There’s a lot that I’m happy about this week. It’s been a great couple of weeks in a lot of ways, both professionally and personally. And here in Canada, today is Thanksgiving, which is a stat holiday–I bet all Canadians are happy about that! I hope all my readers, Canadian and otherwise, have a lot to be happy about today.
In any case, here’s a few more things to make you smile.
1) Pomskys. Whoever came up with this dog breed is an absolute genius. As inconceivable as it is, a pomsky is a cross between a pomeranian and a husky (let’s hope it was a small husky). A husky that looks like a puppy for its entire life? A miniature sled dog? How can I not get one?
2) Seeing good people triumph. When I first started kickboxing, it was at a pretty rough club. But I had no idea how rough it really was…until my coaches started getting shot, getting arrested, and getting into the witness protection program. I had no clue what was about to go down as I continued to show up at the dojo for boxing lessons with a world champion (who is now in the witness protection program). I always showed up, but my coach often didn’t–so this other guy stepped in to train me. He wasn’t that friendly and he didn’t say much, but he was always there.
Unbeknownst to me, most of the people training me had become involved with a gang affiliated with the Hell’s Angels. This included the world champion and the quiet man who stepped in to take his place when necessary. That quiet man was Junior Moar, who soon after shot at a rival gang member and went to prison for five years. Everyone assumed his promising boxing career was over. They were wrong.
Saturday night was incredible for me, because I got to watch Junior fight again. He successfully defended his Canadian Light-Heavyweight title. I also saw my coach Olivia Gerula win her fight, boosting her record to fourteen wins.
Winning isn’t everything. I know that even more now that I’ve been in the ring myself. But it was wonderful to watch both Junior and Olivia win their fights. They more than earned it. Junior made some mistakes as a teenager that could have ruined his life, but he did the hard work to turn things back around. And to me, that’s more important than never making mistakes in the first place.
3) Edible broccoli. We all know broccoli is good for us. I’ve never had a huge problem with it, but I’ve never been in love with it, either. It’s bitter. It gets stuck in your teeth. And it turns into a yellow, stunningly stinky mess in the fridge far too quickly. But then I found this recipe. Try it–your relationship with broccoli will never be the same. The Boy and I scarfed down four heads of broccoli in about fifteen minutes, and trust me–that never happens.
4) New adventures. This month, I will put down a deposit for a trip to Bali. I will sign up for NaNoWriMo. I’m considering stepping into the ring again, training for my green prajioud, or both. What new challenges have you undertaken lately? What have you always wanted to do or try?
5) Creating Freedom in My Online Work. Before I met Kyla Roma in person, I was a huge fangirl. Kyla’s blog about how she left her day job to start her own business gave me hope when I was still cubicle-bound. Now that we’re friends, I’m even more impressed. She is every bit as sweet in person as she seems online.
She recently launched her first solo e-course, Creating Freedom in Your Online Work. Working online is both wonderful and terrible–there are so many possibilities, but also so many distractions.
This is just the second week of the course, but already I’ve connected with amazing women from around the globe and had some promising insights. I’m sure Kyla will offer this course again, so if you’re interested in finding more time for creativity and more balance in your life, let Kyla know.
That’s it for this week’s happy list! Have an awesome week, and please take the time to share what’s making you happy.
I love your happy lists, they make me stop for a moment and think about what might be on my own list, and often add something new to it as well. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment, Tania! I really appreciate it. I’m glad you like the lists. Please feel free to share your happiness any time. I’m always looking for new ideas.
Have an awesome day!
This weekend my happy list consisted of:
Running in the crunchy dry leaves of fall
Taking some pretty cool pictures (if I do say so myself) of said leaves
Introducing my husband to traditional “Newfie Jigs Dinner” with my parents
Catching a few last rays of sunshine at my parents’ place on the lake
Bali sounds amazing! I am looking forward to Jamaica this coming winter.
I did NaNoRiMo about 3 years ago. It was TOUGH!!! …but I finished! Good on you Holli!
p.s. that Pomsky is absolutely adorable!!!!!!!
Totally cool! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Ah! I LOVE Pomskys! If only they were hypoallergenic … I’m really enjoying the “Create Freedom” course too 🙂 Looking forward to reading more of your writing!
What’s making me happy today? These comments! I am as happy as a pomsky playing in autumn leaves. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, ladies.
@ Lisa: Thanks for your amazing list, as usual. And as usual I have tons of questions! What is this “Newfie Jigs Dinner” you speak of? And wow to NaNoRiMo! Was it a good experience? What did you do with the finished product? Would you ever do it again?
@ MM – Welcome back! I have missed you so. I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving. xoxo
@ Holly – Welcome to my blog. I love that you’re here. Thanks for the support and encouragement. Isn’t Kyla amazing? I’m so excited about the course. I think it’s already helping me.
Holli…I started to describe it but found a Wikipedia entry which sums up the Jigs/Jiggs/Jigg’s dinner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiggs_dinner
My mom grew up in Newfoundland and this was a staple. Lots of salt so not something I’d eat on a regular basis but oh-so-good!
I found NaNoWriMo an amazing experience. I actually haven’t finished the book I’m still plugging away at it …There are a few chapters left that I need to tidy up (loose ends) and figure out the ending. The story pretty much wrote itself (not sure where it came from but I didn’t argue! ;0)))) I would definitely do it again.
I love broccoli…if it’s in salad. With bacon. lol. And I love Pomsky’s!! They are adorable 🙂
Thanks for the feedback, Lisa. I’m glad to hear NaNoWriMo was worthwhile. I’ve never really considered doing it before, but now I know I can. I think it would be a good exercise for me. Thanks for the link, too.
Thanks for your comment, Tina! That is a good way to enjoy broccoli. Have you seen a pomsky in person? I’ve had to settle for pictures.