Happiness 7,000 miles from home

Happiness is a seat on a media busYou can read Classic Peanuts comic strips in the English-language China Daily newspaper here.

That’s a nice reminder of home.

The late Peanuts creator Charles Schulz once said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.”

Happiness would be a warm puppy here, but I haven’t seen too many warm puppies in China – or cold ones, either for that matter. But when you’re 7,000 miles from home, you tend to find your happiness any way you can.

Happiness is an on-time bus with an empty seat.

Happiness is a poncho handed out by volunteers at the swimming venue the night it was raining.

Happiness is the free tasty breakfast every morning at the media village.

Happiness for our corporate beancounters is the low cost of lunch and dinner at the Main Press Center. The typical meal with a drink costs less than $7.

Happiness is plentiful cold, free bottled water.

Happiness is a friendly, courteous, helpful volunteer or worker at the MPC or venue.

Extreme happiness is finding a friendly, courteous, helpful volunteer or worker that speaks good English.

Happiness is a responsive media relations representative who understands journalists’ needs.

Happiness is covering swimming because USA Swimming employs several helpful media reps.

Happiness is a reliable, speedy Internet connection and a working Web site.

Happiness is a friendly e-mail or comment acknowledging your work.

Happiness is interviewing happy American athletes.

Happiness is six hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Happiness is a McDonald’s in the Main Press Center that’s open 24 hours.