Hello, and welcome to my blog, Happy in the Valley! As the creator of this blog, it is my goal to entice you with tales that I witness on the University Park campus or out in the State College community. Ultimately, I’d like to glitz a little sunshine on your gloomier days and potentially set a smile across that beautiful face of yours!

To further introduce myself and my blog, let me take a moment to tell you about a rather influential moment in my life. It is true that ever since I was a small child, I found it extremely important to be a happy individual. I was never one to cry, and it was for no simpler reason than I didn’t like feeling sad. Smiley face stickers and irritatingly peppy songs were my best friends…not going to lie, they still are. I even went through a short cheerleading stage, and what says happiness more than jouncing pom-poms, pigtails that are way too high on one’s head, exuberant clapping, and those remarkably spirited chants? Happiness is great and all, but this is all surface stuff. I never delved deep into the complex question of why this is a passion of mine.

Well, one moderately chilly day in November during my junior year, I was sitting in my psychology class, and my teacher hit me with a piece of advice that I’m sure I’ll never forget. She said, “Dwelling on the low points will only pull you down, but thriving off of highlights will make you soar.” Her insight not only applies in regards to yourself, but it also connects dominantly to when you interact with others. It’s easy for us to become engulfed in competition, but there’s no need to paint your friends as enemies. Embrace the successes of others, and allow them to embrace your success in return! Take interest in the lives of others, and be vulnerable enough to share your life with them.

I woke up on Monday morning to a fit of hullabaloo going on in my hallway. Shouts of excitement filtered through the vents on my dorm room door, and I couldn’t help but see what all the commotion was about. As I surged through the door, I saw a handful of my hallmates lined in the corridor and a brightly colored banner hanging from the dorm doorway that lies diagonally across from me. One individual in particular, Liv, appeared to be overcome by cheerfulness, and the elated expression on her face was enough to inform me that it was Liv’s birthday! Her roommate, Holly, woke up at 5am to decorate the room in celebration of Liv’s special day. Isn’t that so sweet?! College kids never wake up at 5am.

When I was departing for class on Wednesday afternoon, I saw another banner hanging on the door of a different dorm room, and I learned that it was Adrianna’s birthday! I reflected that birthdays are a uniting force, because well, we all have them. Seeing individuals who go above and beyond to rejoice in the special days of others is surprisingly fulfilling, so when the date arrives of your roommate’s birthday, try to wish them a joyful day in a meaningful way. After all, it only happens once a year!