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 :)