100 Happy Things

Hello, all!

Well, this is the 100th post. Not much, is it?

I wasn't sure what to write about today, but I keep posting relatively heavy things, so my friend Lindsey suggested I write a post about things to be happy about. I figured that was an appropriate celebration of my 100th post, so...

100 Things to Be Happy About:

1. The beauty of weather.
   
2. The ability to see and interact with the world around you.
3. Bizarre conversations that have no purpose.
4. That moment when you realize that somebody else knows EXACTLY what you're talking about.
5. Not failing at high-fives... or even better, high-tens.
6. Unplanned meetings with friends in the middle of the hallway.
7. Hearing a song that feels perfect for that moment.
8. Knowing how to be alone.
9. Planning for the next great adventure.
10. Alternatively, planning nothing at all and just DOING.
11. The moment right after a hard run or a hard day when you realize that you survived.
12. The scent of spring on the air, and the first flower buds emerging from the ground.
13. Writing poetry.
14. Reading a book that distracts you completely from your life.
15. When people listen to what you have to say and offer exactly what you need in response.
16. Baking and cooking for pleasure.
17. Dreams of the possibilities of the future.
18. Meeting new people & making new friends.
    
19. Getting past the awkward getting-to-know-you stage.
20. Learning a new instrument and not even caring how terrible you are.
21. Feeling confident.
22. Stepping outside of your comfort zone and not regretting it.
23. Days when worries are forgotten.
24. When you find yourself smiling for no reason at all.
25. Laughing uncontrollably.
26. Chocolate.
27. Dancing in the rain.
28. Spending a day watching favorite movies.
29. Reading outside.
30. Creating something beautiful.
31. The first moment of summer vacation.
32. Reconnecting with old friends.
33. Achieving a goal.
34. Catching 11:11 and making a wish.
35. Being reminded that you are loved.
36. Overcoming a challenge.
37. Having an epiphany.
38. Eating the last bite of something delicious.
39. Giving presents...
40. Especially for no reason at all.
41. Waking up and knowing that today will be a GOOD day.
42. Fresh, clean towels.
43. Modern medicine.
44. Learning something new.
45. Re-reading favorite books from your childhood.
46. Following a recommendation.
47. The warmth of sunlight.
48. Cuddling with a pet.
49. Finding a hidden treasure.
50. Remembering something you had forgotten.
51. Traveling by train.
52. Feeling invincible.
53. Dancing around the house when nobody else is around.
54. Singing loudly in the shower.
55. Feeling beautiful.
56. Looking through photo albums.
57. Wearing awesome socks.
58. Expecting the worst but hearing the best.
59. Pleasant surprises.
60. Inside jokes.
61. Sharing once-embarrassing stories.
62. Forgiving somebody.
63. Being forgiven.
64. Volunteering for a worthy cause.
65. Doing something for yourself, not because you expected to.
66. Knowing that people have heard you.
67. Finding the perfect "thinking spot".
68. Reading old journals or stories.
69. Going barefoot when the ground is damp.
70. Snow days.
71. Daydreaming.
72. Blasting music in the car while driving.
73. Staying up late and actually accomplishing something.
74. Watching movies in the middle of the night.
75. Counting down to an event.
76. Watching movies with friends.
77. Holding hands.
78. Trying on silly hats.
79. Having a clean room.
80. Taking pictures of nature.
81. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
82. Picnics.
83. Meeting somebody you admire.
84. Receiving mail.
85. Starting to write in a new notebook.
86. Finding old notes from friends.
87. Writing nonsense songs.
88. Whispering secrets in the middle of the night.
89. Filling your day with happy things.
90. Walking through a park.
91. Being optimistic.
92. Beautiful quotes.
93. The internet.
94. Testing a new recipe and having it fail-- but enjoying the process anyway.
95. Saying "I love you".
96. Enjoying the silence.
97. Being complimented.
98. Having an honest debate about opinions without getting offended.
99. Light.
100. Just... living.

Well, I could probably go on for a long time, but... this is just 100 things I thought of that I think you should be happy about. These are things I am happy about, anyway!

Thank you so much to Lindsey for inspiring this list, and to all the people that have inspired particular reasons to be happy on this list. To all the readers-- the one about being heard-- that's for you. Thank you all so much for commenting and reading!

A demain!
<3
-Aly

Cookies & Cream

Bonjour!

Sometimes, all I need is a day where I'm not stressed out over something-or-other (probably insignificant), where I am too busy to stop and think, too happy to worry about what this week or this season or this year holds for me. Today was one of those days, and I am exhausted now, but in a great mood (despite the fact that I realize that I have homework to finish that I forgot about in the rush of everything else). It doesn't bother me that I didn't accomplish much today, because it my eyes, not accomplishing much other than selfish pleasure and FUN is acceptable. It IS the weekend, after all.

I woke up relatively early today, though I refused to get out of bed, choosing instead to lie there with the blinds open a bit to enjoy the light and the cool temperature of my room, where it is perpetually too much of an extreme. After grocery shopping, I ate lunch with my family-- not that we're really that great at "family time" anyway, since we tend to disperse to seperate rooms, often with lights off, each glued to our respective computers, pretending for that moment that interaction with our family is not needed. I didn't mind today, but sat at the bare table alone, reading Paper Towns and thinking about wanderlust again.

Shortly after, I left once again to head to Molly's, where we made a great card for Tori's birthday (which was yesterday) and wrapped (me: complicated weaving covering the Christmas wrapping paper, Molly: scraps of wrapping paper that didn't cover the box of Animal Crackers) part ONE of her gifts, and then delivered them. A quick jaunt to Colin's, then a stop at Juice Shop (out of the way, but delicious) to get Grant a smoothie, then to Grant's. Of course we got distracted by filling random things in to Grant's calendar, before deciding to stop by our freshman (of the year, we generally choose a few freshmen to be "ours", which means we adopt them and do our best to include them) Caroline's house-- her family's reactions were hysterical, and we'll definitely be going back, especially since she wasn't there! Then back to Colin's, before dinner at Molly's (hot dogs!), and out to a new ice-cream parlor (Cookies and Cream). Delicious and Fattie Club, best way to end any day.

And now I'm doing homework, knowing that I'll have to be up early again tomorrow for school. First FULL week of school, but I feel more mentally prepared now. Today makes this weekend a success in my book.

See you again tomorrow!
-Aly

Dreamland

Hello again!

I’ve put this off for a few days now, but it’s about time that I sit down and actually write this blog, so here it goes.

I’ve been here for five months now, and in that time, quite a bit has changed. The most obvious is, of course, language-wise, but I’ve also gained many amazing friends and experiences.

Some things haven’t quite been what I expected them to be, but some, such as the relationships I’ve built, have been so much more important to me than I expected. I’ve spent these last two months (ever since the last vacation) in my own personal version of heaven, so busy with my French friends that I didn’t have time to miss home. And now, I’ve moved in with my friend Charlotte—I finally get to experience a “host family” with somebody my age, which is quite fun.

I could get all sappy here, but the video I posted on the 21st shows it pretty well—all that video was taken in a span of four days, and it’s kind of a present for the Frenchies, with whom I’ve passed so many good days lately.

OH! In other news, I only have 2 days of school left. And then I’m off to Bordeaux again, and the final few weeks in June, I’ll spend with Charlotte (B.) and my other friends. I’m so not ready for this to end, it’s just TOO GOOD.

♥,
-Aly

Trips to McDonalds/Quick: 12
(*hides in shame*)

Kick Ass Frenchies

JP, Lisa, Nolwenn, me, and Cindy before Kick Ass :D
(Picture credit: Jean Paul, except I think Charlotte took this one.)

Hello again!

I know, you probably feel like you're hearing from me a lot lately. This is due to the fact that I've decided I really need to use my time better, and I've just kind of needed to write on here lately. I think this will be my goal for the next 2 months, so you should be hearing a lot more from me! (I've actually got plans for some things for this blog; check for updates and interesting things! :D)
I have FIVE more postcards. I sent 4, then 10 last week, and today another 11. I lie, it's technically two, since I owe three of you a postcard! Though I may cave in and buy more, if I get more people that want them. So, uhh, seriously, ASK IF YOU WANT A POSTCARD! I would love to send one! Also, I love postcards. Even with pears on them-- thank you, Katherine! (She is awesome! Go check out her blog full of pretty things, happy thoughts, and Grand Schemes :D)

I've been hanging out with my friends lately! They have completely pulled through for me on things we've mentioned doing, such as going to Nice and having sleepovers and such.

I spent Saturday hanging out in Centre-ville with Nolwenn, Lisa, Charlotte H., and Jean-Paul. We went to lunch (I ate another American, you guys. I admit, I really just wanted to say I've eaten more Americans. Such a cannibal...!), took pictures, wandered around, and finally joined Cindy at the Cinemas to see Kick-Ass. I thought it was awesome, but I enjoy such nerds-conquering-the-world-I-mean-being-Nerdfighters type movies. I kept dying of laughter, even though I didn't even understand what exactly they were saying ALL the time. After all that, we had ice cream and hung out more. We managed to convince people walking by we were insane, as well as stalk a marching band in Period Dress (I still don't exactly understand why there were so many people in Old-Fashioned Clothes were wandering around... and all the BOOM!s that weren't fireworks?), and various other fun things. Oh, Frenchies, how much joy you bring me...
[I took pictures! They're on facebook.]

JP, Charlotte H., Lisa, Nolwenn, Cindy

I'm going to Nice with Charlotte B. on Wednesday! We're going to tour the Old part of the town, eating the Best Ice Cream in Nice, and I'm spending the night at her house! (Why, yes, I do have school Thursday. *feels B)

OH! And tomorrow, I've got TWO CLASSES (technically 3, but 2 hours of French except one hour is with the Premier ES1, and 2 hours of "hande." [Handball, they always leave off the -ball.])! After which, me and the Frenchies are going to McDonald's (I think that will be the 10th time), then the Theatre to see Mozart's Flute Enchantee. It will be AWESOME! There's ACROBATS!!!!! (I hope I'm allowed to bring my camera because I definitely am.)

I'll tell you about tomorrow and Wednesday as soon as possible-- hopefully with pictures! But at the moment, I have to run errands and do Important Things, so I'm going to peace out and not include any details about why today is fail, but in a way that I don't really care about because I'm in a great mood. :D

-Aly

Trips to McDonalds/Quick: 9 [this is including during the last vacation, so this is the as-of-today count]

Honesty

Hello!

If I'm going to be completely and utterly honest here (I am), I haven't been working on the posts from last month. I do have things to share-- little anecdotes of my first weeks of school and life here, my day of awesome with Dad in the mountains, interesting things I've learned-- but I really haven't been working that hard on drafting the posts that will include such things.

For one thing, yes, I am busy. I do have quite a bit of time off, but I fill the time living (this includes time on the computer, because that's part of daily life); I may not always be using my time productively, but as with life everywhere else, life here has its "ups and downs."

Yesterday was definitely one of those days, and I have struggled with similar sentiments periodically since Dad left and throughout the course of this past week. It makes me uncomfortable to admit this, but sometimes I just want to pack up and go home. In those moments, it seems like it would be the easiest solution, but I know (as do you) that it is not. If I come to you in those moments, rant in hand and asking for an internet-hug and tell you that I want to give up, kindly send the hug, listen to the rant, and slap some sense into me.

It's easy to forget when you are alone in a place you're not fully comfortable with that you are there for a purpose, and you aren't as alone as you would like to believe. I have this problem a lot-- sometimes, I am paralyzed and tormented by the thought that I don't really have somebody here that I can completely, effortlessly confide in. I struggle with the separation from people I now realize have been like security blankets: whose company I seek out at any moment when I have a chance, who make me a better person and keep me smiling. This is normal, and I didn't realize it would be quite like that. That's the nature of the thing, though, and recognizing that I have to be my own person is vital.

That isn't to say that I don't have friends here. People I will push away sometimes, or seek out; these friendships are still in the beginning stages where I still don't know that much about each individual, but I consider to be friends all the same. The language barrier is a problem; I can't always understand everything they're talking about, or the context of the conversation. I can't always reply and I am, in fact, quite socially awkward, so placed in a situation where I would have to come up with a topic of discussion where I can actively contribute and is interesting for all participants is something I need to work on. I do want to get to know them better, but I fall short of actually accomplishing this.

What I often forget, though, is that the friends I have here may be experiencing the same thing-- the awkward getting-to-know-you stage where you may not know quite what to say. Just like anywhere else, it's impossible to believe that somebody else will make the effort if you, yourself, do not. The people I count as friends appear to honestly want to be my friend (even if I don't see them all the time)-- people like Corentin and Nadia, who take the same bus as me, Laure, Jean-Paul, both Charlottes, Insaf... and more (listing all the names isn't a good idea, because that's confusing). They are, as previously mentioned, quite patient with my slow French, which is still scattered with English phrases.

Much to my amusement, some of my English phrases have been adopted. It makes me smile to hear them say "Fail"; today on the bus, Corentin said "epic fail", and pronounced it "epique faiiil." Such things make me giggle and want to hug whoever said the phrase because (let's face it), their accents make English words sound ridiculously cute. Similarly, it seems my accent makes some things sound cute to them, too-- I was reading Harry Potter (en français... n'inquiete pas!) very quietly and Insaf informed me of that while Jean-Paul nodded.

I have vacation starting Saturday; lots of French people go skiing, but as far as I know, I'll be in Fréjus for the duration of the break. I will be taking the initiative and trying to make plans with some friends; maybe some exploring is in order, of places I haven't been, such as Marseilles.

I didn't expect for there to be issues within the host family; I didn't expect this, but I try to take it in stride. I'm not new to handling a similar situation, but I feel as though it's not my place to interfere. I tread the line between stranger and family, and as a visitor, I don't want to stir the waters. My issues here ("chez moi", because this is my "home" here, no matter that I still refer to AEU as "home") stem from handling a younger brother that is 11 years old. HE IS ELEVEN, you guys. Eleven-- and I'm seventeen; this doesn't make for peace, as I am residing in his room-- in "his" house-- taking up space he finds familiar and comforting in the same way that I find my space AEU familiar and comforting. Beyond that, the two of us have communication problems as well; he is full of energy and the desire to play that is expected from young boys. I won't hesitate to tell you that sometimes I do not like the kid at all, but I recognize that he is a KID and the problems I have with him are expected and even normal for a younger "sibling".

I'd also mention, that like every time I travel, being here has inspired in me a desire to write and create. I can't face my novel, but I guess nothing will happen to it if I don't sit down and read it. I can't just shrug off my moments of inspiration and my desire to write stories; they won't be written if I don't write them, and it's been too long since I've made any effort to write stories. I want to get back that. If anything, like this blog, it is an exercise in expression and practice for true writing (I do still dream of being an author).

I know this wasn't particularly interesting, but there you have it. Life continues.
♥,
-Aly

Insignificant Numbers

Hello!

It's nearly 12:00, so that means it's NEARLY my birthday (if we're going to be precise, however, 1 or so in the morning)! YAY FOR BEING 17!
[Honestly, there's not that much interestingness to it, I would guess; R-rated movies? Whoopdedoo?]

HOWEVER, today (by the time you read this, that is), means that it is the Fourteenth... and France is a liiiiiittle... 8 days, since I am, in fact, counting... over a week away!

By now I'm really excited because I'm not afraid of having a bad experience. Through my dad's persistence and the help of a bunch of people, we finally found a host family for me to stay with while I'm there.

My father contacted Rick from Oregon, who wrote a blog about his family's experience living a year in france; Rick forwarded the message to friends in Fréjus, where the message was forwarded to other families, including my host family, the Chasson's. They graciously offered to host me for the entire stay; though I may be sleeping in the grandmother's house each night. I've been in touch with a boy from Washington, DC who stayed with them last summer; he says they're very kind! So, it should be a good solution.

I'll be included on family outings and the like, and I'll go to Lycée Albert Camus as originally planned. I'll have to ride the bus, but that's all just part of the experience so I have no qualms.

At any rate, France is coming up really quickly, and I'm ridiculously excited. I can't wait to go, but part of me isn't fully ready yet. I haven't spent nearly enough time with the friends that I may not see again for a long time; particularly the seniors that have been some of my great friends since they were "my sophomores".

I convinced Mom to let me have a Going Away/Birthday party on Friday, so I'm looking forward to that quite a bit. :)

On the 22nd, Dad and I will be leaving Winston around noon to drive to Charlotte. Our flight is at four (we're flying to Philadelphia); from there, we'll fly to Paris. I think we'll be there until the 29th, at which point we'll be travelling by train down to Fréjus!

In other news:
I've become slightly obsessed with the show Doctor Who, which I've been watching on youtube lately (so that I can understand the Chameleon Circuit songs). This isn't very helpful to me getting anything at all done, but it's not like I mind killing my brain via sorta-television like other people. :3

Besides, FRANCE IS SOON! So my brain may or may not have gone on vacation already. Shhhh.

♥,
-Aly

The Magical Sound of Victory

Tired, but happy. Winner's certificate :D

HI!

I couldn't resist, I admit it.

I'm far too excited to NOT blog about this.

For those of you that don't know it, November is National Novel Writing Month.

For me and eight to fifteen (I lost count) of my friends, that meant we spent a month slaving over a novel, which is defined by NaNo as having 50,000 words.

It sounds like a lot of words, and it definitely is. It's a huge project to undertake, and with everything else going on in November (such as life. That's a rather distracting thing.), it takes a lot of wise procrastination and even more not-so-kind nudging from friends to survive. At least, it did for me.

Over the course of the last two weeks, I have given up on my novel at least six times, fallen behind more than 11,000 words, and I've also had three days of extremely high word counts. It's been rough, but I made it. At 11:36 or something around there, I "crossed the finish line" with 50,207 words (though the website tells me it was only 50,178; still not sure why, exactly).

The moment of victory. Moreorless.

Since that moment, I cannot stop smiling. I'm filled with joy and I can't sit still; it's absolutely ridiculous. It feels like I just ran a marathon that I didn't train for in the slightest, during which I fell down enough that my entire body is covered in bruises and sore, but somewhere near the end, I go this KICK, and it held... for miles and miles. And somehow, despite the entire race and the aggravation about the quality of the run, I MADE IT. I'm not quite "finished" all the way, but I did it. I made it to my goal, and this may be the biggest thing I've accomplished in my entire life, by my standards.

I have a great feeling about tomorrow, or rather... today. Even though I can't focus on anything at all that isn't feeling loopily happy, I DID IT. I can do anything with the feeling I have right now.

Bring it on, December. Ups and downs and whatever's in store. I'm going to finish this novel this month-- fix it up and make it acceptable. It'll be great. And I'm certain that waiting on that finish line will be the same people that kicked, dragged, and shoved me through November.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH if you were one of those people.

I love you, and in case you're wondering-- that sound you hear? That would be the Magical Sound of VICTORY!

-Aly

Splashing in Puddles

Bonsoir!

Of course, it's MONDAY!

I liked today. Most Mondays are just boring and uneventful, and so very EXHAUSTING that there is no way to glean any joy from the mundane activity of returning to the week. I found all that to be a LIE today.

I went to bed at 8:30pm Sunday night, so I was well-rested for my 6:50am alarm clock-- and miraculously made it out of my house by 7:48. Amdi, Molly, and I went to C&K Bagels ("Bagel Station II") for overpriced and exponentially-cream-cheesy bagels. We "creeped" in the parking lot while jamming out (Amdi's terminology xD) to my ipod. The day progressed, and there was nothing truly BAD about today-- Physics was rather fun, despite Monica's absense-- and I had fun. By the time practice rolled around, the sky was fairly clear and the temperature perfect for running.

Well, the weather didn't stay perfect for long, but despite the terrential downpour, lightning, thunder, wind, puddles, screaming, and lacking-shirt-ness, and having to huddle under a picnic area in the bathrooms, it was an AWESOME run. Actually, that's what MADE it an awesome run. I ran through every single puddle on the way back to school, and I haven't had that much fun running in a while. Cromwell gave me this look of "wow, really?" and Coach Amy was too busy trying to stop hyperventilating to care much for my loud splashing.

So that was today. And it was good. I'm glad-- I can do with days like this more often, because it just give me a better outlook on life.

I have a revelation for today, but it's not so much a revelation as a re-affirmation of something I think we all forget sometimes.

"Childlike" joy (joy in simple moments and pleasures) is the best kind of joy. It doesn't take much to be happy, and when the smallest things make your day great, the world isn't as bad as it seems.

I'm going to try to remember that in these coming weeks.

Quote for Today:
Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough. - Emily Dickinson

Hope you had a joyful day!
-Aly