thanks, everything.

Hey Saturday night and Sunday!

Thanks for being low-key and eventless!  I’ve been so super productive, and I’ve knocked everything off of my to-do list that I possibly can (side note: why can’t post offices be open til 9 on Sundays?).  Also, in your low-keyness and what not, I’ve been able to stop and realize why you’re so great.  I was able to stop my whirlwinding for a moment and realize that I’ve been out with friends and new kittehs since the 17th - every. single. night.  I feel so loved.  Thanks, Saturday night and Sunday, for reminding me of this.  

E

Hey! 2012! Thanks!

You’re totally awesome so far, and I just find myself loving life every second I’m awake.  I’m so glad that you kicked 2011 out the door, and that I never have to face it again.  The new year started out right, from the very second it began - with tons of smiles, hugs, kisses, and lots of general fun-having.  My birthday was amazing, and reminded me just how amazing my family and friends continuously are.  I think we’re on a roll.

Let’s be best friends, you and me, please?  We’ve got places to go - first stop, Amsterdam? Let’s kick butt for the next 354 days.

Best,

E

To my Fall 2011 semester,

Thanks for being officially over.  I received my grades, my overall GPA was bolstered, and I finally realized that I can conquer pretty much anything put in my path.  This semester started out, literally from the first day, as a challenge; it wasn’t so much the combination of schoolwork and my jobs, but more so the added stressors of a boiling over personal life.  Once that was overcome, and life settled into a wonderful rhythm, proof was provided that I am able to kick some pretty serious butt.  Things are going down a pretty awesome path right now, and I can’t wait to conquer my Spring 2012 semester.  

E

Hey Wrap-type neck warmer thingy that my Mom gave me over Thanksgiving,

You’re pretty rad! You’re make my tension headaches go away, and you smell like popcorn!  All around win.  

Best,

E

Hey Bender Library,

I know I often complain about you and all of the undergraduates that use you as the place where their social hours need to take place.  I guess that’s not your fault, though.  I guess I want to thank you for constantly being there, for being a place where I can nerd out and not feel self-conscious, and a place for me to be super productive.  I’ll see you again tomorrow, probably.

Best,

E

So, this being a blog about giving thanks as often as I can — which, admittedly, has been a more private ritual lately, not taking place as much as it should publicly — today should be a special day.  I have so many things every day for which I am thankful, and because of the sheer number, I will merely list them here.  Anyway, here goes.

• My amazing family.  First and foremost, you are the most important thing in my life.  I don’t know how I would get along without you all.  You are a constant source of love, support, advice, and hugs.  Mom, Dad, Hill, Greg, Charlotte, Jeremy, Lauren, and all parts extended… thank you.
• My friends.  Many of you are far away and some are close, but your hang out sessions, your gchats, your video chats with me… they all leave me beaming and thankful on a daily basis.  Jeremy, Sara, Nicholas, Adam, Emily, Nichole, Catherine, Michael, Aine, Landon… you all keep me going.  
• My health.  I struggled with this for years, for the last year has been the first in many with no major medical problems or surgery.  With the exception of my migraines, I’m doing so well.  
• My education.  Being a woman, I realize how lucky I am to be receiving the education that I am, and I am thankful for the venues where I can study and express my ideas and opinions openly.  So many around the world do not have these opportunities.
• My living situation.  My roommate is awesome, flat out, and I love my neighborhood.  I pretty much never want to leave.
• My jobs.  I am lucky to be employed, doing things that I love, and to be working with people whose company I genuinely enjoy on a daily basis.  
• My kitties.  Cheezy, I know, but they’ve been — along with my family and friends — some of the only constants in my life over the past few years.  I’ve got a migraine?  They’re there, purring next to me.  
• Everything that makes me laugh.
• Music that makes me sing so loud that I pull muscles in my chest and ribs.
• Food that sustains me and makes me smile.
• The feeling I get when I create something new.
• Hugs.
• My life.  I’m in love with everything about it.  That’s all.  

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

To my sleep cycle,

Thanks for getting back on track.  I’m falling asleep when I crawl into bed, and waking up with my alarm.  It’s been pretty rad.  Thanks!

E

Hey Rdio!

Thanks for being so amazing!  There are many, many obvious reasons that you’re great, but here’s the thing — you’ve given me access to all of those cassette tapes and CDs that were broken, lost, or scratched beyond playability that were retired for these reasons, or out of sad attempts of mine to “grow up.”  Now that I have 401k’s, stock options, health insurance, pets, car payments, and other countless silly things about which to worry, it’s been nice to time travel.  

I’m particularly enjoying going back to high school, to a time when the most I needed to worry about was whether Mr. Pollard would find out that I had a super huge crush on him, or that I my package from Interpunk would get stolen off of the front porch. So yeah, escaping’s been nice.  Thanks a ton.

Elizabeth 

Hey November,

Thanks for finally rolling around.

I had a lot of hope for October, and while it ended on a high note, I still had a far way to go.  Now, though… now I can feel real change being made.  I know you’re just a month, really just a subjective name on a calendar that was developed centuries ago to make up for bad math.  

…But maybe that’s what I’m doing.  Making up for bad math, for bad time.  I’m breathing more easily, and taking leap years as needed, metaphorically speaking.  I’m building my seconds, minutes, hours, whatnots to my own tempo.  It’s all feeling pretty nice.

I’ll still acknowledge you, though, November; if I don’t, I might miss Thanksgiving, afterall. Let’s kick the next 27 days in the butt.

E