A new beginning!

Starting tomorrow (Sunday 1st July 2012), I am going to answer the following five questions every day on this blog for the whole month of July:

1. What am I grateful for, or who am I grateful to today? (Give at least three examples.)
2. Who did I send an email to in my social support network thanking them or praising them for their efforts. (At least one per day.)
3. Did I take time to meditate at my desk for at least two minutes today?
4. What exercise did I do today? (This could be by playing sport, visiting the gym, doing yoga, riding my bike to work, or walking up and down three flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator.)
5. What was the most meaningful experience of the last 24 hours? (Write at least a couple of paragraphs.)

Day 24 - Wed 14 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was chatting to my boys on Skype this evening.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to travel to exotic locations.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Exercising in the swimming pool twice today.
2) Walking back to my hotel alone through the dark streets after dinner.
3) Waiting up to chat to the boys tonight when I was really tired.

Day 23 - Tue 13 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was chatting in Spanish with a girl at the airport for about 20 mins.

I am grateful to the Copa airline staff for getting me a vegetarian meal out of business class.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Going for a swim. It was the first bit of aerobic exercise I have had since kayaking.
2) Chatting with the bus driver in Spanish all the way from the airport to the city.
3) Working out a time that I can chat to the boys on Skype tonight.

Day 22 - Mon 12 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was dining at a Peruvian restaurant in Santiago.

I am grateful for receiving a wake-up call this morning, as my alarm did not go off.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:
1) Getting out of the hotel and into a taxi on time this morning.
2) Working out how to post a box home rather than paying for an over-priced locker.
3) Taking the Metro rather than a taxi to the hostel.

Day 21 - Sun 11 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was also the highlight of my holiday so far: attending the amazing football match between Boca Juniors and Independiente.

I am grateful to the receptionist at my hotel for getting me a ticket to the game.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Taking a room in this hotel and not staying at the awful backpackers.

2) Walking all the way back into town from the football match.

3) Eating healthy food and not drinking beer after the game.

Day 20 - Sat 10 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was re-acquainting myself with the back streets of Buenos Aires.

I am grateful for the good Internet connection at my hostel.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Asking the Dutchies if I could share a cab with them to the airport.

2) Demanding a vegetarian meal at the airport when I found out my order for one had failed again.

3) Booking my Buenos Aires accommodation in advance, and not leaving until the last minute.

Day 19 - Fri 9 Mar 2012

The highlight of my day was watching a game of football on the TV in the Dublin pub while eating one of their pizzas.

I am grateful for the good Internet connection at my hostel.

I would like to acknowledge myself for:

1) Speaking to the customs guy at the post office rather than joining the long queue.

2) Paying the extra for a single room when I really need to catch up on sleep.

3) Inviting girl in reception to join me for dinner.