August 2024

Aug 31, 2024

Welcome to Sending Smiles. I am delighted that you are taking time out of your day to be here.

I received an acceptance letter for the University of East Anglia’s Master’s Creative Writing Nonfiction program. I will start this chapter of my life in September 2025. I wasn’t the only person in my life who celebrated a victory this month. One of my friends was promoted after earning their Professional Engineer license. Another friend got engaged. The best part of this experience wasn’t the acceptance letter itself, it was sharing joy with people I love.

From preschool through undergrad, August was back-to-school month. New school supplies, first-day-of-school outfits, and daydreaming about the next year. Now, I work in the human resource department for a 14,000 employee school district. August is still a back-to-school month, but with less daydreaming and more stress. It is my teams’ responsibility to ensure 14,000 employees have been hired under the correct job and with the correct pay. There were times when people were asking more from me than I could give. In other words, I had plenty of opportunities to practice advocating for myself. Before this job, I worked in an environment where you were looked down upon if you asked for help, so this is an area where I struggle. Luckily, the culture at my current job could not be more different. Any time I have needed help, I have been met with support. I am grateful for all of the reminders that I am never as alone as I think I am!

Always remember, you are whole and worthy of unconditional love.

Binge Listens

This month’s playlist includes my favorite high vibration music. These songs are guaranteed to transform your mood.

Binge Watches

Television shows and movies that I rated 4-5 stars.

Sabrina (1954)

Streaming Service: Prime (from $3.99)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

“Oh, but Paris isn’t for changing planes, it’s… it’s for changing your outlook, for… for throwing open the windows and letting in… letting in la vie en rose.”

In Sabrina, a young woman returns from Paris transformed and catches the attention of two wealthy brothers, leading to a delightful and complicated love triangle.

I have always been a fan of Audrey Hepburn, and always wanted to see more of her movies. Hepburn’s performance as smitten Sabrina is incredible. The melodramatic childishness and desperation to be loved back is palpable. Sabrina’s life-long crush on David Larrabbee is a tale as old as time. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys classic love stories.

This book contains descriptions of suicide. Please take care of yourself while watching and visit the International Association for Suicide for more resources.