Why so smiley?

(Written Wednesday, sorry for the delays.. again) The word of the day is dreary.  This San Diego foggy drizzle gives everyone a peculiar mood of indifference.  On my way back from morning classes, the lines "when it's cold outside, show the word the warmth in your smile" popped into my otherwise empty mind.  My curiosity got the best of me and I reasoned that there was really nothing to lose by performing a simple experiment during my usually mundane fifteen minute walk back to my apartment.

SD's UFO (as seen in INCEPTION!!!)

Bright pink umbrella in hand, I began smiling.  Not a "cheese!" smile, just a simple grin would be enough to do the experiment without looking completely insane.  People's reactions were fascinating.  According to one of my psychology textbooks, sharing something (a smile, laugh, etc) with a stranger (or even an "enemy") gives both parties an incredible temporary bond in the form of social contact that we all are born to crave.  This proved to be true.  Most people gave me a double take, almost a more double take than if I was wearing a dress and stilettos in the rain, and gave me a genuinely happy face back.  I found such great satisfaction during this experiment that I forgot that it was an experiment.  Amazingly, I noticed my mood was greatly improved five minutes into my walk.  I realized that I smiled at all of the colorful umbrellas and remembered that day in Versailles.  I was chuckling at an adorable couple and another girl asking why she was wearing cute sandals and freezing when she could wear ugly sneakers.  People are amusing and happiness is more catchable than a cold.  Experiment = success.

School has been going well, as expected classes are picking up in workload.  The weekend was nice, beginning with Friday night and Restaurant Week.  Yoyo, Daphne and I went to a little restaurant on the harbor and enjoyed a crazy good three-course feast.  Saturday was Moonlight Kayaking with my old R.A. and his new building.  It was my second time kayaking at night and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I don't have any pics yet (disposable camera) but I will soon.  Sunday was a Costco run and homework.

At any rate, I have been enjoying the first couple of weeks back.  I love the apartment and getting back into feeling smarter.  It's funny, though, sometimes the highlight of my day is making salads and paninis in our amazing kitchen.  More soon! <3