It all starts with the permission slip.
Yes, when teachers send them home before the bell rings so parents can rubber stamp the bumpy yellow bus trip to the museum, then it’s on, my friends, it’s on.
Soon the days count down and the buzz builds up as the class gets ready for the day away from school. The middle-ages unit wraps up at Medieval Times, paintings are handed in before the art gallery, and everyone mails a friend a letter before the tour of the post office.
On the morning of the big day you wake up with some extra pep in your step because you know we’re all going far away. It’s time to skip the portables, soggy sandwiches, and long afternoons with the Spanish teacher.
It’s time to do something different.
Yes, whether it’s the petting zoo, chocolate factory, or a long hike in the woods, it’s time to enjoy the school vacation with some of the following perks:
1. Subs in the house. Taking thirty screaming seven-year-olds to the planetarium is a bit much, so most teachers call in backups in the form of parent chaperones. These subs act like a sweet and sweatered army of substitutes and don’t know enough names or have enough power to mess up the fun. Of course, that’s assuming they’re not your mom or dad. If that happens, your day is done.
2. Wheels on the bus. They go round and round on the way there and back. Yeah, we all gang rush into the slippery seatbelt-free seats and enjoy a loud, laughing party on wheels. There are loud screechy songs, secret makeout sessions, and some friendly gestures at passing motorists. This is also when the classroom’s social structure is on display too — from the cool kids at the back to the nerds sitting with the teacher up front. I really did love sitting up front though. I mean, how about that view?
3. Sealing it in. A friend and I were strolling quickly through an art gallery a couple years back when we stumbled on a group of kindergartners holding a rope and looking at splotchy art paintings. I’ll never remember the jaw-dropping look of pure head-tilting amazement from the little boy at the end of the group — eyes twinkling, mittens hanging out his winter coat, and his whirring brain soaking and swallowing up something beautiful on the wall. And it’s true: field trips often help seal in the learning. Chalk one up for school.
So… let’s enjoy the memories, let’s enjoy the moments, and let’s enjoy the parking lot speed bumps. Yes, let’s all love those special days when dusty chalkboards fade away and buses wheel us down the freeway, far away, far away, far away.
AWESOME!
Pre-order The Book of Awesome
When the pit comes fully out of the fruit and you’re left with pure fruit
Nothing better than eating fresh summer fruit and you feel the pit wiggle just a little. You give it a little tug and bingo out comes the pit and you’re left with a handful of pure fruit to enjoy.
Awesome!
Falling asleep on a hammock. The breeze, sunshine, and gentle sway of the hammock make for one of the best naps ever.
I lived in Merida, MX for three months. The hammock? Not just for sleeping in. But agreeably, AWESOME.
Starting a fad.
Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. But when I was in high school, going to the mall was a big To-Do. And I always dressed to the nines, throwing in a unique spin to my style.
Only days later, I caught a gaggle of girls who decided to braid their hair like I did mine, and two others with mixed laces.
Imitation truly is the highest form of compliment.
That first day that feels like spring–bright, breezy, and full of promise.
I like knowing things that people think you don’t know and you completely put them off guard when you suddenly start an intelligent conversation on that topic..yea :)
awesome.
Look at all the people posting at the sight of a contest, it’s kind of cool to see all of the people who read this blog (30-ish posts usually.. 800 today) anyhow.. 3549 should be : That feeling you have when you leave your boyfriend/girlfriend’s house, the one where you feel like you are on top of the world.
Totally agree! Where are all these commenters normally hiding! We should encourage more commenting in general, because it seems like there is such a smart, funny group of commenters here, and I’ve loved reading everything they had to write!
Finding this Blog.
a while ago, a friend of mine from school showed this to me. It’s been brightening my day ever since, and I’ll always be waiting for the next entry to laugh about with my friends and family.
This blog,
AWESOME!
diving into the pool for the first time on your summer vacation
Updating your vaccinations!
Hear me out… sure, the needles are awful and no one likes getting poked in the arm, but once all of your vaccinations are up-to-date, you leave the doctor’s office feeling invincible! Not a thing can hurt you at this point, baby, because you’re now protected against TB, tetanus, and the measles. Take that, germs!
Plus, who doesn’t love the tiny round bandaids?
Are you the same Laura who likes an easy poop? Just wonderin’…
When you spill your coffee but you are wearing a brown shirt. Once that dries, no one will even notice.
Thank you brown shirt!
“Thank you brown shirt!” Hilarious.. Why would you ever wear another color?
#772: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/05/06/772-when-you-spill-something-on-your-shirt-and-it-doesnt-leave-a-stain/
catching little tidbits of strangers conversations. sometimes your passing by someone on a new york city sidewalk and you hear them screaming into their blackberry something ridiculous like “get me those frog hats by sundown!” or something really intriguing that you wish you could stop them and ask them to expand but instead you just have to let your mind expand on it.
AWESOME!? i think so :]
Oh my gosh! I almost sprayed my Sobe water everywhere….that was hilarious….props! =) I also love being the person that has to say something very strange on the phone….and you just know that the weird looks are going to start happening… and I’m never disappointed! =P
It’s Friday afternoon after some very long weeks of intense study and you’ve just finished the last exam.
You are deadly tired but have that feeling of “oh, is finally over” and that crazy mood to party.
I just love those days :)
ahh darn! there are at least 3 things i’ve thought of before and said, “those should be on the list.” hopefully they come to me soon :)
When you hear a song that you haven’t heard in years and you still know all the words! AWESOME!
When you are sore from running.
The satisfying feeling of having done something good for yourself!
#804: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/03/23/804-gym-pain/
When you are leaving a really crowded parking lot and you are able to give someone your highly anticipated spot. AWESOME!
When you and your friend say the same thing at the same time.
For a brief moment of time, you and that person have become mind connected, as you read each others’ thoughts and as if on cue, say what you’re both thinking out loud.
The reaction of you, that person, and everyone around you is so incredibly AWESOME!
just awesome being able to get one of your books just posting that.
:-)
oh yeah! this too:
When everyone at the movie theater laughs at the same time.
A hilarious scene comes up on the screen, and you burst into laughter. At the same time, everyone around you is doubled over, people from every corner of the room are chuckling and clapping, and the sound of the laughter of those around you enhances the situation. For that moment, everyone is thinking the same thing: This part is AWESOME!
its like your all connected! :D
exactly! :D
Going to the gym and only a few other people are there.
No waiting for treadmills
No following up on a machine ater the “sweatty guy” was using it.
No stench of “forgotten deodorant” BO
When you kiss your significant other for the first time after being apart for a while…
I’m dating a marine, and we’re not together very often – he was deployed to Afghanistan last year for seven months, and the first kiss we had when he came back was so AWESOME, there aren’t really words to describe it.
But even if you’re separated from your love for a day, a week, a month, or even a few minutes when they run to the store to get more milk, the first time you kiss them after being apart always feels special and is much needed :]
Splashing in puddles while wearing rainboots. It calls up feelings of childhood glee; plus, you’re totally protected. While everyone else is in their fancy work shoes, tip-toeing around those giant lakes in the sidewalk, you can stomp right through. And brightly-colored footwear on grey, wet days is lots of fun.
When you arrive at home tired of working, and your dog is reallu happy just because you are there!
Dogs can really make your day with a wag of the tail, can’t they?
#622: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/12/02/622-when-the-dogs-really-excited-youre-back-home/
When you’re travelling to the beach and it’s raining all the road, and than when you get there you see the sun shining.
Such a relief! The whole way there you’re worried the trip is for nothing, and then your patience and faith in general Awesomeness is rewarded.
Man I could use a trip to the beach right now.
That one friend who seems to know basically everybody, even people from your hometown which he never, in fact, visited.
Harmonizing perfectly.
Maybe this doesn’t apply to some people, but for those who do like to sing:
Harmonizing can be pretty difficult sometimes. Whenever you hear someone singing the melody, it’s hard not to sing their note instead. Which is why when you do harmonize and it comes out the way you want, a beautiful sound flows out of your mouth into your ears. AWESOME!
AWESOME.
When you’re exchange student far far away from home and suddenly you get a package from your friends and family with all the stuff you’ve missed for a long time.
I know what it feels to be away from home, alone, no friends, only strangers. And then, one day, your host-mom brings you a package full of things you love. It’s priceless. Although you’re far away, it’s good to know there are people who are thinking of you.
The Cold Water Pool Jumping Method!
Douse yourself with ice-cold hosewater (or have a friend do it if you can’t inflict it upon yourself). Squeal and hop around like an idiot for a few seconds. Then jump into the pool. What felt slightly cool before now feels like bathwater. AAAH. :)
I did this all the time when I was a kid, and it was always awesome. It’s an excellent method for people like me who are complete wusses when it comes to entering a pool whose water temperature is best described as “refreshing”. And when you use the buddy method, it’s fun for the hose-wielder too.
Magic Tricks.
Maybe you’re at your niece’s 5th birthday party. Maybe you’re walking down the pier at Disneyworld. Or maybe you’re even just hanging out with your friends.
No matter where you are, when a magician is present, you know you’re in for a treat.
Whether the person knows an interesting card trick, how to make coins appear behind your ear, or even the no-fail coloring book trick, it is a ton of fun to watch in amazement as the magician takes you away from reality and brings you into a world of possible, where anything can happen.
It also makes you feel like a kid again, which as everyone knows, is
AWESOME!
finally opening the window in your bedroom and sleeping with a cool breeze; which keeps your pillows cold all night.
awesome.
And if your pillow still isn’t cold enough?
#858: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/01/06/858-the-other-side-of-the-pillow/
YES!
My apartment is a mixed blessing, because I’m right above the boiler, which means the place is always too warm. The upside is that I can leave my bedroom window open all winter. :)
The individual-sized flavored creamers at 7-11 (or any other convenience store).
7-11 is not well known for having stellar coffee, brewed so delicious that you can drink it black and not even blink an eye. In fact, if we’re honest, it’s swill. It’s cheap swill, and that’s why you buy it instead of the Grande Mocha Frappucino at Starbucks, but it’s still swill.
But once you’ve added three shots of Vanilla creamer, and two shots of Caramel creamer, suddenly you’ve got a tasty concoction that would tempt even the snobbiest of caffeine connoisseurs. And it only cost you $1.59.
AWESOME! :)
When you show up to work and find out your boss called in sick.
You’re no longer stressing that you were 5 minutes late. Take an early break and a long lunch (make sure to eat something really garlicky). Chit chat it up in the lunch room all you want.
Enjoy your lazy day, we all know you’ve earned it!
The moment when you look at your boyfriend and realize that he’s the one. It can just take your breath away, and I think your heart stops for a second too. Awesome.
Extricating a vicious ingrown hair. So gross and yet so satisfying.
Reassurance.
Sometimes life gets the best of you, and you’re stuck believing that hardship is all there is left.
The road ahead of you seems everlasting, and you’re just about ready to throw your hands up in defeat. You wipe your eyes, sigh, and try to find an ounce of hope to hold onto.
Then, reassurance comes along. It takes your hand and reminds you that better days are out there; sometimes, you have to travel a long time before you find them. But they’re there. Reassurance knows that best, and it never fails to make you feel stable and whole again.
AWESOME!
peeling nail polish off in one full piece
$2 bills
freshly shaved legs/other body parts
sneaking on other websites at work/school/etc and getting away with it
watching people in other cars at red lights
america’s funniest home videos
knowing every line to a movie and laughing before something funny happens
peeling nail polish: how cool is it to not have to deal with ugly chipped polish and see a huge chunk in the shape of your nail?!
$2 bills: COOL!
freshly shaved legs: they feel smooth, pants feel great, feel SO CLEAN!
sneaking on websites: how awesome is it to pretend you’re doing work but actually outwitting your boss/teacher and doing something fun.. like writing on this website.
watching people at red lights: people watching in general is fun, but its even better when you catch someone when they think no one’s watching.. like if they’re picking their nose. or singing to a song, complete with choreography.
america’s funniest home videos: because you can’t help but crack up at america’s stupidity.
knowing every line to a movie: it’s just a great feeling knowing that you’ve dedicated so much time and effort to memorize an entire movie and just thinking about an upcoming scene is enough to make you crack up.
AWESOME!
I think it’s awesome when you can’t think of the word you want to use to say something, but then, finally, and perhaps hours later, it comes to you. That just puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Sadly, I usually find the word after I’m done talking to that person. But still an awesome feeling :)
Winging it, and completely OWNING!
I’ve had several experiences of this: not practicing for piano lessons (in college, for my major in music)… and magically doing prodigy-status well. Or forgetting to type a 2-page paper for Science class in 7th grade, pounding it out at lightning speed in 20 minutes before the class starts (throwing in information that probably aren’t even coherent)… and magically getting 100%, AND kudos from the teacher.
It isn’t often that it happens, but when it does, it’s….
AWESOME!
Yup – getting away with something you’re not prepared for? You’re loving life..
#817: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/03/04/817-doing-something-half-assed-at-the-last-minute-and-getting-away-with-it/
Peeling off the CD or DVD seal in one shot.
Sometimes, the seal atop a CD or a DVD is quite stubborn. It leaves you scratching at it for some times, trying to pick off each little scrap until you can finally open the case.
However, sometimes it’s nice to you. You take the corner, pull, and the whole seal comes off perfectly, granting more time to get to the disc and to enjoy it.
AWESOME!
time*
When you realize that you dont have a test next period!
Being the first to use a freshly laundered bath mat.
I don’t like germs. Foot germs and bathroom germs are the worst. And those two kinds of horrific, squiggly, wiggly, germs are combined in the bath mats, which, lets face, are supposed to keep use clean! So being the first to use a bath mat fresh out the dryer…heavenly. Nobody else has squished it under their dampened feet, nobody has flushed the toilet around it recently, and best of all, you can wiggle your toes around in it, leaving perfectly-shaped moon astronaut footprints behind.
Low gravity…and…
AWESOME!
How about… when someone notices your new haircut or outfit? I often get a really cute outfit together and get all excited about wearing it and then sometimes no one notices at all. It’s very disappointing, but when they do notice, just smile, nod and thank ’em. Cuz they made your day awesome. :)
P.S. Really cool idea, Neil!!
Yup! You feel like hot stuff, strutting around with your new haircut.. and then someone notices! Hooray!
#653: http://1000awesomethings.com/2009/10/20/653-when-someone-compliments-your-new-haircut/
Knowing the dialogues of your favorite movies.
When you do this, you smile and pat yourself on the back, because being able to memorize lines makes you totally AWESOME!
Surprise baked goods… you’re in a crappy mood when you walk into the office and someone has brought in extra cookie, brownie, etc.
Awesome.
It’s just as, if not more awesome to be on the other end of this.
Favourite hobby – baking cupcakes and giving them out to random strangers. It really makes your day brighter to see someone’s face light up!
Small things: babies, kittens, puppies etc.
Now THAT is awesome!
Realizing that you spelled a difficult word correctly the first time! These are the words that you know and use, but for some reason when you go to type them, they don’t quite look right. Then, you look up how to spell it to find out that you got it right the first time!
Awesome!
When you meow at a cat and it meows back
That IS awesome! Occasionally one of my cats will do that repeatedly. It’s like we’re having a conversation. As long as I keep meowing, she keeps replying. It’s pretty cute. :)
Waking up thinking its going to be cold and walking outside to find a perfect 70 degree day. AWESOME!
This may only apply to us Californians but hey *flips hair* what can i say? Its still pretty awesome.
My awesome thing is definitely make someone’s day.
It’s one of the best feelings on earth, to see you’ve made someone happy.
Doesn’t matter if it’s a friend or a complete stranger… it’s the fact that you know you’ve made someone’s day, and he/she has made yours with the smile you got as an answer.
He/she is happy and so do you! :) Cause best things in life are free!
Isn’t it awesome when something you do reminds you of an episode of The Simpsons? Or better yet, just an episode of your favorite childhood T.V. show.
I was at Las Vegas during Spring Break, and I was on the penny slots and it reminded me of when Marge (from the Simpsons) ended up with a gambling problem from playing the slots. Needless to say I did not leave Vegas with a gambling problem, but instead left with $215 from the penny slots. AWESOME