New Friends

... because I had an amazing day scuba diving and learning how to surf and met some awesome new people.

My day started off semi-planned, with a scuba diving excursion in the morning. A wreck dive was the first dive and we saw lots of turtles and a white tipped shark. The second dive was a nice shallow reef dive with lots of little fishies and swim throughs. Then two of the girls that were on the dive invited me to join them in their surfing lessons. Something that I hadn't planned on spending money on but always wanted to do so I said "what the heck" sounds like fun!

Surfing was a blast! I caught so many waves... didn't expect to catch so many. During surf lessons, we met another girl from Holland and we all went out for drinks after. The surf instructor and my brother also joined. Now tomorrow the Holland girl and I have a double date with two of the surf instructors. Hahaha, crazy how the day turned into one so unexpected and so fun. Made new friends from Texas, Pennsylvania, Oahu, and Holland!

Curve of the Earth

... because I climbed Mt. Adams last weekend! Not only was I happy for the sense of personal accomplishment, but man, this planet we live on is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!! How fortunate we are to have this amazing opportunities if we only seek them out.

Weekends

... because I got to enjoy another glorious weekend making memories with friends, some old some new. Saturday, went white river rafting (had a smile on my face the whole time with pictures to prove it, kicked the soccer ball around with a frien, then went to poker night (ended up in 4th out of about 15, not shabby). Sunday was hiking up Granite Mountain with some friends and my doggy (BEAUTIFUL) and hot yoga for the first time. Man, I'm going to sleep well tonight.

Lunch Buddy

... because my work has an awesome volunteer match program. I was a "lunch buddy" at a local elementary and work matched that with $255 toward the program. Awesome!

Little sad though because today was the last day since school is out soon and it's more then likely that the girl I was assigned to will be changing schools next year since she moved. Looking forward to what the next school year has to offer!

Sheet

... because I have freshly washed sheets to sleep in. So fresh, so clean, so nice.

Great weekend, great 2009!

... because I had another fantastic weekend in 2009!

FRI:
The weekend consisted of rollerblading with my dog after work, practicing soccer with a friend, then being kidnapped to go see StarTrek at the IMAX.

SAT:
After about two hours of sleep, drove down to Fort Lewis to help out at the Special Olympics. So much fun! All the contestants were just bundles of joy to be around. Mid day, rode around town on the back of my friends motorcycle to get parts for my motorcycle. Then the evening was a perfect one for my first Sounders game. It was so exciting though it ended in a 1:1 tie. After that we headed to a local bar for a bit.

SUN:
So, I was supposed to go on a sunrise hike, but due to lack of sleep, just ended up sleeping in. I was semi-productive in the morning and washed my car then went to "church". After that my mother came over and we met a group for an 11 mile rollerblading/biking adventure to Red Hook Brewery. The weekend wrapped with a friend coming over for salmon on the grill.

Life is good.

This year is turning out to be one of the funnest (yes, I know that's not a word) ever! Can't wait for more fun-filled, friend-filled sleepless weekends.

Special, So Special

... because I get to volunteer at the Special Olympics tomorrow morning. Will be marshalling around the contestants after they finish their race. :)

Not so excited about the time I have to leave my place: 4:45am.

GOOOOO SOUNDERS!

... because a friend with season tickets just invited me to the sounders game Saturday. One condition, I have to rally with them. Done. SO EXCITED!

Recess

... because I got to be a kid at recess with my little buddy, playing hopscotch and teaching her how to do cartwheels.

Every Wednesday I have lunch at a nearby elementary with a 3rd grader. She's awesome. Usually we play jenga, guess who, or do crafts, but yesterday was so nice out we had to go out to the playground and have some fun.

401k

... because my 401k is actually positive this year! (so far)

Swim

... because I actually woke up early this morn and went swimming! Triathlon, one day, you will be mine.

Compliments

... because a random guy asked me what ethnicity I was and then told me I was pretty :) I love when people ask me that, plus getting compliments doesn't hurt either ;). As my friend put it, I'm "a Skittles Bag", hahaha.

A have a friend who has a daily goal of paying someone a genuine compliment. I think this world would be a much better place if we all sought out ways to make other smile.

Fit as a Fiddle!

... because I had my free health screening today and I'm doing well - Body Fat, Cholesterol, LDL, HDLTryglicerides, Glucose, and Blood Pressure all looking good. Yay! My BMI: 20.9. (Normal adult BMI range is 18.5 - 24.9kg/m2).

Keep going and going...

... because I ran 5 miles today and up a big hill, whew! Alpine climbing training in full force!

Mi Familia

... because although I'm sick today, my loving mother is going to come over to take care of me and make me dinner later.

Rainbow

... because there was a bright, full rainbow and faint second rainbow in the sky this morning as I was walking my dog.

CPR

... because I got my CPR certification today. Who wants to start choking? ;p Actually it's a pre-req for a Mountain Orientated First Aid course I'm taking soon

Belay

... because yesterday I went outdoor rock-climbing (I usually go to an indoor bouldering gym) and got to belay someone for a first time.

I Love Tech-No-Lo-Gy

... because technology is great! I have my laptop hooked up to my tv right now so I'm working off a 50" monitor instead of a 17" one. So awesome.

Sleep

... because I actually got more then 8 hours of sleep last night for the first time in a long time. Very much needed, felt so good!

Hawaii Here I Come!

... because I just bought my tickets to Hawaii. So excited! Going there to see my brother and participate in the TinMan Triathlon.

Wedding (not mine)

... because a friend finally posted pictures from her 2007 wedding. It was a nice surprise to see these picts again; they came out well and brought back good memories of being in the wedding :)

Let There Be Light

... because the days are getting longer! Sun earlier, sun later, love it!

Sunrise

... because the sunrise was gorgeous this morning as it rose over the Cascade Mountain Range causing them to be silhouetted. Can't believe I was actually up early enough to see it ;)

Get Yer Butt Over Here

... because she has friends that bug her and pester her to come over, makes me feel loved. Awww.

Aloha Tickets

... because I started looking for my tickets to Hawaii to see my brother and hopefully participate in the tinman triathlon in July. Not as happy about the current prices, but hopefully I'll find a good deal.

Mountaineering Shoes

... because I went gear shopping again today and found the mountaineering shoes I was planning on buying at $100 off. Sweet, I love a deal! Plus on top of that my friend gave me a harness. Bonus!

Dog Park

... because I took my dog to the dog park and there were so many cute, fun-loving dogs to make me smile. How could you not be happy? (btw, this one is for yesterday)

Living Live Learning

... because I finally made my first entry on a blog that actually set up before this one: http://livinglifelearning.blogspot.com/

TGIF!

... because it's FRIDAY, woo-hoo! And because I got to ride my new motorcycle today, weee!

Guinness

... because it's okay to drink at work when the time is right. Having a Guinness as we speak :)

Playing the Field

... because I had an assist in my soccer game tonight, played well, and had fun. Winning the game didn't hurt either ;)

Lunch Buddy

... because when my lunch buddy came out of her classroom, she ran out, squeeled my name and gave me a hug :D

... because just prior to that when I was waiting outside the classroom, another girl came out, walked right up to me and goes "you're really beautiful". Ahh, children, can always count on them for a smile.

Ok, I'll also add that after I said "Thank you, that was so nice of you to say that" she replied "I say that to most girls". Hahaha, way to let the air out ;). But then she comes up to me later and hands me a little colorful stone and goes "Here, this is for you".

Late, not really

... because I was running late this morning (as per usual ;)), and had a meeting at 8:30, however when I got to the conference room there was only one other person there. Seems as though I wasn't the only one who doesn't like to get up early :). To give a little context... I don't have set hours so usually get to work at around 9:45.

Good Doggie

... because my dog is so well behaved. He won't bark or pull when another dog is passing by, though they may be barking at him.

Trekking Poles

... because my new trekking poles that I ordered online were waiting for me when I got home. Yay!

Inherently Happy

... because I only just started this blog and I'm already going through my day looking for reasons to smile and be happy.

Winter Wonderland

... because I woke up to 1/2 inch of gorgeous white stuff outside and wasn't expecting it. I love snow!

Blog Kickoff

(Warning: the following post is cliche ridden, but in a good way)

Though I always strive to be better in the future and learn from the past, I try to be content and happy in the here and now. Life is a gift. We can make of it what we choose. Sure, things may not go our way all the time, but along with actions, our outlook can impact the way things go or seem. Ya, I know it's cliche, but I truly believe that attitude is everything. If we're suffering through hard times, looking to the positive may be able to pull us through. If we're at a high point, having a good attitude just may help us stay there.

It's about the journey, not the destination. Here's some daily tidbits from my journey...

Note: If I happen not to post one day, know for sure that it's not because I didn't have a happy moment, it's likely because I was out enjoying it! :)