Day 8 - What's my strength?

Day 8 - What's my weakness? 

Today I brought in a book to work that breaks down horoscopes and personality descriptions to the specific day and month you were born. I am not a person who believes in horoscopes or astrological signs, however, I bought this book because the summary for October 20th (my birthday) was pretty dead accurate!  Of course there were some parts that were a reach, but majority of the description was me to a "fault". 

Today was a day where everyone and anyone wanted to read their summary and someone else's summary that they know. To see my coworkers reaction to the accurate description of their personality was priceless. It was either a "Yes, I do that!"  Or "HOLY SHIT, I do that?"  But the best reaction I constantly saw was, "This book is freaking me out!" There was only one reading where the person said it was absolutely not true. It could have been because there was a lot of references to "criminal behavior". Lol- maybe they were just trying to hide the truth?  Lol!  

In case you were wondering, the book is titled The Secret Language of Birthdays. 

Reasons why I am happy today:

Danielle's Strengths:

Logical, businesslike, determination, strength, humble, devoted, heart

Danielle's Weakness:

Control, excessive, stubborn, easily hurt, too trusting

Day 7 - Viewer discretion is advised!

Day 7 - Good thing bring your kid to work day was last week.

It was another typical day at work.  Buried in e-mails, trying to fix situations you have no control over and realizing EVERYTHING is a priority.  But there were a few moments that occurred where laughter simply overfilled our cubes, people who were having shitty days forgot their work problems temporarily and typically shy people turned red, but still couldn't walk away from the situation!  Those are the memories that present a fun work environment and a good day.  

I can't say that today's particular event goes under the "work life balance" category, nor can I say that the poster should be taken out of context, but - COME ON!  We are all human and I know every person who saw that poster in my building thought the same exact thing - "OMG!  Who posted this and why?  Did they READ this statement?"  For those of you who don't know this, I work for a company that develops and produces candy.  The poster was demonstrating how to blow a bubble.  You now have my permission to let your imagination run wild.  Someone (I have no idea) printed this poster and placed it right when you walk in.  The crazy thing is, is that my team can not determine if this really is a marketing ploy or if someone is just "ballsy" and printed the poster out.  FYI, the website the poster was from (which the link was at the bottom of the poster) was orallyadvanced.com
(No joke)  Marketing campaign or not, this absolutely was a topic of discussion, laughter and a little concern! 

Top reasons for the Whippany Mondelez team to be happy today: 
#1. "Put it in your mouth" 
#2. "Spread over your tongue" 
#3.  "Blow gently" 

Day 6 - Taking a stand!

Day 6- Moving in the right direction when everything seems to be going in the "left" direction!

I must say today was a day where I barely did anything besides "glide" through work and go for a run when I got home.  However, I admired some colleagues today!  Not only did they take a stand in their professional life, some of the stress load was completely lifted from their shoulders.

It says a lot of someones strength to identify and admit a situation in their life that makes them uncomfortable or not satisfied.  It takes an even stronger person to do something about it and change those moments.  I try to follow that way of life.  Telling it like it is, standing up for my values, and taking the opportunity to change something in my life if I am not satisfied.  Not to say that every time I strive for a more manageable situation I achieve pure optimistic fulfillment. But at least I do something about it rather than wait for that something to change.  Today 2 coworkers did the very exact thing I consider powerful.  They both had situations in their lives they were unhappy with, and made drastic changes to prevent any more stress or unhappiness.  That not only made me happy to witness their stress levels diminish and their smiles grow, it also made me proud to know them.  

Strength comes in all sizes, shapes and forms.  

So for me...why today was a happy day?
#1.  Because specific people I know who have been suffering took a stand and made ballsy choices that not only effected the company, but themselves.
#2.  From my eyes witnessing this, makes me realize that I too sometimes look like that and can imagine how they feel at this very moment. 
#3.  To see them happy and with some stress relief makes me happy.  
#4.  I am glad to see people making changes for themselves and not staying with something because it is easy, familiar or they are too scared. 

Day - 5 Stuffing our faces and our wallets!

Day 5 - Massive Cheat Day!

It started off with a simple, "Hey do you want Mitsua for lunch?"  It then turned out to be a Dim Sum, Qdoba, and Maggie Moos feast!  3 food choices that don't pair well together, but throughout the day make incredible meals!  I can't say that Jim will win the Biggest Loser contest for the week, nor can I say I am in Punta Cana shape, but knowing that a massive diet starts tomorrow for me - why the hell not eat and enjoy life?  And that is what I did today!  No regrets.  

To top off this Sunday Funday, shopping was conducted as well.  Again, I could stop shopping and save more for the house - why the hell not enjoy and buy the things in life when you can?  Whose to say you will be around in 5 years to buy them?  It isn't like I bought a new car.  More like 2 pairs of sunglasses.  And to add to my argument, it was OUTLET shopping!  Buying stuff, but being thrifty too.  Win Win!  

Today was fun.  Not just because I ate delicious food and bought things I wanted, but also because of the company.  So thank you to Jim and Arnel for the laughs and great Sunday!

Top reasons for being happy today: 
#1.  Dim Sum waiter "Do you want shumai?"  Us "Pork and Seafood!"
       Dim Sum Waiter "Do you want bok choy?"  Us "Hell yeah" 
       Dim Sum Waiter "Do you want sticky rice?" Us "Yes, 2 orders" 
       Dim Sum Waiter "Do you want anything else?" Us "Steam Pork buns, shrimp shumai,
       beef noodles, tripe,  sesame balls, roast pork sweet bun, boneless ribs and another 2 orders 
       of pork and seafood shumai.  That should be good."

#2.  Driving to Jersey Gardens a 747 flew right over me when we passed Newark airport.  The plane couldn't have been no more than 30 feet above us.  So cool.  Anyone who knows me knows my fascination with planes.  Too bad I was driving though.  Jim was afraid I would drive right off the turnpike.  

#3.  You know it is a good day when you buy about 8 button down good quality shirts for 40 bucks!  And to think, Nel was going to miss out today because he had to mow his lawn.  Come on now.  We all knew that wasn't going to happen. 

#4.  I am a proud owner of Ralph Lauren and Vogue sunglasses.  2 totally different styles and reasonably priced.  Hopefully my mom won't sit on these as well! 

#5.  Meeting new people who are awesome always puts you in a good mood.  This girl at Maggie Moos was not only cool, she eats ice cream like a champion.  Not to mention she gave me shit for simply getting a kids size better batter.  Mind you when she ordered she asked for the better batter birthday explosion, large size with the waffle cone.  When the man was making her creation, she then says, "Can you throw in more browines (I like brownies) and top that shit off with caramel?"  She was a monster.  And she ate almost every single bite.  The best was when we asked if she needed help with eating her concoction- her response was, "I need Jesus!"  Nel is now in love!  She also was the size of my forearm.  Pretty impressive. 

Day 4 - The grass is always greener...

Day 4 - Dad's gonna have the nicest yard on the block!

As I am sitting here in my house I can feel my muscles tightening up. It was a beautiful day and I was outside for a good 5 hours of it. Today my sisters and I tore up the dirt and grass on my grandparent's  and father's grave. We dug up all the grass, removed all the rocks, raked the dirt, planted seed and watered it. It was exhausting and I am already sore. But one thing I can honestly say is that not one of us was sad. Not one tear was shed.  Instead, we laughed pretty hard, remembered special moments with both my dad and grandparents, and simply just bonded even more than normal. 

Today was great simply for the above post, but here are a few more amazing moments that made me very happy:

#1. I drove dad's truck today. It brought me back to all the special moments with my dad. Not to mention it smelled just like him. 

#2. Cheers to dad, nana and pop-pop. After we placed the seed down, we needed to water it. We got our hose attached to the water spout. Dawn gave me the okay to turn the water on. SHIT!  Locust Hill Cemetery doesn't turn their water on until May 1st. WTF do we do now?  The Schwartz family always has an answer... Pellegrino Sparkling Water should do the trick!  Good thing Dawn went to Costco and bought a case prior. LOL. Nothing but the best!  

#3. Dorene sat on a rake. Funniest moment ever. I think even dad laughed. Of course after he called her a dumb ass. 

#4. I know for a fact dad would be grateful for the work we did. He was meticulous with his parents grave. It makes me happy knowing that the work we did today is something he is proud of. 

Day 3- Pure Awesome!

Day 3. - Need I say more? 

Why am I happy today... It's Friday!  Enjoy everyone!!! 

Day 2...Mother Nature don't fail me now!

Day 2 - How can you not be happy when the sun is shining?

This for me is an easy post.  What an absolutely beautiful day!    Though I would have loved to spend the whole day outside and not "chained" in a pilot plant for majority of it...but beggars can't be choosers.  

I am pretty sure I speak for everyone when I say mother nature was a huge pain in the ass this winter.  What a bitch?  Am I right?  But for now, the jokes on her.  Children are outside playing with just a thin fleece on, the last bit of snow (from the 8 feet she dropped on us this year) has melted away and the birds even seem happy.  My Jeep however is not happy, since all their poo is now located on what they think is their personal toilet.  Either way, I am soaking it all in.

Besides the fact that I didn't have to wear my winter coat today, here are some moments that made me stop, smile and simply enjoy the day...

#1. Weiners!  WHAT?  The smell of hot dogs being cooked on the BBQ.  For the first time driving home in my neighborhood this Spring, I was able to smell BBQ instead of a fireplace! 
#2.  Throwing on my running shorts and jogging a slow but enjoyable 3 mile run outside.  And yes, I needed to jog.  My lazy boo-tay hasn't ran in a long time. 
#3.  ALLERGIES!!  How can one be happy for allergies?  Easy, the pollen is out, the bulbs are blooming and the ragweed is spreading.  This all means Spring has sprung.  (Side happy note, I am thankful for Zyrtec)

Enjoy the rest of the beautiful day! 

Day 1...here we go....

Day 1- 
I am not going to lie, today was a BAD day to start this challenge.  It was my first day back to work since I got sick.  I got into arguments with people I thought cared about me.  I realized that everything is changing and someone hacked my credit card....But this isn't what the purpose of this experience is about...to bitch about the negative!  Instead the motto is LIFE IS TOO DAMN SHORT!  I don't need to be happy 24-7, but be grateful and happy for part of it.   

As I am typing this, an ant crawled on me and automatically I feel that the house is dirty.  Then I think to myself, "House?  What house?  I am living in 3 bedrooms!"  Then I started to get sad.  Then the Monica in me from friends came out and I started to clean.  And no, the 3 bedrooms aren't dirty.  We just had the windows open and I am sure it crawled in from there.  So Danielle...STOP IT.  Stop the crazy thinking.  No wonder I am stressed.  My mind travels in every direction at every moment.  But for some reason, it doesn't seem to take the happy OPTIMISTIC path too often.  So here it goes.....

I am happy because of 4 things today:  (In no particular order) 

#1.  Mom seemed happy today and is having a friend over for dinner 
#2.  When I decided to start this blog it took me a little longer to type it because the song React by Erick Sermon came on.  (No Fritos, No Cheetos, No Tostitos, Want Doritos)- Arnel F. and Jim T. understands what I am talking about.  So classic and I will never forget this song.  Though I still don't know what the correct lyrics are.   
#3.  They freaken paved the left lane on RT 80 by Paterson! 
#4.  I know who I am, I like who I am and I am not apologizing for this.  Ever. 

This may be harder than I thought.....

My friend Cheri from South Africa started something on Facebook.  She challenged herself to 100 days of doing things that make her happy.  She posts her accomplishments everyday to show her friends what can make her happy and her determination to be happy since life is short.  After dealing with some AMAZING issues that are highlighting the definition of stupidity, I too decided to challenge myself to something similar.  90 days to blog about something that reminds me or makes me happy.  

After losing my dad in December to a very short illness, I realized I wasn't ready to let him go and he wasn't ready to leave.  He loved life.  He loved his family and he wanted to see more in life, especially for others.  I feel I am exactly the same.  If I were to die tomorrow, I am not sure I would be satisfied with what I have accomplished or showed others.  Yes, I have seen some amazing parts of the world, and yes, I have a challenging job in the science field...but is that what is expected of or for me?  The day I walk into work and I don't smile, is usually the day someone comes up to me and says, "Is everything alright?  You are usually happy!"  A smile on my face yes, but always happy....NO WAY.  

So what makes me happy?  

The easy answer is family.  But I am challenging myself a little more.  Simple things in life that make me happy is what I am striving for.  Not about money (though there might be some posts about that.  I mean come on, money usually makes everyone happy)  Not about friends, though I feel I am losing that battle really quick, but more mundane/humdrum coincidence's or moments.

I also hope this will help open the minds of some to purely see who I am when I look in the mirror.