To Do Before I’m 30: #10: Identify 100 things that make me happy.

Wow, this was a tough list to make. I got some help from other people’s lists, (you’re a lifesaver, Google!), but I really did enjoy making it. It was a good exercise, and I realized how much we sometimes take the small but wonderful things in our life for granted.

001. When someone sends me a growing gift on Facebook.
002. Running on wet grass.
003. Tickling a child.
004. Reaching a goal and checking the item off my to-do list.
005. Getting drenched in the rain.
006. Eskimo kisses. They always make me giggle.
007. French kisses. I never giggle.
008. Reminiscing with friends about old times and the fun we had.
009. Dancing without any rhythm to really loud music.
010. Reading a funny book.
011. Watching a funny movie.
012. Someone reading to me.
013. Reading to someone.
014. Body painting.
015. Singing really loudly and completely out-of-tune.
016. Being woken up by a crazy dog climbing on top of me and licking my face.
017. Watching babies sleep. Playing with their tiny fingers.
018. Licking the bowl after making cake mix.
019. Looking through old photo albums.
020. Hearing from someone I never thought I’d hear from again (thank you, Facebook!)
021. Hot tea on a cold day.
022. Cold ice-cream on a hot day.
023. Long talks with mom about anything and everything.
024. Getting out of bed early and feeling awake.
025. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
026. Having someone play with my hair.
027. McDonalds french fries. (I eat them so rarely– about once a year– which is why I love them.)
028. Lying on the ground and watching the moon and the stars.
029. Pillow fights.
030. Having someone cook a meal specially for me.
031. Going to the bookstore, and actually buying stuff.
032. Eating momos.
033. Meeting a new person/making a new friend.
034. Movie marathons.
035. Jigsaw puzzles.
036. Online gaming.
037. Getting a book in the mail.
038. Movie popcorn.
039. Listening to Collective Soul.
040. Midnight phone calls.
041. When someone brings me chocolate from abroad (usually my brother).
042. Twix bars. (Breaking them into two is half the fun.)
043. Jumping on the bed.
044. Buying a new ring.
045. When an editor says “well done.”
046. When an editor responds to an idea with, “I like this, Mridu.”
047. Jumping rope.
048. Playing hopscotch.
049. Hiding under the covers and pretending to be trapped in a cave.
050. Scoring a bingo on scrabulous.
051. Roadside tea and bread pakoras (especially when it’s freezing or raining)
052. Trying to translate Harry Potter to Punjabi. (Hari Puttar!)
053. When someone comments on my blog.
054. Getting a fat paycheck.
055. Saying something clever that makes someone laugh out loud.
056. Having 0 new e-mails.
057. Finishing an assignment, and finishing it well.
058. Having long philosophical discussions.
059. A hug from behind.
060. When I predict something and it comes true.
061. When I really want something, and it magically appears.
062. A good night’s sleep.
063. Saying “I told you so,” singing “I told you so, I told you so,” and dancing to the tune of “I told you so!”
064. Laughing for absolutely no reason.
065. Private jokes shared in the middle of a crowd.
066. Tickling my fiance.
067. Selling a personal essay.
068. When an editor says, “This is a very impressive clip file.”
069. Getting a spiffy haircut.
070. Taking pictures of people when they’re not looking.
071. Taking self-portraits that come out well.
072. Listening to a child sing.
073. Roller-coaster rides (I love roller coaster rides, though just in theme parks, not in life).
074. Getting funky (and personalized) gifts.
075. Having a dream so great, I wake up smiling.
076. Blowing soap bubbles.
077. Kisses from little kids.
078. Watching fireworks.
079. Seeing friends finally get out of unhealthy and crazy relationships.
080. Meeting people who’re creating a difference in the world.
081. Learning a new obscure word and actually using it.
082. Making eggs and not burning them.
083. Australian accents, British accents, French accents.
084. Friends I can call because “I want to hear you speak Australian again.” (They usually laugh and hang up on me.)
085. Getting flowers.
086. Writing on the sand.
087. Looking at my work and thinking, “Damn, I can write well!”
088. Dreaming big dreams about the future with people I care about.
089. Practicing my “Indian man on the street” English accent or my “Israeli English” accent on unsuspecting strangers.
090. Finishing each other’s sentences.
091. Getting calls from the airport when someone is leaving. Calling from the airport when I’m leaving. (It’s bittersweet, actually. The calls are great, the leaving not-so-great.)
092. A good long workout.
093. Potato chips. (I love the stuff, and never put on weight. Please don’t hate me.)
094. Finally meeting someone I met online or an editor I’ve only worked with via e-mail or phone.
095. Traveling to Mcleod Ganj. (It’s my favorite place in the world and we’re now planning yearly reunions.)
096. Heart-shaped candy. It’s so ridiculous, I can’t help laughing.
097. Soft, comfortable pajamas. Soft, comfortable socks.
098. Rediscovering a favorite song and playing it over and over and over and over and over.
099. When someone sings to me (bonus points if they make up a personalized song on the spot. Even more bonus points for guitar-playing abilities.)
100. Finishing this list!