Joy(full)

Dear diary,

   I've started to bake again. Cupcakes this time. I'm enthusiastic because these little cookies give you the opportunity to be as creative as you can. And we all know I'm all about creativity:) 

   I'm filling my time with positive vibes, positive people and positive activities. Things that make my soul rejoice. Hard times are always overcome with positive thoughts about the future. Something like this:

   I have good days and bad days, but I'm continuing the "new year, new attitude" idea with a shift in my way of thinking. More than ever I'm focusing on the bright side of life and I'm making all my wishes come true without expecting anyone to do that for me. I'm living every day as it comes and I'm doing everything on my "Must do" list I wrote along the years. TODAY is the best moment to do that. 

   Spring inspires me every step of the way. I'm taking photos, I'm smiling, I'm rejoicing the best season of the year through all the pores of my skin. Let it spring! :)

Joyful,

D.

Christmas Past, Present and Future

   Dear diary,

   It's Christmas day again. That time of the year when I'm filled with both sadness and joy: sadness cos I can't believe a whole year has passed already and joy because I can witness the most wonderful time of the year again:) The one I was looking forward to since January, the same one that allows me to be a kid no matter the age. 

   This year's been different for me, though. The Advent calendar changed the whole equation and brought more magic in my life. I never thought something so small and humble could do such a difference:) The planning and crafting and then the daily tasks... it definitely put me in the Christmas mood! I used to be sad, bored, or worried. The Advent calendar wiped away all of that and it replaced it with enthusiasm, anticipation and joy. I'm almost on the verge of crying because I realize today's the last day of this special gift called Advent. Such a terrific thing, involving so much dedication, passion and love, more than you thought you had, more than you thought you could give away. The Advent makes you a crafter, a loving, nurturing and thoughtful being. Everybody should experience it: giving and receiving love in the most innocent way possible:)

   The past Christmases have been beautiful, as long as I was a child. Then it all turned into a must and it somehow lost its feeling while growing up. This year I feel mature enough to know how to make the difference and how to keep the spirit alive: it all comes down to letting yourself enjoy the little things. Live Christmas exactly like kids do. And that's what the Advent brought along:) I'm sure the future Christmases will be just as beautiful as this one: with love, peace, joy, family, friends and a lot of creativity (Advent included). Because in the end that's what makes the difference. Letting yourself be a kid no matter the age while celebrating the birth of the most miraculous child on Earth:) 

   I know... it didn't snow this year. But I brought snow inside:) And now, happiness is all around. In my eyes and in the eyes of everyone who gazed at my Christmas tree. What more could I wish for?

Feeling the Christmas magic,

D.

Day 338. Beautiful people, beautiful places

   I love visiting cities. I always did. But today I rediscovered how awesome the countryside life is:) 

   It was one of those special days when you meet beautiful people and beautiful places that fill you up with joy. I felt peace. That kind of peace that makes you say "This right here is perfect. Thank you, God! I love my life.":) 

   Away from all the technology we're surrounded by every day, I understood why everybody wants to leave the city at some point. I found bits and pieces that I didn't see back in the city. That smile all the people have there, their kindness and their generosity, their happiness when talking about life and their optimism coming from doing what they love. They don't need the city and all it involves. They're already happy:) I truly admire them.

    I felt at home. Even more, I felt in heaven:) I feel so blessed to be able to live all these things and write about them. I'm sure difficult times will come too but then I will look back to all of these and I will remember what I need to be happy: a place like Sibiel:)

Day 240. Heaven is a place on Earth

   There are places in this world that make you feel like heaven is a place on Earth. Valea Draganului is precisely one of them. 

   You know, they don't even have to be very special and wow. For me, it's enough if there are different shades of green in spring, leftover pine cones and mountains covered in snow in the distance, the smell of fir trees and a lot of birds singing, just like it was today. 

   Let me tell you what happened. Usually my parents take me to a place in the middle of the nature during the weekends. And sometimes I wish I could just stay at home and watch a movie instead. Today was just like that, but now, at the end of the day, I am thankful for it because we discovered this beauuutiful, new place very close to the Dragan dam where we always go. We were amazed by the fact that in all these years it was right under our nose and we didn't see it. It was so beautiful and I loved it so much there that I decided this was one of the best days of this year! Discovering it filled me with energy that will least for weeks and the joy of having seen a magnificent place God blessed us with.

   The sun was shining and I loved laying on my back and watch the clouds pass and then walk around and enjoy the beautiful scenery while taking pictures. All in all, being there was very relaxing and meditation appropriate. So much that I realized perfection is much less than we think of it. It's not a utopia as long as we believe. And I believe today I reached perfection. Actually the place did:)

   You know, people usually expect to see waterscapes or landscapes in Malaysia, Hawaii or the Alps to call them "pieces of heaven", but you really don't need that to be amazed by nature and by the power of God. It's enough if you go where I went today and see what I saw. Because I'm sure you'd be as amazed and as happy as I was at the end of the day:) 

   So let's try to visit our own country first and be open minded to discovering such little pieces of heaven just like Valea Draganului:) 

Day 199. Little surprises

   ... make your life prettier:) I had no idea my 12 year old cousin could play the piano:) So when I found out I asked him to play the songs he knows and while listening to him my mind drove somewhere far, far away and slowly I was filled with peace and joy:) That's what little surprises can do to you. I want more:)

Day 178. It's all about the journey

   ... not the destination, they say:) Today my family and I made a new step in our family tradition journey:) We went in the search of spring. And we found her:)

   We chose a different spot this time. One that we visited 4 years ago. Interestingly, we remembered details that helped us arrive exactly where Spring was laying in the woods. But today we took a new road, different than last time. Are you afraid of the new? I am, too. But I trust my dad. He has a good spatial orientation:) So our team began its walk towards the lonely woods, towards patches of snow and mild wind. When entering the forest an intense feeling of peace and joy caught me completely. I felt I was there and then. And nothing else mattered. 

   We continued our journey while gazing around and enjoying the sun embracing us through the trees. In the end we arrived at the destination. Snowdrops were peaking at us from everywhere. They were here and there, in the valley and on the little hill. But they were shy. Still not prepared to fully blossom. We carefully picked some and then we took some photos of us. I promised I'd frame one of them because we should forever remember today. This perfect spring day that God bestowed upon us:) 

   The road home made me smile once more because I realized all this journey helped me find myself, the same feeling I have after visiting a church. I really felt I connected with everything around me. I breathed spring, I let her come around me and enter my lungs, my heart, my everything. I feel complete. Right here, right now.

Day 176. The 1st of March

   Today I had such a special day:) It felt like I stepped in a dream and I was walking around in amazement in a land of fairies. Everywhere I looked I was surrounded by beautiful spring flowers. Snowdrops, hyacinths and tulips, a sea of color and perfume:) Wow! And it was the 1st of March. Such a festive day! It made everything more intense and more springy:)

   At the kindergarten children were all wearing cute cartoon character trinkets. I loved seeing their faces light up when talking about them and proudly associating them with spring:) Everybody was so happy while working on their little gifts for their mothers while spring songs could be heard everywhere. Spring decorations were hanging in the halls and in the classrooms and everyone was giving away and receiving mărțișoare:) I received some myself. The kids were sooo adorable while giving them to me:) One of the little ones said: "Have a lovely spring and thank you for taking care of me." Awww!:) 

   Then, after coming home my cousin gave me this beautiful handmade mărțișor (in the photo). These are the ones I appreciate the most. The ones kids make with their own hands. They have so much more meaning:)

   And this is what spring is all about. JOY! The joy of coming back to life and enjoying nature and its wonders. Spring is definitely THE season. My season:) I'm in love again:)

Day 105. Sharing the joy

   Today I got an awesome present from my best friend and on the top of it I got the chance to decorate the Christmas tree with her!:D I felt so special! Carols were playing in the background, we were catching up and sharing the joy of this beautiful holiday that lays ahead of us: Christmas!:) Oh dear, I really enjoy it because, most of all, it brings people together and it makes them happy! 

    I wish we'd all remember that Jesus was born and how important that is for mankind but also enjoy being with our family and loved ones instead of just seeing it as a drag. We should enjoy things while we still have them and instead of missing them like crazy after they're gone...

Day 70. Getting ready

   This morning, dear Autumn showed me she's getting ready. You know how women are. You have to wait a lot till they're ready. But I think Autumn is a nice lady and she'll be ready soon. Ready to hand over the world to her sister, Winter. 

   Oh, dear, I can't wait to meet Winter. I can't wait for Christmas to be here. Happy, happy, joy, joy, there are only 39 days left!!!:D I bought lots of decorations for my office and I can't wait to use them:) Call me crazy, but my inner child is bursting with joy:)

   

Day 9. I do!

   I don't know about you but I love love love weddings!:) They make me all warm and fuzzy inside and I can't but enjoy watching photos taken by famous wedding photographers or attend weddings myself:) 
   On Saturday I went to one of my best friend's wedding, a wedding that was expected and planned with a lot of care and joy. The bride, my friend, was more radiant than ever and the wedding itself was so beautiful, classy and elegant. No glam, no kitch, no over the top. Everything was simple yet so vibrant and suited to the couple's personality. They are perfect together and for sure this wedding was an event I'll never forget. 

   My friend's married now and her beautiful wedding reminded me how important it is to love and be loved and the joy that comes with the feeling... the feeling you belong to someone and that someone belongs to you.