one week until thanksgiving

It's true, Thanksgiving is only one week away. I've been writing 5 things I'm thankful for everyday until then thanks to my friend Eagle and her inspirational challenge. It has really improved my life. I'm going to keep doing it until Thanksgiving. And I thought about saving them up until then, but it's getting really long. You may not want to read this, but I wanted an outlet for it. So I'll just go ahead and share the first week of my gratitude with y'all...

Thursday November 10:
I'm thankful that today when a boy's cell phone went off during class my teacher responded by saying, "Is that your ringtone?"
I'm thankful my teacher put a picture of himself on a powerpoint slide with a speech bubble coming out of his mouth.

I'm thankful the tracklete commercials are finally being played on Power 91.
I'm thankful I don't have to share my applesauce so that I can drink it straight out of the jar.

I'm thankful for the good people who served me free dinner at the episcopal church tonight and every Thursday night.
I'm thankful for nights like tonight when my roommate Hilary stays up late to talk with me.

Friday November 11:
I'm thankful I got to wake up and go to the temple with Loryn first thing in the morning.

I'm thankful Emily Burt surprised me outside the temple to celebrate my birthday weekend with me.
I'm thankful my teacher told me I am smart enough to get a PhD and that he would be disappointed if I didn't.
I'm thankful Elijah Rono re-watched the last half of Captain America with me.

I'm thankful my roommates threw me a pool party to start my birthday off right and that some people who didn't even want to swim came, just to celebrate with me.

Saturday November 12:
I'm thankful my mom gave birth to me 21 years ago.
I'm thankful my neighbors not only texted me, but later delivered cookies and sang a beautiful version of happy birthday.
I'm thankful I could stay in my pajamas the majority of the day and that Laura told me they were very representative of my lifestyle.

I'm thankful my roommates made me my favorite breakfast, German Pancakes.
I'm thankful Laura made delicious chocolate malt cupcakes from scratch and my friends got my favorite ice cream to go with it.

Sunday November 13:
I'm thankful Jeremy helped me with my Spanish homework and saved me at least an hour of struggle and frustration.
I'm thankful I won Settlers of Zarahemla to continue my undefeated streak, two for two.
I'm thankful I played cards with my neighbor Seth for 5 hours and as a team we dominated everyone else the whole 5 hours.

This is the best picture of Seth I could find. You're probably not even surprised we won so much now. Just being on his team was basically winning.

I'm thankful for the strength of the pioneers crossing the plains in terrible conditions.

I'm thankful that my prayers were answered in the talks at Stake Conference.

Monday November 14:
I'm thankful I got creeped on at the library twice today, by the same person.
I'm thankful that when my teacher says differential reinforcement of successive approximation I know what he's talking about.

I'm thankful I had my first cup of hot cocoa for the season this evening.
I'm thankful that I can have a friend like Ashley Bench to aspire to be like.

I'm thankful for the humbling moment I experienced when my perfect winning streak in Settlers of Zarahemla ended.

Tuesday November 15:
I'm thankful I didn't have to work at work today, but had time to type a paper instead.
I'm thankful Elijah, my favorite Kenyan, walked me to school this afternoon.
 I'm thankful Laura was in the ELC when I came to visit because I hadn't seen her for almost 48 hours.

I'm thankful my teacher complimented my handwriting.
I'm thankful Jordan brought me brownies for a belated celebration of my birthday.

Wednesday November 16:
I'm thankful Staci was born 22 years ago today.
I'm thankful I got to go to breakfast with 11 people that I love this morning and start my day out right.

I'm thankful Hilary and I get to spend time together when we train our pigeon, Porky.
I'm thankful I know "that kid," the one who naps in the birdhouse between classes.
I'm thankful that even though I don't see my friends in the crew all the time, when I do see them I remember that we're a crew for a reason.

Thursday November 17:
I'm thankful I had time to curl my hair this morning and still be on time to class.
I'm thankful I got to play table tennis with some of my favorite international students.

I'm thankful my teacher laughed when I made a sassy comment to him instead of getting upset.
I'm thankful my mom e-mailed me to ask what I would like her to cook for dinner while I'm home over Thanksgiving break.
I'm thankful Laura and I ditched kayaking to see the SUU men's basketball team win in the final minute.