

so there you see.. I am not a hard person to please. Little things make me smile.. so when wanky days are ahead.. these are the no-fail uppers i take (when it's an incredibly wanky day it takes about three to four of the above mentioned to make me actually smile though). When life is continually being complicated and harsh.. u have to find little things that would divert ur attention from the worries and problems. Afterall, we can't worry our lives away, can we? In the words of Maria "these are a few of my favorite things". What are some of yours?

beachbutterfly babbled @ 11:43 AM |

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