Winter Wonderland

For those of you who don't follow me on FB I am hoping to restart my blog. Eventually, I will be changing to a different format (stay tuned) but I couldn't wait to start writing again. Writing is very therapeutic for me. I know I'm not a professional writer, but I hope you follow my journey anyways!

Welcome to the restart of Choosing Happiness! Eventually this blog will become a combo of positivity and updates about my travels. I've started making plans/outlines and once I have the funds to start on a new platform, its going to be GREAT! I cannot wait to see where this new journey leads. 

I am still in China and still loving life. Don't get me wrong... this semester HAS NOT been easy. But, that is ok! It has provided me with opportunities to grow as a person and as a teacher. I have definitely gained more patience these past few months, and I look forward to what the future holds.

But, lets look at the here and now! My students and co-workers were all telling me it was going to snow last weekend. I woke up on Saturday morning and was SOO disappointed when the world was not covered in white fluffy stuff (so much for that whole patience thing I was just talking about). So, I stuck to my usual Saturday routine. I planned a new lesson, worked on some things for my small business, talked to my family and had some good chill time (( I just started watching This Is Us and I am HOOOOOKED )). Shortly after lunch the snow began to fall. I had convinced myself it was a fluke and it wasn't going to stick... boy was I wrong!!! 

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. 

I had been feeling a little homesick lately and this was the perfect pick me up! 

Ed suggested we go for a walk so I could get some photos. I don't have any editing software on my computer (it's an ancient Macbook, but it gets the job done) but I still love how they turned out!

We met some friends for dinner at the canteen on campus... which is actually pretty good and then we continued our walk. We bought a teeny tiny Christmas tree to take home. We also got some lights for it. Have you all seen the LED Christmas lights?? Holy Moly, if we ever get snowed in we can use them as a distress beacon. They are pretty, but SUPER BRIGHT!

Then it was time for some hot cocoa yummmmm! 
It was seriously the greatest evening I have had in awhile. Snow, Christmas Tree, Hot Cocoa... what more could a girl ask for??  

We finished our walk home and spent the evening playing Dos (its like Uno) and sipping wine together with our friends. 

It was one simple weekend out of many. But, it brought me so much joy. 

Last weekend helped me to relax and to let go of things I cannot change. When I was walking through the snow with my husband, I wasn't thinking about all the little things that are usually on my mind. While I was sipping hot cocoa, I was thinking about how great chocolate is, instead of how my future will turn out. And while we were enjoying time with our friends I was just happy, and living in the moment. 


Walking through the snow cost us NOTHING, but it was more romantic than any 5 star dinner could have been. Why? Because my husband suggested it because he knew it would make me happy. He wasn't trying to impress anyone. He just wanted to see me smile. How great is that?

This weekend I want you to find joy in something, anything, and tell me what made you smile. I can't wait to hear what brings you happiness.