on HAPPINESS...

We were swimming yesterday (not in a beach, just a pool) when I thought how being near any body of water makes me happy. I had a blast trying to learn diving and swimming at the bottom of the pool, cos until then all I know is floating. I'm currently located in Central Luzon and it's a big mass of land, meaning no good beach without travelling for hours. Which was tough because considering where I'm from, Boracay is less than an hour away and beaches are mere minutes away. When I was working in Iloilo too, Guimaras island with all it's creamy colored sand beaches was a 15-min boat ride. So to never see a beach for 1 year and 9 mos was excruciating. I'd say despite the very long trip going to Potipot, Zambales last weekend, it was all worth it. Besides the beach, other small things also make me happy. And I'd list several of those here to remind myself happiness can be found in the littlest of things. I hope years from now and I reread this stuff, everything will still hold true.

1. Sitting on the shore, looking out to sea and feeling the warm sunshine and salty air on my skin, while listening to Big Mountain's Baby I Love Your Way. Watching the waves turn foamy white as it crashes into shore and walking barefoot in the sand.

2. DVD marathon of vampire movies and TV series (like Criminal Minds and Prison Break) and some feel good films.

3. When I'm at home,doing nothing and having your parents take care of you. When I don't have to cook my own meals, with somebody to wake me up, and with my little nephew to play with.

4. When I'm not at home, when I have to look after myself and be independent. It contrasts with No.3 but both are true. Number 3 happens very rarely now but it's always nice to be home from time to time.

5. Travelling to new places by myself. Going to new places where you don't know anybody and nobody close by to run to in case things go wrong can be exhilarating. It's exciting to just have information from the net and found out how far you can go with it.

6. When it's raining and I can just stay home and sip coffee and let time pass by idly.

7. Reading a very good book.

8. Floating in the water on a beach at night and gazing up at a star-filled sky, with only the sound of the waves as it hits the shore and the breeze breaking the silence of the night.

9. Listening to some hip-hop songs and dancing like crazy. And doing karaoke too.

10. Riding a bicycle.

11. Eating out with friends whom I don't see too often now.

12. Going to really remote places where the air smells of earth and grass. Where there are rivers and mountains and cows and chickens roaming around. Where I can hear crickets in the evening and the rooster's crow in the morning.Where people are unbelievably nice.

13. Getting an 8-hr sleep. When I can stay late in bed and wake up when my body is ready to wake up and not because the alarm clock says it's time to get up. I just love sleeping.

Disclaimer: The picture that appeared here is hosted on this site http://www.flickr.com/photos/psychojr/77488234/. Thanks PsychoJr