#100 Happy Days; Day 1

Happiness is still being able to cope.

#100 Happy Days, Day 1

Today, I bumped into a friend who I came to know who was doing the same course as me. I happened to realized that I haven't seen him in any of my classes lately. He told me he had decided to discontinue his course as he found it too difficult for him. We had a great chat as I advised him what to do next and what path to take. He is an intelligent kind man, and I am very sure he will do very well in any future endeavours. As our conversation draws to a close, I wished him the best of luck and he told me that I am going to do great. His words meant a lot and I felt grateful that I am still coping with my course. His positivity was really inspiring. Thank you. :)

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#100HappyDays; Staying Happy

www.100happydays.com

I recently stumbled upon The 100 Happy Days challenge where participants are challenged to stay happy for 100 days and post pictures on various platforms to share their happiness. The beauty of this increasingly popular challenge is that it is not a competition but it is a challenge, a challenge that may change your life for the better.

It's free and you can register at their website: www.100happydays.com

To engage myself in staying happy and appreciating the little things in life, I will be sharing one photo that makes me happy for the next 100 days on this blog and Instagram (@michieemichelle) with the hash tag #Michelle100HappyDays, and all my written blog posts for the rest of April will be dedicated to happiness. So lets all strive to stay happy and positive as best as we can! :)

What I want out of this challenge
I hope to explore how often I can stay happy, and share one thing or one moment that made my day. I hope to motivate others to look for the thing that is going right in their lives, rather than focusing on the negatives. I am not the happiest person, and lately I have been rather moody with all the stress of school work, assignments, lesson planning and what not. I hope this challenge will change my view of the blessed life I have and my happiness in life for the better. I have got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

How likely will I succeed in this challenge
To be honest, with assignments, work, placements and other responsibilities, I would be surprised if I lasted a full 7 days. However, with a low expectation, I may surprise myself!

Why should others attempt this challenge
Life is a journey, not a destination. We go through ups and downs, with every challenge we face in life. This challenge will influence everyone to find the happiness in our lives, whether we are 16, 30 or even 50. At the end of this challenge, we will hopefully have 100 moments of happiness to remember.

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That one kid in the classroom

I had the experience of having that one kid in the classroom. He does not want to study to go to uni. He wants to just get out there and work.

That one kid that disrupts the class.

"Miss, I don't have a pencil"..

"Miss, I don't know what I need to do"..

He feels unmotivated.

He is not there to learn, or listen.


When do you, as a teacher running the class give up? Or do you not give up and push them to work hard and flourish as individuals.

I think he is a great kid, and I know he has a lot of potential. I can see it.

He wants to work, great. However, the skills he learn in the classroom will carry him throughout his working life.

So, here's to you. You have your whole life ahead of you, and trust me, if you just put a little bit of effort in, it will make a world of difference.

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8 Things You Must Do When You Are Single

Being single should not be depressing and lonely. Being single should instead be celebrated because these are the times we find out who we are, before we eventually settle down. Here are 8 things you must do when you find yourself single:

1. Let it go
The first thing you must do is often the hardest, but it is the most crucial. Don't hang on to the past relationship. It ended for a reason so take time to self-reflect and evaluate what went wrong but don't keep dwelling on it. You have so much to live for, and you will only start feeling better after you finally let it go.

2. Learn to live alone
There is something refreshing and invigorating about being self-sufficient and living alone happily. Sure, it may be nice to have someone take care of you at times. But for now, you have got to learn to rely on yourself and be happy on your own, before finding someone that meet your needs. You will get to know yourself, what you like and dislike, and evolve as a person.
      
3. Spend time with couples
Going out with a couple can really help put things into perspective, especially married couples. It reminds you of what you are looking for in your next relationship. Watch them interact with each other and how they treat each other on a daily basis. Being single is the time to learn, and who better to learn from than other couples. Be happy for other couples/married friends and be satisfied in where you're at today. 

4.  Go out on dates
Being single doesn't mean you can't have fun. You deserve to go out and be wined and dined. Remember to keep it casual and don't jump into the rebound territory. Have fun, flirt and discover the opposite sex.

5. Be adventurous
We normally are tamed when we enter into a relationship, so singlehood should be the time to be bad and do things you never would do. Do things that make you feel young and carefree.
      
6. Concentrate on career or school
Take the energy that you would have spent on your relationship, and put it into your career or school. Take up extra projects at work, or concentrate on your school assignments. 

7. Improve yourself
Try to constantly improve yourself. If you are out of shape, work out. Change your hair color or hair style. Most importantly, it also means being more positive and open. Being more happy and less critical of yourself.

8. Look forward to the future
You never know what the future holds, so have fun and look forward to the future. Be opportunistic and seize the moment. Be grateful for your family and friends, and live life with no regrets. Always be positive because someone awesome will come along and you will be ready for them.

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8 signs he is not worth dating.

Ever been confused by a guy? After every date, you just feel more unsure and can't quite work out why. You like him, but you don't know if you want to date him. Here are some signs that he is not worth dating, and better yet, he is not worth your time.

1. He doesn't commit.
   You have no idea how he is feeling or even what he wants. He tries to avoid the topic every time you bring it up. He may not want to lose you altogether, but he is not serious about you either and wants to keep playing the field.

2. He doesn't plan.
    Girls love guys that plan dates, but yet sometimes a little bit of spontaneity is great too. If he only calls you at night asking you to come over for a drink, then you better run!!

3. He doesn't call.
    A call represents something more personal than just a mere text. If he is just texting you with messages and refuse to ever call you, it means he does not want to form a personal connection towards you.

4. He is not over the ex.
  We have all been there. We forget the fact that he just recently came out of a serious relationship and is still not over his ex. We hope that we can be the girl that is so unique and special that he finally moves on. Please don't settle to be the rebound. It's never fun and it will hurt your poor heart in the long run.

5. He needs attention to feel good.
   If he needs the attention and validation from other women constantly just to know that he still "got it", he is so not worth it. Guys like these will care more about making their ego happy, than making you happy.

6. He is needy and clingy.
  He needs to understand that you have a life, and he has a life too. Don't let a guy be all needy and control you, you might feel suffocated.

7. He doesn't ask about you.
If he just talks all about himself, and doesn't even ask "how are you", consider him done. A simple question like "how is your day" shows that he cares. If he doesn't care about you, why would you keep dating him?!

8. He only wants to have sex.
If all your dates involves somehow going back to his place, that is a huge red sign. Get out while you still can, unless you prefer the casual no-strings attached fling.


Note: This list can apply to women as well.

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Things I wished I knew before I went to University

University is an exciting chapter in one's life. Even before one enters university, there are anticipations, nervousness and fears about how one would cope. Am I going to make friends? Will it be too hard? Am I ready?

But fear not, I am here to help you calm those nerves of yours and ensure that you are well prepared before taking the big step into university.

I have here some tips I wished I knew before I started my undergrad year, and hopefully it would serve you future scholars well.

1. Take a gap year.
    Don't rush into making that big decisions on what course to study/ what to major in, and which university to go to. If you are not sure what you want to do as a career, choosing a course your friends are doing or what your parents tell you to do is not the way to go. Think about it, who is going to spend the next couple of years studying the course? No one else but you. So make sure you have a good think and do not let anyone else influence your decision.

    If you feel that you are not ready to spend the next few years studying, then take a GAP YEAR. Take a year off. You deserve it. Go on an adventure, go backpacking overseas, do volunteer work. Take your time to find out where your interest and passion lies.

2. Make a lot of friends.
    University is the time to make friends. You will meet people from all sorts of background. Some may even be your lifelong friends. To meet people with similar interests as you, join a club. Join as many clubs as you want. Also, start building your network. Trust me, your network will serve to be a great tool to establish your future career.

3. Get help.
    Starting university means being in a new environment. Some people may not cope well especially in the few weeks. If you are struggling, seek help. Immediately. If you need help with any areas of your studies, ask for help. There will be specific people who would be able to help you depending on what you need help in. Take note of these key people when you attend your orientation.

Form study groups if you find yourself struggling to grasp the concepts of what you are learning, Study groups are amazing as you can share and discuss your ideas among your peers. Be wary about forming study groups with students who procrastinate and seem to enjoy socializing more than actually studying.
   
4. Participate in study tours.
    Take the opportunity to do a study exchange programs/tours overseas for a semester if its possible. This will most definitely make you stand out from the crowd, not to mention it would look amazing on your resume.

5. Get a part time job.
    Working while studying may seem counterproductive, but it is actually necessary to build up your working experience. With any part time job whether it be working at a fast food joint or as a strawberry picker, you will develop the skills and attributes of a good employee. These include skills in leadership, communication, planning or organisation.

6. Research the job opportunities in your field of study.
    Even though you just started your degree, start looking at what job ads in your field of study is looking for. Take note of the position requirements and start developing the skills they want.

7. Apply for graduate programs.
    During your final year, start applying for graduate programs. Do not wait until after you graduate to apply for graduate programs.

8. Avoid distraction.
    It is normal to procrastinate and get distracted at time. Try not to put yourself in a situation where it will impact your studies. For example, if you have an assignment due on Monday and you still have not started on it, attending that big party over the weekend may not be the best idea.

9. Enjoy every moment of it.
    Last but not least, enjoy university. It may be hard work, but it is worth it in the end.

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Your Number One Deal Breaker

Everyone should have their own deal breakers, some characteristic or attribute of someone so significant enough for you to end the relationship or courtship. It can range from a lack of chemistry, different life values and goals, height difference, incompatibility, a smoking habit, or even different music tastes. I personally think it is necessary to have a few deal breakers. You need to know what you want and what you don't want, and deal breakers are a part of what you cannot put up with in a relationship and is not willing to settle for. There is nothing wrong with breaking it off because a guy/girl doesn't meet some expectations that are important to you. However, there is a difference between a couple of deal breakers and unrealistic expectations.

There is one deal breaker I think everyone should put on top of the list as it is the most important of all. I read somewhere a long time ago that you should look for someone who knows how to love well. 

Finding someone who knows how to love well seems pretty broad. But lets ask ourselves the big question, what is love? 

According to the most famous definition of love; "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs".

Therefore, to find someone who knows how to love well is to find someone who possesses all the following characteristics:

1. He/she must be patient

    Patience is a virtue. Having someone who is patient is hard to come by. There is nothing better than someone who is patient with you even when you are complaining about a bad day or in a bad mood.

2. He/she must be kind

    A person who is kind-hearted will put your needs above others, they will show empathy and relates to how other people feel and how their actions will affect others. 

3. He/she does not envy

   A little jealousy shows that they care, but too much jealousy can pose a big insecurity. If he/she is not easily envious, it shows that he/she has the maturity and is comfortable with being themselves.

4. He/she does not boast

   There is nothing worst than someone that enjoys boasting and feels the need to toot their own horns. If they are really that great, they should show you. There is nothing wrong with someone having high self-esteem but it is important for a girl/guy to be able to demonstrate a little bit of humility.

5. He/she is not proud

   Similar to being boastful, being proud is like being arrogant. There is a difference between feeling good about something you accomplished and thinking you are better than everyone around you. Would you put up with a guy/girl that thinks they are way better or way more successful than you?

6. He/she does not dishonor others

  To dishonor others is to bring shame and disgrace to others. You should always be proud of them and wanting to show them off to the world, rather than feeling humiliated and embarrassed with a guy/girl.

7. He/she is not self-seeking

   Being self-seeking is when someone is using you for their own personal benefit or interest, whether it be money, sex or something else. If someone is with you just for something they can gain from you, then they are being selfish and does not really love you for who you are.

8. He/she is not easily angered

   This is very similar to being patient. Having the occasional mood swing is fine, but if he/she is always finding faults with you, then you might want to rethink about the relationship.

9. He/she keeps no record of wrongs

   There is nothing worst than being with someone that keeps track of the number of times you stuffed up or even the number of arguments they won. Nobody is perfect. It is essential to find someone that loves you unconditionally, despite everything and does not use past wrong doings against you.

I also want to add that honesty and positivity/being ambitious are also essential traits for someone to know how to love well. If he/she is constantly lying and being negative, how are you going to trust them to take good care of you in future?

The other things like compatibility, chemistry, connection, goals and values are equally as important, but finding someone who knows how to love well should be the core of the relationship you want. 

So if someone wants to know "what's your type?", you should be able to answer without hesitation "someone who knows how to love well".

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