100 Happy Days: Day Two - My Dad

I have been blessed with parents that are so amazing that they need two separate blog entries to express my gratitude for each of them. I chose to write this entry about my dad since I got to spend some time with him today. 

I've always been a "daddy's girl". My parents were both working full-time jobs, but as soon as I came into the picture, they made the decision together that my mom would continue to focus on career while my dad switched over to a part-time job schedule in order to make time to take care of me. From learning how to style my hair into braids (to prevent catching lice from other kids in school), to teaching me how to ride a bike (despite my lack of balance and coordination), my dad has always been a major part of my childhood. Even into the stages of pre-teen, teen, and young adulthood, my father continued to stay as patient as ever, support me no matter what, and love me unconditionally. He's the kind of dad that will lecture me for hours when I make a bad decision, yet be the first one there when I'm having a bad day. We have a tradition, started from my college days, to make a point to talk to each other at least once a day. Most of the time it's just a simple phone call to ask how we're each doing, to laugh about something funny, me asking for advice, or to discuss what we love best - how the New York Giants can win the Superbowl this year (or trying to convince my dad to keep watching and cheering for his team even when they have a terrible season like last year). 

Basically, knowing that there is always someone there for me that loves me, supports me, and appreciates me no matter how many mistakes I may make, or how many successes I accomplish, is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. The field that I work in, and the exposure to a wide variety of parenting skills (or lack of skills in some cases), really makes me appreciate my dad even more. In addition to being a concrete support, I'm also grateful that I've managed to inherit three of the many traits my awesome dad possesses: 

1. A big heart

2. Humor

3. A strong appreciation for the NY Giants

I started as a "daddy's girl", and I certainly will always be one.

100 Happy Days: Day One - Jeremy

I'm not sure how many people still read my blog, but it's been awhile since my last entry. My previous one was written during my first few months in Maryland, but a lot has happened in the past year and I'm back in the garden state. 

I've been trying to gear myself towards being more grateful about people, places, experiences, opportunities that present themselves in my life. While doing some self-reflection, I realized that I need to focus more on the positives in my life, and while there are definitely times when the positives seem non-existent, the truth of the matter is that they are in fact there. There has also been a trend/challenge/whatever you want to call it on social media where users are posting up pictures/words that make them happy and using the label #100happydays. I've decided to attempt to incorporate that idea into my blog. (Disclaimer: I probably won't write entries in 100 consecutive days, but I will try my best to share 100 things I am happy about). I've found that one of the constant people I'm grateful for is Jeremy, my boyfriend of almost 10 years (Nine years, ten months, six days to be exact, but who is counting...). So, this first entry will be about him. 

Jeremy, as one of the couple of interviews he's been showcased in state, is actually one of the most fascinating people I know. Dictionary.com defines fascinating: "of great interest or attraction; enchanting; charming; captivating", and Jeremy encompasses that whole definition. Perhaps I'm biased since he's my significant other, but just as he likes to do when he's working through his scientific research, I will let the facts speak for themselves. He is a combination of intelligence, humor, athleticism, and kindness. I appreciate his intelligence and the amount of passion that he has for the fields of science and technology are inspiring. I often find myself aspiring to find a career that I am that passionate about, and become successful in it as well. His humor helps brighten my days, and lighten the most difficult of situations, and while I don't outwardly show that I appreciate this portion of him, I honestly do. Every day. His athleticism is inspiring as well. He's often hard on himself, but I enjoy seeing him so invested in the sport of basketball, not only continuing to play the sport on a weekly basis, but to also incorporate that love of the sport into the creation of an actual online game (check it out if you have time: http://basketball-gm.com/)! Lastly, I am grateful for his kindness that he shows me every day through different forms. From his patience and concern, to his hugs and cooking abilities, he makes me feel grateful on a daily basis to have him in my life. I will end this entry before it gets too sappy for some readers. I promise it won't take me another year before my next post!

Day One: Jeremy