Five Things That Make Me Happy | #FridayFive

I'm so glad that Friday is finally here. It's been one of those long, busy weeks, so I welcome the weekend to start, even though it will be busy too. This week's Friday Five linkup topic is happiness. That's a good cheery way to start the weekend. This one is a pretty easy list to put together, so here are...

Five Things That Make Me Happy

1. My Wife and Kids

Ninja turtle wearing! #wearallthebabies #awesomeconvip #awesomecon #heroesinahalfshell @kindercarry #kinderpacking #geekfamily #geekmom #geekdad #geekkid #geekbaby

A photo posted by Disneygeekmom (@disneygeekmom) on May 29, 2015 at 8:03am PDT

This weekend is Father's Day, which leads to the first and foremost thing that makes me happy, my amazing wife and 2 kids. Sure, they can drive me crazy and up a wall, but I love them so much. They do bring so much joy into my life. And I can say that as my son currently won't sleep in his crib, is instead in our bed, constantly trying to lay on me as I type and snuggle across the keyboard like a cat. They are, all three of them, what matters most to me and what makes me happiest.

2. Programming

This is where the coding happens.

I'm one of those people who loves what they do. I love to write code. It was why I selected Computer Science as a major and a career, because I figured I might as well do something I know I enjoy. Sure, like all jobs, it has it's stressful moments, like when you're getting ready for a release and spending many extra hours into the wee hours of the night trying to get everything perfect. But I love to code, and coding makes me happy. I'd write code in my free time, if I had free time. Coding can be an artistic outlet. People think of it as solely analytical, but you're creating new code, new algorithms, new designs. Art is creation and expression. I just express my thoughts as lines that end in semicolons.

3. Disney

You didn't think I'd leave this one off the list, did you? I may have mentioned Disney a time or two before on my blog, link up or even in Friday Fives. I can't think of a place I'd be happier to be in than Walt Disney World. It's a place to escape to, a place to be a kid in, and a place to just let go. I love the rides. I love the theming. I love the characters. I love it all. I also makes me happy because my wife loves it too. I can't want for the next trip where my daughter can really experience it, because she's of the age to understand a little more and remember. That will make me beyond happy. Disney is my happy place.

4. Food

I like to eat. I can admit that. I'm doing a better job at eating healthier, but the fact that I love to eat is not something that will go away, nor would I want it to. With that fact, food makes me happy. And I don't mean that in the bad way it really could be taken. It makes me happy because I enjoy it. I love to cook, I love new foods, and I love dining out. I can enjoy everything from a burger loaded with toppings to grilled vegetables or a salad to a wagyu beef. I can appreciate them all, for their distinct flavors.

To relate this back to the previous happy item, Disney, there are so many restaurants at Disney I love. While I plan to write about more for some future #MagicalMickey posts, there is everything form a place to get a great hotdog loaded up to the 5 diamonds of Victoria & Albert's. You can experience foods from around the world or under the sea. Even some of the best dining can be found outside the parks.

5. Running

Lastly, running makes me happy. Getting out there, just running, can ease my stress, clear my mind, and make me happy. Sometimes I run to music (which music also makes me happy) while others I let it be silent and just let my mind go with the sounds of nature. At the end of the day, I love running. Running makes me happy. Much like programming, that's why I do it. I enjoy it. Yes, there are health benefits, blah blah blah, but I run because it makes me happy.

Just put these on and away we go to happy town... or happy path? happy miles?

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Eat, Pray, Run DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

HoHo Runs

Renaissance Runner Girl

The Runner Within