Happy = Grateful

I heard on the radio this week being thankful / grateful is the number 1 cause of happiness.  
So, in the last week, I am thankful for the following...
1.  Loafing in a lounge chair at LaBonte's Cabin at Keystone yesterday.
2. Pancakes.  Thank you IHOP!
3. A delicious buffalo burger at the Buffalo Bar and Grill in Idaho Springs.  Also like supporting local restaurants. 
4. Happy hour at Samba Room and a good friend to share it with.
5. The Olympics and all the inspiring stories.  Congrats to the men's 4 man bobsled team for ending a 60+ year drought.  And for the Nordic Combined Team in bringing medals to the US where we had none.
6.  A good job.
7.  The luxury to travel.
8.  Donuts at church on Sunday.  It's the right way to start the day.
9.  Making wings with the K-1st Graders to remind them that God loves them like a mother hen.
10.  The Chey dog.

A great view of happiness

Daybook (pancakes for dinner edition)

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...it's night.  Some day in June it might be light after 8pm, but not anytime soon.

I am thinking...that the Bike MS is 4 months away.  Bike is getting tuned right now.

I am thankful for...IHOP giving away free pancakes and raising money for the Children's Miracle Network.  It was a tasty and unexpected dinner.

I am wearing...something more comfortable than the suit I wore all day at work.

I am remembering...the history of Guatemala that I learned on Sunday.   I was discussing upcoming trips with one of the AV guys this morning.

I am going...to go to the gym.  But probably not until Friday at this rate.

I am currently reading...The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs.   It will make for very entertaining discussion on Thursday night.

I am hoping...that motivation finds me soon.

On my mind...that it is smarter to walk for most of my lunch break.  Going outdoors midday improves my attitude...I need sunlight!

Noticing that...I haven't been skiing in a month.  Unacceptable.

Pondering these words... "sink or swim I'm diving in." (song I hadn't heard in years)

From the kitchen... nothing, see IHOP above. 

Around the house...Olympics, if only I could stay awake long enough to actually watch the whole thing.  Still recovering from my vacation.   A shoutout to the US for medaling in Nordic Combined (both men's individual and team) for the first time EVER!

One of my favorite things...sleep.

From my picture journal...sunset pictures from Peru!
 

Que Rico!

One of the best things about travel is trying new things.   It doesn't matter where you go, there are local specialties, microbrews, seasonal fruits, etc.   On my most recent adventure here are some of the new things I tried.  Sadly, I didn't take a picture of the octopus that became our evening ceviche.  Or of the numerous complimentary pisco sours.

Piccarones - fried dough dipped in honey

Quara - Cervesa para Mujeres

Hearts of Beef

Chicha Morada - purple corn drink

Chifa - Peruvian Chinese Food

Cuy - Guinea Pig (Brian is my hero for ordering this)

Inca Kola

Emmoliente - random hot herbal drinks sold by street vendors

Daybook (life is good)

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...it's cold.  If I would have answered this on Saturday, it would have been the amazing sunset in Peru!

I am hearing...the Winter Olympics.  It's the one time where I'll have the tv on more often than not.

I have...a suntan!  I am the envy of my co-workers.

Pondering these words..."I'll shout it from the mountain top.  I want my world to know...." 

I am thankful for...winning Manager of the Year.  It's a great honor to know that your hard work is appreciated at that level.  The free vacation doesn't hurt either!

One year ago today...I was in  Thailand, so conveniently I have my travel journal to remind me.  "We slept in, went to the beach and had breakfast...just sad to leave beautiful Ko Lanta...Mama T made us cashew chicken.  I also took a 30 minute bike ride, vraving the bike / moped lane on the streets of Trang.  I got many honks, hellos and waves by kids and teenagers.  I'm sure a farang on a bike is a bit of a novelty."

I am reading...Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr.

One of my favorite things...travel!

I am going...to have to do my Spanish homework tomorrow.

Around the house...the Chey beast is exhausted after a week of playing with friends.

I am thinking...that I have no groceries and wondering how long until I cave and go to King Soopers.

A few plans for the rest of my week...work, class, dinner with friends and Olympics.

Photos for you from Cusco

What Makes the News

Prior to going to Peru, the news was that Machu Picchu was closed and that tourists were being airlifted out by helicopters.   However, in driving around the countryside outside of Cusco, you could see the real life implication of the heaviest rains in 20 years.  Mud brick houses destroyed.  Health department tents set up.  Service projects, like river clean up, had begun. 

Yesterday when visiting a friend, she said "you heard about what happened at the Olympics on Friday, right?"  I had no tv or internet access on Friday or Saturday, so had no idea about the athlete who was killed on the luge track.  What's news depends on where you are.

The Warm Welcome

There is nothing that says hospitality like a warm welcome.  Such as warm weather.  Hugs from a friends family.  Drinking sangria in the backseat of the car while tearing down the streets of Lima at 2 am.  Practicing Spanish and drinking Inca Kola while driving to the beach.  Getting to the beach (Porto Fiel....beautiful) by 4am and then celebrating on the patio until the sun comes up.

The beach house, like all good retreats, does not have wifi, so I could just enjoy and disconnect for a while.  Our hotel in Cusco, has an old computer with free internet (but no USB port to upload pictures) so all pictures will have to wait until I return to Denver.

A co-worker on Thursday asked if I would come back.  Like all good trips, I love them while I´m here and I`ll enjoy the memories when I get home.

Daybook (countdown to South America)

(from the simple woman's daybook)

Outside my window...it's night.  Can't wait until I the days get longer.

I am thinking...that Machu Picchu will still be closed when we get to Cusco next Sunday. 

I am thankful for... my co-worker returning from maternity leave today!

I am remembering...the "Game of Things" on Saturday night....so many things are more fun with 4!

I am going... to Continent 6 on Friday.

I am currently reading...How Coffee Saved My Life...and Other Stories of Stumbling to Grace by Ellie Roscher.  She writes about her experience as a young adult missionary in Uruguay.  It's a quick and fun read (especially finding out specifically how coffee saved her life).  Also very timely with our topic for the youth last night about the Great Commission.  Quote from the book "I believe that God loves me radically.  That love is liberating.  As a free North American with power and privilege, I can move into contact with my neighbor.  I can love God by loving my neighbor, and that neighbor does not need to live next door."

I am hoping...that training goes well on Wednesday and that I have no flight delays on Friday.

On my mind...last year, on the first Monday of February, I was preparing to depart the next day for a volunteer vacation in Thailand.  Hard to believe it was that long ago.  Definitely the right decision.  Is it ironic that one year later I'm getting ready for another trip and my suitcase is still not packed? 

Noticing that...my co-workers are really into the weight loss challenge.  It's going to be a great 3 months.

Pondering these words... "So here I am, all of me, Finally everything, Wholly, wholly, wholly..."
From the kitchen... nothing. I'm trying to get rid of my food this week. 

Around the house... a half packed suitcase.

One of my favorite things...preparing for vacation.

From my picture journal...my first day in Thailand, one year ago!