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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Anticipation and Happiness: Nantes

Recently, I read something--somewhere--about happiness. (Have you noticed the burgeoning HAPPINESS INDUSTRY? or all the grant opportunities for HAPPINESS STUDIES?)

Of course, I want to be happy as much as the next person. Whatever I read had to do with ANTICIPATION as an enhancement to whatever the anticipated experience or object is. I suppose, then, that this theory would mean that a killer deal on a last minute trip to Paris would not be as happiness-inducing as a long-anticipated trip. I don't know about that. But the theory does seem to suggest that saving up for something promotes happiness more than putting it on a credit card and paying for it later.

So, I will share with you what we've been anticipating. Some of you may remember that Frugal Son spent last year in Nantes. Well, his favorite teacher, Danielle, liked him too. He told her about his France-loving parents and she said we could stay in her house during the summer. She teaches French in China every summer.

So...EVERYONE...that is the plan for next summer.

ANTICPATION
NANTES-ICIPATION.

Hope it happens.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds fun!

Gayle Ann Berg said...

Interesting info about happiness.

What an awesome opportunity for your family!

Shelley said...

My impression is that people are increasingly aware of not being that much happier in spite of having more money (well, pre-recession anyhow) than in the past and so there is interest in better understanding what makes people happy / improves the quality of life if not money.

I've always enjoyed saving up for something more than just splashing out on a whim. When I could easily splash I gotet overwhelmed with the choices. Your trip to Nantes sounds wonderful. Hope she lives somewhere interesting or on public transport to make life easier. Then again, they drive on the right side of the road, so renting a car might be an option. Will look forward to hearing all about your plans and the event itself.

materfamilias said...

How fabulous for you! A wonderful French vacation to look forward to -- and it's frugal as well!

Darla said...

How exciting! Learning about a place, planning to go, saving for costs of things is all part of the enjoyment for me.

Somehow the word "anticipation" always makes me think "anxiety" tho. I must associate it with anticipating something dire.

Darla

Duchesse said...

Perfect, amazing, wonderful!

Someone said that to be happy one needs something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to. Rings true for me.

Frugal Scholar said...

Thanks to all! Will keep you posted. The only potential problem would involve health issues for our aged P's. But then we could go the NET summer, which would involve even more anticipation.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

How very kind of her to offer and let you stay!! :) That's so generous.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

Oh! and is Frugal son back now?

Anonymous said...

in addition to the anticipation, surely the "unexpected gift" aspect of this is a wonder too.

Frugal Scholar said...

@ Yes FB, FS is back (though he can't wait to embark on his next adventure). Very generous indeed.

@Terri--Perfect--unexpected gift. The best kind, I think,