This doesn't really qualify as something that made me happy, but it amused me...
I was on my way to the gym, and in the middle of the street was a dead bird (a black and white bird with a little bit of blue, common over here in Ireland). It wasn't so much the dead bird that amused me but the fact that two other birds were standing around the dead bird making what I can only assume to be crying noises (cawt cawt cawt cawt). One was trying to drag the dead bird out from the middle of the street as well, which I found to be pretty interesting.
I wonder if birds feel the same pain as humans do when a loved one dies? All I kept thinking was that it could have been that bird's spouse or parent or sibling and I felt bad for it. I wonder too if birds carry that loss and happy memories with them for their remaining days or if it's soon forgotten...?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Creative Juices Will Flow
Three happy thoughts...
1. I found an unused bus pass (2-way) on my walk into work this morning! Not much (only worth 2.10 euros), but exciting to get something for nothing.
2. My co-workers. This morning on the way to work, I started thinking how I'd love to pick up and find a new job again in another new location. You'd think I enjoy the unknown with the way I'm talking, coupled with the recent career-jumping in my life, but those who know me know that I like having security, so it must stem more from just wanting what I do to feel meaningful and important, or at least creative and useful. Well, I'll keep searching, but for now I have a job that I enjoy because of great co-workers, and I'm so grateful for this.
3. Today I had a meeting about Employee Engagement (which stems from our department's recent Gallup Pole results). I've been asked to lead discussions for the year to figure out ways to improve or maintain our scores. This has been occurring in Bank of Ireland between departments for the last number of years, and although people are fairly tired of it, I'm kind of excited to lead it. This may change as the year goes on (there will be monthly meetings), but for now, it almost leads back to my thoughts in #2. I don't know that I'd be able to make this job completely satisfactory for myself because of my desire to want to make a creative difference in the world, but I can put myself in the shoes of all the questions and try to figure out what I would like to change to improve my scores and hopefully others will chime in. We'll see where it goes...
1. I found an unused bus pass (2-way) on my walk into work this morning! Not much (only worth 2.10 euros), but exciting to get something for nothing.
2. My co-workers. This morning on the way to work, I started thinking how I'd love to pick up and find a new job again in another new location. You'd think I enjoy the unknown with the way I'm talking, coupled with the recent career-jumping in my life, but those who know me know that I like having security, so it must stem more from just wanting what I do to feel meaningful and important, or at least creative and useful. Well, I'll keep searching, but for now I have a job that I enjoy because of great co-workers, and I'm so grateful for this.
3. Today I had a meeting about Employee Engagement (which stems from our department's recent Gallup Pole results). I've been asked to lead discussions for the year to figure out ways to improve or maintain our scores. This has been occurring in Bank of Ireland between departments for the last number of years, and although people are fairly tired of it, I'm kind of excited to lead it. This may change as the year goes on (there will be monthly meetings), but for now, it almost leads back to my thoughts in #2. I don't know that I'd be able to make this job completely satisfactory for myself because of my desire to want to make a creative difference in the world, but I can put myself in the shoes of all the questions and try to figure out what I would like to change to improve my scores and hopefully others will chime in. We'll see where it goes...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Innocent Demure
My three happy thoughts for today...
1. Getting back from the gym and showering with my new Pacifica Bali Lime Papaya soap that I got in Enniskerry when I took Dad there. It smells wonderful and I've been waiting for a month for my normal soap to run out so I can use it!
2. Getting a quick surprise phone call from my mom, and a few minutes later from my grandma.
3. Watching three kids out on the field play keep-away from the gym window. They were rolling around and jumping and having what looked to be a lot of fun, care-free and innocent... It's been a long time since I've done something care-free and innocent... What do you enjoy doing that makes you feel like a kid?
1. Getting back from the gym and showering with my new Pacifica Bali Lime Papaya soap that I got in Enniskerry when I took Dad there. It smells wonderful and I've been waiting for a month for my normal soap to run out so I can use it!
2. Getting a quick surprise phone call from my mom, and a few minutes later from my grandma.
3. Watching three kids out on the field play keep-away from the gym window. They were rolling around and jumping and having what looked to be a lot of fun, care-free and innocent... It's been a long time since I've done something care-free and innocent... What do you enjoy doing that makes you feel like a kid?
Monday, May 5, 2008
A Perfect Mix for a Weekend
I wasn't around to mention three things that made me happy yesterday, so I'll just combine yesterday's and today's.
1. Yesterday, I met Sonja at her new apartment. We had pizza and salad for dinner (her treat, she wouldn't let me contribute which was so sweet of her). We also made the pumpkin pie that my parents had brought over from America to her (you can't buy it here in Ireland). She's got great flatmates too (a Polish couple who are really funny), who hung out with us after dinner. The whole night was full of fun and all of us had a really good time. I ended up spending the night at her place last night (I went off my whole "I don't drink anymore" philosophy for the night and had some glasses of wine and some sex on the beach, so by that time, the buses weren't operating anymore). Needless to say, last night I slept quite soundly. After breakfast this morning, Sonja and I were standing by the living room window and had a nice chat just starring out into the distance. I'm really glad to have her in my life.
2. Dave sent me a text this morning to check up and see if I was okay (I had texted him last night to find out something and I also told him all that I had had to drink...). It made me smile to know that someone was looking out for me. I also get a laugh each time I read a text from last night that he sent me.
3. I met my friend Prakash for a movie and a quick bite to eat today and had a nice time.
I can't believe how quickly this weekend went by, yet I'm so glad everything went as it did. I had plans every day from Friday to Monday, and it was really great. I even managed to get my washing done in between it all. It was the perfect mix of relaxing and fun times!
1. Yesterday, I met Sonja at her new apartment. We had pizza and salad for dinner (her treat, she wouldn't let me contribute which was so sweet of her). We also made the pumpkin pie that my parents had brought over from America to her (you can't buy it here in Ireland). She's got great flatmates too (a Polish couple who are really funny), who hung out with us after dinner. The whole night was full of fun and all of us had a really good time. I ended up spending the night at her place last night (I went off my whole "I don't drink anymore" philosophy for the night and had some glasses of wine and some sex on the beach, so by that time, the buses weren't operating anymore). Needless to say, last night I slept quite soundly. After breakfast this morning, Sonja and I were standing by the living room window and had a nice chat just starring out into the distance. I'm really glad to have her in my life.
2. Dave sent me a text this morning to check up and see if I was okay (I had texted him last night to find out something and I also told him all that I had had to drink...). It made me smile to know that someone was looking out for me. I also get a laugh each time I read a text from last night that he sent me.
3. I met my friend Prakash for a movie and a quick bite to eat today and had a nice time.
I can't believe how quickly this weekend went by, yet I'm so glad everything went as it did. I had plans every day from Friday to Monday, and it was really great. I even managed to get my washing done in between it all. It was the perfect mix of relaxing and fun times!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Sundog
Gratitude is essential to happiness, here are my three happy thoughts for today...
1. I met my friend and co-worker, Tatum, for a nice Italian lunch and a short shopping venture around Grafton street this afternoon. I really enjoyed her company and was glad that she suggested meeting up. I'm going to try to be the friend she craves for, as she just moved to Ireland (from England) with her boyfriend about 6 months ago. And besides, all girls needs girlfriends. Tatum is a sweetheart and a very caring person. I will also try to be the friend that everyone else who invests time to be with me wants.
2. I was sitting on the couch this evening reading a couple articles that my mom sent me and the sun was shining in through the big, glass windows. The warm rays covered my legs through my jeans. I felt like a dog stretched out in the sun (well, my little dog used to do that...). It was a really nice feeling to suddenly be aware of this warmth.
3. One of my best friends, and superb graphic designer (set to graduate this spring!), Angelica, sent me an email with a unique artwork design that she did for her graphic design class. She used me and her dog as subjects, and she titled it: "Dorothy Dreaming of Oz". I was thrilled to see it, and honored that she used me as a subject! Take a look (you can click on the image to enlarge it):
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Ground Beneath
Three things that made me happy today...
1. It's the start of a three-day weekend!
2. I went out with my co-workers after work this evening. It always makes the weekend feel longer to do something on a Friday, and it's good for me to learn how to be more social. I just found out that one of my co-workers, Pat, is going to Canada for a year at the end of the summer, he announced it at the pub because he just told our boss today that he wants to see if he can take a year of absense. He's going to be missed, he has the type of personality that breaks ice in whatever situation he's in, and everyone in the office likes him. However, you have to do this sort of travelling when you haven't any commitments, so more power to him for doing what he dreams of!
3. I loved walking over a bridge on the way home tonight while the moon reflected on the water. I know this one sounds silly, but for some reason I just really like bridges, especially walking over them at night.
1. It's the start of a three-day weekend!
2. I went out with my co-workers after work this evening. It always makes the weekend feel longer to do something on a Friday, and it's good for me to learn how to be more social. I just found out that one of my co-workers, Pat, is going to Canada for a year at the end of the summer, he announced it at the pub because he just told our boss today that he wants to see if he can take a year of absense. He's going to be missed, he has the type of personality that breaks ice in whatever situation he's in, and everyone in the office likes him. However, you have to do this sort of travelling when you haven't any commitments, so more power to him for doing what he dreams of!
3. I loved walking over a bridge on the way home tonight while the moon reflected on the water. I know this one sounds silly, but for some reason I just really like bridges, especially walking over them at night.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Today in Numbers
Let's see, three things that made me happy today...
1. I went into town tonight and found my perfume in Arnotts (which I bought via eBay, but which I won't see until October when my mom brings it over with her) and I gave myself a little spray on my wrists. Throughout the rest of the evening, I was having a nice time taking in the scent of it. The perfume is by Hugo Boss and is called Femme. It has a slight freesia scent to it, which is the body spray that I usually like to wear.
2. Today at work, I was able to contribute and make what my boss' was doing a tad bit easier! We have a new program at work that will output reports to monitor how the models the guys build are performing. I'm helping to set up the reports that will extract the information and output the results. Today I spent half the day setting up the filters to pull certain categories of mortgage information. It so happened that my boss was also working with another aspect of mortgages, and because I had already created these filters, he was able to take what I had and work with them to test his theory. It saved him a few hours of work, especially since I had them already balancing to the correct figures. I was glad to be able to share my work and make his progress faster!
3. Tonight there was a meeting for the organization that I volunteer with (CASA), and it went fine, though not many showed up (less than 10). Afterwards, Rebecca, the organizer had promised that we would have a drink and chat for a short while. I stayed for this even though it's hard for me to socialize. It ended up being pleasant, even moreso when it was down to just four of us, and conversation can more easily flow between people (however, next time I'll have to try to join in more and think of things to say...). Still, I was happy I stayed.
1. I went into town tonight and found my perfume in Arnotts (which I bought via eBay, but which I won't see until October when my mom brings it over with her) and I gave myself a little spray on my wrists. Throughout the rest of the evening, I was having a nice time taking in the scent of it. The perfume is by Hugo Boss and is called Femme. It has a slight freesia scent to it, which is the body spray that I usually like to wear.
2. Today at work, I was able to contribute and make what my boss' was doing a tad bit easier! We have a new program at work that will output reports to monitor how the models the guys build are performing. I'm helping to set up the reports that will extract the information and output the results. Today I spent half the day setting up the filters to pull certain categories of mortgage information. It so happened that my boss was also working with another aspect of mortgages, and because I had already created these filters, he was able to take what I had and work with them to test his theory. It saved him a few hours of work, especially since I had them already balancing to the correct figures. I was glad to be able to share my work and make his progress faster!
3. Tonight there was a meeting for the organization that I volunteer with (CASA), and it went fine, though not many showed up (less than 10). Afterwards, Rebecca, the organizer had promised that we would have a drink and chat for a short while. I stayed for this even though it's hard for me to socialize. It ended up being pleasant, even moreso when it was down to just four of us, and conversation can more easily flow between people (however, next time I'll have to try to join in more and think of things to say...). Still, I was happy I stayed.
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