Happy Monday and welcome to the 11th (say what?!) installment of my 12 Months of Happiness series! I can’t believe tomorrow is December?! It seems like only yesterday that I was at Disney World ringing in the New Year and now here we are with a little over a month left until 2016. I know I say this every month but I really do LOVE this series of mine. It never fails to make me smile when I’m jotting down all the things that made me happy that particular month. A few readers have asked if I’ll be continuing this monthly series next year and the answer is: OF COURSE! My 12 Months of Happiness series is very near and dear to my heart not just because it’s fun listing out some of the things that make me happy but because it encourages YOU, my readers, to reflect on the wonderful things in your life as well. Each month it warms my heart reading some of your comments saying that this series has helped you to realize the importance of appreciating all the moments of joy in your life (no matter how small!) Here are some of the things that made me happy in November: (Don’t forget to comment down below how your November went and what things made you smile this month! I LOVE hearing from you guys about what makes you happy!) 
This month I was invited to two advance screenings: In the Heart of the Sea and The Danish Girl. Although I was invited to them this month, both screening take place in December (the screening for In the Heart of the Sea is tomorrow and The Danish Girl is next week!) Getting invited to screenings always brightens my day since I’m a HUGE film buff (and getting to see films before they come out is awesome) and would LOVE to become a film critic some day. I also love attending screenings because I get to network with people in the film industry and have even meet a few directors, producers and actors at screenings!
I just LOVE Thanksgiving! I love all the yummy food, hanging out with my loved ones, decorating the Christmas tree after dinner (although, we actually put up our tree before Thanksgiving this year), and, mostly importantly, taking the day to sit back, count my blessings and reflect on all the things I’m thankful for. This year was Loki’s first Thanksgiving and it was so much fun watching him sit in the kitchen with a mesmerized look on his face as he watched my grandmother and mom cook.
Seeing ZooLights is one of my favorite holiday traditions! ZooLights is an annual winter event held at Lincoln Park Zoo here in Chicago were guests can view gorgeous light displays, see cool nightly ice carving demonstrations, sip hot cocoa and enjoy ice skating on the zoo’s rink. The best part about ZooLights? IT’S FREE (You do have to pay for ice skating and food/drinks but admission into the park is free!) You can check out more ZooLights photos HERE!
I went to Disney World (again) earlier this month and, as always, had an absolute blast! This trip was a little different from my normal Disney trips because a) I was only there for three days (I usually spend at least seven days at WDW) and b) I went with my two best friends (instead of my mom, who I normally go with.) It’s always so much fun getting to see and hang out with my best friends since I don’t get to see them as often as I’d liked (since we all live in different cities). We used to see each other EVERY DAY back when we were in college so it’s been hard this past year and a half since we graduated not being able to see them that much. I’m so happy we were able to organize this trip (because who wouldn’t want to spend three days at WDW with their best friends?!) Someone recently asked me if I ever get bored of Disney (since I visit the parks every month) and the answer will ALWAYS be NO! Disney is my LIFE! It’s where I feel the most comfortable. It’s like I can TRULY be ME at Disney (if that makes sense?) I could seriously visit Disneyland or Disney World EVERY DAY and still be in awe of it! It’s my happy place!
Here’s a few other things that made me happy in November:
- My Sister turned 27 yesterday (Nov. 29th)
- I saw the Good Dinosaur (and it was so adorable.)
- Loki experienced snow for the first time (and he LOVED it!).
- I signed up for twice a week yoga classes (again!) I’m so excited to (FINALLY) be getting back into yoga.
- My FAVORITE film of all-time, Beauty and the Beast celebrated its anniversary this month (other November Disney/Pixar anniversary’s included Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Toy Story, Frozen, A Bug’s Life and Enchanted.
I can’t believe tomorrow is December?! What made you happy in November?
Make sure to check out the entire ‘12 Months Of Happiness‘ series HERE!