What made me happy today? Reaching 200!
Yes, this is my 200th blog post! Woohoow :-)
And I got something for free, just because I was polite. I'm going on vacation tomorrow. We'll be driving through France, which requires having alcohol testers in your car. So I went to pick up a pair. I walked through the entire store, but no sight of them. In the meantime, the employee behind the desk was dealing with a rather rude customer. I felt kind of bad for the employee, so I put on my nicest smile when I went up to the desk / register to ask about the alcohol testers. That's when I spotted them. In a basket at the register. So I took two, and gave them to that employee. I told him about how I had trouble finding them but only did when I wanted to ask about them which I found funny and made me giggle a bit. He looks at me with this relieved look (probably because I wasn't shouting at him like the previous customer) and says 'well, I'll give you the second one for free, because you're being so nice and polite.' My jaw dropped to the floor.
I always try to be polite. I was raised that way. My parents taught me to say 'please' and 'thank you' and all that. Being rewarded for being polite is nice, but it's not why I do it. Then again, getting something for free is kind of nice :-)
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Bare
What made me happy today? Bare.
I finally did it. I wore a dress without full length leggings. Not to work, but at my BFs and to go home. BF doesn't like me hiding my legs.
A little back story here: in 2004 I had an accident while skiing. My right ski came off, my left ski didn't. My lower left leg twisted outward, along with the ski, while my upper left leg stayed straight. It didn't hurt at first, and I only noticed that something was wrong when I tried to stand on my leg and just couldn't. I won't bore you with the details, but it two surgeries later my left leg is pretty scarred. So I've been hiding my legs ever since. For those of you counting, that means I haven't worn a short, or a dress or skirt without leggings for nine years.
Most people don't really mind me doing so. A few of my coworkers made a remark about the long leggings a while ago (we're having a heath wave here), but when I said it was to cover up scars, they dropped it. Only my BF didn't drop it. He kept on telling me that they're a part of me, that I'm beautiful just the way I am and that I shouldn't hide.
I reached a breaking point on Tuesday. I just passed my practical driver's exam and felt really happy. But it also was another very hot day. I was wearing a pair of long jeans and suddenly something inside me said 'well frak this, I need shorts.' So I hopped into a sports store where they sell loads of clothes and I bought two pairs of shorts and one pair of capri pants.
I posted about this in a FB group, and finding it a bit scary. Their response was nothing but supportive. They said things like 'just think of the Mulan song. "My girl (or boy) will marvel at my strength, adore my battle scars..." I don't think scars are at all a bad thing.', ' member x is awesome and correct...scars happen and they add character. :-)', 'PSHT!!! I work with orthopedics, I've seen some AWESOME scars. If judgmental and abusive people want to have an opinion on things that don't involve them, remember we love you and their opinions weigh less. =x'. That really helped!
I'm still not entirely comfortable walking around with bare legs, I'm rather self-conscious about it but I'm hoping that it will improve over time. They're my legs, they may not be pretty, but if you don't like them you don't have to look at them.
So finally taking this big step has made me really happy.
I finally did it. I wore a dress without full length leggings. Not to work, but at my BFs and to go home. BF doesn't like me hiding my legs.
A little back story here: in 2004 I had an accident while skiing. My right ski came off, my left ski didn't. My lower left leg twisted outward, along with the ski, while my upper left leg stayed straight. It didn't hurt at first, and I only noticed that something was wrong when I tried to stand on my leg and just couldn't. I won't bore you with the details, but it two surgeries later my left leg is pretty scarred. So I've been hiding my legs ever since. For those of you counting, that means I haven't worn a short, or a dress or skirt without leggings for nine years.
Most people don't really mind me doing so. A few of my coworkers made a remark about the long leggings a while ago (we're having a heath wave here), but when I said it was to cover up scars, they dropped it. Only my BF didn't drop it. He kept on telling me that they're a part of me, that I'm beautiful just the way I am and that I shouldn't hide.
I reached a breaking point on Tuesday. I just passed my practical driver's exam and felt really happy. But it also was another very hot day. I was wearing a pair of long jeans and suddenly something inside me said 'well frak this, I need shorts.' So I hopped into a sports store where they sell loads of clothes and I bought two pairs of shorts and one pair of capri pants.
I posted about this in a FB group, and finding it a bit scary. Their response was nothing but supportive. They said things like 'just think of the Mulan song. "My girl (or boy) will marvel at my strength, adore my battle scars..." I don't think scars are at all a bad thing.', ' member x is awesome and correct...scars happen and they add character. :-)', 'PSHT!!! I work with orthopedics, I've seen some AWESOME scars. If judgmental and abusive people want to have an opinion on things that don't involve them, remember we love you and their opinions weigh less. =x'. That really helped!
I'm still not entirely comfortable walking around with bare legs, I'm rather self-conscious about it but I'm hoping that it will improve over time. They're my legs, they may not be pretty, but if you don't like them you don't have to look at them.
So finally taking this big step has made me really happy.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
You've got mail
What made me happy today? You've got mail!
As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I passed my practical driver's exam on the first try. Yay me, I'm still super happy about it.
When I went to empty out my mailbox today, I noticed a bright red envelope between the rest of my mail. I immediately recognized my mom's handwriting. When I opened the envelope, I found this:
It was a card from my mom and dad congratulating me on getting my driver's license! That's also what it says: You have your driver's license! I like getting cards in the mail, and this one totally made my day :-)
As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I passed my practical driver's exam on the first try. Yay me, I'm still super happy about it.
When I went to empty out my mailbox today, I noticed a bright red envelope between the rest of my mail. I immediately recognized my mom's handwriting. When I opened the envelope, I found this:
It was a card from my mom and dad congratulating me on getting my driver's license! That's also what it says: You have your driver's license! I like getting cards in the mail, and this one totally made my day :-)
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Oops, I did it again!
What made me happy today? Oops, I did it again.
About half a year ago I made this post about passing my theoretical driver's exam on the first try. Two months later, I finished the necessary lessons and got to drive around on my own.
So 4 months and almost 5000 km later, the time had come to take the practical exam. Man oh man, I was nervous...
Good thing the exam was scheduled in the morning, it's not too hot at that time. Off to the driving school, to pick up the supervisor. We went and practiced the turning and parking maneuvers. Turning wasn't a problem. But I just couldn't get the darn car parked. That did not help with my nerves.
Then we headed to the exam center. Handed over the papers, paid for the exam, and took a seat while trying to get my nerves under control (and failing at that). After a few minutes the examiner came over to me. Time to get started. I'll spare you the details, but I was sweating all through the exam. I got to the exam center and thought I had failed miserably.
Even more so when he said that he wanted to go over the exam with me. He started summing up what I did wrong, and after the second one I was convinced I'd failed and have to come back. But I had only two mistakes and then he told me I passed! On the first try! I stammered 'Really?' and he nodded. My face must have been priceless. Right hand clasped over my mouth, left hand against left cheek, red face and tears in my eyes because I was so relieved. I could have hugged him. It felt as if a ton of bricks just fell off my shoulders.
According to the supervisor from the driving school it really showed that I drove so much. And that really helped. I was worried I failed because I couldn't get the car turned in three moves, but I drive a large car (Ford C-max grand) and had to execute the turn in a small street. They take the size of the car into account.
I am so happy! I passed on the first try! So bye bye learner's permit and hello real driver's license! Yay!
About half a year ago I made this post about passing my theoretical driver's exam on the first try. Two months later, I finished the necessary lessons and got to drive around on my own.
So 4 months and almost 5000 km later, the time had come to take the practical exam. Man oh man, I was nervous...
Good thing the exam was scheduled in the morning, it's not too hot at that time. Off to the driving school, to pick up the supervisor. We went and practiced the turning and parking maneuvers. Turning wasn't a problem. But I just couldn't get the darn car parked. That did not help with my nerves.
Then we headed to the exam center. Handed over the papers, paid for the exam, and took a seat while trying to get my nerves under control (and failing at that). After a few minutes the examiner came over to me. Time to get started. I'll spare you the details, but I was sweating all through the exam. I got to the exam center and thought I had failed miserably.
Even more so when he said that he wanted to go over the exam with me. He started summing up what I did wrong, and after the second one I was convinced I'd failed and have to come back. But I had only two mistakes and then he told me I passed! On the first try! I stammered 'Really?' and he nodded. My face must have been priceless. Right hand clasped over my mouth, left hand against left cheek, red face and tears in my eyes because I was so relieved. I could have hugged him. It felt as if a ton of bricks just fell off my shoulders.
According to the supervisor from the driving school it really showed that I drove so much. And that really helped. I was worried I failed because I couldn't get the car turned in three moves, but I drive a large car (Ford C-max grand) and had to execute the turn in a small street. They take the size of the car into account.
I am so happy! I passed on the first try! So bye bye learner's permit and hello real driver's license! Yay!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Look again
What made me happy today? Learning to look again.
Just read this article, you'll see what I mean.
Just read this article, you'll see what I mean.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Space
What made me happy today? Space!
Or, to be more precise, what people who have been in space said about it.
Going into space and landing on the moon are experiences that are bound to have an impact on a person. I can only imagine what it must feel like to look at our little blue dot from so far away.
Good thing that there is a cartoon to tell us what it's like, based on what Edgar Mitchell once said. But not only Edgar Mitchell has had a thing to say about seeing Earth from space, many others have too. You can find their quotes here.
I'm still hoping that one day I might be able to see our little blue dot from space myself. Who knows what the future holds...
Or, to be more precise, what people who have been in space said about it.
Going into space and landing on the moon are experiences that are bound to have an impact on a person. I can only imagine what it must feel like to look at our little blue dot from so far away.
Good thing that there is a cartoon to tell us what it's like, based on what Edgar Mitchell once said. But not only Edgar Mitchell has had a thing to say about seeing Earth from space, many others have too. You can find their quotes here.
I'm still hoping that one day I might be able to see our little blue dot from space myself. Who knows what the future holds...
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Happy
What made me happy today? Being happy.
I'm happy. I'm tired, my feet hurt, but I'm happy.
I did a Red Cross volunteer shift yesterday. It was warm, so there was a lot of sweat, but it was pretty calm. It was also very nice to meet some new people, and to be able to help others.
Today, after way too little sleep, I went furniture shopping (yes, again) with my parents. Ikea on Saturday = hell. But it was a fruitful visit, new furniture was acquired. And it fit in dad's car too!
But over the past few weeks, I've been noticing that I'm a lot happier than I used to be. Is it because I'm making an effort to focus on the good things? Is it because the sun is finally shining? Is it because my life is great? Who knows...
All I know is that I'm happy. And that makes me happy :-)
I'm happy. I'm tired, my feet hurt, but I'm happy.
I did a Red Cross volunteer shift yesterday. It was warm, so there was a lot of sweat, but it was pretty calm. It was also very nice to meet some new people, and to be able to help others.
Today, after way too little sleep, I went furniture shopping (yes, again) with my parents. Ikea on Saturday = hell. But it was a fruitful visit, new furniture was acquired. And it fit in dad's car too!
But over the past few weeks, I've been noticing that I'm a lot happier than I used to be. Is it because I'm making an effort to focus on the good things? Is it because the sun is finally shining? Is it because my life is great? Who knows...
All I know is that I'm happy. And that makes me happy :-)
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