19. I am thankful for...

Today I want to talk about how thankful I am for this:

My readers.

Yesterday you guys made me so proud of my blog and everything that I've been doing with it. I had 70 page views in one day and I don't think I've ever had that many. I was seriously stoked when I saw that. I am so thankful for all of the individuals who purposefully read my blog for their own pleasure, and I am just as thankful for those who come across it on accident. I know 70 views, 13 followers and 38 comments isn't a lot to everyone, but to me it means everything. Thank you all so much for really making this such an enjoyable experience for me. (o:

18. I am thankful for...

Today I am thankful for this:

Sunshine.

It's really nice to wake up in the morning, and be able to open your blinds and let some sunshine in for once. Lately the weather has been cold, cloudy, rainy and/or snowy. I always feel depressed when I look outside and its darker than it is inside. I love the sunshine. And I am so thankful for the good weather that Northern Michigan has. We don't get hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, and we rarely see a tornado. The weather does change a lot, but we are very fortunate that we rarely have terrible weather.

17. I am thankful for...

Today I want to talk about another thing I am thankful for.

Free time.

I'm really thankful for free time that I have. I'm usually loaded with homework, just as I am this weekend, as shown in the picture above. Today I had to work a 9-4 shift, and basically from the time I got home, until right now, as I type these words, I've done a whole lot of nothing but blogging, messaging, listening to music, and messing around on facebook, twitter, instagram, timehop, pinterest and the like. I work a lot, and I go to school full time, so free time is pretty scarce. But when I do have some, I grab onto it and relax a little. I'm very thankful for afternoons like this.

16. I am thankful for...

Today I've been very thankful for one thing in particular.

My boyfriend.

I am so thankful for all the things my boyfriend does for me. Tonight night I was having a really bad night. I have had a lot on my mind lately, and I was feeling pretty lonely. I called him up and asked if he'd come see me because I was feeling really down. He showed up with chicken nuggets from McDonald's with my favorite sweet and sour sauce, and he even brought me Gingerbread Oreos and milk. He was able to cheer me up a lot. It feels so good to know that someone is there for you, that someone will come right over no matter what is going on in their life at the current time. To know that I have someone in my life who is completely willing to drop whatever they are doing at the moment and come hug me and hold me for a couple hours just to see me feeling better than I was when they arrived, as they leave...that says so much. I am so thankful for my Garret. We have been through so much, but the fact that we are still in each other's lives means a lot. I read this quote once: "The couples that are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that is designed to tear them apart and come out even stronger than they were before. They don't give up on each other or their relationship when they go through hard times, even if its the easy thing to do." That pretty much sums up our relationship. I gotta say, I love the guy. A lot.

15. I am thankful for...

Today I am very thankful for this:

Free Birth Control.

Today I want to talk about how thankful I am for free birth control. This is something that is very important for me, that I take for granted all the time. It is just the simple truth that I am not ready to have a child at this point in my life. If it happened, I know I would make the best of the situation and love the child to pieces, but right now it is just not in my best interest. I'll admit that I am too stupid to abstain, so this is the next best way to make sure no babies start growing inside of me. My insurance pays for it all, and I am incredibly lucky that I have been able to be on the same birth control without any problems and free of charge for over two years now. If you're on birth control and you pay little to nothing for it, you should be very grateful as well. It is a wonderful thing. Someday I want to be a mommy, but not just yet...

14. I am thankful for...

Today I want to blog about another thing I am thankful for.

Computer technology.

I am very thankful for all the computer technology that we are able to use. It is so helpful. Even though The Sims 3 isn't exactly 'helpful' it is a minimal example of just how amazing technology is. I think it is simply mind blowing that we can put something onto a disk, plug the disk in, and play a game. I feel the same way about the internet, music, videos, and the like. Computer technology is something we should really not take for granted, because it is so useful. A prime example of its usefulness is like in the medical field. We have so many awesome ways to test for diseases and cures with the technology we have developed. Sims isn't a great example of the greatness computer technology has brought to the world, but it is a more commonly recognizable reminder of how technology is in our every day lives and is most often over looked. I'm very thankful for computer technology. 

13. I am thankful for...

Today I am thankful for many things:

Optimism and the little things.

I am so thankful for days like today; days where I am inspired by something simply beautiful that allows me to look at the positive side of things, and makes me feel optimistic, even if only for a very brief second. It is more often than not that I feel weighted down by the heavy burdens that every day life brings. Sometimes I feel like there is just too much for me to do, and not enough time to do it. I get up in the morning and look at all the things I have to accomplish and I usually sigh, thinking to myself, 'there is no way I can get this all done; there is just no way it is going to happen.' I got up this morning, and this was my exact thought. But you know what? When my first class of the day got over with, I walked from the ADCL building to the residence hall, and during that time I reflected on my life a little bit. I looked up at the sky, and thought, 'if the sun can shine through all these clouds, and still brighten the Earth enough for all of us here, waiting, to see the things around us, then I can surely shine through all the negativity I'm feeling today and get through all the things I have to do with a smile on my face.' When you take the time out of your day to appreciate things that you usually look over, because you are so focused with your busy life, it can usually make a huge impact on your day. The little things are so important. The sun, the sky, the clouds, fresh snow on the ground, the smell of clean, fresh air, warm hot chocolate and a slice of banana bread slathered with creamy butter for breakfast, a nice sharp pencil, a great class discussion, a long relaxing walk from one building to the next, a nap before work, smiling faces in and out of the store all night, and a warm drive home with Taylor Swift's voice ringing in my ears. Today has been a great day, and I am so happy that the sun, sky, and clouds could help me see it that way. ♥

12. I am thankful for...

Today I want to talk about how thankful I am for my ability to write and appreciate Poetry.
In honor of my awesome poetry writing skills, today I will be featuring one of my favorite poems. Enjoy! (o:
You can also see more of my poems on my Facebook page, under my notes.

A Year Has Gone

A poem by me. Written 1/23/11

Twelve months have come,
A year has gone.
It's been three hundred sixty five days,
Fifty two weeks too long.

Four seasons have passed,

Roughly 60 days in each one

And all this time that's gone by,

I've been thinking about what I've done.

Pulled you in,

Then pushed you away,

Gave me your heart,

And I threw it away.

January, February, 

March, April, May.

I'd been counting,

Counting down the days.

Memories stopping me,

Every chance they'd get.

Reminding me daily,

Of everything since we'd met.

There are too many things,

Too many I couldn't forget.

You know something's wrong,

When you're holding onto things that make you upset.

I felt nothing in January,

That was the start.

Tried not to think of you,

Tried to be smart.

But that didn't matter,

February throbbed my heart.

My 16th birthday,

One in which you'd have no part.

March came along,

It marked month three.

And just a few years back,

This was the month you met me.

And soon it was April,

I'll try to explain.

Baseball season,

This was your game.

And not only that,

But a new striking pain,

I lost something I always wanted you to have,

April brought much rain.

But no flowers in May,

At least not for me.

Don't think I forgot the sixth.

The day you turned eighteen.

Then there was graduation,

Which I did actually see.

I regret not paying attention,

To the whole class of 2010 being set free.

And June takes me back,

To when 'Leavin'" was on top.

When I'd lay on my mom's balcony,

And we'd talk all night, nonstop.

Before I knew it July had come,

Soon the temperature would start to drop.

You announced you'd be attending pellston,

We made plans to meet in Mackinaw at my shop.

August I spent thinking,

Thinking too much.

I hadn't seen you all summer,

8 months since January when we lost touch.

When school started in September,

That's when I started to lose it all.

Memories were killing me,

Every time I went down the senior hall.

I had dreams in October,

Dreams all of you.

One every night,

Each time they were new.

November was the worst,

I remember when we started dating.

But I'd cry myself to sleep,

Because our memories were fading.

A cold walk on the beach with you,

 I wish I'd never see anything more.

Because December was drawing near,

And soon I'd end up starting a war.

Finally December,

The end of twenty-ten.

You'd think I'd have forgotten you,

After all, eleven months it had been.

But all I could do,

Was thing back in time.

As Taylor Swift has it,

I could only "wish I realized what I had when you were mine."

I missed you like crazy,

I started asking around.

I wanted to know,

Was I the only one counting down?

Finally January 19th,

A whole year had gone. 

Three hundred sixty five days.

Fifty two weeks too long.

I sent the message,

One day later got one back.

Found out some things never change,

And that's where we're at.

♥

11. I am thankful for...

Today I am thankful for this:

Sleeping in.

I feel like I am extremely fortunate to have been able to sleep in today. I never get to because my schoolwork always keeps me up very late and calls to me in the morning too early to get a good night sleep. Today I was able to sleep in, in my boyfriend's bed. Then we got up and he made me french toast while I did the dishes. We ate and showered together before watching a movie and after that he made me lunch and I cleaned the kitchen. At six I attended a really fun (and paid) work meeting, and when that got over I came home and my room mate and I moved our room around. Since then, I've just been blogging and tweeting (yes I finally gave in and got a twitter) and having a really wonderful night. I am so thankful for days like this.♥

7, 8, 9, & 10 I am thankful for...

The past few days I have been thankful for...

November 7th- On this day I was most thankful for the fact that Obama won the election the night before. My vote is all for women's rights, gay marriage rights, and healthcare! 

November 8th- Cold winter days like this day I am very thankful for my Carmex.

November 9th- Always thankful for my iPhone. It gets me through the day and so much more!

November 10th- My planner is seriously my right hand man. Couldn't do ANYTHING without it. 

6. I am thankful for...

Today I want to talk about how thankful I am for:

My best friend.

Someone who has been there for me right from the start. A girl who I miss terribly. An individual who has helped make me who I am today. A person who I will never forget, because I hold her very close to my heart. I am so thankful that I have been able to spend such a great 6-7 years with the girl pictured above. I really couldn't have asked for a better friend. I am so thankful that I met such a wonderful person. ♥

I miss you more than you know! I hope that we can be reunited soon and make even more memories. I love you, Carly. You're like a sister to me. You're the sister I never had. ♥

5. I am thankful for...

Today I'm going to tell you all about what I am thankful for today:

Music.

When I have days like today, I am so thankful for music. It just pulls me completely and totally out of the dark. Taylor Swift is such an inspiration to me. I absolutely love her new album RED. It's simply amazing.

4. I am thankful for...

Today I want to talk about the fourth thing I am thankful for!

My immediate family and I went out to the China Buffet tonight for dinner. I miss them so much. Just laughing about our fortunes that were in the cookies was enough to make me miss all the good times. I know I'm missing out on so much just being away at college.

My whole family. The entire extended bunch.

My dad and I at my graduation.

My grandparents and I at graduation.

Miss them more than they probably realize.

My mother and I. Who means the entire world to me.

Family.

I am so thankful for my family. I seriously could not live without them. They are always there for me through everything. And they always push my to do my best, and help me through when things are at their worst. Now that I'm in college, it's harder for me to see them, but when we do get a minute to get together, it is the best feeling in the world. You never know what you have until it's gone, and as cliche as that sounds, its so true. Don't take your family for granted. I have, and now I know to be thankful that I see them as much as I do, because I could live thousands of miles away and see them even less. 

3. I am thankful for...

Today I want to post about how thankful I am for this:

My health.

Today at work two people called in and everyone on the schedule was called, and no one could cover for the call ins. I am very thankful for my health. I have never been very sick, and I have no major health problems. I feel like I am very lucky because of this. People take their good health for granted way too often. I am so thankful for my good health.

2. I am thankful for...

Another thing I am very thankful for is this:

My job.

I am so thankful that I have a job. Tomorrow I will work 10.5 hours, 11-9:30. But you know what, instead of complaining about it, I'm really happy that I am able to work for my money and that I have been lucky enough to keep a job since I was 14, and that I was lucky enough to find a new job just a week before I started college. I'm so thankful that I have a job.

1. I am thankful for...

I've decided that for the entire month of November I'm going [to try] to post daily about one thing that I am thankful for. Today I begin with this:

Water.

I am so thankful that I live in a place that has clean water. There are so many places in the world that don't have clean, filtered, drinkable water. Living in Michigan, and being surrounded by the great lakes is truly a blessing. I am very thankful that I can drink and shower with clean water. I'm going to try my best not to take it for-granted for the next month!