Be Inspired and Give

The past few days I haven't been able to look away from the news about the ongoing tragedy of the Haiti earthquake. To me, the most heartbreaking victims are the children who are often too young to even realize what is happening. This is why I found this CNN story about Haitian orphans getting sent to the states to meet their new families especially heartwarming.


As a recent college graduate, I don't have the funds or ability to adopt an orphan from Haiti, as much as I would want to. But I can, along with hundreds of thousands of people around the world, donate to the relief effort. Go to the Red Cross website to find out how.

and that's your daily good thing.

2010! New Year, New Places!

HAPPY 2010! The start of a New Year is always an exciting time. It feels like a time for new beginnings, fresh starts. I hope you all had an AMAZING New Year's Eve and are ready for a brand new decade! Apologies for not posting, I have been busy moving. In the spirit of the new year I recently relocated from Maui to the Atlanta area. New year, new location! The blogging benefit of this is I can do a lot more city based Daily Good Things, the downside is there won't be as many beautiful beach pictures. You might be thinking that I am crazy going from Maui to Georgia, and I might be, but to be honest I am excited and going forward with an open mind and optimistic attitude. I hope to enjoy anything and everything fun or interesting that the South East has to offer, and so far it seems like there will be plenty to keep me occupied. It is going to be good to get out of my comfort zone, explore a new place, and meet new people. That is my weekly good thing, in lieu of daily, get out of your comfort zone. Put yourself in a new environment. It doesn't need to be as dramatic as mine was, it can be as simple as trying out a different coffee shop or having dinner in the next town over. Arrange a visit or offer to house sit for a friend who lives in a different area. Not only will you broaden your horizons, excuse the cliche, you will have a greater appreciation for your new environment as well as your old one. In the spirit of the new year, get out of your comfort zone and explore someplace new. Below are some pictures of me ringing in the new year and exploring Atlanta.
And that's your weekly good thing!

I am going to be traveling for the next week and a half so apologies for light posting. Once I am resettled in Atlanta daily posting will resume. Happy 2010!

Helloooo 2010!

At the CNN Center in Atlanta

Appreciating the festive holiday decorations in Downtown Atlanta

Have Holiday Traditions

Have Holiday Traditions that are unique to you and your family and friends. It makes the holiday season that much more special, and gives you something extra to look forward to. Holiday family traditions are something that everyone will look forward to. Whether it is baking Christmas cookies or going caroling, reading the original Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas Day or making latkes from scratch using an old family recipe, create or continue holiday traditions. My family has Holiday traditions that I look forward to every year. It wouldn't be Christmas Eve if I didn't stay up playing Monopoly with my siblings, or if we didn't take turns reading Christmas stories like the How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Gift of the Magi . These are simple but special traditions I can't imagine growing too old for, and want to someday pass onto my own children. A Holiday tradition can be anything from cooking a special meal, having a secret santa gift exchange with your friends, or seeing the Nutcracker. The important thing is you are doing things that will create memories for a lifetime.

And that's your daily good thing.

My little sister reading us her favorite holiday story

My brother Jack reading The Gift of Nothing

Playing Monopoly with my brother and sister on Christmas Eve
More Christmas Eve stories