Super Fast, Super Important Weekly Gratitude

Hello Blogosphere!

I'm so happy it's Weekly Gratitude time!  I'm very tired, so this will be quick. . . but I truly have so much to be grateful for this week.

*I'm grateful for the way my list day at home went.  I'm grateful for moving in to my warm, beautiful dorm room with my mom's help, the cheerful sounds of my C.A.'s music in the hallway.  I'm grateful for dinner at Rick's with mom, and chatting online with my bestfriend in the world as I settled my things.

*I'm grateful for the most amazing assortment of classes EVER.  Every single day, I have dance and theater.  My only two non-performing arts based classes are Comparative Religions and Honors Colloquium.  Both of which are awesome classes that I have been looking forward to for a long time.

*I'm grateful for dance.

*I'm grateful for how smashingly well Ballet 6 went.  Just as our class size doubled I was able to distinguish myself from the pack.  And it simply felt amazing. . . the whole class.

*I'm grateful for Modern 6.  It's the most advanced modern we have until senior year (with very, very, very rare exception) and it was so inspiring.  I didn't realize how much more I could push, but now I do!

*Festival.  This is going to be one of the most awesome weeks of my life.

*My girls: saturday we spent hours in the mall (something I've never done before.  I know.  weird.) and then went to Dev's house and soaked in her hot tub. . . in January.  At nine o'clock at night.  Meanwhile, one of the wonderful girls I live with took my laundry (which in my hurry that morning I forgot) and air dried it in my room for me. . . so all I had left to do this morning was fold and pack for Festival.  And my wonderful C.A., who is also President of the club I'm Secretary for took over one of my duties, so I could concentrate on getting ready to go.

*Cell phones.  I understand the concept of letters: I think there is something beautiful and romantic about them.  But I truly don't know how I would manage a long distance relationship without at least hearing his voice.  I guess I'm a true child of my generation. . .

*Pretty, fun accessories that I can purchase on gift cards and not have to spend money on new outfits.

*Lovely readers.

*The chance to explore my craft(s).

*My faith.

*Falling asleep with my cellphone still in my hand. . . and actually sleeping all the way through the night.

What are you thankful for, my friends?

Weekly Gratitude

A lovely lady by the name of Tatiana came up with the idea of Weekly Gratitude: where bloggers could join her at the end of every week in writing out the things that they were grateful for that week.  I think this is an absolutely swell idea - especially the part where everyone who participates gets to put a little icon on their blog announcing it.  It holds us all accountable to each other - accountable for our own  happiness and thankfulness.  Reminded that our attitudes are our own. . . so I'm going to add the icon and get crackin' on the bloggin'.

Without further ado, here is my first Weekly Gratitude:

1.) The luxury of a nice long winter break, which will be ending in just a few hours.

2.) The luxury of higher education. . . people who do not go to college do not get winter breaks at 20.

3.) That I am able to afford said higher education through a complex system of need based financial aid, academic scholarships, performance scholarships, federal loans, and my mom's help.

4.) The last two days with my family.  Yesterday was me, Sister, and A (my older brother) along with our partners.  We went to dinner and stayed out until the restaurant closed around us.  Laughing, eating, joking telling stories, and finally hugs goodbye in a light snow.  Then today was me, the Kid, Mum, and Boyfriend.  The Kid and I went to church, and then we all went out and ran errands - I know, not exactly an action packed last day home.  But it's amazing how a mundane task with extraordinary people becomes a pleasure.  Then we went out to a sort of late lunch/early dinner.  The food was really good, our waitress was cheerful, I tried a frightening Bubble-Tea-inspired drink, and again we laughed until we cried.

5.) The first dinner?  Last night?  That was paid for by gift cards we received for Christmas.

6.) The Patriots game.  Yes, I realize we lost.  That our bitter rivals the Jets will be continuing in the playoffs.  However - I am a rabid sports fan and you know what?  I am really lucky to be rooting for a football team that has been in the playoffs/making records/kicking ass for 10 years or so.  That's half my lifetime, man.

7.) Boyfriend.

8.) Mum, the Kid, Sister, and A.

9.) The life I'm returning to at school.

10.) Each of you wonderful people who read and support my blog.  Especially you who follow!!!!