Happy Things

Because this is the Happy Book blog, after all.

• Sabbath and quiet, outside and in
• The Jesus Storybook Bible (I bought it to bring the good stories freshly alive, and it does.)
• A Play Nine game from Mom ... well, the anticipation of playing it sometime, since it's for 2-9 players, and my housemate is away for the weekend
• Chocolate that Mom left
• Chocolate chips from Aunt Pat. I suddenly realized tonight that these are a gift to me, so I can eat them myself and not feel obligated to make something for someone else, even though I like making things for other people.
• The many friends Mom and I have visited the past two weeks. I am so grateful for friends around the country!
• Watching Monk with Mom, and getting close to Season 8, which is one of my favorites.
• New sheets, thanks to Ellen R. and Mom bringing them. They are the best.
• New movies from siblings (well, from Amazon credit from siblings) for Christmas
• A clean apartment
• Crock pot meals that keep on going forever
• Finally meeting one of my elusive neighbors in the hallway. She's the one whose husband I woke up (I think) a few weeks back when I tried to take her cookies. I've been scared to go back since, but she is so very nice that he must be a little bit nice and, therefore, will forgive me (I hope)
• Men dancing in the street for a wedding celebration. First time I've seen that on my street!
• Getting out of my car to visit a friend nearby and having a 10-ish-year old boy greet me like he knew me ... then tell me that he's Houda's brother. The only Houda I know from this country lives an hour and a half away, so I was super confused, even though I knew that I knew his face. Well, it turns out that that very Houda's grandparents live in my neighborhood, and that was indeed her little brother that I had met before. Small world!
• Speaking of small world, finding out that the best friend of one of my best friends from my old neighborhood here is the sister-in-law of a friend from the next town over.
• My new Arabic teacher, and the way she is welcoming me into her life
• Corner stores that I can pop out to when I want 7Up to calm my grumbly stomach or internet credit because mine just ran out
• A former student who works for the internet company and is taking on my case personally to make sure that I get good wi-fi as soon as I can.
• My new Beth Moore Bible study book. It's not a new Bible study, but it will feel like new, now that I can write in the book and not have to constantly print pages out.
• My apartment-mate, Andrea, who is so pleasant and laid back
• Amazing care package from Terri T. and fam!
• Hot chocolate packets from Terri and from Aunt Sharon
• The pretty and meaningful sun-catcher from Gretchen
• Discovering that an alternate translation for the "cheerful heart" referenced in the header of this blog could be "fruitful heart," which fits in with the significance of the sun-catcher
• WhatsApp chats with Aaron S.
• People who stop so that I can cross the street
• My current English students, who are a joy to teach and spend time with
• Sunsets on the mountains
• The ocean
• My GPS, which makes navigating the capital and Dubai manageable
• My new hamper
• My new Pierre Cardin luggage, such a boon. I loved my old Pierre Cardin set, but had to say goodbye when the mouse chewed the zipper on the largest piece and the handle broke on the smallest piece, after a beautiful 10 or 12 year relationship. I searched and searched for Pierre Cardin stuff, but couldn't find any. So the Sears luggage that I bought to replace it seemed decent enough, but ripped at the seam on the first flight I checked it. I duct taped it all over to make it fly-worthy for the post-Christmas trip but knew I needed something better for longer-term. Found the Pierre Cardin stuff with Mom in Dubai, and if it lasts like the last stuff did, it's worth a bit of extra money. Plus, it's pretty!
• Kind border crossing guys
• Incense. Ever since I found a scent I kinda like, well, I kinda like it. Makes me think of prayers going up.