Time off

Dear Optimists,

This is us these days!

I’m spending every waking hour at the University, writing essays, articles and yet another thesis. It’s absolutely fantastic and I love every bit of it.

Den is of course busy planning the perfect wedding – as you can see on the picture, he’s very preoccupied.

This isn’t goodbye. Our lives are just so amazing these days that we can’t find time to write all the fantastic things down and draw it up for you.

Don’t worry, we’ll be back… we’re just taking a break.
We’ll miss you!

Love,
Nadia.

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To do before I die #1

Dear Optimists,

Last night, I was thinking about what I want to do before I die. All sorts of crazy things came to mind: Scooba diving in Australia, bungee jumping, roadtrips with my future children, drive a Ferrari F40 (red, of course)(childhood dream); all things that won’t happen within a reasonable time frame.

Then I remembered.

When I was a kid, I tried building an igloo. It took forever and I never finished.

In other words, one of the things I want to do before I die is to gather friends and build that godforsaken igloo.

Building an igloo – have you ever tried that? Any pro tips?

Love,
Nadia.

P.S. Typical me realising such thing now the snow’s gone…

Male Bonding

Dear Optimists,

If you read this blog at all, you already know I have a bit of an affinity – oh heck let’s call it what it is – an obsession with Legos. Well, this past weekend I had a $20 gift card to Toys-R-Us and wanted the cool Creator Log Cabin and was in the aisle looking for it when I saw a father/son by the little bagged figures. Do you know them? They’re in a bag and you have no idea which one you get. It’s fun and I definitely buy them when I see them on sale.

So I walk into the aisle and this father and his son have about twenty of the bags laid out on a shelf. I quickly figure out they’re going for the Feel the bag and guess which one is in it theory (which seldom works…I was trying to get the monkey trainer for the longest time but apparently the girl-hair part feels like a monkey), so Elle and I joined them. I wanted her to see the new series (she pretends to care because she loves me).

I said to Elle, “I really want the robot.” The little kid, who had thick glasses, looked up. The dad laughed. “That’s the one we’re trying to get!” “I can understand that…it’s the best one.” “We also want the leprechaun” the kid said to me. We had a little talk with them and I admitted it took luck to get the monkey trainer (yes, I did finally get it) and we had a nice talk with the kid and his dad. It really warms my heart, seeing a moment like this. The dad and son, working together and chasing down these toys, it’s one of those memories the kid will have forever. I hope to be that dad someday.

They ended up in line behind us as I was buying the log cabin (yup! got it!) and as we walked to our car I heard a voice say “Excuse me!” from the van next to our car. I look over and it’s the kid in the back seat.

“We got the robot!” he yelled. His dad and I both laughed, and I said “That’s awesome. I’m jealous now!”

What a trip to the toy store, huh?

Love,
Den

Guest Post: 21 Going on 12

Dear Optimists,

It’s funny when people underestimate your age. I personally like it, but it gets so awkward when people over-underestimate it! I’m 21 already, but have got myself mistaken as a 12-year-old a lot; dozens of times actually!!

I will never forget two years ago, while shopping with my mom, a man of my father’s age came by and asked me to try a jacket… he said, “Would you please try this? It’s for my daughter, she’s of your age, 12 years.” Then he patted my shoulder, thinking I was a 12-year-old kid!! I swear, I couldn’t utter a word; I silently pulled myself out, leaving him wondering what his mistake was! My mother couldn’t stop laughing when I told her!!

I also remember when I missed my flight last year and the woman at the check-in desk called the plane crew telling them they have left a 12 year-old child alone at the airport!!

Love,

Sara of The Accidental Blog

P.S: My sister insisted on drawing me that tiny; she’s younger, yet taller than I! If I were good with drawing I would’ve drawn myself taller!

Shadow Puppets

Dear Optimists,

Last week the gal and I were driving to a friend’s house for a little get together and the sun was setting, creating this really cool shadow of us in front of the car. I had to point it out to her.

“Look at how cool our shadow looks!”

As she looked I decided to wave. She giggled.

It’s the little things.

Love,

Den

Being one of the cool kids

Dear Optimists,

I was never one of the cool kids growing up. But that changed last week.

Not too long ago, I drew a picture for my friend, Mette of the two of us walking hand in hand with humour between us.

She saved the illustration on her phone, so that every time she picked it up she’d see it. It pleased me that I could make her smile with ease without actually being there or doing anything.

Mette works at an after-school centre. One day the children accidently got a hold of her phone and saw the drawing. Mette told me how they went on and on about how cute and adorable the drawing was for several hours minutes.

Finally, I was one of them! I felt like drawing something for each and every one of them. I felt like this:

(Surprisingly, they liked this drawing better!)

I swear. I’m not coming down from that piedestal!

Love,
Nadia.

Trick your mind into happiness

Dear Optimists,

On bad days it’s hard to find the face that suits your mood.

Some walk around showing their exact emotions, tainting others with their negativity. Others put on a fake smile and no one will ever know what exactly they feel.

Obviously, it’s important not to hide your true feelings – if you’re feeling blue; you’re “allowed” to display it.

At the same time, it’s tough to be around really negative people that can’t see anything optimistic about a dandelion growing on the side of the motorway (as a certain someone).

Studies have shown that not only will a smile affect others around you; it’ll also affect your own mood! Simply put: you trick the brain into believing you’re actually happy!

So, on a gloomy day, wouldn’t it be better to just smile and laugh about how easy it is to bluff your own brain?

Give us a smile in the comments!

Love,
Nadia.

PS. Big thanks to everybody who gave me great advice when I was feeling low.

Glitter in the air

Dear Optimists,

The Optimists are taking today off, hence someone heard something about throwing glitter in the air equals happiness.

Someone didn’t notice that it’s something you’re meant to do outside, therefore someone now has serious cleaning to do.

Love,
Nadia.

PS. It was Den.

Guest Post Wednesday: They say it’s half empty, but I can see it half full

Dear Optimists,

Negative thoughts, uh-oh!

I always wonder how people allow negative thoughts eclipsing their own self. I mean ain’t there better things to do than feeling dejected; better as in replacing the bad thought with something that instills positivity within us. Rather than focusing on bad, seeing a positive side would definitely be instrumental in making one upbeat. Guess, this is one of the reasons, why I always see the half glass full 🙂

Positive thinking has innumerable benefits on the physical well-being. In my case the daily affirmations have beautifully played the game. Two years back, I lost my loved one in a terrible car accident. I couldn’t stop myself going into the dungeons of despondency, I tried by all means to replace the thoughts and in the process I came across a mesmerizing piece very well written by Louise L Hay and it is from here that I started saying my daily affirmations:

This sweet letter (pun intended) has actually worked in transforming my life. It gave a healthy perspective in life and of course, a competitive edge in standing tall irrespective of any filed in life. I no longer feel any sullenness, in fact, they say its half empty, but I can see it half full 🙂

Love,
Bethany.
______________________________________________________
About the author: Bethany is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article on Cuisinart Coffee Maker attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Fuel Cells.

Uh oh!

Dear Optimists,

Hello Optimists*

At the hockey game the other day, I was working in a different building, the baseball stadium for the Philadelphia Phillies, Citizens Bank Park. Since I’d only worked there one other time, please keep in mind that I don’t know my way around that well.

As I just missed the elevator, I noticed a set of stairs next to it and figured I could catch up with my coworkers by taking the stairs down one flight. I enter the stairwell and as the door shuts behind me I hear a buzz and a click. Doors don’t usually make noises like this, so I turned and tried the door. It was locked! I panicked a little, ran down a flight to try the next door…locked! One more flight and still locked! I thought I was going to end up sitting in this stairwell and everyone would wonder what happened to me! I would be missing the whole game, trapped in a stairwell! And let’s face it, I would be teased for months.

One more flight down and the door opened. Phew! I actually made it to the elevator as it opened and my coworkers walked out.

Love,

Den

*Please excuse three “Den” posts in a row. Nadia is defending her thesis today so I agreed to post for a few days so she could focus on such a huge, important project. And also excuse my crude DO hand drawing/watercolor…I wanted to give her as much time as I could.