Blogapalooza 2016 - Day 2

5 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Getting things in the mail.  My dad always seems to be getting things for his projects or the Kingdom Hall and I get just a little bit jealous.  This week I have Black Friday purchases coming in and it makes me so happy!!  Yesterday I got a snarfblat and slimy yet satisfying pin from FanFlaire.  I also love to get letters, but who writes letters anymore?  I've tried to take the initiative and have sent letters but haven't gotten any response.

2. Cosplaying popular characters.  So far I’ve gone to ComiCons as Merida and Miss Frizzle.  Both times people were very excited to see my characters, though they were different demographics.  Merida attracted small children and parents who wanted pictures for the kids they had left at home.  While not as many people stopped Miss Frizzle for pictures, almost without fail she got excited acknowledgement from anyone in the 18-30 range, with more than one squeal and excited “You were my childhood!”.  Through both of these characters I got to live out my lowkey dream of being a Disney castmember/princess and spread joy.  I also got many compliments which is also ego/self esteem boosting and awesome!  I am among my people when at ‘Cons, people who share similar passions and joys and don’t look at you funny for your excitement.  On a side note, Miss Frizzle is a hard character to pose because she always seems to be in motion.  Any ideas?

3. Being in Disneyland.  I had a lot of fun when I went with my high school choir in 2008 but I had so much more fun when I went with my sister and our fellow Mouseketeer Kelsey!  It was Deanna’s first trip, Kelsey’s millionth and an awesome combination.  The atmosphere is so happy, the food is indescribably delicious and I GOT TO MEET ARIEL first thing on the first day.  Truly the happiest place.  Even the hazmat spill on the way there added to the excitement of the trip.

4. Completing a streak on Habitica.  #notaspon  Someone on the NaNoWriMo Facebook page suggested this site/app combination as a way to establish good habits and it has really worked.  It uses the gaming method of collecting EXP and losing/gaining health.  There are also goal related quests and challenges but you have to have friends/join groups on there and I haven’t been brave enough to yet.  You set your own Daily Goals (you can decide if they happen daily, on certain days of the week, or every X number of days), Habits, and ToDo list.  I use my goals primarily to battle my depression.  I have discovered that I feel better about myself and am less likely to spiral downward if I make sure I get dressed (so far a 30 day streak), put on at least foundation (32 days), and shower regularly (22 times).  You can get eggs that grow into pets and potions to control which color they grow into.  My current pet is a desert fox.

5. Hiking Wahkeena Falls.  

It is beautiful and tough, so I feel accomplished, but not too challenging, there is a place we picnic before heading back down so we don’t push too hard.  I’ve always hiked in the winter so it has been frozen and snowy and I have loved it!  Also, because of the weather, there haven’t been very many other hikers which is wonderful.
I'd love to explore more of the Gorge, but I prefer going places with someone who has been there before and most hikers I know are very hardcore, way out of my physical abilities level.  It's a frustrating combination.