Happiness is...

the following...

MY NEW JOB!!! I'll be a 1st and 2nd grade reading aid at this amazing school. I'm SO happy. Love the beautiful campus, and the friendly and smart faculty. The head of school is really amazing and I've enjoyed meeting with everybody so far at the school. I start Monday!

I was just leaving my friend Lauren's new house on the upper-east side of town in NYC on Friday when I checked my voicemail. I was expecting a call back from Langley because I'd interviewed with them several weeks prior, but I knew it was taking some time to get in touch with all my references. However, the position that I interviewed for was just an afterschool counselor position (it was all they had available). So, I call the director of academics back immediately and she tells me there's been some personnel changes (someone moved) and she offers me the position (as described above) right away. I accept the position right away. I can't even tell you what a weight was immediately lifted off my shoulders. I was elated all weekend. I LOVE this school.

And it may just be that my boyfriend in the 6th grade is a science teacher in the lower school (it's K-8). He was my first kiss. He's married now though, so no awkwardness.

And continuing my list of happiness...

Crisp air that fall in VA brings. How I love fall.

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Indian food. Specifically chicken tikka masala and specifically restaurants in Murray Hill (NYC lower eastside).

Clear skin. I've discovered Philosophy's Purity. I really think it's got to be what's turned my skin around.

When pants feel lose. This hasn't happened in awhile. It's okay. I'll get it back.

My nieces and nephew yelling my name and running to hug me when I arrive at their house.

Sweet potato chips. LOVE.

Panera's Tomato Basil Soup

Trader Joe's Kettlecorn. It'll change your life. I love having it for movie night. And any other time.

I don't understand it.

Were our mothers just completely negligent? Why is it that these are so necessary now? Could parents perhaps be too concerned with germs nowadays? I'm pretty sure I turned out pretty healthy, but I don't think my mom worried about me sitting in the shopping cart without a cover, or the grades of plastic and making sure PVC wasn't in any of my dolls. We are getting smarter though, right? We are all going to live longer because of these advances? So, they are to our advantage? I just remember expressing very recently that I don't want to still be alive when I'm 90, or 80 (I could keep decreasing this number). Why put yourself through that? Though, if you are still healthy and living independently, then I guess life is good. My grandpa is 95 and still driving around.

And isn't there something to be said to making your immune system work hard to fight off sickness and in doing so it becomes stronger? If we shield all kids from sickness, won't their immune systems be nonexistent?