#100happydays: Day 21

For those of you not living under a rock you know that there is a little thing called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge being passed around. Basically this is a challenge to raise awareness for ALS and to make donations. My younger sister decided to nominate me for the challenge and I really was not up to having a bucket of ice water being dumped on me. I debated and debated and decided that I would complete the challenge I was nominated for and it really wasn't that bad. It was quite fun as you can tell by my facial expression!

#100happydays: Day 20

I made a really good friend this summer. I got the opportunity to hang with Nancy and see an awesome movie. We had a girls night and it felt good to hang out with a good friend. We ate junk and got to see Let's Be Cops. She is a goofball and I'm glad that we get along great. She always brightens my day at work and makes me smile!

#100happydays: Day 19

I love this time of year when the carnival is in town. Unfortunately I was not at home to enjoy the county fair. Fortunately, I got the opportunity to go to the central states fair with my family and forced my uncle to get on a couple rides. The carnival always seems to be the culmination of summer. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to go and with people I love.

#100happydays: Day 18

I work right next door to an old time photo studio. My coworkers from Happy Days and from the studio decided to get together and take some photos. I finally got my copies of the photos and they looked pretty cute. It makes me smile because I've made some good friends since I got to South Dakota and this will just be a memory of my times here.

#100happydays: Day 17

I have never been to a drive-in movie theater before in my life. I have had several opportunities, but just never went. Back home drive-in theaters are not a thing. My boyfriend took me to a double feature of Planes and Guardians of the Galaxy. Even the idea of being at a drive-in made me happy. I felt like I was in Grease like Danny and Sandy. The only downside was the rain.

#100happydays: Day 16

So I finally met part of my boyfriend's family when going with him to the lake. I tried out tubing on the lake for the first time and it was a fun filled day. The happiest moment was getting to lay in the hammock with him and just relax. Looking at the trees and the sky was very calming. Being with him makes me happy.

#100happydays: Day 15

My uncle has the luxury of living above a small cafe. I'm somewhat jealous because he can just walk downstairs and get himself a cup of coffee or a pastry. I got the opportunity to try out one of their cold beverages and it was crazy delicious! It was a mixture of chocolate and peanut butter to make their version of a frappe. Because Starbucks are not as prominent in this area as they are back home, this was a pleasantly good substitute.

#100happydays: Day 14

Okay, for those of you who know me, you know that I love ice cream. If I couldn't have ice cream anymore, I would probably be the saddest person alive. One type of ice cream that I absolutely love is birthday cake ice cream. Unfortunately, I can't ever seem to find it anywhere anymore. I went grocery shopping the other day and saw this ice cream and just jumped for joy. It was creamy goodness! Definitely have to go back and get some more!

#100happydays: Day 13

I went over to my boyfriend's house just to find this in my hands. I have been on a very long search for a coke with my name on it! His mother found it and they gave it to me. It was the simplest, but greatest gift. I don't think I have the heart to drink the delicious contents of the bottle, but it is just cool to look at. This is a perfect example of the little things that can make someone's day.

#100happydays: Day 12

I work right next door to the Old Time Photo studio. For fun my coworkers decided to get together and get a picture taken in costume after hours. Let's just say being put in a corset was not a highlight of my evening. But the experience was very fun. I had never had one done before and it was pretty neat. I will definitely show you guys when I get the copies I bought. Our group photo was taken on the bar and I even got to sit on it. Being with friends and doing something crazy is definitely what makes a summer fun.

#100happydays: Day 11

Since coming here, my diet has taken a turn for the worse. But with that, I'm eating some of the most amazing foods ever. I finally got the opportunity to eat the raved after mushroom and swiss burger from Mustang Sally's. This is a place that is across the street from where I work and I always smell all the good food coming through the door of the shop. This burger literally gave me a foodgasm as I like to put it. As you can see here it looks amazing and it tasted even more amazing. I will definitely be getting more.

#100happydays: Day 10

I got to experience the Legendary Buffalo Chip for the first time ever during the Rally. My boyfriend took me to go see Train! It was seriously one of the best nights ever. The show was definitely a different experience. There were motorcycles everywhere within the crowd and of course the usual rally chaos. We were ridiculously close to the stage and Train performed fan favorites as well as some new songs off their upcoming album. It was an amazing night that I won't forget!

#100happydays: Day 9

Okay, anything food pretty much makes me happy. Today my grandmother made me her delicious rice pudding. I had to steal a bowl before the rest of the house got to it and I would no longer be happy! I am not a huge fan of marshmallows, but it added in my rice pudding is amazing! My grandmother spoils me too much and I love her for it. When I go home I'll have to make this for myself. What a pain!

#100happydays: Day 8

I love thunderstorms. Something about them has always been entertaining to me. When I was younger I loved when we got thunderstorms and the power went out. It was like an adventure in the dark! The pouring rain is calming to watch until you see the flash of lightning light up the sky. Shortly after, you practically jump out of your seat from the crash of thunder that you were expecting but still get a little startled by. Thunderstorms simply make me happy.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

So if you ever in South Dakota during the summer there are definitely some things you should check out. Today's post is about the Days of 76 that occurs in Deadwood at the end of July every year. This is the time of year where you see nothing but cowboys everywhere like you're living in the Wild West. Days of 76 is a rodeo that occurs and includes a parade celebration as well. I have only been to the rodeo once and it was when I was very little, but I can say that my parents had me dressed up in my cowboy hat and boots for the occasion.

This year I worked during the Days of 76, but I did get the opportunity to see the parade that goes down Main Street in Deadwood. Expect to see a lot of horses and cowboys. And with horses comes the lovely smell of poop.

You get to see all the cool outfits that people wear and they are quite entertaining.

We even got to see cute miniature horses.

This post wouldn't be complete without an outfit of the day. Going with the spirit of the rodeo, I got the opportunity to wear my boots that I don't wear often.

I wore these with a floral dress, a belt, and a jean jacket. This was all I could muster up from the clothes I brought with me to South Dakota.

#100happydays: Day 7

Recently I have been on a mission to find me a biker named Bubba and run away with him as it is the start of bike week here in South Dakota. On Sunday I went to Dinosaur Park and got the bestest gift ever from my uncle. He is a dinosaur. He did not have a name and after some time, Bubba seemed to be the most suitable name. My quest to find Bubba is now over and he is part of the family as you can see here. He is meeting Wishful the unicorn for the first time. This gift makes me very happy and I thank my uncle for my dinosaur! Please note, I take my pets here seriously...

Just a Quick Update!

It's been awhile since I've given everyone an update on what's been going on since I left home. Today I'm catching you up a bit. So for those of you who still don't know, I am currently in South Dakota. I've been spending my summer here with my grandmother and so far I am loving the time I get to spend with her and the rest of the family. I am even working to earn some extra money. I work at this little store called Happy Days and it's a cute little novelty type store that sells anything from Elvis items to gag gifts to souvenirs.

This shop is right in the middle of Main Street in Deadwood, SD, or as I like to call, the casino town. I've gotten to meet some really cool, nice people while working here so far.

I have also started the #100happydays challenge and so far it has been going great. It really is easy to find that one little thing that can make you happy in a day and I'm glad I get to share these moments with you!

I will have more posts coming up on where I've gone and what I've gotten to do so far since I've been here, but I thought this update would be helpful in catching you up a little.

#100happydays: Day 6

Today I got to go back to a place that is a childhood favorite of mine. I got to revisit Dinosaur Park in Rapid City, South Dakota. Who doesn't love dinosaurs? Dinosaur Park is a small park overlooking Rapid City with sculptures of dinosaurs. It might not be the most exciting thing to some people, but to me, it was a great part of my day. I basically got to play tourist today and was so happy getting to hang with the people I love. I will definitely have a post more specifically about my adventures of the day, but this is my #100happydays moment.

#100happydays: Day 5

Food is the simplest thing that can make me happy. Even the unhealthiest of foods! Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Cheez-its! They are amazing. No need for explanations. Unfortunately when I work I don't really eat lunch or dinner depending on my shift, so from the picture you see what I typically eat. I got me a Dr. Pepper, Cheez-its, and Famous Amos cookies because I need the sweet and the salty. So if you ever want to know the way to my heart, this is pretty much the perfect meal!

#100happydays: Day 4

It's just one of those days. I have a lot on my mind and I just want to pull away for a second. I pull out my guitar and everything in life pauses for a minute as I just let the music play. The sound of the chords and the sound of my fingers slide up and down the fret board are mesmerizing. I don't think about the bad things of the day, but only the good. It's the moment that I can chill out. It's my happy moment. I can only focus on what I'm doing at that point in time, nothing else. I might not be any good at what I do, but at least it makes me happy, and that's what counts.