One of my favorite songs is from a musical called “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” It’s about the simple things that make people happy, from a kid’s perspective: “Happiness is finding a pencil, pizza with sausage, telling the time.” Sometimes, when I hear that song, I feel like crying, which might sound strange, but it’s a good cry. (Yes, sometimes I feel like crying for happy things. Like cute little kids singing together.)

I posed the question on Facebook, “What makes you happy?” I got various answers, but almost all of them were people: my wife, my children, my family.

People make such a big difference in our lives when it comes to happiness. You can have a great job where you are respected and making a lot of money, but it means nothing if you don’t have friends and family. Too often, we put so much emphasis on what we do, rather than the people we have.

I’ve thought a lot about this in the last few months, and I contend that people can be happy working in a coffee shop, making enough to live on, but having a fulfilling personal life. When you have that, the other things just don’t seem to matter as much.

And it’s not just the big things.

I think part of the problem sometimes is that we, as a society, look to bigger picture things to make us happy rather than appreciating the smaller things. That is what “Happiness” is about. One simple thing that always takes my breath away is a sunset or a sunrise, or just beautiful nature. The other day, I was driving to work and fog was lingering over downtown Henderson, curling around the mountains. It was so majestic, and it filled me with calm happiness. Whenever I stop and look at beautiful things that occur naturally, it just makes me feel happy.

I think the keys to happiness are surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good and enjoying the simple things. Seek out friends who make you feel good, and get rid of the ones who don’t. Love the one you’re with. Seek shelter in family.

Most importantly, if something doesn’t make you happy that you can control, stop doing it. Find something else. Don’t waste time on the things that bring you down.

I learned a lot about my camera and a lot about taking photos. I also like that my entire year is documented. I have so many fond memories that I recall just from looking at the photos I’ve taken.  That was a side effect I hadn’t anticipated.

I also have become the sort of memory keeper and default photographer for my friends. They know I’m the one with the camera who will be there documenting the visual events.

Of the group of people I started this project with, I’m the only one who got as far as I did. Most of the people gave up after just a few months. I managed to get a photo on Dec. 31.

This last year has been a very strange journey for me. I joke that I’m having a quarter-life crisis; in truth, it has been a time of great self-reflection for me. It started in January, when I made the resolution to give up drinking soda, a move that led me to start evaluating my eating habits. I glanced over photos from a get-together I was at over at my friend Andrew’s house, and I realized I was getting to a place weight-wise that I just didn’t want to be.

I had never really cared about my weight before, and I had certainly never paid attention to what I ate. In general, I ate home-cooked meals, but, truth be told, I didn’t really try to make sure all of the food groups were balanced. My mom had decided to start Weight Watchers, and, in February, I joined her. In June, I joined the gym through a deal I was offered at LVAC. The result was that by September, I had lost 30 pounds and have managed to hold steady at that weight.

I also spent a lot of time contemplating my career. I wasn’t entirely satisfied with where I was earlier this year. I felt like I had been stagnant for a while, and there wasn’t much opportunity to move beyond where I was, although I had reached the position of copy editor. However, situations changed, and in November, I was offered a spot as editor of the new Boulder City paper. It was just the sort of thing I had been looking for.

I’m also in a constant state of evaluation about myself personally. There’s many things about my life I just wasn’t quite satisfied with, and I’m finally looking at everything honestly and brutally. Sometimes because of it, I have bad days. Other times, I have good days, where I feel like I’m accomplishing things I want to accomplish. I’m grateful for all of my friends who have been there for a shoulder to cry on or have offered an ear to listen.

Right now more than ever, I’m growing and changing. One of my friends said most of the women she knows have gone through something like this in their mid-twenties. I hope I come out of this a stronger and more well-rounded person.

I don’t know where I’m going to be at the end of 2010. One thing I have learned is that you just can’t predict the way things go.

At any rate, here is the final entry in the 365-Day Photo Project. It was fun. After this, I guess I’m going to use this as a regular blog for my thoughts.

Robert drinks a fruity drink at Elephant Bar in the District on Dec. 6.

The light shines in the Prius saying that the headlights are on Dec. 7.

Ginger's new baby Adam hangs out in Boulder City on Dec. 8.

Robert grins on the couch on Dec. 9.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic practices for the holiday concert on Dec. 10.

I interviewed this young woman who lives in Boulder City on Dec. 11. She had been in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down, but she was so cheerful and happy.

Yummy drink at Bahama Breeze between concerts on Dec. 12.

This woman is one of our columnists. She poses for a photo on Dec. 14. I had to take a lot of photos of her because she wasn't satisfied with any of them. haha.

These crystals decorate the Love theater. We saw Love on Dec. 16. for a special fundraising performance.

Anne's cat hangs out in the salad bowl at her house on Dec. 17.

Amie toasts a marshmallow at Anne's house on Dec. 18.

Ron's birthday gift arrived on Dec. 21.

A room in Boulder City Hospital on Dec. 22.

The sun sets in Boulder City on Dec. 31.

Samantha stares out the window from on top of the wine rack. This has become one of her favorite pastimes. Cats always long for the outside world.

A view from our seats at the Las Vegas 51s game on Aug. 15. I actually took this from my iPhone, because I wasn't sure if cameras were allowed. They actually were, so I could have gotten better shots. The 51s always lose when we go. I'm not sure why. I don't think they're a losing team. Robert and I have very bad luck with sports teams.

The intersection of Durango and Warm Springs on Aug. 16. Don't worry, I was stopped when I took this photo.

A flower smiles from a bouquet of flowers Robert sent to my work for my birthday. This was taken on Aug. 17, six days after my b-day. I'm happy to say most of the flowers are still alive. It's the miracle bouquet. Robert got the flowers from our friend Marek's flower shop. We get all of our flowers there. They do a great job. Check them out at www.lasvegasbouquet.com.

A candle burns in Bar Louie on Aug. 18, the ill-fated visit. You can read more about the on-going saga of horrible service at www.darqbyte.com.

Robert shows off the tickets for the Titans-49ers game on Aug. 19. We're going to see a game in San Francisco in November. It will be our first NFL game.

The sun sets behind the valley on Aug. 20. A view from Aliante Station. I went with my friend Lauren to Pips, an Italian restaurant. They have a great happy hour on Thursdays with half-price appetizers and half-off glasses of wine. The two of us ate three appetizers and each had a glass of wine for $30 total. Not a bad deal. A cute place that was dead-empty.

My friend Emily (Jane's sister) cradles Kaliana at Pho Kim Long on Aug. 21. That place is so yummy. I tried to get photos of her son, Xavier, but he was moving too much.

A candle in Jane's window on Aug. 22. I took photos of Amie trying on her wedding dress, as well, but, alas, they involve her dress, which is top-secret to the groom, who may be snooping around to find it.

Samantha hangs out on Robert's lap on Aug. 23. That cat loves Robert so much.

The return of Andrew to the project on Aug. 24!! As always, he is on his phone.

Martin + Osa at Town Square Las Vegas on Aug. 25, where I was taking Pepper for a walk with Jane's dog, Maddy. Cute store, but a bit pricey.

One of these days, maybe I’ll get back to at least updating every other day.

We went to Town Square on Friday in our hunt for a Hawaiian shirt for Robert for a beach-themed wedding reception we attended yesterday. I've never tried the Grape, but I'd like to. I thought the sing looked kind of cool.

Lake Las Vegas on May 30. We took a cocktail cruise for the wedding reception, then docked to enjoy dinner at Sonrisa Grille. A fun time was had by all, and I took many more photos than this.

Today was Pentecost in the Catholic Church, and we lit a fire to celebrate the Holy Spirit.

Now for some more San Francisco photos.

The California Academy of Sciences. It recently reopened with a living roof, which means it has a garden on top. We went here on the recommendation of several friends. It was worth it. We spent the entire day there. It has a planetarium, a rainforest, an aquarium and other exhibits.

A crocodile... or an alligator. I'm not sure which. He is real.

A starfish hangs out on the side of his aquarium. He was one of many fish I took photos of. I really toned it down for the blog. It just would have been overkill.

A very cool looking toad.

A jellyfish garden. I took a few other types of jellyfish, but these turned out the best, mostly because they weren't moving as much as the others. Although they were all still behind glass.

Robert hides from one of the things he fears the most.

Robert says "hey" to his cousin, the neanderthal.

One very cool thing about the rainforest was all of the butterflies fluttering all over. I took a ton of photos. Robert says one of them landed on me, but I missed it. Darn. I was hoping I could get a photo of one hanging out on him, but, alas, they wouldn't land there.

Another butterfly. I was able to get really close to a few of them. For my favorite, check out my photo of the day from May 21.

We went over to the Japanese Tea Garden after the museum. It was so relaxing and beautiful.

Here's me hanging out an the tea garden. And representing my alma mater.

In that building on the left, you could buy tea to drink while looking at the greenery. Robert doesn't like tea, and I am currently trying to acquire the taste of it without loads of sugar and milk (you know, like the Brits do).

Cool Japanese structure with me in front.

Robert crosses the garden across the pond in the tea garden. He looks so relaxed.

This was a bridge. And yes, it took quite a lot of effort to cross over.

We met my friend Jonson, who lives in San Francisco, at Burma Superstar, a Burmese restaurant in the RIchmond area, which is right by the Golden Gate Park. Jonson doesn't look as thrilled as I do.

My friend Anna and her boyfriend, Josh, took the BART from Sacramento to meet us for dinner. I was so excited to see them all.

Anna receives a scratchy cheek kiss from Josh.

Jonson was not being very cooperative with the photo taking. Here he is hiding behind a newspaper. When newspapers die, what will people hide behind in coffee shops? After dinner, Jonson took us to an awesome Chinese dessert place that seemed very healthy because it was mostly fruit.

During day four of our trip, we went to Napa Valley and Sonoma. We tried a total of 28 wines that day, and it was a lot more difficult than I thought it was going to be as far as staying sober. Sure, they don’t give you a lot, but when you’re talking even 28 sips of wine… that’s a lot!

We ended up purchasing a lot of wine that day, and we had to put them all in the bag we brought as a carry on and checked it on the way back.

Grgich was the first vineyard we visited. Me met the owner, who is 86 years old. He told me I should come back in August when they are smashing the grapes. He said I could help them out Lucille Ball-style.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at Grgich Vineyard.

Robert looks over the grapes at Grgich.

Milat was the next vineyard we visited. Mike Milat, one of the owners, served us our wines.

Vines cover a house. I'm not sure if this was Milat or the vineyard next to it.

We stopped at Sattui Winery for lunch, and boy, was I needing it. Robert and I split a sandwich and a crab cake and sampled some cheeses. We bought a few cheeses, as well.

Here's just a part of the cheese case. Very very tasty. Although my friend Melissa tells me we missed out on some great bleu cheese.

Here I am sitting outside the wine cellar at Sattui.

A rose at Sattui. There were a lot of flowers there. It was a beautiful property overall.

Jacussi was fifth on the vineyard list. I tried to take some photos at Hopper Creek, but they didn't turn out that great. Hopper Creek had a "wine dog." I'm not sure what the purpose of a wine dog is, but she was pretty cool. At Jacuzzi (yes, the same people who do the hot tubs), we sampled olive oil in addition to wines. It was interesting how varied olive oil can be.

Viansa Vineyard was next. It was surrounded by beautiful rolling vineyards. The entire Napa Valley/Sonoma area was just gorgeous, and the climate was nice, as well-- not too hot, and not too cold.

Here I am, sampling a Syrah. I can't tell if I look like my dad or my mom in this photo. Honestly, I can see them both. But, it's always been that way.

This perfect rose was on the grounds of Viansa. Yes, I know I take lots of photos of flowers.

We stopped in Sausalito on the way back to take photos with the Golden Gate Bridge Behind us. It was windy and cold.

Robert looks cool in front of the bridge.

It took the driver of our tour van an insane amount of time (and serveral tries) to get a good photo of us. I don't know why my camera intimidates people so. Particularly when it's set up to act like a point-and-shoot.

On day five, we went back to Golden Gate Park and visited the Conservatory of Flowers and the DeYoung Art Museum. That night, we met Jonson for some Vietnamese food, followed by crepes in Japantown.

This is only a tiny sampling of what I actually took in the conservatory. You all know my obsession with flower photos.

One of the rooms inside of the Conservatory of Flowers. There were several different rooms that were set to various climates for different types of plants. I believe these were more tropical.

Me in front of the flower pond.

This flower was growing out of the water. So pretty.

Me in my 25 percent natural habitat. Can you see it *now*, you people who doubt my Japanese-ness? Andrew actually pointed out I look more like Princess Leia.

What the heck, I’m going all the way! The last day of our trip, I was trying not to think about having to leave… We spent most of the day at Fisherman’s Wharf, but we ventured into the middle of the city for Japanese shabu. It is not as good as Shabu-Shabu Paradise here in Vegas, which I was surprised about. Everything else was better there!

A historic boat with Alcatraz behind it.

Robert tries out a pulley system that is commonly used on ships.

Robert hangs out with a pirate.

Robert talked about going here THE ENTIRE trip. I swear it was his favorite place.

This single-handedly counteracted all of the walking we did to cause me to gain a pound that I am *still* working to get off. I just know it. But it was sooooo good.

As some of you know, I had to put my 20-ish-year-old cat, Dusty, down last week. I’ve had him since he was a

kitten, so if you do the math, I got him when I was 3 or 4. Nearly all of the memories I have, he is in my life. I do have some memories before him, including begging my parents to let me have him in the first place. But they are far fewer than the ones I have where he is there.

Dusty was a cranky old cat. He wasn’t really particularly nice to anyone but me; not to say that he was mean, but I was the one he snuggled with. He always slept a lot. That was one of the reasons I picked him from the litter that was dumped at my daycare; he used to fall asleep on my lap, and I liked that.

These last few days, it’s been difficult to fall asleep without him lying next to me. He’s been sleeping on my bed with me for most of my life, too. Sometimes, in the moments when I am first waking up, I forget that he isn’t there to watch for when I go to roll over. And sometimes I forget when I walk into my bedroom that he is not going to lift his head up to squeak out a meow at me.

Pets give you everything while they are alive. Yes, it hurts so much to say goodbye to them. It was a very painful thing to make the choice to let Dusty go. But despite his typical cat selfishness and old crankiness, he still gave me as much as a cat could. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

I was thinking that a couple of weeks ago when I was at UNLV preparing for an alumni event. I graduated from UNLV two and a half years ago now, but so much about the campus has changed in just that short amount of time.

There’s a new, shiny-looking student union– so much different than the small building I could walk through very quickly that had only a couple of places to eat, a tiny arcade and some seating areas. The one I went to almost daily is gone now.

There’s also a new engineering building, also much larger than what was there before. I haven’t been through it yet (no reason to), but I have seen it from the outside. It looks so foreign sitting there. My memories of UNLV don’t include that building.

And, most exciting and jealous-inducing of all for me is the new urban affairs building. Beautiful, big and modern, that building holds all the possibilities I dreamed of when I was a journalism student at UNLV: convergence labs for future journalists to learn about the full spectrum of media possibilities; TV studios big enough to rival any in the state; classrooms with plenty of interactivity; real offices for professors… so much that I didn’t have when I was a student there. And only two years later.

This type of change is not uncommon in all of Las Vegas. Whenever my friend David visits, there’s always a point when we’re driving along and we pass something he hasn’t seen. That happened fairly frequently after her returned from his mission with the LDS church, which was again two years long.

I suppose I take for granted somewhat how quickly things go up here. When I moved to the master-planned community where I live now, many of my friends who had gone off to college hadn’t even heard of the place. The area I live in is a booming part of town, but there are still wide open spaces.

When I moved into my house, there was a massive dirt lot across the street. Not two months ago, construction started popping up. A condo complex is going in, as is a strip mall with a much-needed grocery store. It seems like every week some business is opening within walking distance that I have been anticipating: a Dunkin Donuts, a sushi restaurant, a clothing boutique, a couple of pizza places, a 7-eleven. This week, I found out an ice cream place is a one-  to two-minute walk from my front door.

The good thing is that, for the most part, a lot of these things aren’t replacing something else, but are being built on existing land. At UNLV, the engineering and urban affairs buildings replaced parking. The student union replaced the existing building and some more parking (don’t know where all those cars are going).

As I am getting older and more sentimental, I find that I am sad at how quickly the scenery changes. I’m happy for the new possibilities, but I’m a little sad that something can change so quickly. The UNLV my sister may attend looks so much different from the UNLV I attended.

Sometimes I feel like I’ve become so busy that even the fun things seem like chores. I really can’t remember the last time I just flat-out stayed home and vegged all weekend. It seems like there’s always something to do that we’ve been putting off during the week. And now my social calendar is booked until the weekend of Nov. 22.

Nope, scratch that. That’s the day I start up dog training again.

When I was little, I used to think about how cool it would be to be a grown-up. I could hang out with my friends anytime I wanted. Heck, I could hang out with them every weekend.

But now that I’m old, I find I don’t really want to do that. No offense to all of you out there, but sometimes I just feel like locking myself up in the house and not socializing with anyone.

I was looking forward to tomorrow night being the one time this week when I could come home, make dinner, and not have to go anywhere. But, of course, it’s the night of another presidential debate, and Robert wants to go to a watch party he was invited to by one of our friends. Or, there’s the enticing invitation from my friend Andy to go to the SciFi Cafe. Either way, there goes my Wednesday night. Thursday and Friday already are booked. So are Saturday and Sunday. Monday is looking promising.

Today as I was driving home from choir practice, I was lamenting not seeing my house in 13 and a half hours. It’s my own fault, yes. It’s my choice to be in a community choir. But, still– sometimes I just wish I could say no to obligations. This weekend, I’ve got to construct a PowerPoint for my upcoming concert and attend a social networking event with my college’s alumni association– both organizations of which I am a board member, lumping even more onto my schedule.

That’s not even counting the ideas that are stewing in my head to get a professional organization I’m a member of going again. And, of course, the music group at church.

I am fully aware that this stuff is all my fault. No one put me in this situation but me. And, hey, these are things I like to do, right?

About the only way I have figured out how to stop doing something is to go out of town. Which is also no easy feat, let me tell you. Taking time from work obligations is even harder than the volunteer ones.

The thing is… when I have nothing to do, I get a little stir crazy. There have been times I think I am looking forward to a nice evening relaxing at home, but then I walk through the door and suddenly feel the urge to *go* somewhere, to do *something.*

It’s like being busy is a sort of addiction for me. I think on the surface that I don’t want to be busy, but there is some sort of dependence to the feeling of being busy in my brain. And that is a scary thought.

Just the other day, I was at Robert’s soccer match. I was sitting by myself on the bench when a couple of refs sat next to me. The entire game, all they did was complain about how the members of the teams had been complaining to them all day about the calls they were making. They bad mouthed Robert’s team and the team they were playing. They talked about how they know so much more about soccer than the players did.

By the end of the game, I was in a pretty bad mood (and I also had half a mind to walk into the soccer center’s management office and let them know how unprofessional their refs are). Because I had sat next to them complaining, a little bit of it had rubbed off on me, putting me in a grouchy mood.

The opposite of this also works. Sometimes, I might be feeling under the weather, but a friend of mine might cheer me up with their happy mood. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when people who care about you are happy.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on how to change my world view. Most of the time, I just try to stay out of situations where people are going to put me in a bad mood. If I can’t stay out, I might try to change the subject to something a bit happier.

And if I’m feeling like I’m in a bad mood, I try to remember that I shouldn’t try to bring others down with me. Sometimes things are better if you just look at them from a different angle. And if things aren’t better, maybe it’s time to do something about it.