"A Year of Gratitude"

I was inspired, several years ago, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of the book, 'Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy." In the book, she talks about the transformative power of gratitude and encourages every person to keep a daily 'gratitude journal' by writing down at least 5 things that they are grateful for every day. I have kept a journal since I was a little girl (though sporadic, at times) and when I kept a gratitude journal in addition to my regular journal, I was amazed at the results.

This year, in an effort to combine my interests in photography, journaling and scrapbooking with my expression of daily gratitude, I've decided to embark upon a project I've entitled, "A Year of Gratitude". This is my novice attempt at photo journalism!

Everyday, I will post at least one photo and one blog (Blogspot) and status (Facebook) about at least one thing I am grateful for in that day. I will date it and only use photos taken on that day (with minor exceptions).

After 12/31/10, I will comprise all the daily photos and blogs into a book which I will then have printed for myself. I'm a little slow to respond to the Universe sometimes, and being that I just received the inspiration to do this on 1/10/10, I will post up images I have from the first of the year and be consistent daily from 1/10/10 forward.

In the process, it is my hope to honor the people, places, situations and blessings in my life. It is also my hope to discover beauty in the everyday stuff of life, to seek the miraculous in the mundane and to celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary. I am humbled and excited to embark upon this journey. Mahalo for sharing it with me. . .may you find joy and gratitude each and every day of your life. God Bless.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

"My Day with Harry Potter"

11.19.10. I am grateful for a fantastic day at Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!!

So my dream came true today. When I watched the opening of the "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" on television a few months ago, never did I imagine I would be standing there before the end of the year. We paid for transport to and from our hotel. It was about 35 minutes to get there. Universal Studios were amazing! Islands of Adventure is where Harry Potter was and we went straight there. There were a bit of people, all who went there, of course and it was magical for me. Hogsmeade was recreated, with the Hogwarts Express, stores like Zonko's and Honeyduke's, Ollivander's (with a long line), Dervish and Banges, we ate at the Three Broomsticks and drank Butterbeer (caramel cream soda-yums!!!). Hogwarts was fantastic, to scale and the virtual broomstick ride in the castle was the best of the whole trip!!! I was afraid I'd fall out, but I didn't! We walked through the castle to get to the ride and walked through Dumbledore's office, the Potions classroom, passed the Sorting Hat and Mirror of Erised and Professor Sprout's hot house. Wow! I bought a wand, Professor MacGonagall's wand appealed to me the most and I bought a Hogwart's shirt. I was SO happy there and Fosi and Sonny had to put up with me, lol. We went to Jurassic Park and rode the Jungle River adventure and I thought it was a mellow ride but it was like Splash Mountain! Ugggh! I know now that if a ride says 'thrilling' and has a height requirement and locks you in, then that's a hint that it's a scary ride! Sonny and Fosi rode a ride over Jurassic Park and we went to Seussland (so colorful and just like the books) and Sonny rode "One Fish, Two Fish" ride while I went on a computer. It was so cool to walk through Marvel Comics land and see the Hulk roller coaster. We went to Universal Studios Florida next door and went to Shrek 4-D and ET ride and walked around. Went home and the boys went to Downtown Disney shopping while I went to watch Harry Potter 7: Part I by myself (I fell asleep) but it was a little darker and mature. What a day!
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