If You Want To Be Happy, Go SLO!

One of the things most people want in life, I think, is to be happy.  I bet health, wealth, and a life fulfilled are up there too.  Well wouldn't you know it that I grew up in the happiest place on earth?!  No, I'm not talking about Disneyland.  I'm talking about San Luis Obispo, California.  Okay, so it's not the happiest place on earth, but supposedly it is the happiest place in America.  I'll settle for that because unless you've traveled across the globe, how would you ever know?

According to Dan Buettner in the National Geographic book Thrive, San Luis Obispo is the happiest place in America for overall emotional health.  He says that "the residents here are more likely to smile and experience joy and less likely to experience pain and depression."  Of course beautiful scenery, beaches, hiking trails, a historic downtown, and other landmarks only add to the serenity. That must be why I'm so calm, laid back, flexible, and easygoing!  (That's a joke)  But I can say that growing up there was a gorgeous gift that has perhaps allowed me to carry that 'calmness' from the 'happiest' to the 'hottest' place in America.  What can I say, I'm extreme like that!

You know your town has made it big when Oprah visits.  This was actually her second visit.  On her first visit she introduced the world to the best sandwich in America, made in SLO, at some sandwich shop now out of business.  On this trip she sent Jenny McCarthy to further elate the residents.  Check it out -

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Happiest-City-in-America-San-Luis-Obispo-Video

All the places Jenny covered in the video are our haunts too.  Here is Spenser at the Mission -

and Sienna and Spenser at Mission Creek,

you can't forget Gum Alley!

So don't worry, be happy, and get to SLO as fast as you can!

First Foray into Flag Football

Spenser is spreading his athletic ability wings by starting flag football after a season of basketball.  Saturday was his first game and his team, the Black Hawks, was victorious.  It didn't look good at first, but after meeting your team and practicing once, they throw you right into the games, so what do you expect?  Spenser played offense the first half and defense the second.  He was often open on offense, but the quarterback wasn't able to get the ball to him.  Here is one pass that was a bit out of reach.

Here is Spenser getting ready at the line of scrimmage. The boy in front of him to his left is his good buddy Kyle.  They spend many weekends at each other's houses. 

  
While on defense, Spenser had a great play when he intercepted the ball and ran it for a couple yards.  Here is the proof!

So I guess Spenser's first game was a success.  Now every Saturday for the next 6 weeks Rob or Mony will be on the sideline cheering on their little guy.  Hopefully they'll be a highlight each week worthy of being posted. 

The Top 10 of 2010

It's January 2nd and before we get too far into 2011, I thought we should reflect on 2010 and all the joy that it brought us.  Top 10 lists are very popular this time of year,  so I thought it would be appropriate if the family compiled their own Top 10 list of 2010.  I asked each member of the family to pick their top three or four events of the year to create the Samour Top 10 of 2010.  So here they are in no particular order.

1.  Christmas 2010


2.  Central Park


3.  the AMA's (American Music Awards)


4.  BNP Paribas Open


5.  Treximet and Imitrex


6.  Performance of 'All or Nothing'


7.  Performance of 'Heaven's on Fire'


8.  Late Show with David Letterman


9.  Recording in the studio at Modern Music Academy


10.  Camping

As you can probably tell, the list mainly consists of vacations and music achievements.  So as we usher in a new year, we're wondering what vacation spots we'll visit and are hoping that we continue to grow musically.   Of course health and happiness is essential as well and we wish you that and more. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!