In the spirit of Thanksgiving

Well today is Thanksgiving, the one day of the year most people actually stop to think about the things they're thankful for, instead of taking them for granted. Now don't think I'm calling anyone out on this because I definitely can be lumped in that group. It's not like we're bad people, life just happens and sometimes we tend to overlook the simple, little things. Sometimes the seemingly endless list of bad or negative things over shadows everything else. You can't lie and say that it hasn't been somewhat consuming in your life at some point in time.

So today, one of the only days I don't have anything to do (okay I do, I'm just choosing to ignore it) I decided to compile a list of some of the things I'm thankful for.

1. I'm thankful for opportunities.
             This summer I had two opportunities, the chance to spend the summer studying in Salzburg, Austria and the chance to go to Vegas to celebrate my best friends birthday.

              I'm so thankful to have been able to spend a month in Salzburg this summer. Not only did I learn about Austrian culture, I had the chance to learn a lot about myself. On top of all that, I met some wonderful people, people I now consider to be part of my extended family. In just a month I fell in love with that special place and all it had to offer… beautiful sunsets, beautiful sights, beautiful boys, and its ever flowing beer. Never have I had a more peaceful night than our final night there when we broke into the Mirabell Garden to gaze up at a cloudless sky filled with an endless supply of stars. The experience is something I'll never take for granted. I owe my parents the world for letting me see the world.

It seemed like the moment I got back I was on my next adventure…. to VEGAS! There's no other way for Sara to do her 22nd birthday. I can honestly say I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into and if I was at all prepared for it. After a sleepless night before our departure our Friday relaxing at the pool of the hotel was apparently just what we needed to start the weekend off right. Cheers to meeting new friends at the pool... and those friends playing a $400+ bill that night at dinner. Here's to Hyde and free bottle service, to meeting random boys on the floor of the MGM Grand casino leading to a night of burgers and the penthouse. Here's to the late nights that turned into early mornings. Here's to learning that sometimes I need to shut my hectic life off for a weekend and just enjoy life. The possibilities for fun are, apparently, endless. Here's to having the most relaxing yet action packed weekend possible. And finally, here's to realizing Vegas is the worlds happiest place and the ever present itch to go back. 

          

2. I'm thankful for family. 

              Without family where would we be. Okay, just sometimes I could do without the (seemingly) constant nagging (like who is going to be my date to my sisters wedding… thats seven months away… ask me in five), the 950394768350394 questions I get when the answer hasn't changed since the last time I was asked but hey, its out of concern right? If there's one thing I've learned over the years its that when it seems like everyone has walked out on you, no matter what you did, your family won't. Your family is always going to be your biggest supporter and they'll always believe in you even when you don't. They'll be your rock during hard time and will be your biggest cheerleader during a good one. Their love is endless even when you don't deserve it.

3. I'm thankful for friends.

             Like family, friends are my everything. They know my deepest darkest secrets yet refuse to judge me and love me just the same. They give me life advice and aren't afraid to tell me like it is. They are honest when you need it, loving when you need it, and fun when you need it. They almost always know you better than you know yourself and ultimately know whats best for you. They are there for you when you need to cry after a break up, a drink after a long day, or to grab coffee for an all-nighter that could have been avoided. And if you're lucky enough, like me, your friends will turn into family. 

Honestly, I could probably sit here for awhile and say all the things I'm thankful for but I don't have that kind of time and I don't really want to bore you. So I'll leave it at that. Just know that the simple words I use don't accurately describe how I feel about how thankful I really am (I'll never be a Harper Lee or Jane Austen).This holiday season may we continue to realize how blessed we are and learn to never take those things for granted. I know I'm trying to work that into my everyday life and you should too.


PS. I'm thankful for the Christmas tree and glass of wine in front of me…. GOD BLESS.