Make My Day

There are somethings that just make my day. I don't always know when I'll experience one of these things, but when they unexpectedly happen, the day just seems to be better. Here are the things that recently happened to me.

I enjoy writing, but most of the time, if I don't have any direction for my writing, I'll quickly get bored with it. This is why writing short restaurant reviews seem to work very well for me. I recently work a review for a restaurant called Fez on the site Yelp, which is where I do most of my reviews. I just really did this to do a little writing and let people know what my experience with the restaurant was. The next day I found I had two new friends following my reviews! One of the guys I actually know but didn't know he was on the site. The other is a complete (at least to my knowledge) stranger, who also left a comment saying that she enjoyed my reviews. Just thinking that a things that I just did for my own enjoyment was also enjoyed by others so much so that they are looking forward to reading more of my thoughts. I don't really think the writing was that outstanding but others at least seem to find it enjoyable.

Since I started school again, I have been trying to make friends in class. It isn't really that hard. I find that if I just talk to anyone in class, they find it intriguing enough to have a conversation with me, since most people don't really try to connect with classmates. I now know at least someone in each of my classes and have talked to most of those people outside of class. One of them recently told me that she actually was really glad I talked to her cause she thought I have a nice smile. This took me back a bit because if there is one thing I don't really like about myself, it my teeth and smile. I know it sounds silly but I know my teeth have weird stains on them and, I feel, don't line up perfectly. I know that I had opportunities to get this taken care of before and didn't take them, and it honestly doesn't bother me that much. I just really found it surprising that my smile is something someone would like. I think after I was told that, I had the smile stuck on my face the rest of the day. Don't get ahead of yourself, dear reader! She was just paying me a compliment, nothing more. Even knowing this, it still made my day.

I don't think in either case it was the things themselves that made my day, it was more the fact that they were unexpected. I wasn't writing a review for other people to tell me how much they enjoyed it, nor was I smiling for someone to tell me they like my smile. Both of them I just did for my own gratification and it happened to be enjoyed by others. So much so that they thought to mention it.

Life's good.

Haiti Relief

I don't really know how many people really read this, but I just want to make sure everyone has done something to help those in Haiti. Today, I just bought a shirt with the proceeds going to the Haiti efforts. If you would like to purchase one too to help while getting a stylish shirt out of the deal, check it out here. If not there, there are many of other ways to donate. Please do. I know tragedy is all around us, but when I look at what happened to them and what I have, I KNOW I can give a little to help.

Like a Child

Sometimes, I feel a lot like a child. You know. Like, when a child wants a toy. It might be something another child has and he is just jealous, or it's something he saw on a TV ad and knows that he wants it. He thinks that that one thing will make his life better. That it is the key to his happiness. When he finally gets it, he may enjoy it for a bit, but soon enough, he will find a new thing to fancy, whether it is the box the toy came in, something another child has, or just another ad. Then that new thing becomes the key to his happiness.

Yeah, I sometimes get like that. I guess I just need to do a few things.

1) Be grateful for what I have.

2) Really consider if this new thing is something I really want. Is it worth the sacrifice to get?

3) If/when I get it, make sure I value it as much as possible.

I really believe this is an issue that more people then just me have a problem with. Hope you find these thoughts interesting/helpful.

Bobsled Time!

I was just thinking about how the Winter Olympics are starting very soon. I don't know how popular they are down here in the desert since most people haven't seen snow or ice and probably don't really get any of the events. Never the less, I was getting a bit excited about some of the events (not really interested in the figure skating, but most other blade/ice related sports are cool by me) and I started to wonder if I'll be able to watch any. Probably not because of my crazy schedule. I'll miss seeing hockey, luge, curling, speed skating, skiing, snowboarding, and bobsled.

To substitute the last one, I am going to watch Cool Runnings.

'Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it's bobsled time!'

New Season.

Sunday last week, probably my favorite tv show had it's premier. Yeah, Chuck is back! I went over to watch most of the two-hour premier on Sunday to my good friend Brad's place. He is also a huge fan of the show. They also had another new episode last Monday, so he came over and watched it at my place. Man, I LOVE that show. I have been watching from the beginning and, to be honest, originally thought it didn't have much of a run in it. The story didn't seem like something that could continue for a long run. The thing that brought me back every week was the amazing characters, each of them is their own person with very good depth throughout the cast. I remember hearing once that you don't always need a groundbreaking story, if you have deep characters. If you can make a character that people care about, you can make up for some deficiencies in the storytelling.

Also, having an attractive, blond female lead who can act well doesn't hurt either.

Random Encounter

Two weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to start going to church again. I found a Nazarene church in my area and since I had been to one in Buffalo that I somewhat enjoyed, I decided to go. Last Sunday, I woke at about 7am, not on purpose, and got ready and just went to the 9am service. I was quickly greeted by an older gentleman named Will. I found out he is a pastor there and quickly treated me to the welcome speech. I didn't mind cause it was quick and involved a gift bag with a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks. He reminded me of Pastor Dave Hill from EHWC. He tells me about a Sunday school for college-aged people that starts at 9:30am and invites me to go next week. I thank him and enjoy the service. The service was decent, nothing ground breaking to me, but I figure I'll give it another try next week.

Next week come and I am again awake much earlier than I want to be. I decide to go to the Sunday school this week. I get there and there are only 4 other people. We chat for a bit and start talking about Isaiah. More people start coming in and one of the girls introduces herself as Laura, who I think is familiar looking. The name is familiar too. A few minutes later I realize that she is actually from my hometown and the sister of a friend of mine. After Sunday school she says that I look familiar. I respond, 'Yeah, my last name is Debo. Yours is Pasieka.' She actually remembers my brothers and going to the same church my family went to for years.

How random.

Magic Music

Sometimes, when listening to music via the radio or my iPod, I will realize how appropriate a song is to a certain situation in my life. I have started to think that these devices are a little magic. I was recently upset for not having something I wanted. Mind you, this is very much something I want. I do not in anyway need this thing. I know this but still think about how much I would like to have this thing and that I might be happy if I had it.

Then the song 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by the Rolling Stones came on. It actually took me up until the end of the song to realize how appropriate it was for me. I am very glad I have what I need and that I always seem to get what I need when I need it. That's enough for me right now.