1000 happy days - Day 179

Happiness is waking up at 7AM, realizing its Sunday, and there is no alarm to get me out of bed.  Ergo..... I slept in!  Until my mom woke me up to drink the chai she made me. :) Winning!!!

Also, I make my mom pick out my Indian clothes for me. :). I'm 34 but I like being a baby on purpose sometimes!  Today when I asked my mom to help me, she scolded me for always being late and never knowing what I should be wearing, which made me smile.  :) Hahahaha!  Love it.

Another one:  I offered to pay my dad in kissies for being a good DJ in the car on our way to lunch.  He called me a cheap skate. :) :) :)

❤❤❤

Sometimes my mom will make plans for the family to attend a dinner here or a lunch there.  I go along because I like doing the family thing in most cases, but admittedly not all.  Today, we went to lunch at Zakia Aunty's house and we met some of our Hajj family there.  ❤  Such warmth and love.  Great food.  I didn't even mind that I was the only "young" person there.  I loved talking with the uncles about traveling - what I should see in Turkey if I should go, what they should see in Paris should they go.  I loved listening to the aunties chattering about their grand kids and wedding outfits and YouTube and Google.  Hahhaha!  So many jokes.  Such clean hearts.  Such beautiful and kind people.  I love them, and so thankful for their presence in my life. :)

❤

1000 happy days - Day 178

One my favourite movies, I have had all these songs memorized since the 3rd grade.  I have a little music box thing that plays Edelweiss, I bought it because I love this song passionately, it is absolutely lovely.  

The romantic in me loves this scene so much:

1000 happy days - Day 177

I can't believe I missed two days. I have a lot of happy moments from this past week.  Seriously love putting together an enthusiastic team that, in less than a week, has completed 2/3 of their mandate.  Blows my mind!  So simple, but so great.  Makes me smile, makes me excited, makes me feel humble.  It's AMAZING, seriously.  So rewarding.  

We are just seeing so much improvement in performance lately, I'm almost surprised at my own leadership strides over the past weeks.  Pretty cool.  I feel the energy coming back again....!

Here's how I feel about that!

Happy weekend everyone. :) ❤

1000 happy days - Day 176

Sometimes it's nice to get a little positive feedback on your work....... So imagine how great it was to receive A TONNE of positive feedback today from my manager!  And my director.  Awesome!  :)

It never gets old.  To be honest, I could use the encouragement these days.  I have felt more like best myself these past couple of days at work than I have felt in the past 2 months.  

I'm never going to stop giving my best self in everything I do.  I think that's when I feel the most satisfied - when I've given something my all and I know I killed it.  I want to give of myself sincerely.  I want to receive of others with sincerity.  I'm glad people can see me more clearly nowadays.  I think it's because I see me more clearly nowadays.  I think the next step is to give of myself without expectation, give without attachment.  I can do it.  I have done it.  

Also yesterday, I wanted to record, as part of my happy moment, the time that I put together a team of the most junior staff in the department to get a large, semi-laborious task done for the end of the year.  It was a simple instruction with possibilities, a goal, and freedom...!  And as I left them to tackle it, I sensed the excitement over the the assignment...  I mean, I'm just so happy that they were motivated to get into it! They have a plan already, and I see them starting and sharing.  How wonderful.  I am in this game for this feeling. Love it!!!

1000 happy days - Day 175

Laugh today:

:) :) :) 

1000 happy days - Day 174

Since the concert on Friday, I've been listening to "Human Sadness" on virtual non-stop repeat loop...!  The lyrics for this 11 minute song are difficult to discern as you listen, and it's more of the melody and intricacy of the instrumentals that I enjoy.  But if you look up the lyrics, they are pretty angsty and dramatic in a non-chalent kinda way.  Check out the song here, it was stunning and beautiful live:

http://youtu.be/Q8k3qB61lhk

That, and this version of "You Only Live Once (Somewhere)" found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47xd5FVJAWk

Needless to say, my iPod is now updated with these and a couple of other gems. :)

Also got to spend some time with the Robarts girls and the Sauga gang at Zee's baby shower today.  Was good to see them and laugh with them.  They all appreciated my outfit today - navy jumpsuit, denim jacket, blue and red shawl from Aritzia, brown booties, strong deep red lips.  I killed that look.  :) Food was pretty yummy, too!

Also watched part of "Samsara" with my pops today on Netflix.  Pretty beautiful.  Perspective is always a wonderful thing - humility is a blessing.  

Today is my friend's birthday.  We haven't spoken in over a year and a half, and I'm not sure why she's cut out.  Not sure how she is or what's happening in her life, how her mom is doing, how she is handling.  But I sincerely wish her love today.  And always!

❤ :)

1000 happy days - Day 173

Today I'm thankful for:

- clarity

- shopping at Yorkdale with my sister

- catching up on "How to Get Away With Murder"

- butter chicken :)

- watching the new Hunger Games movie

- relaxing at home

:) 

1000 happy days - Day 172

Decent work day today.  Had lunch with Steve at Mucho Burrito!  Yummy!

Heard more about my award today - it was for the samosa sales for the charity campaign.  :)

Had dinner with Mark, Cam and Jay at El Caballito!  Yum.  I was craving it for a week.  Needless to say, the boyz were impressed with the venue. ;)  I love those guys.  Then we went to see a concert - Julian Casablancas and The Voids.  Sort of strokes-ish but different and harder.  Pretty good show.  They did "you only live twice." :) Love!  ❤

1000 happy days - Day 171

Today I finished my training at the downtown office, which meant that I walked to work.  We finished class early and wrote the test which I think I passed.  Yippeeeee!  I also found out that my temp boss knows what my recognition prize was for and he will tell me tomorrow!  *Anticipation!!!*

Of course, I went to the mall.  :)  I later met up with my newest BFF Jason with whom I attended a customer appreciation dinner at the Doubletree hotel (I think!).  We ate to our hearts' content, and drank fizzy water for free!  It was wonderful.  Such great hospitality and service at this place!  Jason had a couple of great one-liners, but one of the best went like this: "Life ain't easy, lady, get a helmet!"!!!  Ha!  Priceless..... :)

There was a guy doing caricatures, as well, and of course we had to get ours done.  And then me and my newest BFF and I had a long wonderful talk over tea.  And I learned about Red Herrings.  So insightful.  So helpful and supportive. 

Love my newest BFF!!! :) ❤❤❤

I ate the shiny pink one!

❤

1000 happy days - Day 170

Today and tomorrow I have training downtown.  And you know what that means!  I got to WALK  to work!  It was a cold but bright morning.  I enjoyed the freedom of it.

The lunch provided by the trainer was all halaal so I was able to enjoy it.  My new friend Jason invited me to go with him to a meet-and-greet tomorrow with (I think) a delegation from China who is here to learn about leadership. I'll go with him after training tomorrow, and I agreed because I thought it would be fun. :)

I walked through the Easton's Centre and managed to pick up a few key items, including getting ahead on 2 baby shower gifts for this Sunday.  I'm glad about this because the shower is for one sister but since her sister is expecting at the same time, I've gotten them both matching  gifts. :) Clever, no? :)

Afterwards, I left the mall and walked through the snowy streets of Toronto, and stopped in at Khao San Road for dinner.  It was a party of One :), so I was seated at the bar.  I had shrimp chips to start (the serving was meant for 3 people, I'm sure!), Penang curry with shrimp, and for dessert, I had tapioca with coconut milk.  Sooooo yummy!  I was stuffed.  

This is me in my cool winter coat after long hours of walking in the snowy streets of the T-Dot!

I'm home and warm and cosy in one of my favourite places in the world - my bed. :)

Good night everyone!  

xoxox

❤ :)

1000 happy days - Day 169

My favourite things about today:

The burn I feel in my abs and in my thighs after my work out yesterday!  Yesssss!  It's working!  

Closed out the loan on my car and re-organized my budget.  I'm a freeeeee woman!  No debts.  Nothing better than organizing your auto-transfers with the bank lady!!!!!!!!!!! Yippeeeeeee!  Feels like its time to go shopping..... ;)

Stayed late at work but felt like I got some stuff done today.  Didn't feel as pre-occupied tonight as I have felt in the past couple of weeks.  

New Girl was awesome in a weird way.  The Mindy Project was okay.  My one favourite line went something like:

"I'll forget all the bad things.  I'll only remember the one good thing forever!"

❤❤❤

1000 happy days - Day 168

Today at work, I got some stuff done, which is a wonder.  I moved issues from my open tab to my closed tab.  I have to allow myself to revel in that!  I often feel like I'm not getting enough done.  But I am!  And that's something to be happy about! :)

I exercised today!  

I was pretty loyal to my diet today!  :) I made dinner for myself.  Gotta make lunches tomorrow night......

I'm watching the Voice!  AND I heard about a reality show starring NKOTB.... Crazy!!!!

Lots to be grateful for today. :)

xoxox ❤

1000 happy days - Day 167

Today was a lazy Sunday.  It was so nice to be able to chill out and relax.  It snowed for the first time in our neighbourhood today!

I had brunch with Sammu.  Then I had a 4 hour nap at home on the couch while my dad and sister watched football.   I think falling asleep to the sound of them excitedly talking about the game was my happiest moment of the day.  

I vegged out after that, too, caught up on TV and calories. :P :)  Can't complain!  Life is good, AH.   

❤❤❤

1000 happy days - Day 166

Today was a good day.  

Happiness is snuggling up in blankets late on a Saturday night.  

:)

❤

1000 happy days - Day 165

Again, I'm going with a list of stuff I'm happy about or thankful for today!

- Emailed with Chris from NPDS today.  Glad to be in touch with him still.  Makes me laugh in just one written sentence. :)

- My training friend is totally looking out for me, ensuring I am registered and special meals ordered.  So kind of him to take care of me like this.  I'm grateful for the kindness of the people in my life.  This is just one example of many kind acts I get to enjoy!  :)

- Finally got my eyebrows done today for the first time in almost a month! Crazy, I know.  But they look good now!!!

- Did some writing today, got some stuff off my chest.  Always a good thing!

- Stayed on course with my diet this evening, as tempted as I felt to order a pizza, I didn't.  I had a meal with just proteins and veggies.  Yes!  :)

- Chai ❤

- Modern Family and Two Broke Girls were both hilarious today.  Need a good laugh in a day!  

- Used some cute sticky notes my sister brought me from Korea - they look like ninja bears. :)

- Talked with my sister and parents today. ❤

- Plans have been established for a trip to Lake Tahoe with our cousins in December.  Sweeeeeeet!  I hope I can bring back my boarding or skiing skillzzzz in time for that weekend!!!  

.......That's all folks! 

:) ❤

1000 happy days - Day 164

Things I'm happy about today:

- One of my direct reports told me about how she and another direct report planned a conversation with one of our junior staff in the hopes of inspiring him into better performance.  Man, was I ever elated.  I loooooove that they discussed it, planned it and executed it.  Loved it!  

- I did a performance review with one of my staff and it went really well.  He took in my feedback with an open mind.  He was visibly receptive and I'm thankful for that.

- I wore red lips today.  I got a few compliments!  How nice. :)

- I got organized at work and got a couple things off my plate.  Still a lot to go, but I am on a roll!

- My boss told me something about "Code Red Rooster" - the utmost type of priority in existence ever...  That cracked me up.  

- I found out I've been nominated for a recognition award which I will receive next week.  I need to figure out what to wear.....! :) I'm so excited!  I have never received a recognition award at work, so I'm very happy for the news.  It came at just the right time when I might have been losing faith in myself.

- I love "the mindy project" and "new girl".  That's old but it's still true. :)

I feel that I'm missing other happy moments.  But the point is there's a lot to be thankful for today.  

Phew!  Back in business!!! :) 

❤❤❤

1000 happy days - Day 163

People.  I'm exhausted.  This job is pretty tough on me.  It feels like there's so much more to do than I can get done.  I miss my old job where I easily got used to being awesome.  This job requires a lot of my brain space and I have invested a lot of effort in it......  But haven't hit every high note the way I want to.

Okay okay okay.... That's not very "1000 happy days" of me to say, I know!!!

What's interesting is that I see little signs in my life to urge me to keep on pushing, keep trying, keep working at it.  Don't give up, Shanooo!  I think I realize now what some of my colleagues might be going through.  Compassion is not always easy to come by.  So I'm thankful that I have it now.  I have felt them feel stress, and then I see them keep pushing, keep trying, keep persevering.  So I'm also thankful to know this example practically as well.  

Just keep trying, right?  I have to keep trying.  There's no time to rest.  I need to keep pushing and persevering.  Despite all external and internal perceived barriers.  Even when others drop out from around me.  I have to keep at it.  What I believe is that none of my colleagues are willing to compromise on high performance.  That thought in itself is inspiring despite how tough this job is for me.

In an attempt to regain control of *something* in my life.... :) ....  I came home to organize and cook.  This is the fullest my fridge he has been in a long time!  I rarely cook nowadays, but I've got 2 weeks of lunches under my belt.  Let's see if I can keep it coming!  Need to keep up good habits. :)

Oh and hey hey!  It's my cousin's birthday today, too.  We all love you Saeed!  ❤❤❤

1000 happy days - Day 162

The things I am most thankful for today include:

❤ My sister's little kissie on my cheek before I left for a wedding.

❤ An unexpectedly hilarious episode of New Girl.

❤ Dressing up in an outfit which I haven't worn in a while along with my new gold heels.  

❤ Hot long shower.

❤ Chai a la mummi.

❤ Thoughts of vacationing in Cali....

❤ This quiet comfortable room, dark and cozy.

❤ The promise of lots of fun stuff to do with friends, even as winter rolls in.  

Help me to be thankful and grateful for my blessings. I want to feel that love for all things and people again! I will soon. 

:) ❤❤❤

1000 happy days - Day 161

Had dinner with Nalini tonight. :). Happy to talk with her and learn about her latest career move and vacation adventures!!  

❤

1000 happy days - Day 160

Today Jess and I did a half-hour yoga session.  Then she made me scrambled eggs with veggies and cheese, and toast with coconut butter.  We watched an episode of "Portlandia" - what a ridiculous show.  This is a typical evening for Jess and I on a work-out-weekday.  It was just nice.  :)  I came home to a square of dark chocolate and almonds.  Lately, this is the perfect dessert for me.  Don't need much more than that.  And I feel satisfied.

:) ❤

1000 happy days - Day 158 and Day 159

Day 158

Yo!  I made myself lunches yesterday for the week for the first time in a couple of months!  Check it out, salmon and sautéed veggies. :)

Day 159

Just found out my friends Colin and MJ had a baby boy! He's so cute!  I'll post a pic when I meet him.  

It's also my friend Vidya's birthday tomorrow.  It's tomorrow in HK now, though, so I gave her my good wishes for her birthday.  I love that girl.  Another person with whom I could talk many nights away.  She has the biggest most open heart!  And the most generous and adventurous spirit.... ❤ Love you vids!!! ❤❤❤

:) xo

1000 happy days - Day 156 and 157

Day 156

Got to hang with one of my favourites Rohit and Lareina. :)  Its one of those meet-ups that remind me how lucky I am for the friends I have.  We see one another too rarely, and for far too little time.  But in those short hours, I feel my heart and my soul are renewed.  We fill up on love and good energy.  Connected always.  Rohit made brunch - my favourite meal!  And CHAI!!!  Yummmmm.  ❤

Day 157

Today, Rubes and I got our nailzzz diiiiid:

This is her birthday gift to me!  We got matching pedicures, too!  Then we headed to the Luxury Chocolate Show at Roy Thompson Hall.  Sweeeeeet!!!  Literally. :) So many chocolate options, so little time to eat it all.  Parting was such sweet sorrow. :)  I love our sister time!  Always have the most satisfying laughs together.  ❤❤❤