Parking spots are hard to come by in San Francisco, so I maintain a list with a few choice parking garages in my favorite neighborhoods. When I went dancing last week, I parked in my favorite Chinatown parking garage, which is not only open 24 hours/day, but it’s also just across the street from a police station (safe). That, and there are fortunes painted in each stall, which I think is a nice touch. Here was mine:
Last night I got about two seconds of sleep and woke up this morning feeling super cranky. I needed something to snap me out of my funk, so I tried to think positively (so corny, I know, but it works). I thought about my parking garage fortune and wrote this little list. Slowly, but surely, the fog of grumpiness lifted…
9 Reasons Why I’m Happy Today
- It’s sunny outside and warm enough to wear sandals.
- The first song I heard today was Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order. It always puts a smile on my face.
- I get to work on a really fun writing project later today in which I can write about makeup.
- The cherry trees are blossoming on my street, blanketing the pavement with pretty pink petals.
- MAC Girl Friendly Paint Pot!
- Having El Hub, who woke up with me at 2:30AM and got out of bed to pour me a glass of water and rub my hair until I fell asleep.
- Coffee.
- Bookstore runs — I’m going after work to treat myself to a new book (I just finished and recommend Pretties by Scott Westerfeld).
- My Shu Uemura at-home manicure still remains relatively chip free.
Now how about you? What happiness can you share with others today?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Just in case it makes you happy, too…
marie says
March 4th, 2008 at 3:15 pmdelurking 🙂 but really love reading your blog! these things made me happy today despite having to come into work…
– New Order’s Bizarre Love Triangle is my favorite song and definitely put a smile on my face when you mentioned it.
– my 3 year old trying to sing to Travis’ “My Eyes” while driving her to daycare this morning
– Thinking how beautiful San Francisco is today and how I wish I could leave work here in Santa Clara and just drive to the GG and hang out.
– Work day is almost over and I can go work out at the gym. Yeah.
Christina says
March 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pmi LOVE that song! its my ringtone actually but i like the cover by frente…. its sooo girly and cute and always puts a smile on my face!
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 3:31 pmHi Marie!
Yay, it’s so good to meet ya finally 🙂 Thank you for saying Hi. I love that your lil’ one was doing karaoke in the car today…so cute! I’m going to the gym tonight too! What are you working out today? I’m doing weights and it’s a back/biceps day, which is my fave.
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 3:32 pmHeeey Christina,
I like Frente’s version too. Her version really brings out a different side to the song. I don’t have anything on my ringtone right now, just the standard crackberry phone ring. I need to get a new one ASAP!
marie says
March 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pmHi Karen,
I’m going to be doing my two classes at the gym: Body Pump (weight training) and Body Flow (a fusion of tai chi/pilates/yoga).
The first time I heard the Frente version of BLT (hahah!), I thought ‘What a very pretty version’.
Another thing that makes me happy, my ringtone: I have the theme to Charlie and Lola — yeah, influence of my little one!
Glosslizard says
March 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pmHi Karen!
I’m so with you on 1, 4 (although I think they’re plum trees here) and 7! To this I’ll add:
1. My cute, fluffy, cannot-be-denied lovebug of a cat!
2. MAC Sugar Trance lipglass (yeah, I caved)
3. Made an appointment to get my hair done! Yay!
4. People who are kind enough to make me smile when I’m in a foul mood… thanks! 😀
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 4:33 pmOhhh Body Flow sounds fun, Marie. I should start doing more yoga/stretch stuff…maybe that’ll help me to be less grumpy.
My gym has a similar class to your Body Pump class (I go to Gold’s). I’ve never taken it before but it looks pretty good. My favorite class at the gym is spinning…holy crap, that burns some serious calories. Another one I like too is Core class, but I haven’t been going lately because it’s like pure torture for me (I hate doing sit ups).
Your ringtone is cute, too! Shoot, I better get one for myself soon 🙂
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 4:35 pmHey Glosslizard,
LOL, guess what…I just got back from Safeway. I bought ice cream for me and some dried cat food for the neighbor’s cat. I’m gonna start charging him when he comes around. He should at least leave me a tip or something, seeing how my apartment has become his restaurant.
YAY! Sugar Trance! And double yah for booking a hair appointment. I really need to cut mine, too, but I’m growing it out just for fun. At least it gives me something to do.
Happy Tuesday!
Glosslizard says
March 4th, 2008 at 4:57 pmDon’t ask for a tip, you know you’ll end up with part of a mouse on your welcome mat (15-25%, depending on service… ha!).
Yeah, I’m getting a cut and color for my birthday… here’s hoping for fabulosity!
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pmOh, good point. The last thing I need are little creatures on my doorstep. Eeek!
What color are you going for?
Glosslizard says
March 4th, 2008 at 5:32 pmProbably my own shade of warm dark brown, I’m envisioning it glossy, perfect, mink-like… and with no silver strands!!
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pmI hear that! That’s why I go lighter…helps disguise ’em!
marie says
March 4th, 2008 at 8:51 pmI used to go to Gold’s. I’m taking the classes at the YMCA. To do something intense like Body Pump then follow it up with Body Flow is a great way for me to unwind. Last week I checked out a new 24 Hour Fitness that opened near me. Did the turbo kickboxing classes and those were awesome. I’ll have to try the spinning classes. Heard I should wear padded pants/shorts –even tho’ I already have alot of padding down there ;)– cuz those spinning seats are killers.
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pmHi Marie,
I’ve seen a lot of people wear those bike shorts! I don’t wear them because the seat doesn’t really bother me…plus I’m doing the world a huge favor by keeping my bum away from shiny black spandex, LOL. I always leave class dripping in sweat. The key is finding a good teacher that plays music you like!
Glosslizard says
March 4th, 2008 at 9:36 pmThank you! My mom didn’t start getting silver hairs (Yes, I much prefer “silver” to “gray”, thank you!) until her mid to late 40’s, and I got them starting in my late 20’s! However, considering that my dad’s mother was pure white by 30, I suppose I’m lucky!
Man, I just got back from aikido, but compared to you all with weight lifting and spinning and kickboxing, I’m a total lightweight! LOL!
Karen says
March 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pmI gotta say, sometimes I think that silver is foxy if it’s done right. I’ve always had a stray silver here and there in the back of my head since high school, but it wasn’t until two years when they started popping up in the front (coincidentally, that’s also when I got married, LOL).
I am not going to trip until I get silver eyebrows. Then I’ll have to rethink the whole caramel highlights thing…
Work it out, aikido goddess! How was class? Lifting was good…I haven’t done back and biceps in a looooooong time so I could literally feel every individual muscle protesting from lack of use.
Tekoa says
March 4th, 2008 at 10:50 pmMy nine things of happiness
1) A siamese kitten. She mews most fetchingly!
2) Longer hours of sunshine.
3) Curry chicken
4) Turquatic perfume
5) Fuzzy slippers
6) Loving family members who put up with my oddities
7) MAC charged water
8) Public transit
9) Pharaoh paint pot
Victoria says
March 5th, 2008 at 8:52 amHappiness today
1.coffee
2.rollickin paint pot and green shadow – love it- wearing it today!
3. Sphinx my favorite black kitty ( we have 5 I know your not supposed to have favorites I can’t help it) who stayed asleep in bed.
4.My great husband who has been working out with me the last 2 months. He motivates me to hit the gym.
5.lots of sunshine today can’t wait for summer
I love your blog keep doing what you do- rock it out!!
Karen says
March 5th, 2008 at 8:57 amHi Tekoa,
I am happy for my fuzzy slippers, too. Tell you cat hi for me! 🙂
Karen says
March 5th, 2008 at 9:00 amHi Victoria,
Thanks girlfriend! Your words of support me a lot to me, seriously! 🙂
That’s so cute that you and your sweetie work it out at the gym. El Hub and I lift and run together … it’s definitely more fun when you have somebody there to talk to and motivate you! Do you have a favorite workout?
You are so lucky with your 5 kitties! I vicariously live through all the cat parents on the site 🙂
Have a wonderful day! 🙂
LaurenIvy says
March 5th, 2008 at 9:03 amLove posts like these!
1. I’m about to turn in my Shakespeare midterm paper (whew!)
2. Spring break is coming up
3. My nails are about to be a happy coral color
4. It’s sunny outside
5. One Tree Hill is coming on tonight
6. Today is Fried Chicken Wednesday (it’s an HBCU thing, lol)
7. The jeans I have on today make my bum look amazing 🙂
8. I just updated one of my Ipod playlists
9. I actually ironed my pants today! That’s a rarity for me…
Karen says
March 5th, 2008 at 9:11 amHi LaurenIvy,
Yay, congrats on finishing your paper. What was it about? (I took so many Shakespeare classes in college! My favorite plays are Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream…for a long time I wanted to name my future son Lysander).
You gotta share who makes your jeans. I wore my Joes yesterday and I love them.
I updated my ipod list yesterday. The first few songs are:
1. Faith Evans – Love like this before (Crooklyn Cran Remix – this is the song played in the club scene in “Save the Last Dance,” and it’s so banging!)
2. Lupe Fiasco – Superstar
3. Cure – Close to me
4. Joy Division – Love will tear us apart
Glosslizard says
March 5th, 2008 at 9:40 amGood morning, Karen!
I am so groggy today, I’m gonna run out and get an extra cup of really strong coffee!
I was ok with the silver strands (Actually, I can hide most of them pretty well by using a glossing serum, then they just look like shine!) until I started getting a cute little collection over the forehead. Now it’s starting to look like a skunk stripe when I pull it back for a ponytail! Eeek! They must be stopped!
Aikido was great Last night! We practiced koshinage (over-the-back throw) and kubishime (where someone grabs from behind the back with a one-armed strangle hold). Doing those kinds of things always make me feel extra fierce! Evil-doers, fear my wrath! LOL!
Don’t you just love that righteous muscle pain? It’s so rewarding in a wierd, masochistic kind of way!
Karen says
March 5th, 2008 at 12:29 pmHi Glosslizard,
You a bad ass! Look at you rocking those throws! I hope you got your coffee and that it’s kicked in, wheee!
Today I’m not as sore as I thought I would be in my back or my biceps. I didn’t push really hard last night because it’s the first time I’ve worked that muscle group out in a while but next time it’s ON!
Glosslizard says
March 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pmYeah, girl, bring it! 😉
Karen says
March 5th, 2008 at 4:46 pmFO SHO! Muscles rule! Plus, they help you burn more calories… YES!
Mrs. Lynne, MakeupFix.net says
March 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pmI’m happy when the kids are not crying… at the same time 🙂 Help me! Lol.
KaliBelle says
March 7th, 2008 at 9:25 amDelurking as well! I love your blog and am a huge fan – I just started experimenting with makeup beyond the basics I always did and you are in my list of top 5 makeup gurus who have given me inspiration as well uber helpful tutorials! Thanks so much!
That said, don’t forget the other 2 books in the Westerfield Trilogy. Uglies, Pretties, Specials. That’s the order and they ROCK! =)