(I am shopping for a new swimsuit, this is one of the contenders but it's on Amazon. I don't know how I feel about buying it without being able to try it on. But so cute!)
Friday, January 30, 2015
E: Day 14
(I am shopping for a new swimsuit, this is one of the contenders but it's on Amazon. I don't know how I feel about buying it without being able to try it on. But so cute!)
A: Day 17
Thursday, January 29, 2015
A: Day 16
This picture is awful quality, but my phone is hopeless when it comes to nighttime photography. I had a science training meeting at a nature museum at Lincoln Park, this is a view of the city from near there. While Chicago definitely makes me happy, what made me happy about this view was that Ashley was super excited to show it to me. We're going to go back when it's warmer because the whole skyline reflects in the pond when it's not frozen over. I'm really glad I work with her, she makes me happy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
A: Day 15
Every Wednesday, especially during a busy week, I feel like going to Yuvati Kendra is inconvenient: it's so late and my day will be so long. But every Wednesday, when I'm driving home at 9:30, I'm filled with satisfaction and inspiration. Yuvati Kendra re-energizes me, reminds me how to walk on the path to true happiness, and puts life in perspective. This is a picture of the activity we did today. Our scriptures are vast in quantity, complex in quality, and many parts are seemingly inaccessible due to language. We're making our own "mini scripture" with quotes to remind us how awesome the literature of our culture is!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
A: Day 14!!
Monday, January 26, 2015
A: Day 13
Usually when someone is going through a hard time, I struggle to know what to do to comfort them. But I never feel that uncertainty with my family, I know without a doubt that being there for them is enough. They fill me with so much love <3
E: Day 12
Sent in my broken ipod for repair and just got it back. Here's to hoping it works so I can always have music available to me to put into words those feelings you can't make sense of any other way. It is by far my favorite art form and my biggest comfort in life.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
A: Day 12
Today I really had to think to find some post-worthy happiness in my day. I went to the Mexican grocery store where we get our produce without a list or a plan. seeing so many different varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables always inspires me to cook more and eat healthier, I'm happy that food is something important to me. (Picture struggles again, this is a picture from my last round of cooking inspiration.)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
A: Day 10
Justine came over for dinner on Friday and we haven't seen each other in over a month and it was the greatest ever! As usual, I forgot to take a selfie with her, and this is the only picture I have of us together that I can find. She makes me happy in so many ways, but if I have to pick one I would say that it feels liberating to spend time with someone who is so comfortable in their own skin. I've never met anyone who is so accepting of themselves and everyone around them.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
A: Day 9
E: Day 9
Making a bears onesie for my baby! Unfortunately this failed and I have to figure out how to fix it but it was still fun :)
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
A: Day 8
There is a social stigma around openly expressing your love for God. You think people will view you as illogical, unintellectual, or even brainwashed. I've always had a logical and practical understanding of God, one of my spiritual goals this past year has been to increase my emotional understanding of God by beginning to see God's love for me. Since I've started going to Yuvati Kendra at UIC, I've gotten to know three girls better who have a profound, open, and inspiring love for God. I borrow this book of poems by a Muslim music scholar from one of them.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
A: Day 7
Monday, January 19, 2015
A: Day 6
E: Day 6
It was a good day at work. We had a new product launch and got to try these new flavors on different foods.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A: Day 5
Today's happiness is an extension of yesterday's sunshine. Nature makes me happy. Today was the perfect beach day, even though we couldn't swim, this beach was part of a state park (called Honeymoon Island :) ) and it was sunny, blue skies, 70°, and the sand was covered in all sorts of shells. There were no crowds so the beach was calm and peaceful and we could hear the waves.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
A: Day 4.5
This post was inevitable, warm sunshine makes me SO HAPPY! There were too many pictures to choose from, but I've taken every opportunity to be in the sun today (including eating chocolate sorbet!! on a sun-baked bench). Being outdoors, active, and in sunlight are proven to be renewing for everyone, and for true happiness we need constant renewal!
A: Day 4
I missed a day so I'll do two today to make up for it. I should have saved this picture, but Baa makes me so happy. She's reading the Mahabharat and stopping every page to tell me the complicated twisting back story to the part she has just read (most of which I already know, courtesy of her). She's so full of knowledge and love, and of course her aashirvaad for me these days is "saaru ghar male" (get married to a good person). <3
E: Day 4
I love sunny, productive Saturday mornings at my apartment. Got a lot done, including hanging up my new frames!
Friday, January 16, 2015
E: Day 3
The gym was closed today so I decided to go shopping at Target. I really needed new jeans, which I didnt find, but I walked away with a couple new sweaters. The experience reaffirmed the fact that I greatly dislike shopping, which makes me happy. I'm also grateful that I have a personal shopper so I don't have to deal with this on a regular basis.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
A: Day 3
I'm sure you can already guess the happiest part of my day, seeing V :) I meant to take a selfie with her to post here but remembered as soon as she left. V keeps me young, she helps me laugh without abandon and let go of at least some of my many inhibitions. My goofiest side comes out with her. Here's to being forever young at heart <3
E: Day 2
The best part of today was food. Someone at work brought in these red velvet doughnuts from Bennison's bakery. Paired with black coffee, these were delicious.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
A: Day 2
While showering in the winter is always a chore, my apartment offers small comforts. This small radiator always keeps the bathroom toasty so I'm not shivering when I get out. But my favorite part about the radiator is that I always put my clothes on it and when I wear them they have that fresh-out-of-the-dryer feel that always leaves me sighing in satisfaction.
E: Day 1
I was having trouble staying awake at my desk so I went to work on the treadmill desk on my floor. So nice to work somewhere that has these facilities and where I have the flexibility to use it.