thankful

hope everyone had a good thanksgiving :)

it was a nice one this year, i went into the city with my dad for the morning to go to the macy's thanksgiving day parade :) it was super warm and sooooooo crowded this year. but a lot of fun. i love the atmosphere and environment of big events like that. it is crazy but i love it. and getting to see the big balloons is one of my favorite things! i go every few years and it is just something fun and different.

then we went to my aunt's for the family dinner. it was fun and crazy as family events are. but it was good to see everyone. though my family all lives 20 minutes away from each other we don't see each other that often so it is nice to see everyone. and it was nice for once not to get grilled about my life plans since i have a job...

while it was nice to spend thanksgiving with my family it makes me think about the last few thanksgivings not spent with my family and the different celebrations i had in ireland. from my first thanksgiving away from my family in 2005 when i studied abroad with the club and the hilarious dinner we had then going out, then on thanksgiving writing papers and then making cookies and celebrating with the girls. in 2007 i was in england visiting meg and i played around windsor castle, saw avenue q on the westend and then friday had a feast and last year my 2 thanksgivings and working. i loved celebrating in ireland and bringing a little bit of america overseas :)

a few of the things i'm thankful for:

an absolutely amazing 2009

a teaching job i love

amazing friends

being able to travel

all the amazing people and places i've been able to go this year

my family

snuggling with kittens

my camera

letters from my penpal

cups of tea

pedicures

the funny things high schoolers say

hiking

hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving :)