20 Kinds of Happiness

Two decades and counting! I'm still standing, and still sane enough to name 20 things in life that have undoubtedly made me happy.

1. Free time
(Free anything, really.) But more so than ever, I find that free time is hard to come by. There's so much work crammed in such a small amount of time, and I've learned to appreciate moments like this more–where I just get to lie down without thinking about lists of requirements and due dates.

2. A good hug
I love a person who can give warm, tight hugs, despite the obvious sexual undertones of that description. What's even better is if you get one without asking for it.

3. When a group prank works
Epic.

4. Mishearing with a friend
I always end up being accused of catching too many sexual innuendos. Sometimes, guys, people actually mishear things because you didn't enunciate and not because of our carnal tendencies! So open your mouth more.

5. Finding quotes that perfectly explain your current state
Whether it's about heartache, happiness, confusion, or something motivational, I can't deny that on numerous occasions, coming across the perfect quote is exactly what I need. I can't always neatly describe how I feel and it's nice to know that other people in the world are or have been going through the same situation as you, and have conveniently shared their way of dealing with it. Learning from others is one of the most beautiful things we can experience in this life, so I try to recognize it when I get the chance.

6. Healthy, yummy food
You would think a person like me would just list down, "Food." But no! The best kind is the one that's tasty and guilt-free!

7. Saving more money than you had expected
Sales, what would I do without you?

8. Getting birthday love
Even though I didn't get to spend as much time with my friends today as I had hoped, I honestly felt the love. I've been so focused on my work and my problems lately that I've lost sight of how much my friends cared about me; I'm sorry. I'm so thankful for all the trouble everyone went through today to greet me and wish me a happy birthday in some way. Every single one means so much to me.

9. Acing a quiz you cram-studied for
I'm brilliant. Shh.

10. Seeing my family happy together
I'm so blessed to have loving parents and siblings who always look out for one another. In the future, I can only hope to have a family as wonderful as the one I grew up with.

11. Finding money in your pocket
This has happened to me a few times and it always makes me feel better. I tell the truth when I say that being 50 pesos richer is a big thing for a college student.

12. Out of town trips with friends
There's something about breezy car rides, stuffed backpacks, morning drive thrus, afternoons in the sun, and late night drinking games that I can't get enough of. Gotta get me some of this soon.

13. Finding a TV show I like
I get picky with the shows I stick to; if I'm going to spend at least 40 minutes watching it, I better like what's in it. Sherlock, love. I recently got into Suits and I'm currently going on a Season 1 marathon.
I generally like action, mystery, comedy, and the occasional drama. I watch Fringe, Hawaii Five-O, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Awkward, Sherlock, and Suits. I love CSI: Las Vegas. Touch sounds interesting to me, and so does Awake. So if you know of a good show I might like, by all means, do share.

14. Getting letters
As much as I appreciate e-mails and texts, nothing compares to tangible messages. I try to imagine the conditions in which a letter was written. I look at the imperfections–the ink running out in some parts, the wrong word choice that was inevitably crossed out, the bumps and used-to-be-wet spots. There's a story behind it, and I love that.

15. Looking surprisingly good in a photo
Being part of the less photogenic chunk of the population, I am actually happier than I make it seem when someone manages to take a decent photo of me. Good photos are rare items, okay, and they cost a fortune as far as I'm concerned.

16. Brushing my teeth
I love brushing my teeth; my favorite time is right before bed. In fact, I love it so much I'm going to temporarily disappear from this post and...

17. Fresh bath towels
Give me some of that cotton fibre loving. Hnggg.

18. When everyone's food arrives at the same time in a restaurant
It definitely adds major plus points if a restaurant knows to serve food at the same time. Everyone's going to wait for one another anyway, so might as well serve all the dishes at once. The food remains hot, and the awkward double-takes on your food are avoided.

19. Wearing the right shoes
There was a time last year where I would always end up wearing my crochet Toms on a rainy day. You'd think I would have learned after having them drenched in flood for three consecutive times... but no. Thankfully the weather has been more predictable this time around, allowing me to plan my footwear accordingly. So far so good, Toms. So far so good.

20. Finishing what you started
e.g., this list.