37 Pick-me-ups

Today I was feeling a bit under the weather, so I am writing an easy blog... since I still have the urge to write even though I can't keep food down. (Yeah, I don't really understand that phenomenon either.) What are the things you really enjoy doing? Your hobbies that, no matter where you are, if you get to engage in one of these your day is significantly improved.

When I initially started brainstorming, I could only think of maybe 5 things. But then I looked up "List of Hobbies" and found that I am much more diverse than I give myself credit for. So here are 37 things (with little explanations) that make my life a bit brighter.

1. Art - Where I live, one of the best times can be had on the first Friday of each month, when a road in the city called "Gallery Row" opens up all the Art galleries and serves wine, fruit, cheese and crackers for people to browse and nibble as they observe the art.
2. Baseball - I'm a Phillies fan. Enough said.
3. Bicycling - This has become a necessary enjoyment, of a sort, because I need my bike to get everywhere.
4. Blogging - Hello? Obviously.
5. Board Games - I'm not very good at these unless I play on teams, hah, but I still have fun whenever one of my friends throws a game night!
6. Camping - I haven't been on a long camping trip in years, but the nostalgia from when I was a kid is carrying me over until now. Just don't ask me to go to the bathroom in the woods!
7. Card Games - I love learning new ones, and I love the fact that I can just carry a deck of cards and find something to do with anyone. Go fish?
8. Cooking - I enjoy this in spurts - sometimes it is all you can find me doing, or I'm putting in a full day of cooking in the kitchen. Other times I just want to eat cereal and leave the kitchen alone.
9. Crafts - Think less Popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners and more picture frames and bookmarks.
10. Dancing - I feel like Kevin Bacon from Footloose.
11. Eating out - There is something to be said about fine dining. Or really, about eating anywhere that doesn't involve cooking in my house.
12. Entertaining - When I have my own place... I like to be able to put out a spread and just have friends over. It's nice to know I can have fun with friends without going out and spending a fortune.
13. Going to movies - I'm game for pretty much every movie! Except scary movies... I have a strict rule about going to those with only guys. I'm going to see the Avengers this week!
14. Hiking - The last time I went was on a  first date a few weeks back to watch the sunrise. So. Sweet.
15. Jewelry Making - This one falls under crafts a bit, but it's also its own creative endeavor. Since I learned to make earrings, it's certainly been helpful when holidays come around!
16. Jigsaw Puzzles - I never thought I would enjoy these as much as I do, but when I was in the hospital this guy and I would sit around a table for hours and just work on them. Since then, I've been hooked!
17. Keep A Journal - I'm pretty sure I've been doing this since I was old enough to write. One of my best stress relievers is being able to make lists of things to do.
18. Laser Tag - No explanation necessary.
19. Learning A Foreign Language - Porque quiero hablar en espanol cuando voy Espana. (Because I want to speak Spanish when I go to Spain.)
20. Listening to music - From The Beatles and Elvis to Queen and Def Leopard, from Nickelback and Saving Abel to Pink and Katy Perry, and from LMFAO and Christina Aguilera to Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood - I love music.
21. Meditation - I was lucky enough to be taught how to meditate by an Indian man who was an excellent teacher. I don't do it often enough, but every time I do I feel better about just about everything going on at the time.
22. Motorcycles - How do I put this? I want.
23. Origami - The Origami crane still alludes me, but I make a mean swan, and it is one way to keep my mind occupied when I am bored and waiting for an appointment or something similar.
24. Photography - I wouldn't even call myself a novice, that is how much I don't do this hobby. But when I get on a photography kick, everything becomes a muse.
25. Pottery - Painting, not making. Although I want to try making it too!
26. Reading - If there are words, I will read it. Almost.
27. Shopping - I take "retail therapy" to a whole new level, hah.
28. Singing - If I'm not singing, I must be sick.
29. Sleeping - When things get just a little too overwhelming, I take a nap and feel instantly better.
30. Swimming - If we had a pool, I would be swimming every day.
31. Traveling - Whether it be a school trip to Washington DC, a day trip to see a friend in Philly, or really - just going into the city for the day - I love to travel. I hope whatever job I get in the future allows me to travel on a regular basis.
32. TV watching - Sometimes, escaping into another reality (almost as good as reading) is just what I need to feel better. Now if the show has a musical element to it... I feel even better.
33. Urban Exploration - This falls into traveling, too, I think. I love to go through a city and find the best little places to eat or read or get lost.
34. Video Games - When I have a TV, you'll find me on my Wii. But right now, I'm enjoying my DS.
35. Volunteer - I hope to one day be a volunteer firefighter. Right now, I just get my volunteer fulfillment from working at homeless shelters, food banks, or the YWCA whenever I can. Community cleanup days work too ;-) 
36. Working Out - When I started working at the gym I thought the people who enjoy working out were crazy. But really, I enjoy it too. I don't really get the adrenaline rush, but I do feel very accomplished when I finish a great sweat session. Plus, by working out I am working towards a 5K, a goal on my bucket list.
37. Writing - Do I even need to touch on this one?

What are your hobbies? Can you think of more than 3 or 4 things that really brighten up your day? Thanks for reading!