what I value (ba da ba ba ba)

The week has arrived - my "plan your own funeral" project for my summer class is due this week (which means my class is coming to an end this week and I'm thoroughly thrilled for that). Only thing is? I haven't started it. I've had a little too much fun this weekend involving a barbeque/drinkfest at The Boy's place, and then two Filipino graduation parties (i.e. delicious food, precious times with family, and karaoke galore).

Not to mention, the Fifa World Cup has started and even though Poland didn't make it, I'm still watching it like crazy and rooting for my favourite teams - namely: Spain, Germany, and England (despite their mishap).

The main point of this project, I've found, is to reflect on how your funeral choices speak about what you value most in life. The word 'value' seems to be tossed around so easily these days - "value meals" at McDonald's (blergh), getting 5% off some furniture is apparently a big value, the value of a dollar ... annnnd, I've reached the point where 'value' no longer looks like a real word (I hate when that happens).

So now, onto some things that I value, in no particular order, so I can get a better handle on my 'funerary choices' (and err, if you can think of any choices for a funeral based on what I value, let me know por favore)!

Having people around me that I can trust and who put their trust in me; to have people count on me makes me feel honoured and makes me hope that I never let them down.

Every single one of you that I've had the pleasure of "meeting" online; whether it's reading your posts, writing to you, reading your comments that make me laugh and make me want to start a scrapbook of blogging adventures; it all means so much to me.

DELICIOUS BUBBLE TEA! ... and food, in general; especially while having quality time with someone.

My health; trying to treat my body as best as I can.

My family. Having been to two Filipino parties this weekend, my close friends were surrounded by family. My sister now lives on the other side of the country and my extended family are half-way across the world - I miss them so much and am                 blessed with any moments I get to have with them.

My friends. Those lovely people that have become my family when I've had no one else; ones I can talk to about anything; ones that don't mind my craziness with taking tons of photos.

Group photo at The Boy's barbeque party shindig :)

Having the opportunity to do things in my life; sometimes it's too easy to take things for granted, but I try not to.

A boyfriend who refuses to let me buy Tim Horton's coffee  in the morning - because he's going to make me a coffee instead :)

The ability to smell fresh strawberries, hear a symphony of violins (this sounds so cheesy), hug someone I love, taste a delicious meal, and see a beautiful view.

Having a Dad who, when commenting on fouls in the World Cup, says, "Sometimes it happens accidentally, other times it's international." Me: "You mean, intentional?" 

Memories; whether the memories are good or bad, being able to observe and learn from the past and reflect on the happy times as well as the difficult moments.

Cuddling with my dog, Shadow. Only thing that's better than cuddling with him is cuddling with The Boy haha.

And I've found I can go on and on, but I'll stop for now. The only choices I've really made so far are: a) when people go to the coffin (which I think I might want closed), they will take a shot of strawberry kiwi juice since that's my favourite drink of all time (OF ALL TIME!); b) instead of just some portrait of me near my casket, I'd want a collage of photos with people I love; c) umm ... more of a happy service than a sad one, methinks.

Okay, this post is officially morbid. But once the planning is through (and hopefully these plans won't become a reality for a long long time *knocks on wood*) and the class is done, I'll have more time for present things, yipee! Finishing this class is kind of my simple smile of the week, though I'll miss seeing my friend twice a week!

What's your simple smile of the week?

And what do you value? :)