Happiness and all that jazz...

I've been thinking a lot about happiness and how that is defined so personally and individually for each of us. I know that I am an extraordinarily happy person. I just am. There's not too much that can get me really down because I always manage to see the bright side of things. I know people who cannot see that and they have a really hard time feeling happy.

So why am I so happy? Good question. Glad you asked.

When I take a snap shot of my life right now there is a lot that could be better and that's okay. If there was nothing to strive for, what's the point!? But overall, my life is pretty damn good. I have a great husband and feel loved every day of my life. I have a great job and feel needed every day of my life. I have a great family and feel a part of something every day of my life. I think that is the magic combo of how to be happy. I also feel like I learn something every day. Last night I listened to a song Alex has been working on  and it's so good! I love it! But I am hard pressed to define why and what exactly makes me love it. I hope to learn that one day. One thing  I learned this weekend, and actually it's something I've known for awhile, is that I do not want to work for the rest of my life! I mean I have to work now and it's great that I love my job but there has to be an end!! I spent some time with my family this weekend. My oldest sister is 20 years older than I am and she's still working. She says she's finally retiring in the spring but she's said that before and something always happens and she never does. I do not want to still be working when I'm her age. I've had coworkers who've worked into their 70's and then the week after they retired they got some serious illness and passed away. This has happened more than twice! Not for me! I want time to enjoy not working and doing things that make me happy!

I work with people who are never happy. In fact, if you ask them, some of them cannot even name one single thing that makes them happy. Somehow life has gotten to them and they can't see a reason to not wallow in the things that bring us all down. I've just never been that way and I hope I never reach that point.

Anyway, I wish you all happiness! Find something you love and do it and revel in it. Make it your feast! And, whatever it is, share it with others because what makes you really happy is when someone else gets happy from something you gave them!

Be happy!

My new toy or how not to be fiscally responsible..too much...

So, in the very recent past...this past week to be exact, Alexander and I have come into some money. Not a lot of money but some money none the less. Over the past several weeks, Alex's trusty mac book has been acting up. Well, the fan has been acting up. His mac book is several years old and still runs like a champ except that the fan has become annoying loud and it is a wee bit outdated for his music works. So, we took some of the money and he got a new Mac book Pro. He is a man in love! Hahah!

Yesterday, we got a wee bit more money. Our state tax refund was deposited into my account. Since I was lusting after his Mac book and wanted something more than my trusty Acer laptop (serviceable but not so fast), we headed back to the store where I acquired a beautiful Mac mini, new keyboard and lovely new monitor. Wowoweewah!! I am in LOVE with this machine. The Mac mini is sleek and tiny and oh so quiet. And holy hell, is it FAST! Powers up and down in a nano second, I swear! Apple just gets it right, you know? I mean I have had good PC's before, some of them better than others but this little aluminum box with this weighted aluminum keyboard is about as sexy a machine as I have seen in a long time. If this thing were a person I would marry it. Sorry Alex...Hahaha!

I highly recommend this tiny beasty. If you're in the market for a new computer, consider this one. Yes, it was a bit pricier than the average PC but, oh man oh man, was it worth it!

Chicken livers and job prospects!

Saturday was Alexander's birthday. To honor him, I got my hair cut and colored. HAHAHA! No seriously, I did but not in honor of his birthday. That was in honor of my really needing a hair cut and a color.

For his birthday, after much debate, we opted to have German food at The House of Gerhard. For those not in this area, The House of Gerhard is one of the best restaurants in this area. It was founded in the 50's by a German chef named...wait for it...Gerhard...and the place has not changed a lick since then. Well, it may have a few more chotzke's and doo-dads in it but, overall, the menu and decor have pretty much stayed the same. And thank heaven's it has!! I love the chotzke's and doo-dads. And great googly moogly, the menu! Pure German goodness. Anytime you can get chicken livers in onion and mushroom gravy with potato pancakes and the sweetest carrots ever is a good time. Wash it down with one of their imported German beers and you got an Octoberfest waiting to happen. They also give you the "house appetizers" which is unusual in itself. Normally, you have to order and pay extra for an appetizer but Gerhard's gives it up freely. Liver pate, little home made garlic toasts and a sweet slaw that's so yummy! Love this place! Highly recommend it!

After dinner, we went home and ate a load of chocolate chip frosted cookie thing.

But the best part of Alexander's birthday was that when the mail came he received...FINALLY...his employment approval card from Immigration!! This has been a long time coming and, though it only the second to the last step in this immigration journey, it was welcomed with much whooping and dancing around the living room! That was both of us, by the way...dancing and whooping. Yes, a good time was had by all.

So, next step...full on permanent residency. This is NOT the same as becoming a citizen. This is getting legalized as a resident alien which gives him the big green light to live here, work here and be here without giving up his Swedish citizenship.

And so...again...HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY or as they say in Germany "Glucklich glucklich freude freude"!! Or in Swedish....lycklig lycklig glädje glädje! :D

A very happy day...

Jan Alexander and Mary Elizabeth Lindqvist
November 30, 2009

A very happy day indeed!

Ten Reasons It's Great to be ME today!

Haha! Okay, I know that title is a tad self indulgent but bear with me (and my ego) for a moment. Ahem...okay...ten reasons it's great to be...yeah you know...

1. I have a bag load of garden fresh grown super sweet yellow tomatoes in my fridge fresh from my sister's garden.

2. My wedding gown arrived today in the mail! Yes, in the mail... I ordered it and it's beautiful and it fits perfectly so no alterations are needed.

3. A friend returned the $5 she borrowed a few weeks ago which I entirely forgot about. Nice surprise!

4. Someone called me today just to talk and to say "I love you."

5. My cats did not tear apart the apartment today! Wheeee!

6. I am still gainfully employed.

7. Even though we are in a continued state of waiting, Alexander and I are getting ever closer to FINALLY being in the same country together.

8. A complete stranger told me I had a nice smile and seemed like a nice person and they were being sincere.

9. I'm having roasted chicken and potatoes for dinner tonight.

10. I lost three pounds!! w00t!!

SO there they are in no particular order. I'm just feeling good today. Happy to be me, where I am, at this moment. Hope you are all there too.

At last...w00t w00t!!

Last night I was mindlessly clicking around the Internet and decided to take one last check on the status of our case with immigration. HOLY MOLY!! What did I see but confirmation that the K1 visa has been approved!!! I almost danced outta my skin!!!

I texted my best friend, called my sister and, realizing that it was 4am in Sweden, resisted calling Alexander until I could not take it anymore. I finally had to call him and wake him up to tell him the news! We haven't received the actual paper notification and instructions as to what our next steps will be but we got approved and right now - that's all that matters!!