My new iPhone 4 is amazing. I am unfortunately overly addicted like the people I used to make fun of. But the whole reason I got one was so that I could access email for work and also be able to mapquest things for freelance work. The mapping has saved me so much and has made my life so much easier! I need to get a handle on the other aspect of it wasting too much of my time but I am thinking that is just because it is a new toy. At least I'm hoping it is...
I am thankful for my iPhone with all its capabilities that are helping to make my job easier.
kk
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10/29/10 red
I love the colors of the fall. This year has been so strange weather-wise. Summer was lame and this fall has been very odd. Most of the leaves didn't really change color. They kind of started and then just all fell off. It was quite disappointing.
However, driving to work this morning I noticed all of the vines growing on the cement walls of the freeway and they are now all a brilliant color of red. What a treat on these gray days to be graced with a splash of color to lighten up the day.
I am thankful for the wonderful fall colors along the freeway walls.
kk
However, driving to work this morning I noticed all of the vines growing on the cement walls of the freeway and they are now all a brilliant color of red. What a treat on these gray days to be graced with a splash of color to lighten up the day.
I am thankful for the wonderful fall colors along the freeway walls.
kk
Thursday, October 28, 2010
10/28/10 beach boys
Is there any better test of a relationship than a road trip? I think not. We watch relationships of all kinds grow and become stronger or utterly fail on the show "The Amazing Race." Some people have great communication skills and work together under pressure. Some people become so mean and biting that I wonder how embarrassed they are when they see what they look like on air. We laugh at road trips depicted in movies like whatever that one is with Ben Stiller where he marries that girl in San Francisco that he hardly knows and then they road trip to Mexico and he finds out she is crazy. Mostly in the car on their way there. I have friends that have road tripped with their partner and felt like their partner was stupid since apparently they didn't know how to read a map. And as annoyed as we all get at times at the ineptitude of our traveling companion, aren't road trips just awesome? I do love flying, but there is something more in a road trip.
I have gone on many road trips throughout my life. When I was younger I went with my family down trough the Redwoods and ended up in Disneyland and San Diego. We have gone back east to visit family in Chicago and driven through Mt. Rushmore and other amazing things I don't remember. So they are on my list of things to visit again. I know we've been there but I don't have any recollection of Wall Drug, Rushmore or Yellowstone. I've road tripped to San Francisco twice, Vegas and Reno, Whistler, Canada twice, Vancouver Island, Canada, Lewiston and Clarkston in eastern Washington, Kennewick, down the Oregon Coast, from Savannah, Georgia down the Florida Coast to Orlando, and around Provence, France. I have traveled with Ashleigh Cashman, Chad Latta, John Sconce, Barb, Erika, and my mom and dad, and just my mom and me solo. Friends, family, and former partners.
For the most part we get along. There are definitely times where you want to get away or tell someone else how you are obviously right about something and your companion is wrong, and probably stupid, but you get through it and in my experience it is usually for the better. My most stressful times were when I was driving through France with my mom. The roads are narrower and people drive crazy fast. Through mountainous and curvy roads. People on motorcycles were passing me around blind corners! People honk at you and you are just trying to figure out where to turn off the million and one round-abouts. My mom had been to France twice before so I nominated her the navigator and me the driver. But sometimes her directions were: we should follow the signs to fill-in-the-blank. But with having all the crazy traffic, the people speeding, passing, and honking I didn't have time to look at signs and there were some tense times when I couldn't get the directions the way I wanted them, though I hadn't told her how I needed them yet. But once we finally were able to establish what the best way to navigate was for the both of us, and I was reminded that really we didn't have a plan so if we took the wrong turn, we could just turn around, or continue around the round-about if we missed the exit until it came up again, I was able to relax. It really wasn't that big a deal. We were there to enjoy the countryside and each others company. Don't let the stress of other people get in the way of that.
Anyway, back to The Beach Boys. It seems like every road trip I took with my family growing up had a soundtrack of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and "What's New Pussycat" by Tome Jones. It's Tom Jones, right? What a great song. We all loved that one. So one of the classes I work in plays a variety of music. Today was all Beach Boys. It reminded me of road trips of when I was younger and then road trips in general.
I am thankful for road trips I have taken and for many more to come.
kk
I have gone on many road trips throughout my life. When I was younger I went with my family down trough the Redwoods and ended up in Disneyland and San Diego. We have gone back east to visit family in Chicago and driven through Mt. Rushmore and other amazing things I don't remember. So they are on my list of things to visit again. I know we've been there but I don't have any recollection of Wall Drug, Rushmore or Yellowstone. I've road tripped to San Francisco twice, Vegas and Reno, Whistler, Canada twice, Vancouver Island, Canada, Lewiston and Clarkston in eastern Washington, Kennewick, down the Oregon Coast, from Savannah, Georgia down the Florida Coast to Orlando, and around Provence, France. I have traveled with Ashleigh Cashman, Chad Latta, John Sconce, Barb, Erika, and my mom and dad, and just my mom and me solo. Friends, family, and former partners.
For the most part we get along. There are definitely times where you want to get away or tell someone else how you are obviously right about something and your companion is wrong, and probably stupid, but you get through it and in my experience it is usually for the better. My most stressful times were when I was driving through France with my mom. The roads are narrower and people drive crazy fast. Through mountainous and curvy roads. People on motorcycles were passing me around blind corners! People honk at you and you are just trying to figure out where to turn off the million and one round-abouts. My mom had been to France twice before so I nominated her the navigator and me the driver. But sometimes her directions were: we should follow the signs to fill-in-the-blank. But with having all the crazy traffic, the people speeding, passing, and honking I didn't have time to look at signs and there were some tense times when I couldn't get the directions the way I wanted them, though I hadn't told her how I needed them yet. But once we finally were able to establish what the best way to navigate was for the both of us, and I was reminded that really we didn't have a plan so if we took the wrong turn, we could just turn around, or continue around the round-about if we missed the exit until it came up again, I was able to relax. It really wasn't that big a deal. We were there to enjoy the countryside and each others company. Don't let the stress of other people get in the way of that.
Anyway, back to The Beach Boys. It seems like every road trip I took with my family growing up had a soundtrack of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and "What's New Pussycat" by Tome Jones. It's Tom Jones, right? What a great song. We all loved that one. So one of the classes I work in plays a variety of music. Today was all Beach Boys. It reminded me of road trips of when I was younger and then road trips in general.
I am thankful for road trips I have taken and for many more to come.
kk
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
10/27/10 sound
I know and work with some amazing Deaf people. I am a firm believer that a Deaf person can do anything a hearing person can do, except hear. And for many Deaf people, they don't mind or care that they can't hear. They were born Deaf and have a rich culture and language and therefore feel whole. They only face a lot of problems in trying to deal with ignorant hearing people. Given the choice between blind and deaf I would definitely choose deaf. I already know the language and I think I could get by without hearing. I think not being able to see would be much more scary for me. But there are definitely things I would miss. The sound of the ocean, the sound of the wind as it blows through the fall leaves, music, children's laughter, the phone.
I am thankful that I have my hearing and can enjoy all the sound around me.
kk
I am thankful that I have my hearing and can enjoy all the sound around me.
kk
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
10/26/10 rainbows
Maybe I shouldn't be titling these, it seems like it gives everything away.
After a weekend of near record-breaking rainfall it is so nice to see a break in the clouds and a full rainbow! It seems akin to the dark cloud having a silver lining. I actually don't mind the rain but I am not excited about the cold. This summer was lame and it seems this fall is shaping up to be pretty lame too. I think we skipped most of fall and are headed straight for winter. The cold that accompanies winter is only acceptable if accompanied by snow. So bring that on. Freezing rain? Not so much. But I am ready for a winter wonderland if we're going to have an early one. It seems that with each negative aspect to the seasons, there is always something equally amazing about it.
So in the starting of the rainy season, I am thankful for the rainbows that the sky offers up.
kk
After a weekend of near record-breaking rainfall it is so nice to see a break in the clouds and a full rainbow! It seems akin to the dark cloud having a silver lining. I actually don't mind the rain but I am not excited about the cold. This summer was lame and it seems this fall is shaping up to be pretty lame too. I think we skipped most of fall and are headed straight for winter. The cold that accompanies winter is only acceptable if accompanied by snow. So bring that on. Freezing rain? Not so much. But I am ready for a winter wonderland if we're going to have an early one. It seems that with each negative aspect to the seasons, there is always something equally amazing about it.
So in the starting of the rainy season, I am thankful for the rainbows that the sky offers up.
kk
10/25/10 - that call
Hmm, not having internet at home and not being able to post from my phone is making this hard to get to everyday. But never fear, I am keeping track.
Being in a career filled with constant interviews and near weekly rejection I am so thankful for the phone call that starts with "Kirsten! We would like to offer you the role of..."
I am thankful for my recent success!
kk
Being in a career filled with constant interviews and near weekly rejection I am so thankful for the phone call that starts with "Kirsten! We would like to offer you the role of..."
I am thankful for my recent success!
kk
Sunday, October 24, 2010
10/24/10 in the wee small hours of the morning
Today I awoke at 5am to go to a job. For me, that was pretty early on a Sunday morning. For others, it is a pretty late Saturday night. Driving home while it is still dark outside, after a 2 hour job I was thinking how beautiful it is to drive over the Marquam Bridge and look at the city in lights. Usually, I like to look at it at night and really enjoy the city in lights, but this morning the lights were still on and the sky was getting lighter as the dawn approached. It is nice to think about how the city has been sleeping and while it is still now, soon it will be bustling with movement and activity. I was born at 6:30am so I've always been a morning person.
I am thankful that I am a person who can be awake and alert and present in the morning to witness the beauty that our world and city has to offer. Someone who may need coffee or another 3 hours before they are "awake" that then just drives to work in an auto-pilot fog misses it. They don't know what they're missing. Even in the pouring down rain. It's really amazing.
kk
I am thankful that I am a person who can be awake and alert and present in the morning to witness the beauty that our world and city has to offer. Someone who may need coffee or another 3 hours before they are "awake" that then just drives to work in an auto-pilot fog misses it. They don't know what they're missing. Even in the pouring down rain. It's really amazing.
kk
10/23/10 Rain! And more rain!
No computer access yesterday means that I am posting on the 24th for the 23rd.
Pouring down rain reminds me of a day my senior year in high school. One of my best friends and fellow puddle jumper, Jennifer Steele, and I had taken the ACT one rainy Saturday morning. Or, at least I had. Afterward we decided to take advantage of the rain and drive around downtown Redmond in search of great puddles. We were still conscious of my mother's car I was borrowing and brought towels to cover the seat. As seniors in high school, how many people can say their idea of fun was to responsibly play in the rain? Some might call me boring. But I think water is super fun. We used to have water fights all the time at home. But that's a story for another day. So, Jennifer and I managed to find some pretty good puddles at various places, but the best one was in a little parking lot of shops just off the big QFC parking lot. There was a grate in a dip that was clogged and so there was a large pool of water that had collected. We jumped and jumped. People driving passed us honked and waved, including the police. We laughed and splashed and had a great time.
A half an hour later, or so, the police came by again and this time pulled into the lot. Jennifer and I had dared each other to sit in the puddle and we waved and smiled to them as they pulled up. I'm not sure we even stood up and the officer approached us. He started out conversationally and kind of sounded like he was joking when he asked us if we were testing the "water-proofness" of our pants. We laughed and said something. Yes or no, it doesn't matter. We were still jovial. Then the officer sternly tells us to stand up. He asks us if we are on drugs. First of all, if a person was on drugs would they really be playing in the rain after putting on their rain gear? We tell him no that we aren't on drugs. He tells us repeatedly that it isn't against the law to take drugs. I think he's trying to make it seem like if it isn't against the law then we won't be afraid to tell him? I don't know. I reply that it is against my moral conscience to take them whether or not it is against the law. And isn't it better for us to be playing in the rain than to be taking drugs? We said we've been here for some time and cars have waved at us. He replied that he drove past us and was the cop car that waved to us, but that some people had called and complained and thought we were on drugs. How would they have even known? No one had come within 30 yards of us. He shines a flashlight in our eyes and has us follow it. He asks us why our eyes are telling him we've been doing drugs. He asks us what we've been doing and what we've had today. I said I took the ACT this morning and all I've eaten was a soft boiled egg. Jennifer had had Tums. This to me is ridiculous. I'm a bit of a defiant person when faced with authority so although I am a little scared I'm also a little upset. He's lying and treating me like a criminal, which I am not, so I am actually becoming angry. And I know policemen have to identify themselves by their name and he never did so, so I'm feeling like I want to kind of be snotty in my responses. Thank goodness Jennifer was there, she was much more level headed and knew how to behave properly. He asked us what we would do if he brought out some breathalyzer or drug test or something to test us. I'm thinking Yeah, go ahead and try buddy, but Jennifer calmly responds that we would be more than happy to take it. So I politely respond affirmatively as well. We called his bluff. He said that he wasn't going to do that but since this is a busy parking lot, it isn't safe so we should go somewhere else. But we were in a side lot with no traffic! Whatever. So we got in our car and went to some office building parking lot but the puddles just weren't the same. But overall, it was still a fun day.
I am so thankful for my wonderful friend Jennifer Steele and her shared love of puddle jumping. I am thankful for playing in the rain. It is something I miss doing since I've moved to Portland and away from her. I don't have a friend here in Portland yet that shares my affinity for puddle jumping. I may go out into my own street this Fall/Winter and jump on my own. Maybe I can convince the parents of my 3-year-old neighbor across the street to let him come out and play with me...
kk
Pouring down rain reminds me of a day my senior year in high school. One of my best friends and fellow puddle jumper, Jennifer Steele, and I had taken the ACT one rainy Saturday morning. Or, at least I had. Afterward we decided to take advantage of the rain and drive around downtown Redmond in search of great puddles. We were still conscious of my mother's car I was borrowing and brought towels to cover the seat. As seniors in high school, how many people can say their idea of fun was to responsibly play in the rain? Some might call me boring. But I think water is super fun. We used to have water fights all the time at home. But that's a story for another day. So, Jennifer and I managed to find some pretty good puddles at various places, but the best one was in a little parking lot of shops just off the big QFC parking lot. There was a grate in a dip that was clogged and so there was a large pool of water that had collected. We jumped and jumped. People driving passed us honked and waved, including the police. We laughed and splashed and had a great time.
A half an hour later, or so, the police came by again and this time pulled into the lot. Jennifer and I had dared each other to sit in the puddle and we waved and smiled to them as they pulled up. I'm not sure we even stood up and the officer approached us. He started out conversationally and kind of sounded like he was joking when he asked us if we were testing the "water-proofness" of our pants. We laughed and said something. Yes or no, it doesn't matter. We were still jovial. Then the officer sternly tells us to stand up. He asks us if we are on drugs. First of all, if a person was on drugs would they really be playing in the rain after putting on their rain gear? We tell him no that we aren't on drugs. He tells us repeatedly that it isn't against the law to take drugs. I think he's trying to make it seem like if it isn't against the law then we won't be afraid to tell him? I don't know. I reply that it is against my moral conscience to take them whether or not it is against the law. And isn't it better for us to be playing in the rain than to be taking drugs? We said we've been here for some time and cars have waved at us. He replied that he drove past us and was the cop car that waved to us, but that some people had called and complained and thought we were on drugs. How would they have even known? No one had come within 30 yards of us. He shines a flashlight in our eyes and has us follow it. He asks us why our eyes are telling him we've been doing drugs. He asks us what we've been doing and what we've had today. I said I took the ACT this morning and all I've eaten was a soft boiled egg. Jennifer had had Tums. This to me is ridiculous. I'm a bit of a defiant person when faced with authority so although I am a little scared I'm also a little upset. He's lying and treating me like a criminal, which I am not, so I am actually becoming angry. And I know policemen have to identify themselves by their name and he never did so, so I'm feeling like I want to kind of be snotty in my responses. Thank goodness Jennifer was there, she was much more level headed and knew how to behave properly. He asked us what we would do if he brought out some breathalyzer or drug test or something to test us. I'm thinking Yeah, go ahead and try buddy, but Jennifer calmly responds that we would be more than happy to take it. So I politely respond affirmatively as well. We called his bluff. He said that he wasn't going to do that but since this is a busy parking lot, it isn't safe so we should go somewhere else. But we were in a side lot with no traffic! Whatever. So we got in our car and went to some office building parking lot but the puddles just weren't the same. But overall, it was still a fun day.
I am so thankful for my wonderful friend Jennifer Steele and her shared love of puddle jumping. I am thankful for playing in the rain. It is something I miss doing since I've moved to Portland and away from her. I don't have a friend here in Portland yet that shares my affinity for puddle jumping. I may go out into my own street this Fall/Winter and jump on my own. Maybe I can convince the parents of my 3-year-old neighbor across the street to let him come out and play with me...
kk
Friday, October 22, 2010
10/22/10 Dolphin Diving
Today I was reminded of playing with my dad when I was young. I remember my sisters and I ganging up on him in wrestling or tickling until he would exclaim: "Watch the glasses! Watch the glasses!" But the best things ever were the 'Dolphin Dives' we would get at the Redmond Swimming Pool during the public swim time. (And after swimming we would get a treat from the vending machine!) A 'Dolphin Dive' consisted of holding on to my dad's back in a kind if piggy back position and then having him dive under water. I'm sure we looked just like dolphins. I don't know who came up with the term but it seems to be very fitting. We had so much fun swimming.
I am thankful for the 'Dolphin Dives' with my dad.
kk
Thursday, October 21, 2010
10/21/10 cookies
You know that saying "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? If you were to replace the word 'man' with 'kirsten', that is totally true. I mean, it may be true for men, but it is definitely true for me. I love food. Well good food. And particularly dessert. I am predicting many posts about food in the coming year.
I have always been a great baker and a pretty sucky chef. I guess that works out for me that I like what I prepare. Maybe it would be better to not like it. All that sugar is definitely not good for me.
Anyway, today for lunch dessert (yes i can have dessert multiple times a day) I had some macaroons drizzled with chocolate. And by some I mean the 3 I bought for a dollar. I tried to justify it to myself by thinking that it was a better deal and I did intend to share. Yesterday someone shared a half a poppy seed muffin with me so I thought I would bring him a cookie today. You know, return the favor. He's done a lot for me recently: chopping kindling with a crowbar to send home with me after work, buying me hot chocolate, and sharing his muffin. So I thought "Great! I will get three, eat one and share two." So I ate one. Then a second, I could still take him one. Um, and then I ate the third. It's not like I promised it to him, he didn't know I bought it for him and then ate it. But they were delicious! And I do feel somewhat guilty.
Growing up my mom would bake cookies the way she liked. I always wondered why they were so hard and flat. My friends always had cookies that were plump and chewy. I thought maybe my mom just forgot about them in the oven and accidentally overcooked them. One day I was horrified to watch her take the cookies out of the oven at the halfway point, slam the cookie sheet on the stove to flatten them out, and stick them back in to finish cooking! She was doing it on purpose! It's funny how people prefer to eat cookies. But I have to say that for the most part people like cookies in general. You can eat them without a plate or silverware, they are portable, they are delicious warm or cold, as dough or as ice cream sandwiches or even as giant cookie cakes. What a versatile dessert. And there are so many different kinds! Truly there is a cookie for every occasion. Gotta love 'em.
Today I am thankful for delicious cookies.
kk
I have always been a great baker and a pretty sucky chef. I guess that works out for me that I like what I prepare. Maybe it would be better to not like it. All that sugar is definitely not good for me.
Anyway, today for lunch dessert (yes i can have dessert multiple times a day) I had some macaroons drizzled with chocolate. And by some I mean the 3 I bought for a dollar. I tried to justify it to myself by thinking that it was a better deal and I did intend to share. Yesterday someone shared a half a poppy seed muffin with me so I thought I would bring him a cookie today. You know, return the favor. He's done a lot for me recently: chopping kindling with a crowbar to send home with me after work, buying me hot chocolate, and sharing his muffin. So I thought "Great! I will get three, eat one and share two." So I ate one. Then a second, I could still take him one. Um, and then I ate the third. It's not like I promised it to him, he didn't know I bought it for him and then ate it. But they were delicious! And I do feel somewhat guilty.
Growing up my mom would bake cookies the way she liked. I always wondered why they were so hard and flat. My friends always had cookies that were plump and chewy. I thought maybe my mom just forgot about them in the oven and accidentally overcooked them. One day I was horrified to watch her take the cookies out of the oven at the halfway point, slam the cookie sheet on the stove to flatten them out, and stick them back in to finish cooking! She was doing it on purpose! It's funny how people prefer to eat cookies. But I have to say that for the most part people like cookies in general. You can eat them without a plate or silverware, they are portable, they are delicious warm or cold, as dough or as ice cream sandwiches or even as giant cookie cakes. What a versatile dessert. And there are so many different kinds! Truly there is a cookie for every occasion. Gotta love 'em.
Today I am thankful for delicious cookies.
kk
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
10/20/10 gulls
While walking across campus a few years ago with my friend and co-worker Renee Stoll I saw a hear a large group of Seagulls. I commented on them in some way. I forget how but Renee said she had recently learned that they are not called Seagulls unless they are on the coast. Instead, these are referred to as Inland Gulls. Well, you learn something new everyday.
I love the beach and am really often the most happy when I am there. I want a beach house, with a porch and white wicker furniture. I don't particularly like wicker furniture, but I envision it as a must at my beach house. When I am at the beach, I hear and see lots of Seagulls.
While most people at work don't like the Gulls since they sit atop light posts and poop on their cars, I strategically park between posts and therefore have no problems. In fact, I very much like them. I haven't heard any in awhile, but today while crossing campus I heard one squawk loudly.
Today I am thankful for the Inland Gulls I hear that remind me of the beach.
kk
I love the beach and am really often the most happy when I am there. I want a beach house, with a porch and white wicker furniture. I don't particularly like wicker furniture, but I envision it as a must at my beach house. When I am at the beach, I hear and see lots of Seagulls.
While most people at work don't like the Gulls since they sit atop light posts and poop on their cars, I strategically park between posts and therefore have no problems. In fact, I very much like them. I haven't heard any in awhile, but today while crossing campus I heard one squawk loudly.
Today I am thankful for the Inland Gulls I hear that remind me of the beach.
kk
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
10/19/10 thoughts while interpreting
Being a Sign Language Interpreter allows you to be at some super amazing jobs interpreting cool things as well as interpreting in some lame places with yucky content. I work at Clark College and have been placed in countless different classes with many different kinds of subjects. One of the times that made me giggle out loud during an assignment, totally unprofessional, was during a P.E. class. This particular quarter I was working in a class where the focus was core work. The instructor and the 38 students were all on lying down on the mats doing the "bicycle." These are special mats that require the students to remove their shoes before walking on them. Not sure why they are special. The other mats in the corner can be pulled out for people to use if they prefer to keep their shoes on. They look pretty similar to me. Anyway, I am the only one standing up in front of the class trying to be visible for the student I am interpreting for who is also lying on the floor. I think I am the only one who really gets to witness the beauty of 78 legs attached to 78 feet all wearing different colors of socks bicycling at the same time at varying speeds and heights. Some people have white socks on of course, but they vary in length. Some people wear solid color socks of all different colors, some have polka dots, some have hearts or other shapes, some have stripes, some are knee highs, some people even have non matching socks.
Watching the various colors and styles of socks spin around in the sea of people lying on the floor is something that brings me joy and I am thankful for.
kk
Watching the various colors and styles of socks spin around in the sea of people lying on the floor is something that brings me joy and I am thankful for.
kk
Monday, October 18, 2010
10/18/10 welcome
Hello! I can’t promise this will be well written but I can say it will definitely follow my stream of consciousness. So if you can follow along, great!
My older sister, Barb, younger sister Erika, and I grew up in Redmond, Washington. All roughly three years apart we were usually in different schools. My parents divorced when I was in fourth grade and my sisters and I lived with my mom, Carol and stayed with my dad, Gunnar, every other weekend and had dinner with him once a week. I don’t remember the year exactly but I feel like it was within a few years of the divorce that my mom had had it with the complaining that my sisters and I were doing. People were lame at school, this thing sucked, insert any of our names here was mean to me. I am sure having a 6-, a 9-, and a 12-year-old to raise was hard enough without all of our bickering and complaining. We held family meetings on a regular basis and one day my mom announced that we were to start “thankfulness” journals. We had to come up with at least 3 three things we were thankful for every day. Every day! We complained bitterly. Well, we took out paper and pencil and came up with what we had to. There was one day that Erika had had a particularly bad day. She was bitterly unhappy about many things. What they were, I don’t remember. On this day, we wrote in our “thankfulness” journals and Erika came up with a page full. At the age of 6 or 7, she wisely commented that on this horrible day she found that she had more things to be thankful for than she had had on any other day. I still think about this from time to time and think of her at that young age as a true inspiration. I think about my mom and how she forced us to do these horrible things, like keep thankfulness journals, that really weren’t that bad and have really shaped me as a person.
This past year was a hard one for me. Last September I left my fiancé and tried to figure out how to leave someone I still loved and had been with for 7 years in order to save myself. I was physically sick for almost a month from all of the stress. I have never missed so much work in my life! I spent time trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces and carry on. I’ve made some good choices and some bad ones. I’ve had a tremendous amount of love, help, and support from friends and family. In looking back at the difficult past year filled with loss, and looking forward to a hopeful next year filled with possibilities, I have decided to honor the idea of my mother from way back when and start a thankfulness journal. For the next 365 days, I will write everyday what I am thankful for. Wow, that’s a lot of days. This blog is really for me to remember to be thankful for what I do have. I am hoping that in a way it will inspire others to think about what they are thankful for as well. In this way, this blog is for you too. Life is amazing. Treasure it.
Today I am thankful for my mother’s idea to take a step back from the day-to-day negativity and harshness that can exist and really look at what we have to be thankful for.
kk
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