Happiness Archives - Page 31 of 70

New York City Wrap Up

June 1, 2012/2 Comments/in Fun, Happiness, Photos /by Megan

Instead of my normal weekend roundup/Instagram photos of the week, today I figured I’d post a wrap up of our fun Memorial Day weekend in New York City. Trent and his business partner were amazing enough to treat us to this trip to celebrate the five year anniversary of the start of their company. I was so happy to be included and to be really appreciated. As many spouses of entrepreneurs probably know, the time and money required to start and cultivate a successful business it can be very stressful on a family and marriage, so the point of this trip was to take some time out to celebrate everything the four of us have done to make this adventure work.

On to the fun! The basis of this trip for me was relaxation. This was the first time I had left the kids (save my girls trip in 2010, but I was pregnant, so I’m not counting it) and the first time Trent and I had been away together alone since New Years Eve of 2005. That is quite a long time. Ahem. Although NYC can be crazy, we knew we wanted to keep the trip fun and easy, so we really didn’t make too many plans. Since we have family in the area, we have been to the city several times over the last few years, which meant we didn’t feel any pressure to do anything touristy or “fit it all in” to our four day trip. Here is our day by day schedule of incredible-ness! Hopefully you will try out some of the same things on your next trip to NYC!

Day 1
We flew in to Newark and had a bit of a delay, so we ended up having dinner around Grand Central Station at a place called Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria. It was perfect and just what we needed after a long day of travel. We then took a pedicab to Times Square, where we kissed and pretended it was New Years Eve because we are awesome. We ended up heading to the multi-story AMC Theater and seeing The Avengers in 3D, and then walked back to our hotel at 2 a.m. high on Twizzlers and life.

Day 2
On Saturday, I got this crazy idea to walk from our hotel at 38th and Park Avenue to Brooklyn. Yes, walk. I know. I’m a crazy person. But it was one of the best ideas ever. I strolled around the city with no time table or agenda, slowly making my way to my best friend and her family, who were waiting for me on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge. I saw so many amazing parts of the city. I haven’t really spent time alone with my own thoughts in years, so this four and a half hour walk felt more like meditation to me. It was one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

{Numbered Items Above: 1. Walking along the East River and past the Williamsburg Bridge // 2. STOP // 3. People watching at Stuyvesant Square // 4. Chinatown // 5. Columbus Park // 6. Skater at Columbus Park // 7. Me on the riverwalk // 8. New York City Courthouse // 9. Street vendor faire}

I met Theresa and her family at Brooklyn Bridge Park, where I finally was able to snuggle her new baby, Miss Lena Mae! It was so lovely to see them, and after lunch we played in the park before a rain storm soaked us. Even that was fun though, as it provided for some fantastic photo ops (nerd alert!). I love this family so much, and it was incredible to see them as parents. Hooray for Jonathon and Theresa!

After I took the subway back to Manhattan, I met up with Trent and we headed out to meet Mikayla and Heath for dinner (Trent and Heath spent the day at the Chelsea Piers driving range, while Mikayla relaxed at her hotel’s incredible pool). We had dinner at Tribeca Churrascaria, a Brazillian place where we got to hear Mikayla speak some Portugese and the boys stuffed themselves silly with all sorts of delicious meats.

Day 3
On Sunday we slept in until 11. Don’t judge, it was amazing. Then we headed out to see my first Broadway play (life list, ahoy!), Newsies, which is based on one of Mikayla and I’s favorite movies. While waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive, Trent and I somehow found ourselves in a comic book store where we bought so much ridiculous stuff, including a plush Tardis. Yes, a PLUSH TARDIS! And it gets all “timey wimey” when you press the button on top. You can laugh, but when we stepped into a bar before the play to grab a quick drink, another Doctor Who fan who also happened to be a waiter came over and we had quite the convo about the Who-verse. He also informed me that there is a Doctor Who bar in Brooklyn. So if any of you are in Brooklyn, go there!

The play was amazing, full of cute boys spinning in newsboy caps. The plot was changed a bit from the movie, so that was a fun surprise, and Mikayla and I had a hard time not singing along to every word.

After the play we headed (on our earlier bartender’s recommendation) to 230 Fifth, a rooftop bar that is situated right between the Chrystler Building and the Empire State Building, with amazing views. While there, we presented the boys with some congratulatory gifts and hilarious cards of thanks from their business associates. Then we headed out to the fanciest dinner ever at Del Friscos near Rockefeller Plaza. The food was incredible, the wine was delicious, and our waiter was an actor who was on 30 Rock last year. Oh, New York, I love you.

We said goodbye to our friends and walked home in the rain, which I highly recommend. Nothing like long walks with the twinkly city lights to make you remember why you married someone in the first place.

Note: You married them because they make you laugh.

Day 4
Our last day in the city was fairly laid back. After sleeping in for what might be the last time for the next six years, we headed to the Metropolitan Museum to spend the afternoon. I had never been, so I was pretty enthralled with all the exhibits, but I especially loved the sculptures and Greek art. Trent was a huge fan of the Medieval displays.

After that, Trent headed back to the hotel to rest for a bit and I walked down to Bryant Park, where I read and sipped wine at the Bryant Park Cafe. Trent met me for dinner and ice cream, then we stopped at a few souvenir shops to pick up some gifts for friends and family.

That is pretty much it! I have to say, it was a wonderful trip all around, and I came home rested and so, so happy. Hooray for NYC!

(Sidenote: Our hotel was the Kimpton at 70 Park Avenue and I couldn’t recommend it more! It was reasonably priced for the city and close to everything. We could get to most of the NYC hotspots on foot within 20 minutes. It’s a bit small [H & M stayed at the Dream Hotel in the Meatpacking District which is HUGE and amazing!], but the Kimpton had everything we needed for our little stay.)

Finding My Path – Part 1

May 31, 2012/7 Comments/in Finding My Path, Happiness, Work /by Megan

Some have called it a midlife crisis. Some have called it hormones. All I know is the past year I’ve found myself completely unsatisfied.

Don’t get me wrong, my life is pretty incredible. From the outside, it might look like I “have it all.” I have two amazing kids, one successful husband and a great career. I own my own home, I have a mid-sized SUV and a slobbery dog. I go to happy hours with friends, have the most wonderful in-laws and spend Sundays in the park with my family. Seriously, what’s not to love?

But as awesome as all of that sounds, I felt like I was running on empty. My whole life was passing me by, and I just wasn’t happy. I blamed much of my misery on my job, which while it was well-paying, wasn’t really revving me up. I dreaded going to the office each day and found myself turning pretty ugly to the people I love the most.

After my birthday last year, I made myself a list of resolutions (which can be found here) to make myself a happier person. And really, they did. I started riding horses again. I started running. I found myself doing things I hadn’t since I was a kid and I was definitely happier. But I still felt lost. When people would ask, “Well, what do you want to do?” I didn’t have an answer for them. I just knew where I was wasn’t cutting it.

In March I finally bit the bullet and signed up for a class with the inspiring Karen Walrond called “Path Finder.” The entire goal of this five week course was to really explore yourself and figure out how to understand what you want out of life. It was not easy. It was really, really hard. Many of the exercises Karen gave us to complete involved taking a real, difficult look at yourself, and seeing what it is that really lights you up. I won’t divulge the entire course here (if you want to, or are feeling like I was, you should visit here to find out how to sign up), but suffice to say, my life has completely changed.

I’m a better mother. I’m a happier wife. I’m a kinder friend. And I’m even a better employee. All because I finally, FINALLY took control.

That, I think, is the biggest lesson I learned from the Path Finder course. You want to figure things out? Then try. Try to learn and change and explore…and just by trying, you’ll feel 100 pounds lighter. I can’t even describe the physical and emotional changes that have occurred since I started Path Finder. I am alive. Truly alive, and it shows.

Much, much more to come…but for now, I’d love for you all to watch this video of Neil Gaiman (author of one of my most favorite novels ever, Stardust) giving the 2012 commencement speech to the University of the Arts. My absolute favorite part is at 8:21, if you don’t have twenty minutes to watch the whole thing. Trust me, you won’t regret it. (Hat tip to The Bloggess for the link.)

My Commencement Address

May 17, 2012/1 Comment/in Happiness, Work, World /by Megan

Last night my gorgeous, talented Little Sis graduated from high school. I can’t remember if I’ve ever mentioned it here, but I became a Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City about three and a half years ago. My Little was a freshman at the time, and was part of a prestigious program called the Kauffman Scholars. Kids in the Kauffman program were matched up with a Big that could help and guide them as they transitioned to college. You can learn more about the program here, and you totally should, because it’s amazing.

My Little’s graduation was really touching, if just for the fact that her family was there with me and I felt so included in everything. Her mom and brothers and sisters-in-law and nephews were all in attendance and cheered along with me when her name was called. It was pretty fabulous.

The Superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas School District gave the commencement address and did a wonderful job. I sat there on those uncomfortable bleachers thinking to myself, “What would I tell a senior in high school on their graduation day? What advice would I give? What they heck have I learned in the past 12 years? Anything? Nothing? Everything?”

And so, without further adieu, is my (fake) commencement address:

Hello Seniors. Today is the last day of your high school career. But it really, truly, is the first day of the rest of your life. High school can be tough. You’re learning how to be “you.” And trust me, you might think you know exactly who you are, but you probably don’t. And you probably won’t for a long time. If high school is the beginning, then you’re just coming up on the middle and you’re no where near the conclusion.

You may have spent the last four years pretty confident in who you are. I know I did. My years in high school were not without pain or loss or heartbreak, but in general, I thought I knew exactly who I was. And in a small way, I did. Twelve years later, my core beliefs are the same. I attribute that to my family, who raised me in a way that I’m proud to continue as I grow. But I think the most important change has been my realization that I have no idea what I’m doing, and that’s OKAY.

It’s okay to feel lost and unsure. I turn 30 this year and I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I have two kids and yet I still look around when they act up and think, “Where is their mother, these kids are insane.” If you feel like you know it all, you’re probably going to be pulled back down to earth very soon. But that’s part of life. Fall down, get up, start again. Rinse and repeat.

Sometimes is not going to be easy. Some days are going to be really, really hard. You’re going to want to sit down and cry or punch something or just quit. But it will get better. Maybe not today or tomorrow or in two years…but eventually, you will look around and think, “Holy shit. This is MY LIFE. And it rules.”

A few other random tidbits of advice for you, from my own personal experiences:

Do what makes you happy, not what you think you should do to make everyone else happy. Explore your creativity. Itâ€™s there, even if you doubt it. The friends you think are amazing, really are amazing. The ones you think are a little off? They are batshit insane and you should stay as far away from them as possible. Drink more water. Wear SPF 100+. Try macaroons, youâ€™ll probably love them. If you’re nerdy, don’t worry, the bullying will stop soon and you’ll be a millionaire. If you’re popular and mean, be nicer to the nerdy kids. They might be your boss one day and you don’t want them degrading you in front of the whole staff because you were a douche to them in high school. Donâ€™t worry that youâ€™re too old to watch television shows made for teens, because someday youâ€™ll be thirty and youâ€™ll still be doing it. Itâ€™s because youâ€™re awesome.

And really, that’s my whole point. You’re amazing. Awesome. Incredible. I’m so proud of you. What you have accomplished is just beyond wonderful. Enjoy your success. Celebrate yourself. And never forget to keep trying.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 13, 2012/1 Comment/in Happiness, Videos /by Megan

May your day be filled with sloppy kisses, tumbles and soccer balls to the face.

A Few Thoughts on North Carolina

May 9, 2012/1 Comment/in Grumples, Happiness, World /by Megan

One of my goals for 2012 is to try and be a more positive person in every aspect of my life. My ongoing quest to be happier has led me to the knowledge that while I can’t help being a sarcastic (and according to my husband, a snarky) person, trying to look on the bright side of things really does put me in a better mood. I know, I was surprised as you are. I’ve never really been a “lalalala life is wonderful lalalala” kind of person, so it’s been a challenge, especially when I get overwhelmed at work or my husband leaves the kitchen a mess or my kid cries for 20 minutes straight because he can’t figure out how a doorknob works. I mean, it’s a DOORKNOB! Evolution, where art thou?

But, in general, I’ve been doing an okay job. And people have noticed. I “look happier.” I “seem lighter.” I am “less of a bitch.” Sounds harsh, but it’s true. I’m better, and it has a lot to do with my new outlook. I have cut out things that I know will set me off. For example, I refuse to even look at the TV in the lobby of my office, because I know Fox News will send me in to a tizzy. I have pretty much stopped listening to NPR, because the political news makes me sick. If I have a call from someone who I know will put me in a bad mood, I hit ignore and wait to call back until I’m hyped up on happiness.

But here is my worry: Ignorance is not bliss. Just because I’m not acknowledging the insane wackos of the world doesn’t mean they disappear. Just because I am sticking my fingers in my ears and humming the theme song from the Smurfs doesn’t make them stop spewing hate, it just makes them scream louder.

{Image via jvadnais on Flickr}

I had a conversation with a co-worker today, and our main issue was understanding how this could happen. How can 70% of North Carolinians really vote against equality for all. Completely ignoring the moral issue at hand, how can a political party whose ENTIRE MANIFESTO is all about getting government out of the personal lives of the people, PUT THE GOVERNMENT DIRECTLY INTO THE MOST INTIMATE PART OF PEOPLE’S LIVES!? I really, really don’t understand.

My consolation is that I (who live in one of the most conservative states in the country, one that teaches school children that the world was created out of fairy dust by a bearded white guy 2,000 years ago…in public schools) literally don’t know a single person in my group of friends that is anti-gay marriage. And most of my friends are conservative. It’s a non-issue. We may disagree on heathcare or religion or taxes (usually all of the above), but we agree exclusively on this topic. Unfortunately, agreeing isn’t enough.

I am turning 30 later this year. I am no longer a member of the “youth vote.” And yet, amendments like those that passed in North Carolina yesterday still happen ALL THE TIME. Hey, my generation, where were we? We all get upset and angry and annoyed, but are we just forgetting to do the one thing that matters? Voting? Are we allowing the aging and ignorant population that preceded us to outvote the rights of our friends? I just don’t understand. I don’t.

I retweeted this last night, when I was too angry to form coherent sentences:

OK, guys. Let’s stop pants crapping. Let’s grow up and fix this. Because if we don’t do something, we’ll have no one to blame, but ourselves.

———————————————————–

To get involved:

– Join the Human Rights Campaign
– Join Moms United Against NOM
– Join GLAAD
– Register to Vote
– Watch this video of the late Mauice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are and gay man, who passed away yesterday, right before this sad vote happened. He was an incredible man. An incredible gay man who apparently doesn’t count in North Carolina. Makes me sick.
– Say something. Don’t just sit quietly and accept this. Get out there, whether it’s on the internet or in person or on a street corner like a crazy person, and say “Fuck this. I’m not going to take it anymore.”

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