What made me happy, September 18, 2023
Jodythinks

What made me happy, September 18, 2023

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Jetlagged and under the weather. Going hack to routine will take a second, but a welcome return.

What’s made me happy lately:

1. The opportunity to be away. I have been able to see my favorite cities on the other side of the world, and it was wonderful. A breather from all the grief. A way to refresh and reset. Even if it was a monumental hit to my wallet, it was worth it. There are memories I will keep with me for a lifetime, and a perspective that I rarely get from my cocoon of safety. I am eternally grateful for the happenstance of availability and ability. I have fallen in love with a place and my heart beats for the next time I can go back.

2. Fudge. I am a child. A child who will perish from sugar and butter consumption that is now on the uptick because of the most adorable old men making fudge in most cities I went to. Hello diabetes, bye bye edges.

3. Seeing Ophelia. From my senior year paper on her, to seeing her in the flesh, and being able to just stare solo, my life has reached a point. Ophelia by John Everett Millais depicts the character from Hamlet with the same name. She is haunting in her despair, her eyes have lost hope. I could hardly tear myself away.

Songs: Hello, Goodbye by the Beatles

Rocketman by Elton John

Wish You the Best by Lewis Capaldi

What’s made you happy lately? -J

What made me happy lately, July 20, 2023
Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

What made me happy lately, July 20, 2023

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: Hives and insomnia have been kicking my ass. Breathing deep, calming down are important especially since I don’t want to wreck my liver with all the meds. Also saw my ortho because my knee has been making me wince with every bend. It’s a process.

1. Being part of a Say Yes to the Dress moment. One of my friends of three(!) decades is getting married soon and asked if I wanted to hang when she tried on wedding dresses. Not having been a part of this process in years, i could not say yes faster, and even arrived earlier and made friends with the bridal shop owner. I love looking at pretty dresses. I love my friend. This was a core moment I’m keeping for our friendship. The food after wasn’t bad either. Filipino comfort food + pavlovas are awesome especially when it’s rainy.

2. Realizing how lucky I am to be working from home in an environment where people support me. Having driven a lot these past week, I had a glimpse of daily traffic, the lines, the difficulty of booking rides. As a person who’s worked from home since 2010 — I’ve not had to deal with having to go to an office full time and I know this is a privilege. I guess what I’m saying is I’m lucky.

3. Feeling accomplished about little things. The aforementioned driving, I drove further than I’ve had without being sure where I was going this past weekend. Being awful at directions, and having had been hit by a few people on the road, I always play it safe, but I took a risk that panned out this weekend. Able to drive and not get lost (more than twice okay) significantly seems like so little but mean a lot to my opportunities for adventure. I hated it. But I loved what it meant for me.

Songs of the week:

Lonely by Imagine Dragons

Sad Forever by Lauv

My Mind & Me by Selena Gomez

Stop This Train by John Mayer

What made me happy, July 10, 2023
food · Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life · Thanks

What made me happy, July 10, 2023

Jody AlarvaLeave a comment

Status report: After being given a glowing once over on my 3 month checkup, a couple things have come up. One, that I had terrible acidity this week, extra keep me up at night episodes, and the other, I fear my knee has ripped fully. Tbd, but need to get answers because I can’t bend without wincing.

But there are bright spots that made me happy this past week:

1. Being able to do a sendoff with a friend of more than 11 years. A friend is packing up her whole family to go to Canada and start a new life. I’ve known her since forever, and even her kids and husband. While we didn’t see each other often enough (see, 3 kids and husband), when we do, it’s always falling into the same dynamic. I am so happy for her, and this is the end of an era, but I am glad that she’s carving out this new life in a new place. If anyone can do it, she can.

2. Moments with Chester. This year, my old man turns 9. That’s pretty dang old for rabbits. He looks it too, and is definitely less spry. But he still comes up to me for treats, or head rubs, and melts in enjoyment. I love him so much, much more than every single bedsheet, pillow and blanket I own and he chews.

3. The randomness of friendship. If you told me five years ago who my closest friends would be, I wouldn’t believe you. However, after reflection lately, I realize that a lot of the people I love — started off in the most random of ways. And I’m grateful for their sunshine. I go dark so often, and can really dig in deep, that just their being happy can make me feel better about my own struggles sometimes. In a world full of bastard covered people with bastard filling, this bastard is incredibly thankful about the bastards around her.

Songs of the week:

Heartbreaker by Mariah Carey feat Jay-Z

Hold Me Tight by Evan Rachel Wood (Across the Universe OST)

Maybe This Time by Liza Minelli (Cabaret OST)

What makes you happy?

-J