Giving Thanks

I am thankful for many things.

Family.

Hugs.

Friends.

Laughing so hard I can't breathe.

Kitties.

Warm houses.

Having a house that is home.

Food.

Quiet.

Noise.

Music.

From the radio.

And from the birds.

Toe socks.

Hair that cooperates.

Pretty things.

Safety.

Freedom.

Cameras.

Memories.

The road ahead of me.

Health.

Experience.

Being young.

Hope.

This moment. Right now.

A Break

Today marks the first day of my Thanksgiving Break. I have been anticipating these days for the past several weeks. I want to do lots, as well as rest...

Make my bed. Pulling up the covers without straightening or tucking only works for so long.

Bake. Preferably something with pumpkin.

Read. Everything. And especially the new Inheritance book.

Watch movies.

Get caught up.

Do school work. (Boring, I know. But I have a project to do and a research paper to write.)

Watch football.

Do I dare say Christmas shopping?

Get back in touch with my camera.

Edit pictures. I have a huge backlog to go through--some from before Halloween.

Knit. Some more. I just finished a scarf in record-breaking time.

Distract myself. From the fact that 28 days from now, I will hear back from Grinnell. The one and only school to which I applied. (No, I'm not obsessively counting down the days. What gave you that idea?)

on things i'm loving right now...

...my illness not being the center of every conversation i have. people have moved on, i'm moving on, i'm getting better. it's so wonderful to hear about other people's lives. to not be watching people's expressions as i explain, wondering if they really get it. or if they even believe me.

...feeling better. i love that i can say that. no ifs ands or buts. it's a fact. not fixed, but better.

...being a senior. depending on my mood, this could also end up on a "things i'm hating right now" list.

...thinking about college. again with the mixed emotions. but, it's going to happen. i am thrilled and nervous and terrified and excited.

...functioning headphones.

...two huge piles of books sitting by my bed. i can't wait to sit back and dig in.

Eleven Things

Let me first say, for the record, that I detest the word happy. Nonetheless, here is a list of eleven things that makes me happy.

The promise an empty canvas holds.

When people remember little thing about me that I didn't expect them to remember.

My routines.

Breaking my routines.

Finding something I love, that just feels right.

Really good books.

Music that fits my mood perfectly.

My cat's purr.

Folding paper cranes.

The Friends theme song.

The whole summer stretching out before me.