Days 186-194

Day 186: when your back seizes up

Because you automatically have great posture and when it goes away it's easy to remember how to have good posture.

Day 187: little purses

I am thankful for little purses because they are light and don't hurt my shoulders nearly as much as bigger ones.

Day 188: snacks

I am thankful for snacks because sometimes I get hungry between meals. It nice to know that I don't have to stay hungry between meals.

Day 189: a brother

Today I am thankful for my brother (the Artist). I love him so much. He was my first friend. I love that we can talk together about practically anything. I love that we like to spend time together. And I love the way he's growing up. I'm so proud of him. 

Day 190: notes

So I have a class with M and we were going to have a quiz and he typed up notes for himself and printed me out a second copy for me and I'm really glad that he thinks of me. :)

Day 191: backless shoes

Today I'm really thankful that when new shoes give you a blister on your heel there are other types of shoes to wear until it gets better.

Day 192: when your back stops seizing up.

Thankful for this because, well, life hurts hurts so much less this way.

Day 193: I can talk to my parents

I am really thankful that I can talk to my parents if I have something bothering me.

Day 194: naps

Oh, I am so thankful for naps. I've been staying up so late doing homework and naps help me feel better when I'm worn thin. 

What are you thankful for today?

Days 153-173

Day 153: cool summer mornings

I'm thankful that the weather is cool enough in the morning to keep outdoor chores from being uncomfortable.

Day 154: registrar

I'm certain that my school has one of the best registrars in the country. She has spent so much time helping me get all my classes straightened out, transferring credits, answering questions, etc. so, so thankful for her :)

Day 155: free internet at places other than my house

It's really nice to be able to continue doing schoolwork even when I'm not at my house or school.

Day 156: when people offer to pay you for doing chores

Yay for opportunities to make money :) especially during my jobless summer.

Day 157: free summer stock

Because I like the theatre and free is my favorite price.

Day 158: when less people come to an event but it's still great

A smaller group offers a totally different flavor for a get together. Nice for a change, and I'm glad it worked out that people could come :) 

Day 159: breakthroughs

Today I'm thankful for breakthroughs: discoveries or revelations that change the way you see things.

Day 160: comfy shoes

I got new shoes today :) yay for replacing older not-so-comfy shoes.

Day 161: placemats

I am thankful for placemats because when I spill something it's easier to clean the placemat than the whole table.

Day 162: scholarships

Really thankful for the people who help provide for my education.

Day 163: debates

I've recently begun to appreciate the use of debates in politics in the US. If I watch the debates on TV I have a better idea of what the candidates stand for. So much easier than trying to sort through all the campaign stuff online.

Day 164: "Summer is waning"

My brother said that this morning. Being on the downhill slope of summer makes all that heat more bearable.

Day 165: pills

I'm not overly fond of pills, but on days when you can't chew tablets swallowable alternatives are a definite plus.

Day 166: youth minister

For the past three years or so our church has had a very good youth minister. He's taught the students about life and taken them deeper into the Scriptures. He's also been very inclusive. I've enjoyed working with him :) very thankful for who he is and what he's done in the lives of our young people.

Day 167: invisible disabilities

I'm thankful that my medical problems are not such that I have people staring at me.

Day 168: manual locks on car doors

Because when I lock it myself with my own hands I know it's locked. Yes, that's me, the person who has to lock the car with a beeper several times because I can't remember if I locked it or not. [insert eye roll/shrug]

Day 169: we got rid of our TV service

It's so nice not to have that box on as much :)

Day 170: my grandfather's place of residence

Another way of saying his house. Because "my grandfather's house's location" just seemed like too much. Anyways, he lives literally around the corner and I'm thankful that we can get to him quickly if we need to.

Day 171: running water 

I am really thankful that when I'm thirsty or need a shower or something I can just turn the water faucet on.

Day 172: electricity

Today I'm thankful for electricity. Because I can turn lights on and plug things in and etc.

Day 173: sound

The rhythmic thump of my feet on the boardwalk. The combined hum of various insects. The quiet murmur of people conversing at a distance. Sounds. They can be beautiful. And seldom do we take the time to listen. I took a walk today, and I'm glad I did. Thankful for sounds today.

Days 146-152

Day 153: air conditioning

Because summer is hot. 

Day 154: egg timers

Because sometimes I can't hear the laundry timer at the other end of the house and I can carry an egg timer around with me. Great Christmas present :)

Day 155: community colleges

So I can't make night classes and I need to take Spanish this year (but of course my school only offers it at night). Thankful for the local community college that is going to (probably--still finalizing) allow me to take Spanish online and transfer it in. Yay :)

Day 156: cousins

So I love my cousins. And last week they came over to hang out. And it was fun. I'm really thankful that I've been able to grow up being friends with at least some of my extended family.

Day 157: credits transferring

Once upon a time. I took some CLEPs before I went to college. But then they didn't transfer. And I lost a whole years worth of work and money. That was three years ago. Then last week I was trying to figure out my classes and I emailed the registrar and asked if they still didn't accept CLEP credits and she said she could look at them so I scanned copies of the documentation and Friday I got word that they accepted two of them. So now I have two less classes to take to graduate! And also was upgraded from a junior to a senior! And I haven't been this excited in a long time. I'm serious. #senioryear #wellseniorthreesemestersleft #party

Day 158: good news

I mean specific good news, not good news in general (although that is also great :D). Today I found out that a friend of mine is enrolling at my school for this next semester. Soooo excited! Wheeeeee!

What have you been thankful for this week?

Days 79-86

Day 79: my hairdresser

My hairdresser is awesome. I never thought I would have a hairdresser, but I've realized that my naturally curly hair can be kind of difficult if not taken care of properly. So she taught me how to take care of it and made my life that much easier. Yay for fewer bad hair days :) and she's fun to talk to. Going to get my haircut used to be really awkward, but it isn't any more.

Day 80: food

I am really, really thankful that there are things I can put in my belly to stop it from hurting. 

Day 81: clean clothes 

When the semester winds down I often find myself cutting corners. Like doing laundry. There have been several times in the past few weeks when I've gone into my room to find a neatly folded stack of clean clothes. I've done my own laundry for years, so finding clean clothes in my room when I thought I was going to have to dig through the little used section of my closet for the rest of the semester is beyond appreciated. Thank you Mom! 

Day 82: visits from family

My uncle and aunt came down for a visit this Sunday. It was great to see them. I look forward to visits from family and am thankful for the opportunity to catch-up, hang out, and tell stories and stuff.

Day 83: claw clips

Claw clips are some of the best put-up/take-down things I can do for my hair. It's really easy to put my hair up, and when I take it down I don't have a lump like I do with ponytails. 

Day 84: when things go better than you think they will

So, for my teaching final I had to watch a video of myself teaching and critique it. I kind of put it off a little bit. Fortunately, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I actually kind of enjoyed listening to myself be excited about what I was teaching. 

Day 85: invitations

I am thankful for when people randomly say things like this:

Brother: what time is our ride going to be here?

Me: 12:30

Friend: I can take y'all home if you want. I'm going that way anyway.

Me: yeah, that would be great, thank you. 

Friend: I have to stop by Cracker Barrel on the way, though.

Yay for really backwards lunch invites. :)

Day 86: eyesight

Today I'm really thankful that I can see. There is a lot of beauty around that I would miss if I couldn't see. Like the colors, the way trees move in the wind, animals, children, etc.

Thanks for hanging on through exams. My school is out now, so things'll be looking up :)

What are you thankful for today?

Days 69-75

Wow. I can hardly believe it's been a whole week since I posted last. My school semester will be out soon and I plan to begin posting more regularly at that point. 

Day 69: when people give me tips for school work

One of the best tips I ever got was on a method for paper writing (Outline the paper, plug quotes into the outline, interact with the quotes). I can honestly say that had I not been given this advice I would have had no idea where to start.

Day 70: when computers in the library work 

Because they don't always work. But when they do, life is so much easier:)

Day 71: finished projects 

I finished my paper, book report, and article review. Whoohoo! Summer, here I come!

Day 72: the word "yet"

Yes, I am thankful for a three-letter word called yet. In fact, yet may be one of my very favorite words. This is why: I've had some medical difficulties in the past that made some ordinary, everyday tasks hard. There were many things I couldn't do. It was so easy to say "I can't pick that up" or "I can't perform that task." I've found that the little word yet can be a real game changer. You add it on to the end of your "I can't" and all of a sudden "I can't do push-ups" becomes "I can't do push-ups...yet." Yet adds hope. Yet turns disappointment into aspiration. Yet turns "I can't" into "one day I will." So try it. Start adding yets at the end of I cants. "I can't speak Spanish...yet." "I can't run that fast...yet." "I can't use a can opener...yet." Go ahead, try it :)

Day 73: surprise visits 

So I teach English as a Second Language from time to time. My Dad surprised me by coming by to watch me teach this past week. It totally made my day. Thank you Daddy!

Day 74: sleeping in

When staying up till the wee hours of the morning becomes a necessity, any opportunity to sleep in is very, very much welcome. 

Day 75: my mother

I love my mother. My mom is one of my best friends. She has always been there for me, ever since always. :) She is there for me to talk to when I need advice, or a shoulder to cry on, or when I just want to share something funny. I love spending time with her. I am so thankful that she was there for me all the while I was growing up. And I'm thankful that as I've gotten older we've also become friends. I treasure my mother. She is one of my favorite people in the world. And I'm not just saying that. 

What can't you do...yet?

So what are you thankful for today?

Days 64-68

Day 64: skipping class

I am really thankful for being able to skip class if I have to. Very helpful during the end of the semester. 

Day 65: postponed homework 

A paper I thought was due Tuesday is due Thursday. Woohoo! 

Guess what I'm writing on :)

Day 66: laptop

I'm thankful for having my own laptop. I do have to share with my brother right now, but it's so much better than having to share with the whole family or going to the library. And I didn't pay for it either. It was a very much needed gift from some awesome people (none of whom I think I know personally) who go to a nearby church.

Day 67: showers

I think kids typically dislike these, but showers, and being able to get clean after working, are wonderful things.

Day 68: get-togethers

I am thank for opportunities to have get-togethers with friends, eat food, fellowship, and play crazy games, just cause.

Sorry for not posting more often. Once I get finals behind me things will be a lot less busy.

Also, I created a new page, "Eilís who?" It's towards the top of the sidebar. Let me know what you think :)

What are you thankful for today?

Days 62-63

Day 62: good reports

Today I'm thankful for good doctor's reports. Step-down on medication, lung capacity significantly increased.

Day 63: school conferences

I'm also thankful for school conferences. Today that means class is cancelled this afternoon. Extra time for homework, unrushed lunch, and hangout with friends :) good times

Day 30: weekends

Today I am thankful for weekends. Oh, I am so thankful for weekends. It's great to get out of your last class and think 'I need to hurry home and work on __________...oh wait. I don't have to. It's the weekend.' Not to say that I don't do homework on weekends, but it's nice to know that my deadline is a bit more relaxed and I can take a couple hours to hang out and let my brain recoup from the week. So, yay weekends! 

What is your favorite thing about weekends?

What are you thankful for today?

Day 29: warm days

Today I am thankful for warm days. The ones that are just right, not too hot, and I can eat lunch outside instead of in the cafeteria. Fun times :)

What are you thankful for today?

Day 18: school

Today in am thankful for school. And I don't mean learning (although I am thankful for that as well), but school. School that forces me to complete assignments which I have no interest in. School which requires me to learn about things I would not be inclined to, but end up enjoying. School which chooses my books for me (and makes pleasure reading at once less enticing and more enjoyable) School which, in choosing books, occasionally presents me with a book I find surprisingly wonderful, when expecting it to be rather mundane. 

Such books are a follows:

Celebration of Discipline. Richard J. Foster {absolutely one of my all time favorites. Read most of it in one night due to time shortages. Due for a reread very, very soon}

What is the World is God doing?. C. Gordon Olson {currently reading, so I can't give a full commendation. Easy to read, and dare I say exciting?}

The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde {a play. Hysterically funny. I watched a movie version just for the fun of it}

The Scarlet Pimpernel. Baroness Emma Orczy {novel. Think Batman crossed with Hogan's Heroes. Unfortunately, I had to speed read this one. Deserves to be read more leisurely (I don't actually know if leisurely is the right word, you might have trouble putting this one down)}

Basically, school forces me out of my comfort zone mentally and academically, and that's just counting class. I may not always like it or be particularly happy about what it's forcing me to do...but it's definitely worth it. Wow. Some of you may realize it was a big deal for me to say that...I started out as a rather reluctant collegiate. And while I sometimes revert back to reluctance, school is something I will be thankful for nonetheless. 

What required reading have you found surprisingly enjoyable? 

What are you thankful for today?