50 things that make people happy...

I think I will save this one for posterity.  It made me happy just reading it!  Numbers 3 and 4 make me very happy, but not to say the others do not.  It is about the simple and small things in life... :)

50 things that make people happy
Oct 29, 2011 at 14:46
By Indo Asian News Service, IANS

London, Oct 29 (IANS) Finding money in an old pair of jeans, having a picnic in the sun, getting flowers or chocolates from a loved one or a thank you card in the mail are some of the things that make people feel happy, a study has revealed.

A person being told that he or she has lost weight, climbing into bed with freshly washed sheets and seeing an old couple hold hands also help brighten a person's day, says the study of 3,000 people conducted by Three Barrels Brandy.

Sunshine was found to be one of the major factors for happiness. Waking up to a sunny day, sitting in the sun, having a picnic in the sun, and driving with the car windows down on a sunny day all appear in the top 20, the Daily Express reported.

'We can be having a terrible day at work when a quick thank you from the boss can pick us up and make us feel great. Similarly, we could be stuck in traffic when our favourite song comes on the radio and makes us forget about the nightmare daily commute. Small gestures from friends and family can also work wonders when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps,' a research spokesman said.

Most people feel at their happiest at around 6 p.m. Saturdays, the research revealed.

The list of 50 things that make people happy:

1. Finding a 10-pound note in an old pair of jeans

2. Going on holiday

3. Getting into bed with freshly washed sheets

4. Swimming in the sea

5. Waking up on a sunny day

6. Sitting in the sun

7. Being surprised with flowers or chocolates

8. Getting a nice message from a loved one

9. Cuddles

10. Getting a thank you card in the post

11. Seeing old people holding hands

12. Driving a car with the window down on a sunny day

13. Winning a tenner

14. Booking a holiday

15. Listening to your favourite song

16. Finding a bargain

17. Seeing an old friend

18. Picnic in the park

19. Getting promoted

20. Romantic night out

21. Hearing a song that reminds you of your past

22. Looking back at old photos

23. Making a new friend

24. Getting a quiet moment to yourself

25. Walks in the country

26. Hearing a baby laugh

27. Having a girlie/lads night out

28. Waking up on a Saturday morning and realising it's the weekend

29. Chocolate

30. Eating cake

31. Fitting into a pair of jeans you thought were too small

32. Praise from your boss

33. Smell of freshly baked bread or cookies

34. Warm bubble bath

35. Someone telling you you have lost weight

36. Finding out someone likes you

37. Sunday dinners

38. Smell of freshly cut grass

39. Landing at the holiday airport

40. Good hair day

41. Bank holidays

42. Passing a driving test

43. Swanky hotel rooms

44. Children doing well at school

45. Someone offering elderly people their seat on the bus or train

46. Someone giving you their car parking ticket at the car park

47. Waking up to find out it has snowed overnight

48. Drinking a cold beer after work

49. Eating comfort food

50. Kissing

Well Being Awareness Week 2011

The week of October 16-20, 2011 we celebrated Well Being Awareness Week for the second year at ASD and it was just as big of hit as it was last year.  You can check out my post from last year to see how it transpired:  Well Being Awareness Week.  Once again this year, we had an assembly with some zumba dancing to kick off the week.  Students also had a variety of different activities they could try during the week.  If they went to the different activities during recess time, they could put there name in a jar for a drawing to win some neat water bottles!

I was really pleased with the well-being posters that my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders made to post in the hallways!  They thought of so many different and creative ideas!  We also headed outside again this year to play some fun games in Spanish!

My funny 5th grade boys!  What would I do without them?!

Bienestar means well-being!

Be healthy.  Drink water!

Exercise!  Play sports!

I helped out with a yoga session during recess...

It was a big hit! 

Be happy...

Eat your colors!

Eat fruits and vegetables to grow stronger!

Wash your hands posters for 1st and 2nd grade students.

Dance Like No One is Watching!

Everyone loves a little bit of macarena...

Make the world better.  Don't litter.

What would I do without these two 1st graders?!? !

Cat and mouse never gets old with this bunch!

Ms. Houston enjoying some active games with her class... ;)  Being able to wear work out clothes all week wasn't bad either...

Cat and mouse with the 5th graders.

Pato, pato, ganso with 2nd grade!

Pato, pato, ganso with 1st grade!

I just love this photo.  Poor guy and his broken elbow...

Cat and mouse with 4th grade.

Pato, pato, ganso with my other 2nd grade class.

Who is in the pot?  1st graders again...

FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships: Doha 2011

Last week was also a busy time for those who enjoy volleyball.  Doha was hosting the FIVB Volleyball Club World Championships for both men and women.  It was fun to be able to go watch a few matches.  Outisde of the United States, volleyball is quite a big sport.  I even learned that it is the national sport of Poland.  Go Polska!

The end of the match between a team from Turkey and a team from the Dominican Republic.

The team from Turkey won.

The men from Poland playing against a team from Iran.

I went to the matches with my friend Chris and at first we were sitting completely alone and then somehow were surrounded by all the Polish fans.  I guess they must have sensed both of our Polish heritage...

The Polish team ended up winning in three games.

They also went on to play in the finals the following weekend.

The Russians and Brazilians playing for 3rd place.

It's a fun, fast paced sport to watch.

My friend Chris was convinced that #8 had played on the U.S. National team years and years ago.  Since volleyball is not very big in the United States, many players go to other countries to play full time.

1st Latin American Cultural Festival

I was so excited when I received this information.  However, since it was the fist one, I was a bit skeptical because one never knows how things will turn out in Doha.  I was pleasantly proved wrong.  This was such an amazing event and Katara and the embassies of Latin American brought some very impressive groups to perform in Doha.  I had the pleasure of attending four different events and here is a little peak at what happened throughout the week...

1st Latin American Cultural Festival

October 6-15, 2011

Katara

Valley of Cultures

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.  ~Berthold Auerbach

This group from Cuba was abosultely amazing.  They played some of my favorite songs by Buena Vista Social Club!

This group from the Dominican Republic really brought back memories from Honduras.  I was merengued out by the end of the night!

I loved this guys red pants...

Cheo Hurtado from Venezuela.  He is one of the most celebrated performers of the cuatro.  He also plays the mandolin, bandola and guitar.

There is a large population of Venezuelans in Doha so this group had a nice turn out for their concert.

I had been looking forward to this performance all week.  The Tango Metropolis from Argentina did not disappoint.

I was absolutely memorized by this group...

The closing show was Jorge Ben Jor and his group from Brazil.

He is one of the biggest stars of the Brazilian music scene and he was fabulous.

I was not aware of the large Brazilian population in Doha and it was just as much fun watching the crowd as the concert!

Brazil has made it's way to the top of my travel list, but first to learn a bit of Portuguese...

For people who say there is nothing to do in Doha, I beg to differ...