1. My view
Every morning I am greeted by an incredible view of Lake Ontario. Some days are dreary, some are spectacular, but every day greets me with a huge expanse of water and sky. I know anything is possible.

2. My children
They are really remarkable. To have four individuals so completely different from each other, but to have such strong character traits, is exhausting and stimulating. Watching them grow, guiding them through their choices, laughing with them every day, is more than I ever dreamed possible. It is a privilege to be their mama.

3. My morning routine
I wake around 5AM to a steaming cup of coffee and all the goodness to be found on my google reader. I sit in the silence, the room illuminated by the computer screen and absorb all kinds of wonderful words and images from all kinds of creative and thoughtful people from all over the world.

4. Hockey
It never occurred to me that I would spend so much time in a hockey rink. I spend hours upon hours in rinks watching practices and games. It is one example of being pleasantly surprised by the unexpected joy we find in hockey.

5. Order
Inasmuch as I can appreciate the unexpected, order makes me happy! When the stars align and everything has been picked up and put in its place, order restored. It is a rare thing, but it fills me with joy when it happens.

6. Silence
My life is generally chaotic with the comings and goings of the kids and friends, music playing, cellular phones ringing and beeping, the laughter, the fighting, the crazy. I really enjoy the rare moments of silence.

7. White Peonies in my garden
This is the year that I’m going to get my act together and plant an impossible number of white peonies in my garden. Right now I have a few, but not enough. I’m going to make sure that the view out every window includes white peonies.

8. Summers at the beach
For two weeks each summer we head to Cape Cod where our kids enjoy the familiarity of the same location and the wonder of changes from year to year. I can measure their growth by how their interests change and their explorations become more and more independent.

9. Words
I love words; I use them as décor, as tools, as a method for communicating simple and complex thoughts. I love watching them form on paper, on the screen, carved in stone, in conversation.

10. Photography
I have always had a camera in my hand. I used to think I took pretty good photos, but over the last year I’ve put more of an effort into learning the art of light and angles and can really see that my shots are not just lucky, but consistently good.

About Lee

I live a very suburban existence just outside of Toronto, Ontario on the shore of Lake Ontario. I am a very involved mother of our active children: Claire (14), Cole (13); Chloe (10) and Caden (9) and the wife of one entrepreneurial husband, Louis. Never a dull moment in or out of my house: many hours are spent in hockey rinks, in gymnasiums, at ball diamonds, on school grounds, on riverbanks and in auditoriums as parent, spectator and volunteer. Going at a break-neck pace is not always a good thing, so to slow things down and add perspective, I document these events and the more everyday happenings. I want for my kids to look back at their childhoods and there be something to see. My spare time is spent making a mess in my studio, on the computer writing and blogging, and everywhere else playing with my Canon 40D. Enjoying the exploration and figuring out what to do next! Lee’s website is at www.thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife.

Other Posts in the 10 Things That Make Me Happy Series

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1. Irish Snug Running Club

The Irish Snug is a free running club that meets on Thursday nights for a social 5K run. After each run the Snug serves free pasta and salad to all of the runners. The highlight of each run is the running shirt ceremony where a runner that has completed ten runs received a free and highly coveted Irish Snug technical running shirt. I look forward to running with my daughter Laura, her boyfriend Nate and the occasional run with my great nephew Keegan. Keegan (3 years old) is one run away from receiving his running shirt. I treasure each one of these runs with Laura.

2. Drinking Ice Tea at Panera

I love the atmosphere at Panera Bread. I enjoy taking my laptop or a book to Panera and I can sit there for hours just surfing the internet or reading a book or the newspaper. The food is awesome, the staff is always friendly. It is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

3. Playing golf with my son

Adam and I played together in a scramble golf tournament last summer and on one hole, he just pounded the ball past me and the other two people in our foursome. It was a really a special time for me to see him surpass me. I was much older before I could out drive my Dad. It is just awesome for me to see what an outstanding young man he is becoming.

4. Sunrise

Sunrise is my favorite time of the day. I love being able to watch the sunrise when I am out running. Every sunrise brings the promise of a new day filled with limitless possibilities.

5. Snowshoeing

I just started snowshoeing last year. It is another great way of spending time outdoors and it is a great way to spend time with my family.

6. High school cross country meets

I have a colleague at work whose daughter runs cross country for Columbine High School. I love going to watch her run and the best part to watch is the last 100 yards of the race. These kids don’t leave anything at all out on the field. What would our lives be like if we lived that way. Simply inspiring to watch!

7. Furry Scurry

This is one of our favorite activities to do together as a family. We have been going this event which benefits the Denver Dumb Friends League since 1989. We have adopted many of our pets from this shelter. I have so many great memories of doing this with my children while they were growing up.

In the photo above, Rocky shows off his mad skillz at the obstacle course in 2008.

8. Finding inspiration

I have many friends that I have met in the blogging community who inspire me, make me laugh, and brighten my day. Heather (at Run Faster Mommy) and Katye (at Long Legs on the Loose) are both doing great things in the fight against cancer. Christine (at Train, Don’t Tri) shares simply beautiful thoughts about her faith and living. I always stop by to see what they are up to.

9. Being of service

One of the great joys in my life is the volunteer work that I do for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I love doing whatever I can to provide support and hope to anyone that is touched by cancer.

I have run 16 marathons for my dear friend and now my angel Kelly. She continues to bring joy, love and light to my life.

10. My family

I have been blessed to have a life with my family, Sue, Laura and Adam. Sue and I have been married for almost 27 years and she continues to amaze me each and every day. Laura and Adam are both amazing young people. They are so devoted to their cousin Keegan and to each other.

About Ross

I live and work in Colorado. The biggest passion in my life is my volunteer work for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I love the challenge of endurance training. I have run 16 marathons, completed 3 century rides and the Triple Bypass. I also enjoy playing golf with my son, running 5K’s with my daughter and spending time with my wife and best friend Sue. I live with three crazy dogs and one very mean and angry cat. Ross blogs at www.run4kelly.blogspot.com.

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1. Chai Tea Lattes from Starbucks
I love tea, but one drink I would drink everyday if I could would be a Chai tea latte made with soy milk from Starbucks. The spicy smell and taste get me going in the morning. {image via A Traveling Journeyer}

2. My dogs Roca and Ruby
Every morning they lay on the sofa in the office next to my computer and keep me company. They greet me with joy everyday and they are never in a bad mood.

3. Chocolate
There is a lot of good chocolate out there, but whenever I need it, the good ole Hershey’s candy bar can always be found at my local grocery store.

4. The ocean
It is my favorite body of water. I love the sound of the waves as they rush in and out. I love the way the water feels when it washes over my feet, and the sand under my toes. I love that it is massive and great and is a vibrant living world for creatures great and small.

5. Being creative
I am an interior designer and have decorated for events as well. There’s nothing like decorating for a party. When it all comes together in the end, there is great joy and satisfaction in making an atmosphere of fun for others.

6. Balloons
No matter where I am, when I see balloons, I see parties and a fun time, and they make me smile. {image via amorphity}

7. Summer garden roses
There is nothing like the smell and color of a rose from your own garden.

8. The color aqua
This color is like a living vibrant color for me. It reminds me of water, which is a representation of life. We would’nt have life without water.

9. Home
It is my place of comfort, security, permanence and stability. I know I am loved there.

10. Blogging
I have enjoyed posting about things that inspire me and making friends along the way who enjoy the same things that I do.

About Melissa

I live and work in Washington State (USA). I am a wife, mother and interior designer. I love to create and design. I get my best ideas in the shower, it’s a good place for your mind to just run wild. I’m a very visual person. Pictures float around my brain like crazy and words often take a back seat, but I can get pretty deep with words when the inspiration strikes. I realized that I really enjoy event design last year when my friends kept asking me to decorate for their events and celebrations. I’m starting my own business this year for interior and event design.

Melissa’s blog is Design Delights.

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My iPhone
My little connection to the world – whether I’m at home, a PTO meeting or carline, I can check my email, the weather and keep up with my friends. There are shopping Apps and games and even a Gratitude Journal App to help me keep up with one little word for 2010 – Gratitude.

Twitter
I am falling in love with Twitter – it’s like being at a cocktail party or girls night out 24/7 – there is always a friend around when you need one – for parenting advice, shoe advice, everything.

Super Mario Brothers for the Wii
Being able to introduce my children to the first real video game that caught my attention years ago has been fun. It’s good clean family fun that we can enjoy all together in the comfort of our own living room.

iTunes
I’m more of a song person, than an artist person. When a particular song hits me – I need to hear it A LOT. That’s where iTunes is really amazing – it never ceases to amaze me how I can hear a song, love it, grab my iPhone or MacBook and instantly the song is on constant rotation – it’s the soundtrack for my life.

Herbal Essence Tousle Me Gently Shampoo and Conditioner
Besides an enticing name, this product has an amazingly wonderful smell and makes my hair feel touchably soft and bouncy. For years, I blew out my wavy hair straight – and now, I just let loose with some wild curls.

Red Truck Red Wines
I first tried this at a local restaurant- and it was love at first taste. yummy red wine at a reasonable price – even here in PA. Now if only I could find that mini barrel. . .

My children’s laughter
Whether we are telling jokes, playing a game or just hanging out – when I hear my boys laugh, I can’t help but smile. It’s a sound that never gets old.

My MacBook
Being able to blog and tweet and connect with people from anywhere in my house or in the world, is a completely cool concept. And everyone knows, once you go Mac – you never go back.

Blogging
My online soapbox – my place to live out loud – I love my blog because my blog gives me a forum to express my feelings and record my memories and opinions. I love to read the comments that people leave, and I hope that readers enjoy the content and entertainment.

Crafting
Whether I’m working on my scrapbooks, or making a mess with my kids – being able to let my creative side show is a great stress reducer. My library of scrapbooks is a constant reminder of the wonderful memories we are making every single day.

About Hillary

My name is Hillary Chybinski and I am a wife, mom, blogger, scrapbooker and twitter-addict. I was recently laid off from my part-time job, and am in search of my bliss. I’ve been married to a wonderfully patient and loving man for 14 years and we have 2 beautiful and charming boys and one kitty cat. We live in a suburb of Philadelphia and enjoy all the benefits of living so close to such a great city. You can learn more about me and my life at http://hacscrap.blogspot.com or @hchybinski on Twitter.

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1) Purity Made Simple face wash
This is the best facewash I’ve ever used. It smells like you’re in a spa and it instantly calms me. It makes me so happy that I can’t wait to use it. Philosophy makes all of their products unique by providing a paragraph or so about the name of the product, so on the front of this bottle you’ll read about purity and instantly be calmed. I bought the jumbo size bottle from Sephora.

2) Gel Pens
I used to be obsessed with these in jr. high, and up until recently, I thought they were a thing of the past. When I started a new job last year, a coworker was raving about these colored pens she had. No sooner than the following week did she stop by my desk with a whole new pack just for me. I love using them because they instantly brighten dull office notes and I’m an organization freak who loves using them to color code to-do lists.

3) Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans
This is the healthiest non-healthiest tasting thing I believe I’ve ever eaten. It’s gooey, cheesy, bean-y (is that a word?) and it’s only 300 calories and 5g of fat. There’s nothing like fooling your taste buds!

4) Gilt Groupe
I discovered this online sample sale site last year when I was stuck at a job that made me unhappy. Everyday at noon they reveal different sample sales that only last for 24 hours. I still find myself looking forward to noon when I can go online and check what’s for sale. They sell men’s and women’s clothes and accessories, home goods and jewelry that you can buy from major designers, but here it’s sometimes as much as 80 percent off! You can sign up by clicking here.

5) Priscilla Ahn – A Good Day
I first saw Priscilla Ahn in concert when I was in college on a small tour with Ingrid Michaelson, Joshua Radin and Meiko (three other artists who make me happy). She does this really cool thing where she records herself sing live and then sings over the playback to create harmony. It’s truly beautiful and unique. Her latest album’s title song “A Good Day” is the perfect song to listen to in the morning for that extra boost of optimism.

6) Prosperity Dumpling fried dumplings
If you ever visit Manhattan, you must go here. Prosperity Dumpling not only sells the best fried dumplings in New York but they are also dirt cheap at five for $1. They also sell sesame pancakes for 75 cents. Not the healthiest meal, but oh so wonderful and you will have spent less than $3 on a whole meal. It’s literally a hole in the wall with a counter and a tiny kitchen, but you can watch them make and cook the dumplings right in front of you. It’s located in Chinatown at 46 Eldridge St.

7) Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding
If you can’t tell by this list yet, I love food. Food in general makes me very happy. If you want to see me ecstatic, bring me a cup of Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. Magnolia is known for their cupcakes, and they are very wonderful indeed. Most people go there for a cupcake and hence end up missing Magnolia’s hidden charm. It’s creamy and wonderful with whole pieces of bananas and wafer cookies. Even if you don’t like bananas, try it!

8) Coconut water
This started becoming trendy last year with companies like Zico and O.N.E. selling it in little pouches seemingly everywhere. Coconut products have been often marketed to contain a lot of fat. However, coconut water has zero fat and hardly any calories. It’s the perfect drink for after a workout, or whenever, because it has just enough sweetness without anything added and it’s not dull water. It is also jam packed with potassium. Goya sells the water sweetened or unsweetened in cans with actual pieces of coconut in it. That part makes it extra fun to drink.

9) St. Ives Apricot Scrub
This has been my go-to scrub for years after almost using up a former roommate’s tube. It’s natural and smells wonderful. Often exfoliating scrubs contain plastic beads that never deteriorate and end up contaminating water sources well after washing off your skin and flowing through your sink drain, but this scrub uses ground nut shells to get the job done without causing future environmental harm. It makes me happy in more ways than one.

10) Time Out NY
When I moved to New York, I was overwhelmed by all there was to see and do. I felt guilty if I wasn’t out and about exploring and taking in everything the city had to offer. Problem was, I didn’t know where to start. I was getting suggestions from everyone, but I couldn’t focus and often heard of cool events weeks after they occurred. I got a subscription to my new weekly bible, Time Out NY (yes, related to the travel books), for super cheap (about $10 for 2 years), and I read it cover-to-cover every week. They search out everything going on in the city from new restaurants, cool concerts, opening theater, fashion trends and museum exhibits all while providing a plethora of interesting and quite random facts about the city.

About Yael

I’m a West Coast transplant, right now enjoying my life in the bustle of Manhattan. I originally came to know Carolyn when I was in college at Boston University through working with her on her book, Perseverance, which was a life-changing experience. Now I’m working full-time with the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. I love enjoying the free time in my life by catching up on books I’ve missed through the years, finding cheap and fun things to do while exploring the city, traveling over the country and the world and finding moments in the day when I can be truly grateful for what I have. You can follow me (and learn about NYC cheap and fun) on Twitter @yaelleah. Thanks for reading!

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A day to myself, with no obligations
Oh, what heaven to let a day unfold and listen to my heart’s desire in each moment – go here, go there, do this, do that, with absolutely no pressure.

Integrity
When I choose to say or do what aligns with my internal values, I feel so good about myself, so clean, and fresh, and clear.

Watching my 14-year-old step-daughter blossom
To see this child who has struggled already with darkness and anxiety come into her own as an emotionally healthy, enthusiastic, and loving young woman makes my heart swell.

Letting go of any and everything
Used to be, anything I let go of had claw marks; now, I’ve watched huge chunks like fear of money and destitution slough right off.

The catness of cats
I love the way they are present in the moment, their glistening fur, their unconditional love, and their pure contentment with silence, sleep, and solitude.

Winter
I love the quiet of the world as we hibernate in warm houses; I love snow, lots of it, and the shoveling thereof; I love blizzards and snow days; I love the glitter and glisten of white and sparkling ice.

Knowing that I can choose my attitude
It’s such a relief to know I am not reliant on anyone else’s good mood – I can generate my own. I may not be able to control others, but I do have power over how I respond to them.

Friendship
There is such comfort in having friends who know me and love me, flaws and all.

Foot massages
And I just happen to be lucky enough to have found a life partner who enjoys giving them! A match made in heaven.

Pushing the boundaries of my own growth
Children learn through play. My play is thinking, talking, reading, and writing about becoming the best me I can be. It gives me joy.

About Linda

Linda Wolf writes Insanely Serene, a blog devoted to her passion for peace of mind and serenity. She shares her experiences and offers practical suggestions for moving from low self-esteem to powerful self-confidence. You can also find her on Twitter at @insanelyserene.

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Catch Phrase:
This is our family’s favorite game. Some of the funnest moments with my nephews have been playing this game. If you want to entertain and amuse a group of people, pull this out- big fun!

MacBook:
I spend a lot of time online and writing so I LOVE my Mac. If you own one you know… if not, you should, you’ll love it!

Foot Duvets (by Restoration Hardware):
I like to sleep in a cold room so every winter I pull these out and they warm me up so I am nice and toasty all night long.

Chipotle:
If I need food fast I head to Chipotle. Even though it’s not health food, it is at least real food. Nummy!

Canson Sketchpads:
We are all artists; so even if you (ok, I) don’t draw well, everyone can at least sketch out our big ideas. Whenever I start a new project or want to map out a significant change in my life, I get a fresh sketchpad where I visually think through my ideas. My favorites are the ones with a hard cover and spiral binding.

Burn Notice (& Castle & Leverage):
Growing up my favorite program was Magnum P.I. so any show that has action, intrigue, wit, and bantering leads is totally up my alley.

Sony Cybershot:
I’m a Sony girl (except when I’m an Apple gal) and I love my digital camera. I take it everywhere and love taking photos of friends, family, and even random things I come across that might have an interesting texture, color, or theme. Great pictures are priceless.

MOMA (Museum of Modern Art, NYC):
Just love it there. The art, the building, the atrium, the shop across the street– I love it all. Wish it were in Chicago so I could visit it weekly.

Lush Rehab Shampoo:
Smells so good, is so sudsy, so calming. If you were only buying one LUSH product you wouldn’t even think to make it a shampoo, but I tell you it’s lush-cious!

Paper Source Red 9x 11½ Presentation Envelopes:
These are part of my signature style when I send a proposal, a resume, or anything that I print out for people. They are so nice that sometimes I’m hurt that people are almost more excited about the envelope then what might be in it. But then I chalk it up to them enjoying my great taste and am rest assured it will make them even more excited to get something from me.

About Joy

I am the author of My Last Wishes… A Journal of Life, Love, Laughs & A Few Final Notes and working on my second book Finding Joy. On a constant quest for Joy, I have explored the corporate world, the publishing world, the visual thinking world… and have found little pieces of happiness in each. Finding Joy is based on a technique I created called Me Mapping, which helps people diagram out their lives and then sort out what’s working from what’s not. My belief is that life is short and we should: engage with the aspects of our lives that makes us happy, declutter the things that drag us down, and incorporate gratitude for all of our good fortune. In my quest to find my own Joy, my hope is to inspire others to find theirs along the way.

You can find Joy’s website at JoyMeredith.com.

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1. My tree.
“I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines.” – Henry David Thoreau

There are lots and lots of trees in the park but, for some reason, early on in my acquaintance with the park, I singled out this tree as my favourite. It almost stands alone but is part of a row of trees. I’ve taken hundreds and hundreds of photographs of this tree. In every season. But this photograph is the one that I love the best. I have it framed on my wall and it brings me a great deal of pleasure every time I look at it. I go to visit my tree whenever I am in the park. I think there’s something to be said for communing with nature. It has an effect on your soul. There’s a calming nature to trees and I just love being around them.

2. Photography.
This is my absolute favourite thing. I’m always at my happiest when I have a camera in my hand. Whether I’m taking photographs for my own pleasure or taking photographs for other people, it has the ability to take me to a different place. A little switch flicks somewhere in my head and I just get into the flow. It’s as if nothing else exists in the world apart from me and my camera. The feeling of joy that I get from photography is huge.

And looking at photographs I’ve taken is a constant reminder of that feeling and the memory of the day. Having someone compliment my photographs, and knowing someone likes something I’ve created, moves me enormously.

3. Creative projects.
Last year was a year of revelations for me. I’d known there was something that I was supposed to be doing but I couldn’t define it for a long time. Understanding that, finally, and having a purpose, created a big shift for me. The ideas started flowing and I derived a great sense of fulfillment from working on them.

4. Getting up early.
I like the hour in the morning before I have to go to work. I catch up with my blog, I read other people’s websites, I tweet. I really enjoy the hour or so when the world seems as though it’s still asleep and I’m getting a march on the day. In the winter everywhere is still dark but in the summer I can watch the day beginning. It’s a really precious time for me as it’s often the only time in the day that I can work on my ideas and projects. It’s an hour crammed with energy.

5. Wide open spaces.
The place I go most often is the park. I can walk and walk for hours. I take photographs, I invariably have a coffee in one of the little park cafes. I take a notebook and sit and jot while I drink my coffee. It’s a place that is away from the noise of the traffic. There’s always something new to look at, or a favourite tree to check on, a familiar face to chat to. But also it’s a great opportunity to think and contemplate and have some moments of peace.

6. Kindred spirits.
Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 blog challenge in December 2009 was not only a great idea but the added gift it brought was that it connected me with people who are undoubtedly kindred spirits. I suppose you could say I found my tribe. There was an enormous joy in discovering people who are talking about similar concepts and exploring their own ideas. 2009 was a year of kindred spirits. I met several people offline as well who have brought several new pieces of my jigsaw and new friendships have grown.

7. Technology.
I’ve always liked technology. I love gadgets. I like tinkering online, tweaking my blog or building some webpages. And, of course, my favourite thing is my camera. I think the internet is an amazing tool and it’s been very important to me in allowing me to find people all over the world who are talking about creativity. Twitter really came into its own and I finally joined Facebook, both of which have been powerful networking tools.

8. Unconventional.
A big find was Danielle LaPorte’s book Style Statement . The premise is that you choose two words that define you. My two were Sacred Unconventional. I love giving my Unconventional side an outing every now and again. It’s a little hidden part of me that likes to play sometimes. It can be a lot of fun!

9. Synchronicities.
One of my favourite phrases is having your ducks in a row. You just know when it happens. Everything flows. Magic happens. The internet has been a provider of synchronicities for me. Websites have popped up one after another, each taking me to new information or new people. Books have done the same. When I first started exploring the concept of creative divine there were so many references being put in front of me that I would frequently laugh out loud. Sometimes I’ve only had to think of something I’ve wanted to do and it’s been there on the next web page or the next book I’ve picked up.

10. Love.
Love comes in many guises. Love for your family, love for your friends. A brief encounter with love when a stranger shows kindness to you. It all makes me happy because it makes me feel loved. The most astounding love I’ve experienced is the one that endures, through thick and thin. The one that you know will be there for all time, and probably has been there for all time already. Until I experienced that I really didn’t understand what love was.

About Nicola

I live and work in Manchester, in the UK. The big love of my life is photography and I’m most often found, camera in hand, walking in the park or dashing around town photographing an event. I’m fascinated by the idea that creativity is a tool to link to the divine and I started exploring this concept on my blog last year. It was a major turning point for me and is a constant theme in all of my creative projects. I see photography as a key element and want to share my experiences with my camera as “photo therapy” to help others get into the zone and experience a state of flow. I’m also a Reiki Master who loves boxing! Nicola blogs at The Whole Self.

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10 Things That Make Me Happy: Leana May

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Erin Robinson

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Brandon Ledford

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2. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Joy Meredith
3. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Melissa Allam

Hi all!  My name is Brandon Ledford.  I am a 26 year old graduate student and research assistant at the George Mason University School of Public Policy.  I am getting my graduate degree in Public Policy, with an emphasis in Health Policy and Science and Technology Policy.  Basically, I want to be a part of the cancer curing process.  Since I was not cut out to be a scientist, I knew that I could make a difference in the cancer policy arena.  I am also proud to say that I am a cancer survivor and a recent recipient of the incredible Carolyn’s Compassionate Children’s Scholarship!

I look forward to adding a guy’s perspective to the “Ten Things That Make Me Happy” series.  Just a quick note:  my family, friends, and work make me very happy.  They just are not as fun or appropriate for this list!  I hope you enjoy the list, and let’s start this off right …

Whole Foods Steak

A good steak definitely makes me happy.  You can get them at any grocery store, but I highly recommend Whole Foods steaks.  There are not any antibiotics or hormones in the meat, and it is as close to a butcher shop as you can get at a grocery store.

Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook

I use these Moleskine notebooks all the time.  It is very sturdy, and they look great.  I use them for classes, scheduling, and note-taking.  They have many different sizes and types.

Kangol Wool Hat

I’m a big hat guy.  I like all kinds of hats, from a baseball cap to a fedora.  This Kangol wool hat has been my favorite for a few years now.  It’s warm, fashionable, and a little different.

Sperry Boat Shoes

Boat shoes are great, and Sperry makes the best.  I wear them all the time.  They are comfortable and very easy.

Dogs

I have been an animal lover all my life.  Dogs are the best.  I have had a Golden Retriever, a Dalmatian, a Blue Merle Great Dane, and a few mutts.  The Humane Society is a great place to find a dog.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel

First of all, everything from Kiehl’s is great.  They have a store in Georgetown, where I used to work, and I have only went there since my first visit.  My favorite product is the Facial Fuel.  It’s basically an aftershave and a moisturizer.  I also use the “Close-Shavers” Shaving Formula and the Ultimate Brushless Shaving Cream.

Safety Razor

I figured I would stay with the previous theme.  Shaving is pretty important, and the Art of Shaving has all types of razors.  I prefer the safety razor.  It has one blade, and the rest of the razor is stainless steel.  This gives a close, nice shave without the irritation caused by regular razors.  I really felt like I was part of an ad campaign writing this one!

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. makes me very happy!  I interned here in college (at the Supreme Court) and have lived here ever since.  D.C. is a beautiful, fun city.  It’s never boring and a great place to live, work, or visit.

Lakers

I was born in San Diego, CA and grew up as a huge Lakers fan.  I watch every game I can and see them whenever they play in D.C.  They also just won the championship.  I could not leave them off the list.

Books

I was a Comparative Literature major in college, so I love books.  I am currently reading The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons.  My two other favorites are One Hundred Years of Solitude and Alice in Wonderland.  Plus, I can’t leave out Perseverance!

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Leana May

10 Things That Make Me Happy: Erin Robinson

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1. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Ross Kinney
2. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Hillary Chybinski
3. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Melissa Allam

This was so fun to think about what makes me happy. I kept a list for a few days and as I’d think of things I’d add. I’d encourage others to make their own list of 10 things. Thanks for the opportunity to guest blog, Carolyn!

10. Hot sign at Krispy Kreme. There is not a convenient Krispy Kreme near me in St. Louis, so my dad and I go out of our way to get Krispy Kreme donuts as many times as possible when I come home to NC. The hot sign makes my eyes light up because I know in minutes I will have the most delicious experience!

9. Dr. Seuss books. These were the first books I learned to read. I have two really special kids in my life and it makes me happy to tuck them in at night and read The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham over and over.

8. Yoga. Over the past few years yoga has become part of my regular routine. Every time I come to my mat I am reminded how strong and amazing my body is. It also makes me happy to have a place where I’m centered.

7. Long runs. I am not a fast runner, but I can run a long time. There is nothing better than a Sunday morning long run when everything is still quite, before the city has woken up.

6. Fall leaves and spring flowers. I love these transition seasons, all the colors, the weather changing. It makes me happy to be outside and these seasons are just so perfect for that.

5. Rocking out in the car. I can’t sing. I don’t know all the words to any song, but when I’m in the car by myself I am happy to have a little dance party getting to where ever I’m going. My current mix is Paul Simon’s Graceland.

Milan, Italy Spring 2009

4. Traveling. I love to see the world, returning to places I’ve been and seeing new places. Getting new passport stamps makes me happy. My friends are distributed all over, so it also makes me happy to catch up with people I love.

3. Jimmy. My cat has been one of the more constant fixtures in my life, since I adopted him as a stray in undergrad. It makes me happy that he sleeps at the foot of my bed every night.

2. Birthdays. I love to celebrate birthdays – cake, cards, presents and friends. My best friend and I send each other birthday care packages every year. Both sending and receiving these boxes makes me happy.

My mom and me, Christmas, 2008

1. Home. It makes me happy to come home, relax and rest. I love my apartment. I decorated it and it is me. I also love to go home to NC and visit my parents, sleep in my childhood room and have my Mom take care of me.

Related posts:

1. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Melissa Allam
2. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Hillary Chybinski
3. 10 Things That Make Me Happy: Nicola Warwick