Happy Things

• Mary Frances' philosophy on hardships: "I thank God when something bad happens, because I know it means I'm going to get three scoops of ice cream instead of one!"
• Kimberly dying of laughter over "half empty bowls of food." (We were all tired from the ATI conference.)
• Aaron Staller calling Mrs. Gomez "Mrs. Grose."
• Kendra's delightful family!
• My parents are coming in less than a week!
• Andrew L. spazzing out as dish pit leader
• Jeremy Noel playing flute
• Making something that was initially offensive into a joke about perspective differences--and realizing that there was nothing to be offended at to start with
• Reading Kendra's blog at 4am, and almost waking up the house
• French fries from Brent
• Melissa saying, "Quicklily, quicklily."
• IS guy Andrew checking on the status of the internet connection by asking visiting HQs A/V guys, "Do you have e-mail?" and their response "Yes, but you'll have to ask Robert to use it."
• Being filled with sheer joy in the middle of culinary graduation
• Imagining EQUIP roommate combinations
• Reconnecting with old friends
• Being hard-pressed to stay on top of EQUIP acceptances
• Phone calls and e-mails from the Philippines
• Jasmine Rhoads declaring that she only likes to read fun stuff--"like Romeo and Juliet"
• Ramon telling Tia and me that we look alike
• John Michael Paine hearing an old car, engine revving, and asking his mother, "Are those Mexicans?" and her gently horrified response: "No, dear, it's a convertible."
• Getting to connect with people here for short-term classes
• Joy in the midst of big pressures
• Chocolate appearing in my candy bowl
• The ability to forgive Shipleys for asking, "How does it feel to be all alone?" when they see me
• Taking Steven to the airport to fly for the first time