when someone else's happiness is your happiness, that is love.

There is something so thrilling about giving someone a gift. Hey, don't get me wrong I love a gift as much as the next girl but there is something a little special about the moment you hand over your carefully wrapped, well thought out something to that someone you care about. It's as if you are as excited to give the gift as they are to receive it. Then there's the suspense, the killer wait as you try to figure if they like it. The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes after the suspense is the deal-sealer- there's something nice about making someone happy in such a self centred world (at times).

And with good old Valentines Day coming up, I'm starting to get excited. I love giving unusual gifts, something that special someone didn't quite expect but is exactly what they needed in that moment of time. And to all of those people hating on Valentines Day, to them I say suck it up. Sure, I will admit Valentines Day has been commercialised to the point of no return but is there really something so wrong about a day where people celebrate their love or happiness together? If you answered yes to that, please take the lemon out of your mouth and stop being so sour. Albeit, not everyone has a Valentine- and if you don't it doesn't matter! Be happy for those around you who have found happiness or make it your aim that day to make someone you know smile- whether it be a friend, a complete stranger or you mum. And if all else fails, sit down with a packet of Tim Tams and watch all of the Nicholas Sparks movies. On repeat. The world needs more happy days, I say. There really can't be anything negative about a day where the soul purpose is to make each other smile and spread a little happiness. That can't be such a bad thing can it?

sand in my shoes.

Okay, okay I know I always harp on about how much I love to write and how I will one day be a working-bona-fide (read-paid lol) journalist but the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013 has been a welcome turn of events for me. I quit my retail job (having been there for a longgggg five years- I am pretty nifty at folding jeans by now) and applied for a job at my local preschool. A change is as good as a holiday, right? Right! Having no experience handling little human beings I prepared myself for a massive leap, headfirst into the unknown. And I am happy to say I'm loving it! Each day spent there brings new things, new personalities, new bonding experiences and new challenges. And a whole lot of sand brought home in my Nikes. Emphasis on challenges. I am learning patience, negotiating skills, how to listen, mediate and change a dirty nappy all at the same time. I have only been working with tiny tots for a couple of months or so and one of the biggest lessons I have learnt so far has to do with credit. And credit paid to where credit is due. I think the amount of hard work that goes on behind a preschools closed doors is unbeknown to anybody and everybody who doesn't work in the childcare industry. I take my hats off to mothers working at preschools around the world who then go home and look after their own children. This is no sit-on-your-bum office job, preschools are full on! These women (and sometimes men) are often forgotten amongst the celebrities, sports personalities, police, doctors, teachers and firefighters. And I am proud to say I amongst a team of inspiring women who are literally raising our future. I was going to say excuse the pun possums, but I won't. Because that is a true fact. I still remember my preschool teachers Marilyn who had the softest, whitest skin and Angie who had the thickest and curliest hair. These two ladies shaped a big part of my early years and I still have fond memories of the time I spent as a tiny human at Pegasus Preschool.

So here's a big thank you to all the preschool teachers out there- you are appreciated!