The Geography of Bliss

I thought I would broaden my horizons and read a non-fiction. So what do you choose in the vast sea of titles that make up this, rarely visited by me, genre? Travel has always interested me, I want to go around the world some day (should start saving now). Also other cultures are intriguing! And lately life, in general, has seemed in short supply of bliss. So why not one that combines all of this into one neat package. The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner.

The Geography of Bliss is categorized as a self help book, which I did not realize until after I had read it, though I find that to be a bit of a stretch. The author is witty and has a great writing style so I did not feel as though I was reading a non-fiction book. He is a self proclaimed grump, and wants to find the happiest place on Earth and why it is happy.

He starts his world wide search for bliss at the World Database of Happiness in Amsterdam. I didn't know such a place existed, the sole purpose of this organization is to gather data on happiness. They have also ranked the worlds happiest places, hence why this is Weiners starting place. He then continues through Switzerland, Bhutan, Qatar, Iceland, Moldova (not a happy place but one of the saddest, Weiner went there to gain perspective on happiness through the contradiction), Thailand, Great Britain, India, and America.

I was surprised at the diverse nature of each country he visited, they were all happy (except Moldova), for very different reasons. What can be learned about what makes us (places) happy is best said by Weiner himself "Money matters, but less than we think and not in the way that we think. Family is important. So are friends. Envy is toxic. So is excessive thinking. Beaches are optional. Trust is not. Neither is gratitude."

While the main current of the book was happiness, I was much more taken by Weiners description of each culture and country. It was almost like a mini get-away around the world.

Overall rating? Enjoyable, not a total waste of time. I will probably stick with fiction.

Learned? In any language around the world there are MANY words to describe feelings of sadness, but very few to describe happiness. Wonder where our focus is?

My Weekend In Pictures

Did all the laundry


Enjoyed the "music" of bubble wrap (Notice FOLDED clothes on couches...)


Put laundry away (it is normally stacked 3 ft high on the couch and toy box)


First daffodil bloomed


Shopped


Dinner with Rachel and Josh


Watched this


Taught Maddox how to use the mouse


Met Allison down town for lunch


Finished this (non-fiction, a rarity for me)


Learned? I think the weekend went by faster because I don't have to go to work next week.

Dear Spring Break

I know I previously said that I would enjoy you no matter what weather you brought... BUT SNOW! You bring me snow on my first day of break?

Learned? Careful what you proclaim.

Spring Break, Spring Break, Oh How I Love Thee

I love thee for you come none too early,

The guarantee of having only 2 children to raise,
The promise leaving the work email closed,
The joy of not hearing another excuse for why work from January is still missing

I love thee for you come none too early,


Whether you bring sun or rain, I'll enjoy it just the same,
Spending mornings snuggling kids rather than rushing them out the door,
Enjoying a run to start my day followed by fun at the park with the kids and the dogs

I love thee for you come none too early,

Having a few spare hours to spend with friends,
Maybe a trip out of town for the day,
or even a trip to be spoiled at the spa,

I love thee for you come none too early!

Wanna Know What I'm Good At?

(Warning, this is a pity party in disguise...)

I am good at running 4 miles a day and showing no progress towards loosing my last 5 pounds.

I am good at eating any sweet that is in close proximity to me -- my house, school, even the convenience store on the way to work.

I am good a collecting laundry in multiple places and multiple stages. There are always 2 baskets full in the room, two clean loads on the couch waiting to be folded, at least one load folded and waiting to be put away, and another two in the washer an dyer.

I am good at maintaining a messy house. My specialties are collecting dog hair in carpet, dirt on the hard wood floor, dishes in the sink and in the dishwasher.

I am good a prolonging trips to the grocery store. A real expert of eating anything for dinner, including cereal, just to keep the trips to a minimum.

I am great at putting my kids off after work when they want to play, I just turn the TV on to give me time to veg.

I am good at teaching kids lessons that they forget, even after having 1 and 3/4 years of the subject.

I am good at keeping all friendships distant, I fill my time with other meaningless stuff besides growing relationships.

What do I do best?

I am REALLY GREAT at pissing my husband off!!!

Learned? I am good at a lot of things... but all of the things are not so good!

My Kids Crack Me Up!

Me "Madison what are you doing in there?"
Madison "I am pooping sideways."


Maddox singing in the car to the Ting Tings That's not my name...
"They call me grand ma, they call me Caid, That's not my name"

Learned? Kids continually crack me up! I wish I was that funny!

CRAPS!

Last night Brian and I went to a company get together- dinner and games included!. Dinner was great, and after that I spent the rest of the night at the Craps table. I had played years ago in Vegas, and forgot how fun it was. We all started with 500 in chips, and me being a chicken would only bet 5 on any one part of the table - even thought it wasn't real money or even mine! Even with my dinky bets, by the end of the night I had 950 in chips!

With the chips you win you turn them in for tickets and put the tickets in different drawings. All of mine went into the Yampa Hot Springs Treatments for Two, no I didn't win. Brian, who seems to be better at playing his odds, put in for several things and ended up winning two items. New muck boots and a Mag Light. Brian's friend and coworker that we went with won the big prize - a Mesquite get-a-way including golf!

Learned? Craps is way less stressful than cards, you don't have to think much and you can't really mess up the other players (unless you roll CRAP!)