5 Things That Make Me Happy

DAY 23
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Last week, I felt a little spike in stress levels, most likely brought about by womanly concerns of the monthly kind. I found it even more necessary to focus on the positive and fixate on the things that bring happiness—versus those that only encourage more (and at times unnecessary and self-inflicted) stress. That's not to say though that I didn't indulge in a little sob session on Friday night on the phone with my husband.

Walking home from work that day, I pondered on sunny things (people, food, and more) and came up with the following. This list actually goes on longer, but I've kept it down to five for blogging purposes.


1. My husband

If you've been reading this blog, you'd know that I'm not too keen on public declarations of love. I'm just private that way and territorial with moments I share with the man in my life. So, other than wedding pictures and our Pat Dy slideshow, you won't see photos of us hanging out, vacationing (well, a few beach photos here and there, but never posed together), etc.

But, if I may just say one thing, my husband truly is a source of joy for me. He is amazing in the way that he is gentle, kind, and forgiving. I've had to kiss many(?) frogs to know a kind, well-meaning man when I see one. And, even now that we are miles away from each other, he still makes me happy. So, that's number one.

The original Lu Petit Écolier chocolate-covered biscuits. Perfect with tea.

2. Chocolate

I should mark this as "self-explanatory." Chocolate-covered biscuits, brownie and chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream, dark chocolate, chocolate croissants... I enjoy some form of chocolate at least once a day. I'd recently discovered the Petite Madeleine version of the famous Lu Petit Écolier chocolate biscuits from France now even more widely available in groceries and drugstores (e.g. Duane Reade) in America.


3. Cheese

No matter how broke or financially liquid I am, you will always, always, find a block of cheddar cheese in my fridge (and to add its kissing cousin, dijon mustard—the perfect combo for a grilled cheese sandwich). I'm democratic about my cheese; it can range from a supermarket brand like Kraft Cracker Barrel, to a vintagey supersharp one like Bega from Australia. To get maximum fridge life on a single block, I usually wrap it in wax or parchment paper encased in a small resealable bag.

It doesn't have to be this many or fancy; one good block of sharp cheddar cheese is usually enough.
(Although of course, variety is always welcome.)

4. Barilla Noodles

Or any kind of noodle or pasta. At my neglected blog, AllMySugar.com, this has emerged an obvious fave topic to write about. Noodles definitely top my carbohydrate list. They are just so good, hearty, and chewy. Also, I've read in the past that if you've experienced a troubling situation, eat some spaghetti with meatballs. I've also been told that pasta makes you sleepy. So there you go.


5. Potatoes

As we are in the subject of starches, potatoes rank high up there as well. I was practically bald until two years old. My paternal grandmother and relatives used to say that I ate too many potatoes, thus, my 'potato head.' My father's side of the family made a delicious traditional Filipino beef stew that they called 'guba' (it's actually widely know as nilaga) that had boiled potatoes in it. I would mash these soft potatoes over rice drizzled in the savory broth. Yum.

Image courtesy of Lubiscuitsna.com (Lu Petit Ecolier).