Ahhhh, it's that time of year- the time where families gather, ridiculously good food is cooked and where it literally becomes a competition to not only see how much food you can stuff into your gut senselessly but to see who can stay coherent the longest without falling victim to a tryptophan comatose. Roffle- silly tryptophan. If only you weren't naturally in turkey maybe I'd actually be somewhat inclined to do something more on Thanksgiving and not fall victim to a several hour nap after the Thanksgiving feast D8 ... you totally throw off my groove :<

BUT- with actually realizing that the year is coming to a close I do have (amongst all of the crazy chaos and unexpected twists and turns) a lot to be thankful for and fer real- it's only right since it is the season to count my blessings. Besides, next week starts December >___> ... Which I'm totally not ready for.

And black friday is ... friday.

Por que, 2009!?1? DONDE ESTA? Seriously, this year is being driven away- driven like its being stolen. Ridiculous.

SO ENOUGH CRAZY TALK- this is my liiiiist.

Family- Although they may drive me crazy, un-intentionally say things that upset me/frustrate me, have to have a say in everything (roffle, every family is like that- its engraved in each one like instinct) they have always supported me and been my personal cheerleading squad. Even though my siblings and I haven't quite seen eye to eye on things (and some things we never will!) I can't thank them enough for just tolerating certain things and accepting me for being me. I look up to my parents and I love them; they've shown me that you have to fight for what you want and be willing to make sacrifices for your dreams. My mom alone has taught me that serving others brings not only happiness to those you serve but to you as well and I'm thankful for her example. She's a work horse- she's a college professor, a business owner, a mom, a PICU nurse and on the magnet board of CHOC, an active church member who supports and helps run the churches women's organization, the church and neighborhood nurse ... yeah- she does way too much! But through her example she's taught me that I should be ready to drop what I'm doing and help others. I hope I can be half as good as her and carry on that legacy she's built. My Dad... oh dang, he's taught me how to not be so serious and to lighten up. He's also taught me how to step up to the plate, be responsible and to think things through and to just have fun. Then I would say I'm thankful for my G-Ma and especially that she could still be around after having a quadruple bypass surgery. My G-Ma is so caring and makes sure that everyone is okay, situated and has the help they need. I can't thank her enough for funding the surgery that gave me my life back and let me begin to really live again and for the financial help she's generously given for school.

Friends- I'm thankful that my friends love me for who I am. Those days or times where I'm just in such a rut or am just feeling so low I feel so blessed to know that there are people I can turn to who can help clear my mind and help soothe whatever is riling up my thoughts and feelings. They know how to help pull me back down onto the ground and are saints for helping me clear my skewed perspective and aligning it back to where it should be. Even though I'm spazzy and just have some really off the wall ideas and thoughts that pop into my head or come out of my mouth I'm thankful that they don't run away but they roll with it or banter back with something even more crazy, roffle XD Whether its a crazy culinary experimentation (like 1000 calorie apple pie/cobbler a la mode .. that's right folks, 1000 calories PER SERVING if only to follow suit with 1000 calorie brownies >__> BUT I WILL SAY THEY ARE TASTY BUT DANGEROUS... ), late night taco runs, crazy IM convos, movie marathons or driving around town blasting music and dancing in the car if only to count how many reactions we get I couldn't ask for better people to hang out with and be associated with. I'm so grateful for all of their examples- I pick and pull qualities that I wish I could develop and grow and with associating and hanging out with them or even just talking with them I feel like I'm becoming a better person. You guys just rock, okay? Although sometimes we all get lost in transit or lose touch I hope they know that they mean the world to me and they're never forgotten. No matter what I got their backs.

God- For all of my blessings, for my life and for giving up His only Son who set an example and paved the way- took upon all of my sins (and everyone elses) and marked the path to be followed. I am grateful that through righteousness and obedience I can return back to Him. Although they aren't fun I am grateful for trials; they refine me, they strengthen me and they help me become the person I am destined to be. I can't even express it fully but I'm so ... elated to know that there's someone out there watching out for me, helping me, walking beside me constantly or carrying me when I'm too tired or weak to walk. Knowing that I'm not alone is probably the greatest and most comforting thing ever. Knowing that someone wants to hear what I have to say and listen to me complain and try to figure out life and watch me discover what I need to know makes me feel that I have an ultimate bestie. Every question I've ever had has never gone unanswered- I've always discovered what exactly I needed to figure out or needed to do/know but although the answers don't come quickly they come when they need to come. Haha- although at times things don't go as planned or don't happen how I want to I'm thankful for God's timeline because it always seems to be the best timeline ever .. even if I don't agree at the time it always turns out to lead me in the best direction. I'm not perfect and I'm a little broken but I'm thankful that God loves broken things and will never stop loving me.

Armed Forces, Police Officers, Firemen, EMT's, Doctors, Nurses- Forever grateful to those who put their own lives on the line to protect ours. Especially grateful for modern medicine and those who save lives by means of curing diseases, performing surgery, creating medicines and vaccines. Those who devote their lives to helping others/humanity have my up-most respect and gratitude.

And then a list of things~

my apartment, a home to return to back in California, family, friends, my religion, art, freedom, to be a college student, my job, to not have debt, for my parents jobs, a car, gas to put in my car, running water, electricity, a bed, blankets, pillow, sewage systems, garbage disposals, medicine, vitamins, my clothes, rainbow sandals, my glasses, hoodies, belts to hold up my jeans, thunder and lightning, stars, the sun and moon, seasons, miracles, tender mercies, music, easy communication, light, alarm systems, alarm clocks, the wind, the beach, the small moments in life, sunsets, sunrises, animals, stuffed animals, home cooked meals, quiet times, scarfs, imagination, creativity, inspiration, scriptures, love, patience, faith, repentance, laughter, life lessons, refrigerators, freezers, teachers/professors, roommates, blessings, positive influences/role models, democracy, sports, lazy days, sleeping in that extra ten minutes before a hectic day, that unexpected phone call from a friend, pick-me-up texts, books, reading a good book by the fire, heaters, socks, windows, ancestors, different cultures, hugs, chocolate, crepes, fruit, ethnic food, water, protein powder, showers, that relaxing feeling after you take a warm shower after a crazy stressful day or after enduring the cold weather outside, PJ's, talents, muffins, encouragement, pineapple, cameras, internet, pets, photos, random acts of kindness, late night chats, random late night adventures, late night breakfast trips to IHOP, spontaneous ideas, uniqueness, individuality, fun quirks, things to get excited about, dreams, charity, hope, listerine, airplanes, the moments in life where you don't have to worry about the time, ocean waves, 'blue tide', flowers, forests, lakes, rivers, natural beauty, advocates for good, sticky notes, reminder calls, waste collectors, grocery baggers, that death is not the end but only the beginning to something more, fantasy, fairy tales, childhood memories, truth, inspiring quotes, telescopes, sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, comfort, the feeling of peace, sleep, herbal teas, relatives, pencil sharpeners, tools, all wheel drive, colors, clouds, movies, consoles, the imagination and inspiration of others, beauty, silliness, happiness, education, humor, helpfulness, belief, agency, jump drives, make up, moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, frozen yogurt, the perfect summer day, sun tan lotion, missionaries, motivation, motion, running shoes, parks, pools, plush carpet, fuzzy things, optimism, bright colors, crazy designs, paper, moments that warm your heart, learning from your mistakes, moving forward, challenges, intelligent design, siblings, farmers, local markets, celebrations, open roads, the moments in life that take your breath away, destinations, journeys, ....

for every moment of my life :3

Happy Thanksgiving!