Know When to Show Them (Show, as in the Big Screen, Partner)

My dear blog friend from Down Under, David McMahon, has suggested that if he were to cast a blog movie, I (as in yours truly) would play the part of the Wild West Gambler. Me: A movie star! Believe it - cause it's true. You can read all about it here.

As a former thespian I understand the importance of studying and preparing for a role. However, this character is one to which I can already completely relate. First, the obvious similarity. The name. Gamble/Gambler. We are already one in the same. And for the rest? I'm there. Almost entirely. Mostly. Pretty much. Somewhat. A little.

I do think it would be a kick to dress up in a plaid shirt with skinny jeans and a pair of supple Frye boots. Do movie stars get to keep the clothes? No matter. I'll make sure its in the contract.

Any other gaps between the Wild Gambler and I, can be easily bridged with a little tutoring from DH. While gambling is strictly prohibited in our religion. We personally believe playing a little cards with Jolly Ranchers is 'ok'. And to those that know him, it is no surprise that DH is the master of the questionable games.

Even without DH, I get most of it. I know that a full house is better than 4-of-a-kind. Or maybe 4-of-a-kind is better. Either way, I know they are both really good. And I know the red cards are diamonds and aces. And the black ones are shovels and those clover things. I can sing the chorus of the Kenny Roger's song by heart. So what else is there to learn? I got this.

Hollywood, here I come!

Happiness is....

Flowers at Chatuchak market, Bangkok, Thailand

Photo: C. Mercado

David asks this weekend question: What makes you happy?

This was quite timely since sometime back, I had made a list of the things that made me smile, ergo, made me happy. Since it is such an easy thing to do, I thought I would just copy that list here, and that would basically answer David's question, and that would be a new post! Is that cheating? I did add a few new ones....

So here is a list of things that make me smile, just in random order...

• watching Kara and Kristina sleep like angels


• hugs and cuddles from people I love


• when my two daughters smile


• getting emails from my daughters


• personalised cards that my babies make for me


• surprises, anything


• sunrises and sunsets


• poetry, especially if it is read aloud to me


• being surrounded by family


• knowing that my father and mother are healthy and growing old gracefully


• getting my feet wet on the beach


• catching snowflakes on my tongue


• the smell of incense, coffee, anything baking


• when I am looking at old photos and remembering when these were taken


• flowers, especially roses, lilies and tulips


• warm gulab jamuns


• ice cream and apple pie


• talking to my family on the phone


• Scrabble games


• new issues of the New Yorker


• cold winter evenings in front of the fire sipping hot chocolate


• curling up in my favourite chair with a new book


• new shoes!


• sitting and holding hands at the movies with my loved one


• love letters


• baby pictures of Kara and Kris and my nephews and nieces


• a nice long walk in the park


• Nirmal's goofy grin


• chatting with Tanya


• the sound of rain


• a trip to the hairdresser


• a nice, long massage


• the smell of lavender


• birthdays, birthday cakes, Christmas, any holiday where family is together


• being with my friends, simply enjoying their company
  

And, I am saving the best for last, blogging, reading my friends' blogs and having them read mine and leave lovely comments!!

What makes YOU happy?