Happiness

What is happiness?

One of the definitions says that happiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive emotions ranging from contentment to a very intense joy. A variety of biological, psychological, religious and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources. Positive psychology
endeavors to apply the scientific method to answer questions about what "happiness" is, and how we might attain it.
Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a good life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion.
Studies have found that things like money, education, or the weather do not affect happiness the way one might expect. There are various habits that have been correlated with happiness, such as, pleasure, engagement, relationship, meaning and accomplishments.
I really would like to talk (and think) more specifically about each one of these habits. For while, I guess that one of the most important question to be answered is "What can truly make me (and you)  feel happy? Do you really know?"

Signs from around the World!

Last July, when I was in San Diego, I visited the Gaslamp Quarter and went to a very charming shop which sells all the useful and nice gadgets  for travelers! Among all the great  things I saw there, there was a book that caught my attention: "Absurd & Amusing Signs From Around the World - Signspotting". It was compiled by Doug Lansky and edited by Lonely Planet. I started reading it at the shop and in few minutes I was laughing...it is really funny! So, I had no doubts, I got one exemplar and kept on having fun for the rest of the week! I had already seen some books like this in Portuguese, but it was the first time I could get one in English!
From now on, I will share some of my favorites signs with you but I truly recommend you to buy the book! I'm sure you will enjoy it! And I'm still thinking about use some of these signs in the school tests...I guess my students will enjoy them!

I love LUCY!

 How nice when we have the opportunity to remember all the good things that in one way or another have been part of our life! Two days ago, the Jornal do Brasil (a Brazilian newspaper) and Google made me remember the Lucy's program. Although I wasn't born when the show hit the big time, I could see some episodes later and I enjoyed them a lot. So cute! Take a little time and check the site. I'm sure, even if you don't know the program, that you will have some fun!

http://www.jb.com.br/ciencia-e-tecnologia/noticias/2011/08/06/doodle-google-faz-homenagem-ao-programa-i-love-lucy/

And it's funny (or odd) this feeling of missing someone that we have never met before. I miss her...I guess that is because I like her! I wouldn't say I'm her big fan, but she is so adorable that it's impossible not liking her?! And there is also her  pinup style that is cult untill today!
She was an icon for a generation and I think they couldn't have chosen a better name for her show: "I love LUCY!"...in fact, maybe we should call it "WE love LUCY!"

Living and Learning - in San Diego!

I've heard a lot about San Diego, but I really didn't have an idea of how big this city is! Amazing! It's a very beautiful place. Ok, I'm here during the summer time, what brings an extra charming to the city, but it is really a very nice place to be (and to visit).

The Old Town is a very curious place...you do feel like you were in the Old Western! The candy shop is so delicious and you can have a candle made in your hand shape! Cool!
There are so many different and great places to see that I think it wouldn`t be fair just to mention them. I think I must write specific posts of each place, just to try to express how happy and blessed I was for being in this places! Sea Port Village has a wonderful bookshop and great restaurants! The Zoo is so beautiful! And the Sea World makes you feel like animals and humans were born just to be friends and take care of each other! And I couldn`t forget the Point Loma LightHouse, a very inspiring spot...but its inspirations and reflections are stories for another post!

Books and Friends!

Good books and good friends are a real treasure! They can have the amazing ability of giving you a feeling of belong to something good, giving you a feeling that you aren't and will never be alone, no matter what! Blessed are those who can have both...good friends and good books! That's also one of the reasons why I enjoy traveling...you can find good books and make new (and good) friends. Thanks God, that's what is happening here, in the sunny city of San Diego! And what about you, how have you kept your friends and your books?