Month of Thanks Day 30

I'm thankful that the month is over and it's December tomorrow because it means I'm that much closer to the end of the semester and my trip! Hurrah!

Month of Thanks Day 29

Today I'm grateful for the Fitness Blender website. I found their 25-35 minute workout videos on youtube one day and for the last two weeks have been making my way through the 8-week weight loss plan. I've really not been into running at all lately but I've loved (oddly enough) getting up each morning and doing 45-60 minutes of cardio, weight training, HIIT, etc, workouts. I even went out and bought a physio ball so I could do some of the videos. They explain all the exercises so well and I can do everything right on my yoga mat. Better yet, they don't talk the entire way through, just when introducing the exercise and reminding you about good form so I can have the youtube screen up on one side of the laptop and watch an ep or two of HIMYM or something else to make the time feel like it's going by faster. I'm tired but exhilarated when I finish and I like that I've been keeping up with it! Thankful that there is a plan I can follow.

Month of Thanks Day 28

Today I'm so thankful for my friends from afar. Some of these lovely ladies I"ve known for years, others for a shorter time but they are all near and dear to my heart.

Sonya and I tend to get into scrapes together that always wind up as amazing stories. From numerous group projects in HS to moving from Berkeley to SF, walking all over NYC and then having tea and cupcakes on the steps of Lincoln Center, hours and hours and hours spent at her house eating gushers and fruit by the foot, I always know that time with her will leave me worn out from laughing.

Mindy, Kirbi and I have known each other since middle school and I will always and forever cherish our memories from small group. I was so honored to be part of Mindy's wedding and Seattle and Vancouver adventures with Kirbi were unforgettable.

My second longest friend in the world! Friend until the end of time. Chatting with her on Sunday and already cannot wait. Danielle Elizabeth is just the greatest.

Words can't describe the impact of these two on my life. Megan and Amanda have given me more advice than I can recall, seen me cry more than anyone else, made me laugh more than anyone, called me out when I need to be called out and given more more support than I could ever ask for. My favorite thing to do with them is sit on the couch and talk for hours.

Technically friends in the fourth grade, Andrea and I really became friends in the seventh grade. Girl scouts, parties, Fancy-Feast, lots and lots of snarky comments passed back and forth between texts and facebook messages over the last few years. Such a great travel buddy and always there for a good conversation comment.

Roomie! Love this girl so much and love her sweet family and love being able to visit her when I can and be able to reminisce about the crazy adventures we seemed to get ourselves into while in school.

Mistress K, my gorgeous friend who is probably the only person who would ride bikes to Starbucks and then drink our coffees in the pool. I love our skype dates and love even more when we're able to get together in person.

What I would give for more one afternoon at Paradise Perks with Bethie! I miss those days where we'd spend long afternoons together on bike rides and then at PP getting coffee and talking about anything and everything. So grateful that she is one of the few that I still talk to from Life Group, especially because her vibrancy and optimism, which is so catching.

Even though this is a wretched picture of both of us, Rochelle's friendship since middle school has been invaluable. She's always encouraged me and stood up for me and she's given me some cool opportunities, most recently a chance to join a book reviewing website. I'm so proud of all the work that she's doing and love reading the papers that she's working on. Can't wait for her to rule the world!

Month of Thanks Day 27

Today I am incredibly thankful (and not just today but always) for my parents. For giving me love, advice, support, financial aid, encouragement, and everything else I could ever ask for. I have the best parents ever and if you disagree, I'll fight you.

Month of Thanks Day 26

Today I'm thankful for the sister closest in age to me, and my most recent sisterly roommate, Roni, or LIR (listen, you come late to the game, you get the worst nickname... and that really is the worst nickhame ever...). I cannot explain how great the six months we got to live together were (minus when she was a slobette and wouldn't clean... or when i was mortified at her dirty her room was and had to make excuses to a very good looking British fellow). The trips that we took together were memorable, from the new friends we name in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day to the WORST.CASTLE.EVER on the Isle of Wight, to our Mary Russell day and hanging out in Hyde Park, or Regents Park, or whatever park it was.

I also love how we have the cutest little kid pictures together. Proof.

She's the first sister that I spent an extended amount of time with as an adult (both of us as adults), and despite some minor flaws, I'm so proud of the person that she's become. I can't wait for the day that she (safely!) blasts off into outer space and (safely!) returns back down to earth having done something cool up there- although I suppose just the fact that she's outer space is pretty cool... Just as long as I'm invited to the launch. :)

Month of Thanks Day 25

 Today I'm thankful for bugger #2 of the family, Sister Shiri, or TFPTW. Oh, so many memories with this kid- OCs, horrible travel experiences, Coke commercials, initiating family nicknames, Light House family (where all our brothers tragically died....), cars almost being towed, Triangle Club, and so much (and so much less....) more. I'm so excited for our travel plans this winter and hoping that they'll be more successful than our last few trips together.

I'm inspired by her compassion for other people, her positivity, her ability to make good out of every situation, her withstanding of sisterly teasing (although she does set herself up for a lot of it), her wit and how hysterical she is, and her wide variety of tastes, some of which I approve and others that I mock openly. I'm just as excited to see what she will do with her life- she already has more awards than she knows what to do with at this point in her life!

And one final thing... BASIC!!!!

Some (late) Halloween pictures

Greg and Aly hosted such a fun Halloween get-together at their place a few weeks ago (or the night that I could not take a decent picture, as I like to call it) and here are some of the pictures! The theme for the night was TV characters so see if you can guess who everybody is!

I can't even begin to describe the shenanigans and the fun that was had. How I love Halloween when I can celebrate it with friends and good music (thanks Greg!)

And seriously, can you see what I mean about the terrible pictures! Sheesh... shows how much I love you readers that I would put these up :)