Had I chosen to return back home to glorious Great Britain today as opposed to yesterday, I would have walked straight into the happiest day of the year.
For according to Cliff Arnall, a psychologist at the University of Cardiff in Wales, his formula for the 19th of June takes into consideration various emotional, physical, and stress factors in determining the most blissful day of the annual calendar.
By all accounts in today's British media, a winning combo of brighter evenings, childhood memories and the prospect of summer vacations puts today at the top of the cheerful spectrum.
Arnall's equation reportedly looks like this: O + (N x S) + Cpm/T + He.
O is time spent outdoors.
N is time spent in nature.
S is more socialization in the summer.
Cpm relates to positive memories of childhood summers.
T factors in temperature.
He is vacation anticipation.
And given the fact that I woke to the sound of doves gently cooing in broad daylight at 4.45am this morning, it is true to say that the incredible lengthy days from dawn to dusk during the British summer do perk up the spirits considerably!
If I had arrived today and not yesterday I may not have had the two and a half hour hold up at Hertz rental car hq at Heathrow airport with exhausted teens and pre-teen in tow with our great pile of luggage to haul a couple more hours north.
A car-rental hold-up welcome visit from my sister, Lindsey and the lovely little Phoebe kept the spirits from flagging as the adorable toddler entertained us with a repertoire of dancing and airplane spotting!
Revived considerably with a plate of Nonna's pasta and homemade meatballs, stuffed peppers and salad from her garden before making our trails to my hometown in the countryside, where the boys and I have strolled to the butchers and bakers, lunched on ham sandwiches and strawberries, stretched our plane-cramped limbs with a leisurely swim and started about the business of extending this 'happiest day' into the next few, wonderful weeks.
Meanwhile, the mad Italian husband has been golfing since dawn and oldest son took a train to the North to tour a university he might be taking into consideration. Now that would be a good thing, more excuses for me to make the long journey back to Britain for more frequent visits.
Sometimes, as I read your blogs, I chuckle to myself as I read between the lines. I can't help it I read what you write but I hear...Anyway glad you are all safe and sound, have a fabulous trip. I miss you all already.
Love L
xxx
Posted by: Lesley | June 20, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Well, Does June 19th have positive effects on the days directly in front of and behind it? I sure hope so for you jet setters! Have so much fun.
M
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Posted by: dissertation writing | June 22, 2009 at 09:10 PM
This is great and makes me happy! And makes me want to stop working and run outside to maximize nature (in NYC?). Have a great trip!
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