Nothing like the Present

Presents. Split it into two and you got pre-sents, which suggests things you send to someone beforehand - ironic considering what 'in the present' means. Why am I analysing vocabulary? I don't know but it's Christmas Eve so all in the spirit of Christmas :)!

In the holidays, a few friends and I decided to try out the annual Myer Gift Wrap, which supported Vision Australia this year.

What is Myer Gift Wrap? Basically in every Myer store, there was a charity gift wrap counter where customers could get their gifts wrapped. Depending the size (and how pretty they thought we wrapped!), we suggested a donation and they could chose to pay that. If not, they could pay whatever they could afford, so the great thing about it was there was no pressure.

All the money went to aiding children with vision problems to help them lead normal lives. To volunteer for this, I had to attend a training session where a lady really put it in perspective.

"Imagine" she said quietly, "if you had never seen somebody use a fork before. How would you know how to hold it?"

"How would you be able to eat like everybody else? How would you ever fit in?"

It made me value my ability to see a little more. And try as we might, I don't think anyone of us can ever imagine what it would be like to have the same dreams, insecurities and worries that we teens have.

Only you also live in darkness.

We also were specially trained to wrap the queerest things. I won't give away the secrets, but there ARE ways to wrap giant teddy bears and lumpy toys.

To the actual event - I had two five-hour shifts after I got back from NZ which sounded pretty scary to me. But everything surprised me. Some smilelights:

=) Every customer gave us a donation of something. Most customers handed us notes and then with a cheery smile, told us to keep the change.

=) The gorgeous wrapping itself! I think you all know I'm not the best person to wrap gifts - Let's just say they don't survive the process. But with all that practice, I got good enough that Nayoung Lee complimented, "Hey, that's not half bad." I know, amazing!

=) Meeting Laily, the new girl that had her shift with us. She was very nice and very, very good at tying ribbons.

=) The fact that there was a free gift wrapping service right outside myers, but people still chose to come to our charity gift wrap. Maybe they didn't know, but I'm sure some people made the choice. That inspires me.

All in all, it was a great experience. Definitely next year if you have the time, or you have an incredible eye for gift wrapping, do it.

For some more information on Vision Australia and what it does (there's a very endearing picture of a child on the homepage), visit http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/

And now it's 4 minutes to Christmas by my clock! Merry Christmas everybody, keep safe and happy!

And remember, Happiness Equals Bracket =)

What Makes YOU Smile?

Since Bella and I are going to New Zealand tomorrow (very very very very excited!) I've decided I'll leave you guys on a high note. This post was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend. Enjoy!

Ten Things That Make Lindy Smile

1. Funny people/things. They make me laugh, which is like a prolonged smile. =)

2. Baking at 2am in the morning. Or at 10pm at night. Or at… you get the drift. If I could, I would even bake at 1pm during the day. But we all know what time that is… LUNCH TIME!! I’m kidding, its actually school time. Stay in school, kids.

3. Having a really really good conversation. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that make you smile and laugh and look like a crazy person. Yeah, those ones. =)

4. Re-reading cards and messages. Sometimes, when I’m feeling down, I’ll re-read birthday/xmas cards. They never fail to leave me with a smile goofily plastered on my face. Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit it. My smiles are indeed goofy.

5. When someone remembers some small, insignificant, trivial thing I said.

6. Finding a really good story… and then staying up till 6am in the morning to finish reading it. There's just something satisfying and triumphant about it.

7. Don’t judge me on this one but… when chemical equations are already balanced. I'm sure this needs no explanation.

8. Being complimented. Its true. I'm prone to flattery.

9. Cute little messages. Post-it's are my preferred medium but I'm not picky really. =P

10. Chilling. Just pure, unadulterated chilling.

And that's my list!

So, tell me, what makes you smile? It can be anything - from friends to tacos to peeing when you really need to go - we wanna know!

Bella and I shall be back in 11 days time, hopefully with lots of photos and exciting stories for you guys. In the meantime, make your own list of smile-inducing indulgences and, whenever you need a smile, you can just refer to it. Handy dandy, right?

And always remember... Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Colour Purple

Did you know that a strange thing that happens in December? No, Lindy and I don't start dancing and pulling out the moves in public - we actually do that every week haha :D But the strange thing is the streets are invaded, the pathways overhung and the lawns strung and not many people notice at all. Which worries me - what happens if a zombie invasion decides to happen D:?

Luckily the thing that's taken over our streets isn't a brain-sucking monster. It's something very different - the jacaranda tree.

Until now, I've barely noticed this tree. Why would I? It's ugly (I'm sorry xD), nondescript and they all look very boring in their non-flowering form. Nobody really picks out jacarandas in the rest of year.

But come summer, suddenly you can't walk fifty metres without a purple branch raining flowers on your head - no joke! Everywhere you walk there's purple littered on the ground and honestly, I think it's beautiful.

I've noticed the trees are sometimes completely different - black trunk, white trunk, skinny branches, fat branches, you name it. But they all have the same gorgeous purple flowers. Some people find them annoying, but everytime I see a jacaranda true, it's like someone is waving at me!

Because it reminds me that you don't have be to beautiful from the start to shine, and that, if you're patient, there is a time for you. It reminds me that there is beauty in the most unexpected of places, and to appreciate it.

Someone once told me "You know Christmas is coming when the world turns purple." And it's true! I hope everybody has a great, great Christmas filled with candy and presents and sweetness and goodness and candy haha!

Sadly Lindy and I are leaving for New Zealand on Saturday and won't be back until Monday the week after, so we're going on hiatus. But expect us to be back stronger, bigger and better armed with our best smiles :)

And I know you'll miss us dearly, but try not to cry too much - tissues are getting expensive these days.

So next time you walk past a great big flowering tree with its shock of purple flowers, give it a hug from me! Or you more enthusiastic tree-huggers can go hug a less pretty, blackened tree.

Because we never judge a tree by it's trunk!

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Really Important Things in Life

Hey guys, its the midst of our exam week so here's something to remind us about what's really important in life. :)

An Old Man and His Dog

An old man and his dog were walking along a country road, enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to the man that he had died. He remembered dying, and realized, too, that the dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road would lead them, and continued onward.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall, white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward the gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, but is this heaven?"

"Yes, it is, sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear, and the huge gate began to open.

"I assume my friend can come in..." the man said, gesturing toward his dog.

But the reply was, "I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back toward the road, and continued in the direction he had been going. After another long walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate. There was no fence, and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside, sitting in the shade of a tree in a rickety old chair, reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the pump," he said. They walked through the gate and, sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a dipper hanging on it and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a long drink himself.

When both were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them, and asked, "What do you call this place?"

"This is heaven," was the answer.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven, and there's another man down the road who said that place was heaven."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?

"Yes, it was beautiful."

"Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?"

"No. I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."

So what if you wrote "green, red, red" when the answer was actually "green, red, green"? Who cares if you have no idea what on earth colorimetry is? =P

Chances are, in 10 years time, you're probably not going to look back and go "Man, that 3u maths exam in Year 12 was so hard, I totally bombed it." (even if it was really hard and you did bomb it hahaha).

You'll remember the good times - messing around with your friends, chilling for hours on end, thinking of the craziest in-jokes and laughing till you couldn't breathe...

So, in the middle of remembering facts about batteries or osmosis or the effects of the GFC, take a moment and remember your friends. =)

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

A Person We Admire

Hi, I hope everyone has been staying safe and healthy :) Here's a long story that we've been saving up for a while - very long, but worthwhile to read I promise! When I read it it made me think (something I don't do often hah) about my life. What I want to do with it, and how no matter what, I'll never give up on my dreams. How about you?

Dreams

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and share a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began: "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

That's someone Lindy and I admire enormously - who reminds us no matter how you really can achieve anything you want to. People chant it like a mantra all the time these days, but it helps to havesomeone's life as a example.

Because whatever it is, you can do it.

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Shawshank Redemption

Why am I up posting at 5am?

Because I simply couldn't stay away from you guys, that's why! Just kidding, I stayed up watching a movie... =P

If any of you have not seen The Shawshank Redemption, then you definitely have to see it as soon as you can. As in, the next moment you are free. =)

Doesn't the picture on the left just leave you with this overwhelming sense of hope? Click on it, enlarge it and just stare at it.

And then times the amount of hope you feel by ten because the film is even better.

Once again, Bella and I are really sorry that we won't be able to post regularly! Rest assured though, once our exams are over, we'll be back and ready to roll.

In the meantime, I really encourage you to watch this movie when you can. I'll leave you with this last quote... "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Guess where it's from haha.

P.S. I really can't stay away from you guys. =P

P.P.S. Happiness Equals Bracket =)

We're Falling Apart, So Let's Dance

Hey everybody :) It's been pretty quiet lately and Lindy and I apologise if we've neglected you! But the sad fact of life is that every now and then, these awful things called exams come up.

It was James Ruse Food Fair yesterday and there were the mingling smells of chinese/indian

/korean cuisine everywhere - heaven! In fact I would have been completely

relaxed and prepared to enjoy myself if it wasn't for a life-threatening situation. I was set to perform in a dance to the general public with my crew (such a cool word) . The problem was that we hadn't even finished half of it.

I might be dramatising but let me just say that embarrassing yourself in public is not fun - and this is coming from someone who once tripped on stage in front of an audience of 500. Unless you have the steel balls of a dumbbell, we all fear trying, and failing in front of people who will judge us for it. So I was genuinely worried this incomplete dance which we'd stupidly left to last minute was going to ruin my day.

We spent the 4 hours leading up to our performance practising and choreographing. Yes we improved, but mostly everyone just got sweatier, tired and crankier.

Finally it was 20 minutes to dance time, and I was still completely clueless about a lot of parts. Even though the crowd had died down, there were people out there - people I knew - who were going to see me fail. And to cheer things up, it was raining.

But you know in the midst of all that worrying, I forgot the most important thing of all. And I have to specially mention Dennis Lam, who reminded me before we went on why we started dancing.

"It doesn't matter if we dance well or not. If you don't know it, make it up! As long as we have fun with it, nothing else counts."

And he was right - we forgot that dancing is meant to be a joy! An expression of how music moves us - literally haha.

What did we do? We walked out in the rain, and the music started playing - and we danced.

I have no idea what we did (I may have pulled out some macarena moves) but we laughed and spun and ... danced!

It was exhilirating, and honestly the most fun I have ever had performing anything in my life.

So the lesson to me (and maybe you) is fear is something that stops you from living life properly.

It doesn't matter what other people think of you - Marilyn Monroe once said, "If people can't accept me at my worse, they sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

One thing that made me smile incredibly was how the year 11's still braved sitting in the rain to cheer us on and support us even though it was not the best conditions, or the best dance.

So thanks to them, and to the crew Jess, Dennis, Merry, Ean, Ray: It didn't look like Step Up 2 BUT YAY WE DID IT!

Here's the link if you can want to see how we danced. Be warned.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=455894441910

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket

'Excuse me sir, have you seen...?'

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a - well okay, actually it's neither, but with the force of a titanium G6 and the strong muscles of a fighter bird, it's pretty much cooler than anything you've ever seen!

Yes that's right, I'm sure you guessed it. Of course it's our very own HEB Hopebook!
What Lindy and I wonder is, have you seen our hopebook? We've heard little snippets of conversation whispered around us, but we now actually have no idea where our Hopebook has danced to.

Although that's the point - we want our Hopebook to hopefully (see what I did there?) circulate far enough around people of all ages so everyone gets a chance to spread their message of hope.

But I admit, the curiosity is killing me. So we'd like to ask you all :
Have you seen our Hopebook zooming gleeing around the playground? Did you pen down a few words in its blank pages? Perhaps you saw it wrestling with a few man-eating tigers!

Whatever the connection, comment below so we can see what our lil' H has been up too lately!

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket

Be The Best Pencil You Can Be

Hey guys, today's story is gonna be a special one. Instead of me sitting here, blabbing to you guys about the meaning of life (because I'm still learning as well!), I'm gonna let you guys offer your own interpretations. So, read on!

Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in others' hands."

"Two: You will have to experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."

"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised the pencil-maker to always remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now, replace the pencil with you (who saw that one coming haha?) and read those 5 things again. Each one has its own special meaning and, if you remember all of them, you'll become the best person you can be. =)

Comment with how you think this parable might relate to us. Our deep and thoughtful readers, this is your time to shine! Don't be scared, forget your shyness - commenting doesn't hurt, I guarantee it. =P We'll offer our interpretations too but we want to see what you guys have to say as well! =)

As always, Bella and I look forward to hearing from you guys! It really is the highlight of the day and always manages to bring a smile to our face.

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Best Halloween Ever

I stayed inside today and, bored out of my mind, hit up facebook and msn. So when my mum asked me if I wanted to go with her to pick up my brother I surprised her by accepting. By then I was feeling a little nauseous from staring at the glowing screen.

It was very late afternoon and the sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon. I was about to climb into the car when I stopped. Really stopped and took a good look around.
I can't describe it properly, but the street was divided into two. One side was steeped in shadow, and the other?
It wasn't yellow, or pink. It was bathed a brilliant gold. The leaves of trees were moving slightly in the wind, and they glinted like golden bracelets. The driveway looked as I had always imagined the city of Atlantis, the streets paved with gold.

It was like living in a dream world, and it was beautiful.

I couldn't stop staring after that. I kept finding new things to look at - how my neighbour's plain roses looked blood-red under this new golden light, how alive everything was. How had I never seen it before?

And I realised I had never seen it because I'd never appreciated it. Because I was inside most of time, on the computer or doing work. And okay, watching sunsets is right up there on the lame list next to long strolls on the beach, but somehow I'd been so caught up in things that didn't matter I'd missed something right in front of me.

We live in a world that tells us we need money, beauty and amazing career to be happy. But watching that gold melt into the shadows, all those things seemed completely irrelevant.
Now I'm afraid. Because I wonder how many other moments like that have I missed? Simply because I never bothered to actually open my eyes and look. How many more will I miss?

So starting from tomorrow I'm going to stop letting things money, beauty and facebook rule my life. They won't last - but I'll never forget that sunset.

On the way home I saw a rainbow, so I guess that was a sign I got my treat! Happy Halloween everybody, and remember if a horrible rotting monster shows up at the door....
... give him your best, brightest smile and run for your life!

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook

Are you guys ready? This might get intense so I want you guys to have a glass of water nearby and something to grip onto. Alright, now you're ready.

For our October Project, we bring you... the Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook. =)

Credit to Bryan, one of our very very awesome readers, for painting this for us. Thank you, Bryan! :)

Excited? I sure am. =)

Today, Bella and I are launching our very own Hopebook - a traveling journal that brings hope to the people who hold it. How, you may ask? Well, it does a little dance. Makes a little love. Gets down tonight. (Props to whoever gets this reference!)

Haha, I'm just kidding. But the journal does indeed travel, being passed on from person to person, friend to friend, stranger to stranger. This project is as much our's as it is your's!

So, what do you do if this little journal dances its way into your hands? Well, all you've gotta do is just jot down something that gave you hope. Could be a quote, something that happened to you that week, a person, a song, anything! The world is your oyster.

Then, you pass it on. Have a friend who looks like they could use a smile? Or maybe a friend who has a smile they could share with more people? Maybe even just leaving it on a table for the next lucky passer-by to see? Your oyster, the world is. Haha.

But before you do, don't forget to sign the "Visitor's Page" at the back!

So, look out for the Happiness Equals Bracket Hopebook - you won't be able to miss it. And if you've got it, drop us a comment to update us on where it's danced its way to!

Whew, that was intense, I know. You've probably already guzzled all your water and squeezed the death out of the nearest object. You've done well, give yourself a pat on the back. =)

Never forget, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

How to Save a Life

Tying in with the Hope theme this week, I hope you guys enjoy this story! After all, you can never have too much hope. =)

Giving Blood

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liz."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.

Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"

Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood.

The first time I read this story, my heart skipped a beat at the end. I'm not sure if you guys know how this feels but it makes your heart feel impossibly light. Like its floating. If this is what Hope feels like, then I sure wouldn't mind some more. =)

Hope today's story gave you guys some hope about the goodness that the world is capable of, what you and I are capable of. :) BUT the hope doesn't just stop there! (What did we say about there never being too much hope? =P).

So keep checking back for updates on our October Project Launch, which shall be very very soon, I promise. ;)

As always, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

Hope is Like an Orange

Hello, SlinkyLindy and Bellafella here! Just on a break from our tiring mission of saving the world, a smile at a time :D
Okay, just kidding. I think Lindy would kill me if I actually called her slinky Lindy HAHA. You didn't hear it from me.

Anyway, this post is just a selection of quotes and things that always seem to give me a little ball of hope, even when its raining and I have a disgusting cold, and that special boy glared at me on the bus, and I have almost given up on ever attaining true wisdom at school.

I'd thought I'd share this around, because hope is like vitamin C - when it's not there, you'll get horribly sick. But you will never, EVER have too much of it :)

BELLA'S LIST SHE HOPES YOU'LL READ

"All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" - Oscar Wilde

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and good things never die."

"When the world says 'Give up', Hope whispers "Try it one more time." - Anon

"Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have is not permanent" -Jean Kerr

- Watch The Shawshank Redemption. There's a reason why it's top of the 'Best Movies EVER' list!

- Go on http://www.givesmehope.com. I should think the title was obvious :)

And the last thing that gives me hope is you! All you guys who actually read the crazy things Lindy and I blog about, honestly it is the most heartwarming thing ever. When we started this blog we hoped people would read it, but we never expected all this support, and it just keeps us going :) So thank you!


Lindy is going to reveal ALL about our October project later tonight... prepare to be shocktobered!

Remember that hope is like Vitamin C, or hope is like an orange ... without it you get sick, but you can never have too much.

And of course, Happiness Equals Bracket =)

Pink Ribbon Day!

On Friday, Bella and I volunteered for Pink Ribbon Day selling at Parramatta Station. If you saw us in our flamboyantly pink gear, spouting the most ridiculous lines to persuade people to buy merchandise... please don't judge us. It's all for a good cause, reputation and coolness be gone! =P

Now, all your preconceptions about volunteering? Throw them out the window. Throw out the "it's so boring", the "I'm too hardcore to volunteer" and, my favourite, the "it'll look good on my resume."

Volunteering isn't about any of those things. It's something so pure and simple - it's almost like medicine for the soul. And, as a bonus, it's fun. =)

After being completely right-out rejected the first few times and having to pick up the broken pieces of our pride (I'm kidding, it wasn't that bad haha), we really started to enjoy ourselves. In fact, Bella and me were having the time of our lives kidding around with everyone we approached.

Just a few of the smilelights included:

- the guy who bought one of the $10 pins. Then, after Bella and me told him it was a good choice and that it attracted the ladies, his friend bought one as well haha. Just a note to all the ladies out there, if you see two young studs with Pink Ribbon Day pins feel free to say hello to them. ;)

- the many people who donated without wanting anything in return.

- the guy who, when we said a pink pin would go perfectly with his black shirt, said "It'll match my undies as well!" and lifted up the bottom of his shirt to reveal the bright pink band of his boxers. I cracked up so hard hahahah.

- this one man who stopped me and seemed a little unstable. He asked me what I was doing whilst clumsily stumbling about a bit . I told him all about Pink Ribbon Day and what we were doing, a little hesitantly. However, after he bought a badge, he stopped us before we went and told us that what we were doing was really really really really really really really really really extremely good and that he was going to tell everyone to buy something. Yes, with that many 'really''s. It turned out to be the oddest, most unique experience of that day.

- joking around with the seemingly scary security guards and, after rebuffing their many excuses, managing to convince them to buy some merchandise haha. Persistence pays off. =P

- just the fact that it was generally the guys (the tougher looking, the better) that seemed to be buying the most merchandise. It was actually really touching and so awesome to see so many people defying stereotypes - hardened tattooed men sweetly buying pins for their girlfriends or seemingly uncaring teenagers supporting the cause.

But don't just take my word for it. Try for yourself. Volunteer.

Just grab a couple of your friends (that way, its not as scary!) and volunteer your little hearts out. None of that "it's boring" or "it'll look good on my resume" business! In fact, if Bella and me hear anything about another event, we'll tell you guys about it. =)

Don't hold back either, comment with events and chances to help as well!

In the meantime, Pink Ribbon Day is coming up on Monday! Buy a pretty pin (there's a $3 ribbon one, a pretty $5 one and this really bling $10 one), a pen (for $6) or a super-cute bear (for $10)! Haha, as you can see, Bella and I are seasoned experts. ;P

Oh, and the cup I fill with my faith in humanity? Overflowing. =)

Until next time, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

We've Got the Blues

It's that time when summer is hiding around the corner, and everyday it gets little bit more sunnier and humid. Sometimes it's nice to just sit in the sun and soak up that lovely warmth - oh and I feel obliged to tell you not to forget the sunscreen kids, not risking any lawsuits right now :D

But how strange that only a month ago the weather was chilly and cold, the wind unfriendly and biting.

Things change quickly, don't they?

And the weather may be nice, but October is also another month:
Beyond Blue Anxiety and Depression Month!

The aim of Happiness Equals Bracket is for people to feel happier in a sad world. But sometimes to achieve that aim, we have to understand the enemy >:[ And depression is definitely a serious enemy.
It's easy to forget about mental illnesses because we all learnt about it in PE and it's not exactly as dramatic a disease as cancer.

Yet how many of you know it's likely someone you know, maybe even know well, suffers from depression?
Depression is a very real illness, and like any other illness it can be cured, but often we don't pick up the signs until it's too late.

And unlike a cold, depression can kill. Suicide is now the 3rd leading cause of death in 15-24yr olds. Yep, that's us.
I really wish I didn't have to refer you guys to this website, it's not a very happy one. But I read this every week and wonder how many of these people could have been saved, because we can actually help.
www.sixbillionsecrets.com
The beyond blue website has a lot of good advice, but the most important thing is to listen, support and let them talk to someone professional. The scary thing is that depression is so easy to hide. What if you just don't know how they feel?

I don't pretend to be an expert at this, but I know that sometimes things really, really suck. And when they're bad I just want someone to care, even if they don't realise they're doing it. It's worth remembering though, that like the weather, life WILL go from cold and stormy to beautiful and balmy xD!
And no matter how black the night is, dawn always comes.

So here's the simple task for you guys! It's easy and obvious - smile!And that kid that everybody picks on at school and in class? Don't. Becuase you might do more harm than you think.

I'll leave you guys with a story I read recently.

A man climbed onto a major bridge and, intending to commit suicide, jumped and fell to his death. People expressed their shock and regretted that there was nothing they could do to save him - he had jumped so quickly!
Later that day, police were going through his papers when they spotted a note. It said:
I'm walking to the bridge. If one person smiles at me, I won't jump.

Happiness Equals Bracket =)

The Light at Night

YAY that horrible exam is over which means it's time for this blog to revive =) Lindy and I are sorry we haven't been updating much lately, but you know what they say about all play and no work... or is it all work and no play? Well either way, it's time for us to stop being dull and start creating a few more smiles.
Anyway, here's a little sneak peak into our backpack of secrets we have here at Happiness Equals Bracket, because Rocktober is here! Ssssh it's just for you guys...=)


Any thoughts or ideas? Are you in Shocktober? If you haven't been smiling lately, we think you need to go to the doctober haha :)

All jokes aside though, it's time for a little hope in the air.

Remember, Happiness Equals Bracket =)

Of Big Boulders and Buying Calendars

Just a short story today because I am (read: should get off the computer and start) studying for my exam next week haha. WAIT. I just realised the exam's this week. Turns out I should also get a calendar. =(

Bella and me are sorry that we haven't been posting as frequently recently but, rest assured, we check our blog every day to read and reply to your comments! So if you just feel like chatting or need some advice or anything, feel free to gives us a buzz. =D

Anyways, please enjoy, lovely, exquisite, captivating, delightful, stunning, splendid, terrrrrrrific readers! Buttering you guys up, me? Goodness no! =)

The Obstacles In Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition".

And indeed it does!

So if you guys see any huge big rocks in the middle of the path this week, take some time to heft it out of the way, yeah?

Haha no, you know I'm kidding (though if there does happen to be a big rock in the middle of the path, please do move it out of the way!).

Hope you guys got something from today's story! =)

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)

Interesting Blank Walls

Once again, I'm sorry this is 50 minutes late! My excuse is that I was reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and then got caught up practicing some spells. Yes, I know I'm underage but shhh. I won't tell if you won't. ;)

I edited the story posted two weeks ago (called "The Tip") to make it clearer for you guys as some people mentioned it was a little confusing. So, gold star to anyone who can spot the different!

Anywho, since it's holidays for us and you guys have a bit more time on your hands, I've decided to post a slightly longer story today. But.. it's definitely worth it. =)

Encouragement

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair.

At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing.

Now there was only silence - deathly silence.

The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

"Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you," she replied.

I don't pretend to be all-knowing and wise but there really is more to life than our own happiness, more than doing things simply for our own personal pleasure.

This elusive path to happiness? Making other people happy.

Sometimes, its easy to get carried away with your own misfortunes. We all do it. But perhaps the solution is not to buy yourself some ice cream or seek self-gain but instead look past your own problems and help someone else out - whether it be through a smile or kind words or a good deed.

Then, they'll be happy and you'll be filled with this inexplicably warm feeling and both of you will be happy. Win-win, right? =)

So, I really encourage you guys to try make someone happy this week. Anyone. You never know, sometimes all it takes is a smile, a joke, a compliment. And if it doesn't work out, Bella and me are always here, ready to laugh or smile and we're definitely open to compliments. =P

Hope your holidays have been good so far and feel free to comment with your adventures of making people happy this week!

Always remember, Happiness Equals Bracket. =)