25 Things I Learned In 25 Years

So, I had my birthday on Saturday.  It was my 25th birthday, as a matter of fact.  In honor of that, I've compiled a list of things I've learned in these 25 years I've spent on the planet.

Without further ado:

1.) That pan that you have in the 500 degree oven really is as hot as you think it is.

2.) If all else fails, turn on Eric Clapton.

3.) Sometimes, clutching your favorite stuffed animal and having a good cry is the only solution.

4.) In the immortal words of my best friend Amy, "We may not be able to drink the pain away, but we can sure as hell numb it."  Especially true when accompanied by a bottle of wine.

5.) People who consider themselves cultural elitists (aka those whose opinion on music/movies/TV is far superior to yours) are closed minded jerks who are missing the true point.  As long as it makes you feel something and brings you joy how can that be bad?

6.) Chocolate can solve all the world's problems.

7.) No matter how big a deal you make out of the major moments in life, the things you'll remember most are the little things.

8.) Nothing beats a midnight run to McDonald's for sweet tea and fries.

9.) Having your heart shattered to bits sucks.

10.) Always make time for shoe shopping.

11.) Bullies are a way of helping you realize your inner strength.

12.) Never try to explain migraines to someone who has never had one.  They think they're just really bad headaches.  They're not.

13.) Find a place (or places) on the planet that you love.  They make bad days/moments/weeks/months/years better knowing that they exist.

14.) Laugh, for chrissakes.

15.) Have a favorite movie.

16.) Listen.

17.) When the world is closing in and you feel like it can't get better: go for a drive.  Turn the radio up as loud as it can go and roll the windows down.  And drive.  Fast.

18.) Always have a favorite baseball team (go Cubs!).

19.) Be able to talk about sports.  Intelligently.  Same goes for politics and current events.

20.) Have fun, dammit.

21.) Donate as much as you can to causes you believe in.

22.) Having a pet makes a new place finally feel like home.

23.) Never underestimate a good creme brulee.

24.) Working with people you get along with is more important than people give it credit for.

25.) Keep discovering who you are.

Sinuses and Open Blinds

I never get sick.  Ever.  I think I can count on one hand the times that I can remember being sick.  So, I was thrilled last week to come down with a cold.  Which happened right after I dropped my car off - but that's another story for another day.

I thought I had finally kicked it out of my system for good.  Well my sinuses strongly disagree.  Don't worry, I won't go into details.  But I believe I'm developing a sinus infection.

However, I did discover today that there is one thing that instantly make a room feel better.  And, I believe, make you feel better.

Well, apart from knocking yourself out on cold medication...

What is it?  Open the blinds!  Regardless if it's cloudy or sunny letting the outside world in reminds you that there's more out there than there is in your "sick den" (what I call the place you set up camp when you're sick)

So - wish me luck!  I'm off to buy Sudafed and say a silent prayer that I can get this out of my system without having to visit a doctor...

And a bonus item:  a cute fuzzy pet will ALWAYS make you feel better!