Day 100: save an inch worm

Today I went for a walk with my sister and brother in law because I love them. During our walk, we came across a little inch worm inching its way down the walkway. I thought it might get stepped on, so I decided to move it into the grass. It wouldn't go on my finger, so I got a stick and got it to go on it and put it in the grass. Of course, afterwards I imagined the inchworm trying to travel across the walkway because it got separated from its inch worm family and I thwarted its progress. But it'll be alive longer!!

Day 99: drive a friend home

Today was my friend's bachelorette party! To allow her the full enjoyment of said bachelorette party, I told her I'd drive her home. Which I did. And judging by her giggling, tired state on that drive, it's a good thing I did :)

Day 98: think ahead

I started thinking about nice things to do for two of my friends who live far away. I have some good ideas and I'm excited to do them!! I love surprising people! My genius plans will go into effect soon!

Day 97: tell people they are awesome

Today I told six people I love that they are awesome. Because they are. And they deserve to know it. 

Day 96: listen

Today a few of my friends had difficult days. One important part of being a good friend is listening and trying to help them feel better. So that's what I did. Unfortunately, one of them is too far away for me to hug. But I still did everything I could to help her feel better. I love my friends so much. I'd do anything to help them out. So much love for my folks!!

Day 95: honor the honor system

After work today, I had to go to the grocery store. I wanted to get chicken salad from the deli area, but it had a line. So, I pushed the button to get a number. I noticed the guy standing to my left watched me do this, then after a minute he got a number too. Now, it's not my fault he didn't know he was supposed to get a number, but he was there before me. So I offered to switch numbers with him. But he said it was ok. I tried! And that was my good deed for the day :)

Day 94: let your inner child out!

I've been really wanting to make a blanket fort lately, but part of me thought, oh silly Marie, you're too old to build a blanket fort. You just got your master's degree and you're a grown-up now. Well, I finally said, I am what I am, and what I am right now is young at heart and excited to build a blanket fort! So I did! It was fun, but my cat Jack was very confused by it. He started jumping on top of the blankets and killed the evil blanket fort monster. But for those few golden minutes, I was a kid again and I had my blanket hideout :) maybe if I keep doing it, he'll get used to it! 

Day 93: hang out with a friend

This is really an act of kindness for myself, too. My friend has been planning her wedding, which is in two weeks, and we've  both been busy lately. We haven't been able to hang out much at all. But this weekend, we were finally both free! She needed to get out of her house and take a break from wedding planning, so yesterday we went for a walk and today we went to the zoo. It was great to hang out and I know she really needed the break. It was fun! Love her!

Day 92: try harder, save a plant

I've never had a green thumb and because of that, I've never owned many plants. But I recently got one because I want to make my balcony prettier. Well, at first I wasn't too great about watering it because I kept forgetting. Needless to say, it started to look bad. But now I'm watering it every other day and I took off the dead parts. It's already looking better! From now on, I'm really going to try harder. I want to get more flowers, especially colorful ones, but I won't let myself get more until I can take better care of the one I have. I'm going to save my plant!

Day 91: spread birthday love

This week was my sister's birthday and tonight we got together at a restaurant to celebrate. We brought our gifts too. I got her some clothes, but also a Minnie Mouse ribbon that says Fabulous. I made her wear it :) it was really fun. Love you, Mandy!! And happy birthday!

Day 90: give awards!

Last year I decided my immediate coworkers deserve awards because they are wonderful people and I love them! I call them the Outie Awards because I work in the Outreach Department and most of the awards are for my fellow outreach peeps, as well as a few of our adopted outreach children. If any of you are familiar with the Dundies from the tv show The Office, it's similar to that. I try to make them funny and heartfelt. It was really fun and this year's awards had a song theme! This year's award names included:  "wind beneath my wings," "she works hard for the money," "my funny valentine," "Mr. Bassman," "so happy to see you," "I'm too sexy," "diamonds on the soles of her shoes," and "going to the chapel." I love doing them! I can't wait until next year! Seriously, I love my coworkers so much!!

Day 89: give someone flowers and a hug

Today, my mom had to put our old cat Angel to sleep. It was very difficult for her, so I stopped at Meijer to get her some flowers. Of course then my car died, so it took me longer than planned to get them to her. But I did get them to her, thanks to help from my dad :) and I gave her a big hug. I will always remember Angel. And I love my Mom a lot. 

Day 88: give a birthday surprise

So awhile back my coworkers and I brought in pictures of ourselves as kids. One of my coworkers brought in a picture of himself sitting on a plastic horse, holding a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. It was one of the freaking cutest things I've ever seen! So while he was out doing deliveries, I 'borrowed' the picture, scanned it, and saved it until last week. I made it into a birthday banner through Walgreens and hung it over his desk today. It made him laugh :) And his mom liked it, too. I like doing unexpected things. Oh, I also painted him a superhero picture. It looks like a five year old could've done it, but it was fun! I hope he had an excellent birthday!!

Day 87: make future plans

Today I took some time out for myself. I let myself sit and read for a long time - a book about one of my favorite topics: Africa. I've wanted to go to Africa since middle school and it's always called to me. I even got accepted to the Peace Corps and was going to go to Malawi. Circumstances changed and I couldn't go then, but I still really want to go. One organization I found years ago is Cross Cultural Solutions. I get emails from them and read reviews. It's one of the best overseas volunteer organizations out there. They provide food, lodging, volunteer placement, local culture excursions, security, travel medical insurance, and fun! It's not cheap, but they provide a lot. And security is super important. I'd rather go through someone like them than try it on my own! I'd want to go for at least two weeks. So today I started planning how I'm going to save money and hopefully go within the next five years. Watch out Africa, here I come! The one I want to do first is in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. But they have others. I'd love to do them all :) I love planning for the future!! Go me!

Day 86: keep someone company

My mom had to go to the store for something yesterday, but my dad was busy with yard work. Could she have gone by herself? Sure. But I decided to go with her to keep her company. I could help her pick stuff out and chat. I ended up getting food from Chipotle out of it, so it was a win-win!!

Day 85: kidnap someone for a picnic

Today I decided I wanted to spend some extra time with one of my friends. She has to work all weekend, so I thought  making her eat lunch outside with me would be fun! Of course, if I had really planned this out, I would've made food for her. But I didn't, so I bought it instead. It's the thought that counts, right? She's been planning her wedding for awhile now and I thought she could use a little extra fun/relaxing time. It was a beautiful day fir a picnic, i got to use my picnic blanket, and we had a great time. We should do it more often. It doesn't take much effort to let people know you think about them and care about them. Surprise them sometimes :)

Day 84: keep people involved

It's easy to get sucked into your own life, the things you have to do, the things you want to do, work, etc. Sometimes it's easy to go to work, go home, and do your own thing. However, I've discovered that people who love you really enjoy it when you talk to them about what's going on in your life. Especially parents. So I've been making a concerted effort to  keep them up to date, visit more often, and spread my news. It doesn't take much to make people happy. They just like knowing you care. And it's pretty great to know how much they care about me, too. So communicate! It's magic!

Day 83: give a friendly send-off

Yesterday, another nice lady left our library. She has two children and decided to stay home with them. Go her! So I gave her a card and a Dora the Explorer fun pin to wear! And I gave her a hug, of course! She will be missed and I wish her the best! :)

Day 82: celebrate a good person

Today was a girl's last day working at the library. I didn't get a chance to know her very well, but my interactions with her have always been positive. I can tell she is filled with warmth and caring and light. She is going to move to Colorado to work with the Colorado AIDS Project. So she is spreading her goodness to those who need it. To send her off, I made her a card and gave her a Mickey Mouse ribbon that says 'yay for you.' I told her she has to wear it all day! I hope she has a great time there!! I wish her all the best :)

Day 81: show appreciation for a job well done

I got a tattoo this past weekend and the man who did it did a fabulous job. Not only did he do a great job with the tattoo itself, he also made me feel comfortable and at ease. He made me laugh and I could tell he actually cared about me. He asked about my design and why I was getting it and said how much he liked it. I was just so impressed with his work and his caring manor. So today I stopped by there again after work and gave him some homemade cookies and said a heartfelt thank you. He seemed very touched by it, got up, and gave me a hug!! I'm so glad I got to meet him and that he's the one who gave me my tattoo. If any of you ever want to get one, go see my new friend Gary at Atattooed in Westerville, Ohio!!

Day 80: give feedback

On our recent trip to Disney World, my family and I had a few experiences that were not great. This was very unlike Disney and I was a little disappointed. Although I have never done this before, I wrote an email to Disney about these things, not because I want anything in return, but in the hope that they will make improvements and other people won't have to deal with what we did. I got a phone call from them today and they were really nice about it. The lady even said she hopes they can improve their mistakes. Hopefully she wasn't just saying that, but I don't think she was. They want people to be happy! So, I did this on behalf of me, my family, and others who may have similar issues. 

Day 79: welcome a new neighbor

A girl I know just moved into the apartment next to me! I'm so happy it's her because she's great and her boyfriend seems really nice, too. So I baked and brought them some fresh, warm cookies right from the oven after their last moving day. They seemed to like them :) I'm glad I have them to share with. 

Day 78: get a tattoo so meaningful it makes someone cry

Today I finally got my 2nd tattoo after five years. I found the perfect one, which represents my love of books, graduating from library school, and my family. When I first told my mom she is the heart that ties us all together, she got all choked up and teary-eyed. Yeah, that's a good tattoo :) this is a great way to commemorate important people in your life. Of course, if you're not a big fan of pain or permanence, you could always just paint a picture. 

Day 77: feed a hungry sister

Yesterday my sister came over and I fed her pizza and cheese it's. She was very hungry. But she helped me too by playing with my cat and keeping me company :)

Day 76: encourage someone

Today I helped encourage someone who was really nervous. It can be difficult for some people to get up in front of others and speak. So I helped someone feel more confident in himself and told him afterwards that he did a great job. Sometimes all people need is a little encouragement. Give it when you can. They'll really appreciate it! And it will help their confidence. 

Day 75: give someone the benefit of the doubt

There will be times when someone does something you think is wrong or stupid. Probably many times. It can be easy to just dismiss those people and not care about them anymore. I'm not talking about close friends and family. I don't think there's much I couldn't forgive with them. I'm talking about the acquaintances of life. Those you may see daily, but don't really know. It's easy to judge them based on the little you do see. So today, I decided to give someone a clean slate and forget my preconceived notions. I'm not saying I'm going to be a pushover, I'm  just going to try not to judge like I have been. Everyone has 'stuff.' It's important to remember that. People are the way they are for a reason. It's important to be kind to everyone, no matter what you may think of them. Maybe a little kindness is all they need. You never know. 

Day 74: celebrate your mom

My mom was driving from Florida to Ohio on Mother's Day, so I wasn't able to celebrate with her in person then. But today, I got to see her! I gave her a perfect Disney mug, a hug, and got to hang out with her. I love my mom sooooo much! I don't know what I'd do without her. Every day, I'm happy she's here and only wish her happiness and love :)

Day 73: give out souvenirs

Today I gave away some souvenir gifts from my vacation. I like finding things for people that will make them smile :) fun fun fun!!

Day 72: quality cat time

My family and I were gone on vacation for a week, so naturally our cats feel neglected and abandoned. My cat Jack hasn't left my side since I got home. So I spent most of the day resting with him, and he cuddled on my lap every time I sat down. I gave him lots of attention. The only time I left was to go check on my family's cats. My parents and sister are still driving home. So I spent some time with them too. Kitties like attention!! 

Day 71: let it live

Normally when I find a bug in my place, I kill it if I can. Especially if it's really scary. Like a spider. Today I found one that kind of looked like a lightning bug, but wasn't. It didn't scare me much though, so I caught it and let it go. I chose life!! Live little bug, live! Hopefully it doesn't cause a plague or something. 

Day 70: include people

Before my visit to Disney World, I made up signs to include people in the trip that said 'Hi (name)!' This was for people who couldn't be here and who would've loved to come: my fellow Disney lovers :) I wish I could've brought all of them with me! But I can't, so signs will have to do. I tried to take pictures with their favorite characters while holding the sign. It was really fun! And they all seemed to appreciate it.

Day 69: take a picture

Today in Epcot, I took a picture for another family so they could all be included. And then they took one for us! It's really nice to offer to take pictures for other people because it can be such a pain to have one person in your party take one, then they switch with someone else so the other person can be in the photo. Such a hassle! So offer if you have the chance!!

Day 68: hold your tongue

There are times when people annoy me, especially in crowds. There are times when I would like to yell at people for being inconsiderate or just plain stupid. There are also times when customer service workers don't have very good customer service skills and that really bothers me. I had a few of those moments today. But instead of yelling or giving bad looks, I just took a deep breath and told them to have a good day. Because really, what good will more anger do? It'll just make it worse. Maybe if they see what nice is, they'll repeat it. Or maybe I'm being too optimistic? Oh we'll, being nice still makes me feel better. They can stay stupid if they choose. I choose nice.

Day 67: let someone cut in line

Today we went to EPCOT in Disney World. As in any other theme park, restrooms are usually crowded. Tonight we stayed in the park to watch Illuminations, an awesome fireworks/light show. And of course the restrooms were even more super crowded before that. I waited in line forever because the restroom only had two stalls (why does that even exist in WDW??) Once I finally got to the front of the line, the handicap stall opened up, so I offered it to the mother with two kids right behind me. She was very thankful. It doesn't take much to make people happy!

Day 66: surprise people

My family and I got to Disney world today. Yay! I ordered flowers to be waiting for my sister and her husband because they are awesome. We had a confusing afternoon with our resort and ended up being transferred to a different one because of overbooking. I was worried about the surprise getting to the right room! But it made it. It just came while they were there instead of before. It's still good!

Day 65: give someone a ride

Today, my sister had to take her husband's car in to the shop while he was at work. So she asked me to pick her up. Afterwards, we hung out, watched A Goofy Movie, and had a great time. I also drive her to the bank and we both needed to go to Meijer, so we went there too. Then I took her back to get the car. She needed a ride and I enjoyed the company. A win win!!

Day 64: help out a senior

Today I participated in Service Day Westerville! Along with my lovely coworker Heather, we helped an adorable 80 year old lady named Twilah with tasks around her house. We planted begonias, washed the windows, set up her patio table with umbrella and chairs, dusted her blinds, cleaned the tub, moved a fireplace, and pledged the kitchen cupboards. More importantly, we got to talk to Twilah and learn about her and her family. And I learned how to plant flowers using a butter knife. I got skillz!

Day 63: help take worries away

I have recently given some people worry dolls! They are a tradition from the Mayan culture. They are just tiny little dolls and the tradition is that you tell them your worries. Then you put them under your pillow at night and they're supposed to take your worries away. So I gave some to people I thought could use a little fewer worries. Because I love them and want them to be happy. Anyone can use fewer worries! If you feel like you need some worry dolls, just let me know and I will hook you up! For real!

Day 62: keep it clean

Today while delivering books to daycare centers, my boss and I saw that kids had thrown a bunch of toys from their playground into the parking lot. I didn't want any of them to get run over, so I suggested we go pick them up. We did! So we both did a good deed today! Yay for picking things up!

Day 61: help keep a cat happy

My cat Jack likes to drink water out of the faucet. Which means he gets a lot of water in his ears. Which means he could easily get ear infections. My vet says I should let him do this because he enjoys it and some cats just prefer fresh water and may not drink enough from a bowl. So that means I have to put ear drops in his ears to prevent infection. I'm supposed to do it once a week...I have to admit I'm not good at keeping up with it. But I'm trying! I did it today and it went slightly better than normal. He didn't shake it all over my face just part of my face this time. And I did give him treats for a reward. Just trying to keep him happy and healthy!

Day 60: tell someone you are proud!

Today someone told me they did something that made me very proud! I don't want to give details to respect their privacy, but they are wonderful and deserve recognition even if I don't mention their name. I think it's important to tell people you are proud when they do something difficult or awesome. So tell them! You never know if they really need to hear it and it'll help them get through a tough time.

Day 59: be a host

This weekend, I had some friends come visit from out of state for a reunion/graduation party. We worked together in AmeriCorps and have stayed friends. It was so great to have them here to celebrate my graduation from library grad school! I was their host. They stayed at my place, I drove them around, showed them my stomping ground, got them in the zoo, fed them or took them to food, took them to and from the airport, and provided games and movies. It was my pleasure and I would do it again in a minute!!

Say 58: feed the birds

I just got a hummingbird feeder and a regular bird seed feeder. I put them out on my deck and I've enjoyed seeing the birds. And so has my cat! They are so pretty to look at and to hear.

Day 57: open a door

Today my friends and I went to Bob Evans and when we used the restroom I noticed that the handicapped restroom door was locked from the inside. So I crawled on the floor and went under and unlocked it. Yay good deed! But my shirt got dirty haha :)

Day 56: pick it up!

Today, my friends from out of state became to visit. I took one to the park and we saw a pop can sitting in a trail. I picked it up and recycled it! My friend also returned a cart to the cart return at the grocery store! Yay good deeds!!

Day 55: clean all the things

I have three friends coming in from out of state tomorrow and I am SO SUPER EXCITED!!! However, two of those friends are allergic to cats. And I have a big cat. So, I took this morning to clean my entire apartment, trying to get rid of as much cat fur as possible. I vacuumed my floors, my furniture, and even my bedspread! I cleaned my tile floors, cleaned the whole bathroom and kitchen, washed the sheets, and dusted everything. I even washed my curtains, which I accidentally shrank, so now the curtains in front of my sliding door aren't anywhere near touching the floor. Haha! All in the name of love for my pals! Hopefully, this will help them survive in my kitty environment!

Day 54: take a breath

This has been kind of a stressful week for a few reasons. I could feel myself wanting to snap at people and be ornery. But I kept myself in check and took deep breaths to calm myself down. This benefited me and the people around me! It's all okay! I can get through it! And I don't have to take out my eye twitches on others. I even gave stickers to people who helped me out :)

Day 53: give a compliment

Today I went out of my way to give someone I love a compliment. My sister just got a haircut, so I drove over to see her after another long day at work to tell her how great she looks. And she looks really great! I think it's important to tell people when they look good and make them feel good about themselves. Spread the word! Tell people they look great!

Day 52: don't procrastinate

After work today, I really wanted to just go home and do absolutely nothing. But, I know I'll feel better if I get things done now so I can rest later this week. So I filled my car with gas, which it very much appreciated. Then I stopped and bought new deodorant, which the people around me tomorrow will appreciate. And then I finished writing my paper for my practicum, which I will appreciate tomorrow so I can proofread it and hand it in and then just BE DONE!!! No procrastination for me! No sirree!

Day 51: clean up for Earth Day!

One of my friends invited me to help do a clean up for Earth Day at a local park. I said yes! So four of us went out to clean up nature! We went off the regular path around the lake and we had to walk through many brambles and thorny plants. I normally don't like nature touching me, so this took me out of my comfort zone a bit. But we helped clean up Mother Earth and went on a little adventure! And got a coupon for a free burrito at Chipotle! :) yay food!

Day 50: walk for a cause

Today was the 25th anniversary of the MS Walk through the National MS Society. This is the third year I've participated and gathered a group of walkers to come with me. We walk for my sister, who has battled Multiple Sclerosis for 13 years. I am always in awe of her strength and am proud to walk for her. I'm also always so thankful to have supportive friends and family who brave the cold, unpredictable April weather with me! It actually snowed today! There were so many people there, supporting each other and raising money to find a cure for this awful illness. Here's hoping it'll be soon!!!

Day 49: donate your hair

I've been growing my hair for a long time and decided that I'd donate it to Locks of Love when I'm done with my practicum. Well, today was my last day, so I went and got it chopped off! 10 inches all gone!! It's short! It'll be a big difference, and I'll have to get used to styling it, but it's adorable! And I'm hoping it'll make me look my actual age :)

One of my favorite books is Little Women and when I was getting my hair cut, I felt like Jo when she was selling her hair. It was for a good cause, but she cried for it later. I don't think I'll do that, but it'll take me awhile to get used to it! But I was so ready for a change. It's a good change!

Day 48: show your happiness!

Today I was in a very good, happy mood! I let it shine, smiled at people, and spread my joy. I think it was infectious, and many people smiled back at me. I like to think being happy around people is contagious and I made their day better just by showing how I feel. Yay happy!!!

Day 47: go for a stroll

It's easy to get caught up in everything: work, appointments, get-togethers, driving from place to place, etc. sometimes I forget to just step back and enjoy what and who is around me. So today after work, I went for a lovely walk with my mom, sister, and brother-in-law. It was so great! It's spring now and the trees are blooming, the flowers are coming out, we saw two deer, and I got to laugh and talk with my lovely family. I loved it! It was so great to take the time to appreciate them and the great outdoors :)

Day 46: be a patient driver

It's easy to get annoyed with other drivers, especially when they are being stupid. However, it doesn't help anyone to get angry or impatient. It just leaves you feeling worse and can be dangerous if you have anger issues! So, today I made a special effort to be extra patient. As part of my job, I had to drive around town for over three hours. In that time, I let people merge, let them out of parallel street parking, let pedestrians cross the road, and was just more understanding of people's mistakes. It made me feel better and hopefully made others happier too. Life is better when you don't focus on the negatives :)

Day 45: make a mix tape (or CD)

A little while ago, a friend from work made me a happy happy cd with songs that make her happy. So I decided to make her one, too! I gave it to her today, and it contains some of the songs that make me the happiest. Yay happy, fun songs!!

Day 44: knowledge is power!!

Everyone has issues or topics they feel passionate about, whether it's Harry Potter, human rights, or matchbox cars. I think it's important to recognize what is important to you and to learn more about it. I'm not saying you have to be an expert, but there is a certain joy you get out of gaining knowledge and sharing that knowledge with others. It comes in handy for trivia, if nothing else. But, when it comes to topics such as human rights, or women's rights, there is another level as well. By educating myself about women's rights issues around the world, I know what is being done and what still needs to be done to improve the lives of women. I know better how I can make a difference. I can raise others' awareness of the issues and hopefully get them involved as well. But I wouldn't be able to speak or think with authority if I didn't try to educate myself on the issues. I try to read books, watch documentaries, and join groups that help me do this. I also hope someday to start my own groups for girls and women. I just started reading a book called Vital Voices, by Alyse Nelson and it is fantastic. Knowledge is power!!!

Day 43: spring clean, make a Dad happy :)

A little while ago, my dad bought two purple bins for me to organize the stuff I still have in my parents' basement. He's been waiting patiently for me to do so. Today, my dad was kind enough to come over to my apartment and hang a picture and a bulletin board for me, so I decided I could go through my stuff for him. And I really tried to get all of my stuff to fit in those two bins!! But I couldn't. I have one extra box still, but it's still less than I had before. And at least now most of my stuff won't be damaged if the basement floods! And the bugs can't get in! Win-win-win!

Day 42: provide assistance

Today I got to be an assistant for one of my practicum supervisors during a presentation about eBooks. I was her Vanna White, showing off the eReaders and passing out handouts. It was a lot of fun! I got to help her out and I got to attend an Ohio Library Council Conference. It was a win-win situation for both of us! Good times!

Day 41: take a break

My act of kindness today was to take a night off. I've been going through a busy spell and haven't been able to relax a whole lot. So tonight, I didn't do any projects, go anywhere, or do anything of importance. I just stayed in, got a nice relaxing bath, read, and watched TV. And it was nice!! My mind feels clearer and I feel better :)

Day 40: Be involved

So, last month I joined the United Nations Association of the USA. It's easy to just join something and then kind of forget about it or just read the emails they send. But I decided I should do more than that. I want to actually get involved and make things happen. So tonight I attended our annual meeting, and it was very informative. I feel like I'll end up getting more involved, especially with UNA Women. It could be cool and I'm sure it'll be a great experience. And by going tonight, I got to meet some new people and reconnect with old friends. And eat good food! :) it's good to go slightly past your comfort zone because you never know where it'll lead you. Good times!

Day 39: write a poem or two

Today I wrote a few poems about people and I'll give then they're poems this week. It is fun to write them! My goal is to make them smile and laugh!

Day 38: paint for others

I like to paint and I just acquired myself an easel to make it easier. So I decided to paint pictures for others. I can't say who in case they are reading this - the only problem with this blog! But it's fun and the paintings are cheerful, so hopefully they will like them! That's what I've been working on a lot lately.

Day 37: shop wisely

Whenever I'm looking for gifts or whatnots, I try to see if I can find them on a website that does more than make a profit. One of my favorites is The Hunger Site. Here, for every purchase made, they donate food to hungry people around the world. You can also choose to shop for handmade, fairly traded items from around the world. This helps fight hunger, poverty, and allows people to make a living selling their wares. And their stuff is really awesome! I was looking for some things today and bought a few gifts, a watering can made of recycled sheet metal, and some finger puppets made in Peru that I want to try to use in a children's story time. I know it's not possible to do this all the time, but I do when I can. They are affordable and fun! You can also just go to this website and click a button to donate food. For FREE!! I encourage it :)

Day 36: spread reading

Being a librarian, I love anything to do with reading and helping people love to read. So a few weeks ago I bought two children's games that involve reading - one is a nursery rhyme/mother goose game and the other is a word domino game. I planned on giving them to two girls that live in the apartment next to me on the next holiday. But then they're mom decided to move soon, so I gave it to them now. One of the girls started playing with them right away. Even though the mom probably didn't appreciate having to pack something else, I hope the kids enjoy them and it helps them love words and reading :)

Day 35: have a party, make a meal, leave notes

Today I did a couple things, actually. I made a meal for my friends, which turned out pretty well. I made an Alfredo chicken lasagna. Yum! I also tried to make it a congratulations/birthday party for a friend who is going on a trip to Italy this summer. So exciting! Hence the lasagna. I also got out an Italian tablecloth and wrote her a message on a chalkboard in my apartment. I wanted her to feel special.

Another thing I did today was leave a few random, happy notes for people. I will not say who in case they read this :)

Day 34: give free hugs

I decided today would be hug day. I love hugs! I love getting them and I love giving them. So today I gave free hug coupons to my coworkers and then stopped to visit my family and gave them coupons, too. I also gave them hugs right then! Hugs are good for your health and spirit. Hug your loved ones often!

Day 33: put it away

Today, I had to go grocery shopping. That is not always my favorite thing to do, but it's not my least favorite either. People can be very impatient! But today I actually talked to my cashier, who had a lovely Irish accent. She was very friendly and helpful. When I was putting my groceries in my trunk, I noticed that some people didn't put their carts in the cart holder. So I put them all away. It's less work for the friendly, unappreciated grocery workers.

Day 32: open the door!

I'm sometimes surprised by people when they don't open the door for someone. I don't care if you're a girl, you can still be kind and open a door for someone! So today, I went in and out of many buildings when out in deliveries and opened the door for three ladies, a pizza guy(I actually opened three doors for him!), and a kid. They were all very appreciative and thanked me. Even the kid! So open doors, people! It's super easy and makes a difference!

Day 31: judge a cake by its cover

My friend and coworker had to go to another library to observe one of their programs. She asked me and another friend to come along. We said yes, especially when we found out the program is cakes! At this library, they asked people to submit cakes that are decorated based on books. It was really fun! We even took part in it and voted for our favorites. We also signed waivers allowing the workers to take our pictures next to the cakes. We know how difficult it can be to get permission for photos, so we were happy to help out. It was nice to participate in a community event, keep my friend company, and help out a fellow librarian :)

Day 30: surround yourself with cheer

I love doing crafts, I love bright cheerful colors, and I love making my apartment cheerful. Painting and crafting is very fun and calming for me. I love it! It's my creative outlet and I think everyone should have a hobby they enjoy. I've drawn pictures for friends and family, but lately I've been focusing on creating art for my own apartment. Not only does it make me feel good to create things, I'm also making art that is bright and cheerful. I love seeing it every day - it helps put me in a better mood. And I like to think that it helps other people feel cheerful when they come over to visit.

I'm including a picture of my art so far. But it's not done yet!

I also vacuumed and cleaned my apartment today. I am trying to do that more often because I have a cat and some of my friends are allergic. If I only thought of myself, I wouldn't clean nearly as often. Oh the things we do for love :)

Day 29: write it down!

This past week, I visited a woman through my job who is having memory problems. But she wrote down many stories of her life before those problems started, so now she has a wonderful collection of memories for herself and hr family.

I used to be really good at keeping a journal, but have fallen out of the habit lately. Today, I started back up again. Who knows what I will remember on my own? A physical, written account will be so nice to have! This is an act of kindness for me and anyone else who may be interested in it in the future.

Day 28: spread Easter cheer!

I left some Easter gifts for my coworkers yesterday and brought some in to my practicum people today. They were nothing big, just little things, but they still put a smile on their faces ;) I have more for this weekend!

Day 27: make muffins

I like to bake! And one of my coworkers likes cinnamon toast crunch (CTC). So I found a CTC muffin mix and made them today. I gave them to some people at work, but gave most of them to my coworker friend. They turned out pretty yummy!!

Day 26: help people see the world

Today I decided to give out eye glass cleaner towelettes. I also attached a note saying 'to help you better see the beauty in the world.' I tried to give them to everyone I saw with glasses, but some people seemed confused and said no. They work really well, I promise! But others were very appreciative :) yay clean glasses!

Day 25: say yes

Today, I went out to lunch with some friends. You know how sometimes when you're checking out somewhere and they ask if you want to donate a dollar to a charity? Well, I normally say no thank you. But today I decided to say yes and do my good deed. I donated a dollar for Muscular Dystrophy because I can. It's for a good cause, and I got to write my name on a shamrock and it went on their wall :) hooray for saying yes!

Day 24: read a book

I've decided that my acts of kindness can include acts for myself. I just finished reading a book called 'Activate Your Goodness' and I found it to be very enlightening. It's about the effects of goodness on the world. It states that if everyone thinks good, speaks good, and does good, the world will be on a better path. We all have the potential to do good, which will not only help the world, it will also help us as individuals. One thing she points out is that we must first help ourselves. It's not selfish to help ourselves. Just like in an airplane, when the stewardess tells you to put your mask on first before helping others. Because if you're passed out from oxygen deprivation, you will not be able to help anyone! It's okay to think of yourself first! Take care of yourself so you're better able to help others. So my act of kindness today was for myself - by reading this great book. And remembering I'm important, too :)

Day 23: Facebook fun!

I actually did this yesterday and today, but that works! Sometimes I get in the mood to tell everyone how awesome they are, because everyone deserves to hear that. So I got on Facebook and posted fun pictures, telling everyone how awesome they are. It was much fun!! Hopefully it made people smile :)

Day 22: Help out a crafter

Today, I went to Joann Fabrics with my mom and sister. We got fabric to re-cover some furniture - so fun! And then I wanted to find some paints to make a new picture. While in the paint aisle, I noticed a woman talking on her cell phone while her daughter stood bored by the cart. She seemed to be talking to her husband, who actually needed the paint, and she was trying to figure out what to get. She was having a hard time. She hung up and asked me if I could help her choose. Oh, also, she was British! So it was super fun to hear her talk! She told me what they needed paint for - to paint little figurines - so I helped her get what she needed. Her husband called her back and she said in her soft spoken accent that she apprehended an innocent bystander to help her. Meaning me! I loved her accent. I'd help her out just to hear her talk! But she got what she needed and was grateful for my help. And so was her daughter because she wanted out of there. Somehow, I always end up helping people at Joann's! Haha!

Day 21: Take out the trash

When I left for work this morning, I noticed that my neighbor's trash was sitting outside of her apartment door. She's a single mother and is often busy and sometimes forgets about it. I was running slightly late and didn't think much about it. But, when I came back later that day it was still there. I had to take my own trash out, so I went over and knocked on her door and offered to take hers out as well. I wanted to ask first just to be absolutely sure it was trash - who knows, it could've been donations or something. Plus, she is slightly paranoid and I didn't want to make that worse. But she was very grateful! And now I also don't have to worry about raccoons coming near my apartment to get her trash. Win win!

Day 20: play time!

I often feel too busy to spend much time playing with my cat. This has two consequences. One: he gets antsy. Two: I get less sleep because he wakes me up at night. I know I should play with him more often to help him use up his apparently never-ending energy, so tonight I did! I spent a lot of quality play time with him and I'm hoping it made him happy. And that we'll both sleep well tonight!

Day 19: happy cars

Today, I randomly put little notes on people's cars under their wipers, saying "have a great day." I did this in my apartment complex and at work, hitting up about 12 cars total. It was fun, although a few people looked at me strangely and I was worried I would set off a car alarm. But all went well! Maybe some people just pushed them off without reading them, but maybe some did read them. And for some, maybe it brightened their day a little bit :)

Day 18: hug a bunch

Today after work, I visited my parents and sister. I saw them over the weekend, but felt like seeing them again to say hi and spread some cheer. So I shared some more of my cookies and gave them each multiple, big hugs! I love hugs, and I think they love hugs, too. Well, they didn't tell me to stop! ;) hugs are good for you! They make you feel good, loved, and are proven to lower blood pressure. So hug it up, people! Hug it up.

Day 17: Manna from heaven

Tonight I had dinner with a friend, then made cookies for her while we watched a movie. She's always loved my cookies, so I thought it would be a nice treat for her to have some straight from the oven. And it was! She loved them! She calls them manna from heaven :)

Day 16: Help a friend find a job

One of my friends lives in Alabama and she and her husband are looking for new jobs. Naturally, I want to help her. And selfishly, I want her to live closer to me and my family. So, I asked if they'd be willing to relocate to the Columbus area. And she said they are willing to look at jobs anywhere! Yay!

So now I'm on a mission to try to get them to move to Columbus, which means I need to look for jobs. Today I spent two hours online, trying to find good jobs for them. I emailed her many jobs, hopefully not overwhelming her too much! It's definitely not easy to find the perfect job, especially for someone else. I just want them to be happy :) I will keep looking, as long as it takes!

If any of you know of any office management, HR, or computer support jobs in the Columbus area, please let me know!!

Day 15: Make a donation

I know it's easy to get overwhelmed by different organizations or people asking for donations. How do you know which one to choose? Which one will spend the money wisely? Is the money going towards what they say it will? Which cause is more worthy than another? Especially for people like me, who feel passionate about many things, it can be very difficult.

I've found that choosing a few organizations after careful research, and choosing something you feel truly passionate about is the best bet. I've donated every year to The National MS Society, Women for Women International, and CARE for the past 4 years. I also donate to Heifer International and the Human Rights Campaign when I can. These are my favorites and they hold a special place in my heart.

But, I also try to donate to something that someone I know is passionate about. My cousin does so much work for the March of Dimes. It is something she feels so strongly about and her dedication is truly inspiring. So, today I made a donation to her walk for March of Dimes. I hope she has a great walk and I'm sure she'll raise a lot of money for the important research. Way to go, Stephanie! Keep up the good work! Keep inspiring people :)

Day 14: share your food, and speak up!

Today I shared my clementines with two good friends. I like clementines a lot, so if I share them, that is an act of kindness :) And clementines are very healthy, so I'm also passing on healthy vitamins and good things. Healthy people are happy people! I like my people to be happy! And healthy!

I also attended my first Outreach and Special Services Division meeting through the Ohio Library Council today and spoke up to be on the Action Council. Normally, I wouldn't volunteer to do something like that, but nobody else was speaking up, I want to try to be more involved professionally, and I'm feeling more confident in myself. So I said count me in! It made them happy and I felt good! It'll be good experience.

Day 13: Awards for everyday life: The Awescars!!

Like many people, I love watching award shows like the Oscars. Who doesn't like to see people get recognized for the good work they do? Plus, I want to see the pretty dresses :)

While these awards are great for the famous and fancy, there are no awards for everyday life and the amazing things regular people do. So, I decided to give out my own awards - the Awescars! Awards for the Awesome Everyday People and what they do. Everyone deserves to be recognized for what they contribute, because everyone does contribute something. Many people do not feel appreciated in life, work, or relationships, which is too bad. If someone you know is being awesome, let them know! If your co-worker is doing a good job, tell them! If you love your wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend/family member/friend then say it all the time!

So I gave out my first Awescars today to two people at my library who I think deserve them. They are such good people and they make the library a better place. Everyone deserves to be recognized. Everyone. Any type of relationship, whether work or play, requires good communication. I choose to communicate when people are being awesome because they should be told. Who doesn't want to hear that? And you never know if that person really needs to hear it.

Day 12: Be a joiner

As you've probably noticed, I feel very passionate about certain issues. However, I have a bad habit of not staying informed about those issues. At least not actively. And how am I supposed to try to act if I don't stay current with what's happening? So, I decided to do something about it. I researched different organizations around Columbus that involve empowering women, international relations, etc.

One organization I came accross is the United Nations Association of the United States of America. This is the organization that brings the Mock UN to schools around the country, but they also help keep people informed and host events. They allow normal citizens to participate in conference calls with official UN members about important issues around the world. And they have a UNA - Women division! And they have a Columbus chapter, so if they have any local events, I will know about it and hopefully be able to join in the fun :)

So, I joined them! It's not expensive to join, especially if you're a student, and the money goes to a good cause. And I'm already getting good information. I joined them on facebook as well, so I get to see interesting stories every day. Now, I can stay on top of issues, stay informed, make more informed decisions, and being aware of what's going on is the first step in making change. Information is power!!

Day 11: Pass on the books

I love books and I love to read! I worked in the book retail world for over five years and have now worked at a library for over two. I taught English to adult immigrants in Florida for a year, I majored in English in my undergrad, and I am now finishing my Masters degree in Library and Information Science. So, reading, the power of words and knowledge, and spreading that power is very important to me.

When I worked in bookstores, I was always spending part of my paycheck on books. I loved to collect books! Since I moved into my one bedroom apartment, I had to downsize my collection and I pretty much stopped buying books since I started working in the library. In the past, whenever I decided to get rid of books, I took them to a local store and sold them. Usually, I didn't get too much for them, but it was something.

I recently bought two books, which is unusual, but they looked really good and it was on an impulse. But I decided to start a new policy. If I buy books, I need to get rid of some. And not by selling them - by donating them. So, I donated books to my library. Now, others can enjoy the books I read and the library can benefit as well. I save space on my bookshelves and don't need to worry about getting more bookshelves! Simplify, simplify, simplify! There's no reason I need to have so many books when I most likely won't read them again. I have to admit it also feels good to get rid of some of my stuff and clutter. And others can now discover the books I like. :) Win win!

Day 10: Play a game, make some scones!

I work in the Outreach Department of my library, which means I get to go out and deliver books to people who can't make it into the library. They live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior apartments, or individual homes. In short, I have the best job ever! Lately, I've been trying to do more programming with our patrons. And today was one of those days!

We scheduled to go out to one of our facilities to play Pictionary with anyone who wanted to join us. Sometimes it's difficult to know how many people will show up for programs, or if anyone will show up at all. I thought one way to lure people in would be to bake something. I made scones! Two types: blueberry and lemon poppyseed. When we first got there and set up, only a few ladies joined us, which probably would've been fine. But then we ended up with eleven people to play! And they all loved my scones! We started playing and ended up having a blast! I even got high five bookmarks to give the winners. And we may have gotten another person there for our Outreach program.

 

It went exactly how I dreamed it would and I'm so glad I decided to do a program, make scones, and give bookmark prizes. They all asked for us to come back again. Perhaps in the future we can make regular game days with them. What a fun time! You just never know when trying something new will work out so well for everyone involved. You win some and lose some - this was a winner!! And a quick shout out to my boss, who came with me. She was great and fun and helped make it all a success :)

Day 9: Be a pen friend!

I joined a group called International Pen Friends three years ago this month! I love all things international and love to get and write letters, so I thought this was the perfect idea. And it was! I now regularly write to three women from France, England, and Switzerland. They are great and I love getting random letters from other countries in the mail.

I have to say there are times when I feel too busy and their letters sit in my apartment longer than they should. The past couple of weeks are a good example. But, I finally sat down, read their letters, and wrote back tonight. The most recent letter I got was from a woman in France. Reading her letter, I discovered that she has recently had to deal with some serious losses and needed kind words. So, I sent her some. You never know what good a simple letter can do or how your words will help someone in need. I know they've helped me when I need them, too.

It would be so easy to just say I don't have time and stop writing, but then we'd all miss out. I'm so happy I became a pen friend! I love hearing from them as much as they love hearing from me. We even send each other small gifts and pictures sometimes. It is so fun! And the girl from England looks a lot like me and we have a lot in common. I met my English doppelganger. :)

Day 8: Sing, sing a song!

One of my friends had surgery last month and today was her first day back to work. She was feeling very nervous about going back because she is still experiencing pain, so I wanted to send her some encouragement. I texted her and told her I was about to call her, but not to answer! I wanted to leaver her a voicemail so she could listen to it again as needed. I sang her a song and told her how proud I am of her, that she's awesome, and she can do it!

It's great to make people smile and feel better!

Day 7: Celebrate International Women's Day!

March 8th is International Women's Day! Women's rights and empowerment around the world is something I feel very passionate about. Warning: I'm going to get on my soapbox for a moment here. It is a proven fact that when women are given the opportunity and resources, they can make a huge impact on their community. Empowering women in society, government, communities, business, politics, and every other aspect of life has the power to change the world for the better. Just think about it. In many countries, women are not allowed to become educated or contribute to society. What a huge opportunity the world has to empower them to become the best they can be. How can the world be expected to move forward without half of the population reaching their full potential? Women are an opportunity, a huge resource! When women are educated, they tend to marry later in life, have fewer children, are able to support their families, help their children become educated, and are more engaged in their communities. They share their knowledge and skills with others. Educating women and girls is one of the best ways to fight poverty and terrorism. I could go on and on and on.

There are many issues we need to overcome for women's rights all around the world, including here in the United States. We have a ways to go, but we are making progress, there are amazing women and men out there fighting to make the world a better place for women. I want to thank them and encourage everyone to learn more about these issues. Just being aware can make a difference in how the world works.

One of my favorite quotes comes from one of my favorite organizations, Women for Women International. "One woman can change anything. Many women can change everything."

Okay, so International Women's Day is important to me! On this day, I decided to make sure the women in my life know how much they mean to me. I made cards for many of the women who work at my library and passed them out. I also made cards for my two supervisors at my practicum site. AND, the women librarians from Kyrgyzstan that I met yesterday just happened to also be at my practicum site today! So I gave all of them cards and flowers :) It was so much fun! I got my picture taken with them. I also sent out facebook messages to the women I love who are not within physical card-giving distance.

So, Happy International Women's Day to everyone! Tell the women in your life how much you love them. Stay aware of what's going on in the world and do whatever it is you can do to make it a better place!

If this subject interests you, I highly recommend the book Half the Sky, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It is excellent and I try to pass it on to as many people as possible. Here is a video of Sheryl giving a talk about the basic principles of Half the Sky.

Day 6: Create international relations and make new friends

I've always been interested in international relations, especially when concerning women's rights and libraries (either separately or together). So, I've become involved with different international organizations, both nationally and locally. One organization is called the Columbus International Program. They bring in professionals from different countries to come to the Columbus area for training and learning, and then they go back to their countries, bringing along new ideas.

This week, the Columbus International Program happened to bring in professional librarians from Kyrgyzstan! Since I work at a library, they contacted me to see if they could come visit my library. I know I'm bragging, but our library is one of the best in Ohio. So I passed their information on to the library's director and we set up a day and time for them to come.

That day was today! I did not have to be any more involved than connecting the program with the right people in the library, but I ended up staying with them the entire time, helping our director with a presentation and a tour. It was wonderful! I was able to help the librarians learn about our library, gain new ideas for theirs, and I made some new friends. One of the librarians, Aika, told me all about her library. She was so proud of it and what they are doing. It was wonderful to hear her pride and excitement. She works at the American Corners & Centers in Kyrgyzstan and she asked me to like them on facebook. I just did! And she would love to do a webchat with me from her library sometime. And so would I!

Not only was this fun for me, it also helped me be more visible to my director, I was able to catch up with my contacts in the international world, I got to make new international friends, and I got to help out international librarians. Win-win-win! It was great. Just goes to show what saying yes can do. I was nervous, but in the end it was a great decision.

They also gave me a pin with our flag and theirs :) Thanks, new friends!

Day 5: Fight old man winter...like a boss!

I live in Ohio, which means in the winter it can be fifty degrees one day and then snow five inches the next. It's completely unpredictable and causes many colds and sniffles. Today happend to be one of the snowy days. When I went to bed last night, there was no snow, but when I woke up this morning, there was a lot of heavy, wet snow on everythings. Including all the cars in my apartment's parking lot.

So, I got up and got ready faster than normal. I bundled up and went outside to assess the snowage. There are three people in my parking lot area that use handicapped parking spots and I decided to clean off their cars for them. One of them had already left (she got out fast!), so I started with my neighbor's car. She has two children, one of whom has cerebral palsy. School was cancelled today, but I figured they may go somewhere else and she'd appreciate a clean car. I don't know the person who parks in the other handicapped spot, but I figured they would also appreciate a cleaned off car. Chances are the warming temperatures of the day would have melted it anyway, but if they went anywhere before it warmed up, it hopefully gave them a nice start to the day.

Take that, old man winter! You threw some snow at us last night, but I knocked you off those cars! Yeah!

Day 4: Go that extra mile

It's so easy to hear someone ask a question or wish for something and just forget about it. But going that little extra distance and actually finding out for them or helping them get something done is quite spectacular.

Today, I had to take my car into the shop for something. The guy who always helps me out knows I work at the library, so he asked me some questions about taxes and tax forms, then he asked me if I know of a place in Westerville where he could take a soil sample to get it tested. I have never heard of such a place and told him so. It could have been so easy to just forget about it and let him find it on his own (or not), but I looked it up when I got back to the library. And found it! I wrote down the information for him and gave it to him when I picked up my car later in the afternoon. He was so appreciative and I found out that he and his family tried growing their own vegetables last year and it didn't go very well. They really want to grow tomatoes and beans! So he wants to get his soil tested in order to do better next time.

If I hadn't done this for him, I would not have seen his happy smile and wouldn't have learned something personal about him. And it never hurts for your auto mechanic to like you ;)

Day 3: Repay kindness in kind

I once heard somewhere that people like to get the kind of affection they give. That sounds confusing - let me explain. If someone always leaves you happy notes, then they would probably love for you to leave one in return. If someone gives you compliments, you would be surprised how happy it makes them if you compliment them as well. If someone likes to give hugs, they would most definitely love to get random hugs from you. This has really stuck with me, so I try to pay attention.

In my department at the library where I work, we go out and deliver books to all the schools in our district. There are two particular secretaries at two particular schools who are so incredibly kind and caring. One woman gives us tasty treats every Thursday and is always ready to greet us with a smile on her face. So, I decided to bake cookies and give her some, along with a nice thank you card. The other lady always gives me hugs and asks me how I am. So, I also gave her cookies (because who doesn't like cookies) and a heartfelt thank you card. Her hugs and kindness really do mean a lot to me. I wasn't able to deliver these things myself because I'm not scheduled to do these deliveries this month, so I asked my nice co-worker deliver them for me (Thank you!). I will also give her a hug the next time I see her. These two women deserve to know how special they are and that they make a difference in someone's day.