Happiness is...

Yesterday, being Christmas, was spent with my family, and of course resulted in some serious food indulgences. My grandmother hosted this year, and as matriarch, maintains all the familial archives on my mother’s side of the family (read: photographs).

My grandma has kept pretty much everything, and remembers everyone in the photos – some of these photos are about 100 years old. Included in amongst the photos was the first letter I ever sent to my great-grandma, written just as I was learning to write. I’m not at all sure what the context of the letter was, though I think it's pretty cute.

 

In truth - my handwriting has only gone downhill from there - who knew your handwriting could peak at the age of 5??

Cute letters aside, my Aunty (a psychologist by trade) was asking where she could obtain a copy of those kitsch old 70’s comics “happiness is”. Remember them? Despite being unable to assist with the query, it got me to thinking about what happiness is. It’s my firm contention that happiness is a close relative of “satisfaction”, but is only very distantly related to “euphoria”. That is, happiness means contentment, and only sometimes floating on cloud 9.

Anyway, having thought about it for about 24 hrs, here’s a few of my happiness is moments:

• Having a sparkly new pedicure, where the nail polish is so super-glossy I can see my reflection
• Climbing into a freshly made bed after shaving my legs (ahhh, smoooooth)
• The first sip of freshly made coffee, consumed while sitting on the veranda when it’s quiet on the street
• The glorious sensation of the cool water around my ankles while I walk along the beach on a hot day
• Having great big belly laughs – especially when I laugh so hard I cry
• A great big bear hug, just when I need it
• Having someone compliment a scarf I’ve knitted
• The sensation of passing a subject that I’m worried I’ve failed
• Sharing a bottle of French champagne with those I  love

Special thanks to my Aunty for reminding me that happiness really is all about enjoying the little things in life.

King George Square is brought to you by the numbers...

Brisbane City Council is putting on an exhibition of the 12 days of Christmas, with various artists creating works around a particular number. I haven't managed to see them all, but here's a couple that are cute.

In case you can't quite see it, that's the number 3 on it's side in the ginormous bra. According to its tag, this is a 12C (sizeable).

While taking this picture this morning, a gentlemen strolled over and asked me what I thought was inside. I told him, and he said "well, I'll have to take your word on it - it's not my area of interest. Oh hang on, it is my area of interest, but not my area of expertise". Way to make a cute moment kinda creepy, nimrod.

And of course the number 4. I'm not at all sure what the broken bits of phone have to do with anything, but the silver tree and birds are kinda cute.

There are no words...

Image found via A Cup of Jo. I don't know about you, but I wish I was holding a hooded eagle.

The ring of death

This has got to be my favourite week of year. Why? I hear you ask. Obviously, because it's Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. I know, I know, insert obvious joke here about the lawyer (in-waiting) who likes sharks.

But, let's face it - this is hardly the face of a creature only a mother could love....who's a pretty boy, then??

I ask you - what's not to love about a killing machine that can travel so fast it can shoot out of the water, enormous jaws gnashing, and tear you in two??

Apparently the most attack-prone area around Shark Island in South Africa is dubbed the ring of death - I love it. Can't think why sharks have such a poor reputation when they hang out in the ring of death...

But seriously, I love these bad boys. They're just amazing, powerful, intriguing...the list goes on. There's a great video on YouTube, showing two guys hanging out in a cage, into which an unsuspecting shark accidentally breaks in. I'm unable to embed it here, but check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro2jwQ-r2HA. In the original video there's a chilled out chap at the end of the video, nonchalantly referring to the fact that \safe cages are now used. How comforting.

So, with all this inspiration that Shark Week is bringing, what's a girl to do? Here's my updated list:

1. Finish law degree, practical legal training and get admitted to the Supreme Court;
2. Become a highly paid, much sought-after, yet relaxed lawyer;
3. Use said high salary to travel to Shark Island in South Africa and watch these critters fly!

Well, that all seems readily achievable.