Thanksgiving 2012

I know this is a few days late (which is kind of my style I guess) but I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Sometimes with the daily wonders (and struggles of life) we forget about the simple things, like how many people out there we love and are loved by, and how many blessings we have in our lives (especially the ones we forget to count).

This year, we had an extra special Thanksgiving because we had TWO Thanksgivings (two dinners with two families!). Matt drove up the Sunnyvale on Wednesday and we had Thanksgiving with my family for the first time together. He met a lot of my extended family for the first time, and I am thankful he is such a trooper. I mean 35 family members (half of whom may or may not speak English) can be a lot to handle. Plus he had a lot of Chinese food (but also the traditional turkey, honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, etc). Everyone loved him, and in true Thanksgiving fashion, he bonded with some of my uncles over football. He really is the best guy. On Friday, I spent a few hours at work (because for some terrible reason, Wall Street decided that the market had to be open on Black Friday, even though you really can't get a discount on stocks), and then we drove up to Reno for second Thanksgiving. Matt's mom is such a trooper because she pretty much cooked Thanksgiving dinner twice (they also celebrated Turkey day on actual Thanksgiving). Since Matt and his brother Brandon (plus me and Brandon's wife Caitlin) couldn't be there on Thursday night, his family decided to redo it again on Friday night. Let me just tell you, the amount of food I consumed the past few days has been pretty obnoxious. But you know what? That's not even that important. It was awesome just being able to eat and laugh and play games. My family played Scattergories and Matt's family chose to play mafia.

I wish Thanksgiving didn't only happen once a year because it really makes you put your life on time out for a second to think about what you are grateful for. And I have so much in my life to be grateful for. So here's my Thankfulness Project list (a little late, but worth the wait):

1. My amazing boyfriend of four and a half years (OMG) who has always been my strongest supporter, my best friend, and the love of my life. This sounds corny, but I don't think I'd be as nice or as patient or as accepting of a person without you in my life. You help me become a better person every day, and I love you for that.
2. My loving family who has always loved me despite my faults (which include but are not limited to my non-stop personality, my quick temper, and my constant need for attention). Thanks for loving me unconditionally and helping me through all the challenges I face.
3. My second family (the Evans) who have welcomed me into their home and their hearts. They really are the best people, and have raised the best son and brother, and my love for them continues to grow every day.
4. The best friends a girl could ever ask for. You guys know who you are and I just want you to know that I couldn't get through a single day without you. Thanks for listening to me whine and going along with my crazy ideas, but more importantly, thanks for always making me laugh and feel loved.
5. Starbucks red cups, because they are the first sign that Christmas is here (and you all know how much I love Christmas).
6. The Giants for winning the World Series. Because everyone needs a reminder that we can do anything if we have a strong support system. Actually, thanks for proving to all the haters that 2010 wasn't a fluke.
7. The city of San Francisco because there is no place I would rather be. You are beautiful and delightful and eclectic and vibrant, and I can't wait to call you home some day.
8. Wreck-It Ralph because it is the greatest movie ever. I've seen it twice already. Clearly I just cannot get enough of it. Plus it's been such a great bonding experience!
9. Having everything I need. I don't ever have to worry about whether or not I'll have dinner, or heat, or how I'm going to pay my bills. Sometimes we take life for granted, so it's nice to remember that no matter how rough my day is, it wasn't really that bad.
10. My faith in God. Sometimes I forget that he is always on my side, and it's nice to know that he never forgets about me.

I hope you and your family had a lovely Thanksgiving. Just take a few seconds to think about what you are thankful for (and if you want to share, we can definitely revamp the Thankfulness Project). Here are some previous lists if you want to check them.

The Thankfulness Project: Ping

Ping and I have been friends since...I moved to Sunnyvale. She is my favorite person to bring with me to family events (mainly because she keeps me from going insane) and my family likes her. I've been to her family dinners as well (actually I was just at her early Thanksgiving dinner last Saturday). I think our favorite activities usually involve shopping, baking cookies (and epically failing at it...you can only make so many batches of awful sugar cookies), and watching cheesy movies (like Letters to Juliet). We both ended up in San Diego for college, and we have definitely had some wild adventures (Mexico used to be safe when we were freshmen). She recently just got a new dog, and I like going to the dog park with her (since I've never had a dog and have never had the opportunity). I'm thankful to have such an amazing friend here (especially since both of us are going insane hunting for jobs) and here is her thankfulness project...

10 things Ping is incredibly thankful for...

1. My wonderful boyfriend, and the fact that I am lucky enough to see him every day
2. My family, especially my niece and nephew (I love the way they can make me laugh by saying something completely random and cute)
3. MLB TV for having a “deal” so I can watch my Giants while I was in SD for only $20 for the whole year.  And the Giants for winning the World Series so I could experience the chaos in downtown SF during the parade!
4. Denny, the sweetest dog who keeps me company during the day
5. Crossword puzzles in the newspapers that get left on the doorstep
6. Christmas decorations (even though Jon won’t let me start decorating until after Thanksgiving)
7. Date nights and random surprises
8. Netflix, for giving us movies to watch at night since there are no longer any more Giants games on tv
9. Finishing nursing school and passing the NCLEX
10. Bubble baths during rainy and cold days

"Right now I am incredibly thankful for...Denny. I had been waiting 22 years for a dog before we finally adopted him last month. He’s so cute and adorable and he loves to cuddle in my lap. It’s so funny watching him run around in circles, especially when he runs into the kitchen and his paws slip on the tile. He is the perfect puppy!" --Ping

Thank you for playing Ping!

photo via Ping L.

The Thankfulness Project: Lunani

Here is today's list #2!

Lunani and I started out as friends because we were on our high school yearbook staff together. Later, we found out that both our parents worked for the same company. Needless to say, our friendship was made to be. We have been friends for 6 or 7 years, and my favorite part about our friendship is that we can not talk or see each other for a while (like a few months), but when we do get to hang out, everything is exactly where we left off. She is amazingly artistic...she has a knack for designing (on Photoshop), an eye for photography, and a creative sense to die for (you should see her Christmas cards/birthday invites). It really sucks that she lives in Chicago (and I have yet to visit her yet, but not because I don't want to....blame it on the $$$$, or lack thereof) because we rarely see each other, but I know that when I do see her, it'll be just the same as always (with plenty of laughs and fun new foods to try). She has finally found a spectacular boy (whom I have yet to meet) and it's about time...because she really does deserve someone special. I am so thankful to have her as one of my best friends and here is her thankfulness project...
 

10 things Lunani is incredibly thankful for...

1. I have the most amazing family...
2. ...and friends that I could ever ask for: Mike, Min, Margaret, BChan, Jane, Steele&Brit, Kirk, Geoff,  Kristy, Carl, Viv, Whit/Tony/Adam, Matt, Albert, Jason, Annie, Charlie
3. I've only been with my boyfriend for about a month, but it's been so amazing so far and I'm glad I met him this year. 
4. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS ARE THE 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!
5. A job that I love, crazy hours or not. Plus, I've worked with some truly awesome managers!
6. Roommates that will go to the police station and lower wacker to pick up my towed car
7. An upcoming interview for China
8. The means to go to Hong Kong every so often
9. This could be the Illini basketball team I've been waiting for. 
10. Chicago <3 

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...my friends in Chicago. In the five years that I've lived in Chicago, the friends that I've made here have really become my family away from home. We've shared similar experiences through our four years (and for some, five!) and now we're all trying to make a name for ourselves in Chicago. We've had a couple World Series wins between us (4! Sox, Cards, Yanks, Giants), Stanley Cup (boo Hawks), and a Rose Bowl appearance. But at the end of the day, we're grounded in Chicago and I know we're going to continue having late nights out, making sports history, and reveling in the little day to day experiences that make up our friendships. :)" --Lunani

Thank you for playing Lunani!

Check out Lunani's photography Here and Here!

Check out Lunani's blog Here!

photo via Lunani Y.

The Thankfulness Project: Corinne

For starters, I am posting two lists today because I didn't post one yesterday....let's hope we have enough lists to get us to Thanksgiving...in 3 days!

Corinne is one of my sisters in Sigma Kappa. Like me, she recently graduated (in biochemistry nonetheless) and is currently looking for a spectacular job (in case anyone is hiring). Corinne loves country music almost as much as I do...actually, my favorite spot to hang out with her is a country bar called Incahoots! We like to sing "Rain is a Good Thing" in the car, especially driving to vegas. I know that whenever I'm with her, I'm going to have a great night, because she is always a blast to hang out with. I'm thankful for having a sister with such a sparkling personality in my life and here is her thankfulness list...

10 things Corinne is incredibly thankful for...

1. Sigma Kappa - having sisters is the greatest gift.
2. Stephanie Fields - I seriously have no idea where I'd be without her. She's beautiful and loving and kind and I love that I get to talk to her on a daily basis about EVERYTHING. <3
3. Heels, mini skirts, and Essie nail polish
4. Having a warm bed to sleep in every night. I try really hard not to take it for granted
5. My faith in God
6. My health
7. My nephew Nathan and the brilliant insight he occasionally provides
8. My family even though most of them drive me half way to the looney bin
9. Mexican food and its ability to make everything better
10. Christmas lights and music and the magic that accompanies the holiday season.

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...my sisters. They're wonderful people who genuinely want to make a difference in the world. My closest friends are my sisters and joining Sigma Kappa has to be the best decision I made in college. My big Stephanie is everything to me, she is supportive and the most amazing person I know. Elizabeth knows how to make everything better (usually with food) and I love that I had someone to share bible study with. Maggie and I have a joint obsession with everything Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings and I can't wait for her to come back across the pond (I miss you dearly love). And my little sis, Selin, who has learned and grown so much in the last year (I'm really proud of you lil!!!!). I'm proud to say I get to live One Heart One Way. Everyday." --Corinne

Thank you for playing Corinne.

The Thankfulness Project: Sharon

Sharon is my first little sister in Sigma Kappa. Sharon loves the Lakers as much as I do...which is a big probably reason why I love her so much. She is currently kicking major ass in med school (at Loma Linda) and will some day be a brilliant awesome doctor. Sharon is a little neurotic (she is having a little trouble not diagnosing herself with all sorts of medical problems), but in a good way because she can laugh it off at the end of the day. And I love that she likes to start stories by saying "Omg true story." :) My favorite memories with Sharon include spontaneous trips to Souplantation and wearing our lakers jerseys to watch lakers game (hers is farmar, mine is bryant)...even if we are just sitting on the couch at my house. I am so thankful to have her as my little sis and I know she is going to be spectacular in the medical field. Here's her thankfulness project.

10 things Sharon is incredibly thankful for...

1. The fact that I can still wear shorts in the middle of November.
2. Having awesome friends everywhere, but especially here in Loma Linda.  Med school would absolutely suck without them.
3. My family!  Especially for bringing me food on weekends so I don't starve during the week.
4. God for always taking care of me and knowing what's best for me even though it doesn't always seem like it at the time.
5. Ben!  My wonderful boyfriend who listens to my concerns and helps me in school and who keeps me company when my roommate leaves for the weekend.
6. That my biggest worry is passing a test and not failing out of school.  Life is good.
7. My health.
8. That Thanksgiving Break is only about a week away.
9. Good music and my iPhone when I'm stuck in traffic
10. Caffeine. Coffee, tea, and gogirls.

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...Thanksgiving break. The first day of break Ben and I are gonna go to Disneyland for our friend's bday and then my mom got my favorite Thanksgiving food. And it will give me a good chance to catch up on my studying. I can't wait!!" --Sharon

Thank you for playing Sharon!

photo via Google images

The Thankfulness Project: Maggie S.

Maggie S. is my little sister...well not in real life, but in my sorority. In honor of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows coming out today, I wanted to post her list today because she has an endless affinity for Harry Potter. In case you haven't guessed, Maggie's real name is Margaret too! She is currently studying abroad in Scotland (for a whole year)...thank God for Skype because I can still talk to her! Maggie is brilliant (she is currently majoring in Ecology), quirky (she dressed up as Velma from Scooby Doo for halloween), and loves hot cheetos (she tried to order them on eBay and get them shipped to Scotland). I can't wait til Maggie gets back from Scotland so we can finally hang out. I am so thankful for my little sis and here is her thankfulness project.

10 things Maggie is incredibly thankful for...

1. Studying abroad in Edinburgh for a year!
2. Harry Potter (JK Rowling wrote the Sorceror's Stone in a cafe 3 blocks from where I live!)
3. Scarves
4. Colorful tights (and non-colorful ones too) so I can wear shorts and skirts when it's freezing out
5. The Internet
6. Sticky toffee pudding
7. Ugly sweaters
8. British TV (everyone reading this should download The Inbetweeners and Misfits because they're both really really good)
9. Skype
10. Plane tickets (business class!) back home for the holidays

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...scarves. It's getting pretty cold here so I'm working on my collection of cold-weather accessories. There are a lot of vintage stores and thrift stores here and it's really fun to look through them...even though 90% of the time there's nothing cute. I got a really cool fur coat though, which I've been looking for forever, so I guess I'm thankful for that. And I get to go home for Christmas to see my family and some friends which I'm really excited for. Especially the home-cooked Christmas dinner!" --Maggie S.

Thank you for playing Maggie S!

photo via Google Images

The Thankfulness Project: Jessica

Jessica and I were are sorority sisters and have been since the beginning. As freshmen, we both ended up in Sigma Kappa, and to this day, I think most of my best Sigma Kappa memories have been with her...and most of them are not even at Sigma Kappa-related events. I love going happy hour hunting with her...if you're interested in cute wine bars, make sure you check out Wet Stone and Cafe Chloe in San Diego. Miss Jessica is brilliant (she's currently getting her MFT), adventurous (she is bon voyaging to India and Cambodia soon), and a fashionista (she could make a white tee (the ghetto kind) look good with her knack for accessorizing). Above all, I know I can always talk to her about long-distance relationships (because her boyfriend is stuck in boooo-ring Michigan...her words, not mine). I don't really know what I would do without her and I am soooo thankful to have this amazing sister in my life!! Here is Jessica's thankfulness project.

10 things Jessica is incredibly thankful for...

1. A wonderful family that loves me and supports me in whatever I do 
2. A handsome and smart boyfriend who loves me beyond reason
3. That special group of amazing friends who are always there for me no matter what
4. The fact that I am in a school and loving it!
5. My baby kitten Leila
6. The opportunity to travel this year to some pretty awesome places
7. The simple beauty of the world: rain, beaches, sunshine, orchids...
8. For being healthy and happy and on my way to success
9. Warm peacoats, fall weather, and boots
10. Good books and good movies!

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...Leila. I have never been a cat person, sterotyping all felines as cold, picky, and having no personalities.  However, when you wake up to a little ball of fur purring on top of you every morning, nuzzling your cheek before curling up next to you to snooze for another hour or a little animal come up to you with a loving head butt before sitting on your arms while you type up that five page paper due in a day, you cannot love a cat.  I am so thankful that I picked up my  own ball of fur a few months ago.  Not only has she loved me unconditionally (and helped me edit a few papers!) she has been a great little companion and always brings a smile to my face with her little funny antics." --Jessica

Thank you for playing Jessica.

Check out Jessica's blog right Here and Here.

   

photo via Jessica H.

The Thankfulness Project: Maggie M.

Miss Maggie M. is one of the fabulous girls who joined my sorority last year. I was actually her recruitment counselor, and I cannot tell you how absolutely stoked I was that she joined my sorority (granted, she was already a shoo-in since her sister was also a Sigma Kappa). Maggie is maybe one of the funniest people I know (which is a huge honor considering how funny Matt (and his brothers) are) and I'm pretty sure I don't know anyone who doesn't like her. She used to buy me food at dining halls with her meal points :) Maggie is gorgeous, motherly (she is the new pledge class's assistant pledge mom), and a riot. I'm pretty sure no one could possibly discuss Olive Garden with as much passion as Maggie and Hope. Plus she likes to quote Mean Girls...and who doesn't like Mean Girls? I miss her incredibly and am so thankful to have her as one of my sisters. Here is Maggie's thankfulness project...

10 things Maggie is incredibly thankful for...

1. My beautiful sorority sisters
2. Target sweatpants
3. Gossip Girl Season 1 DVDs
4. My momma
5. My pillowpet Elmar
6. My friends who own cars!
7. Living so close to the ocean
8. Carne asada burritos
9. Living with the funniest girls on the planet
10. Being a gentle giant!

"Right now I am incredibly thankful for...my pillowpet Elmar because he is 1000 times better than any human male. He's soft, loves to cuddle, and has yet to forget a date! Plus, he smells way better than actual boys!" --Maggie M.

Thank you for playing Maggie M!

photo via Google images

The Thankfulness Project: Amber

Amber has been my best friend since my junior year (and her sophomore year) of high school....we have Homestead Cheer to thank for that. I mean, when you boil it down, we've only actually been friends for like 7 or 8 years (but it feels like forever). I practically lived at her house during high school (aka Grand Central Station) and her mom affectionately calls me her other daughter. We are sometimes known as Mamgret! Amber is a kickass biology student who loves Kid Cudi, bling, and Marc Jacobs. I am incredibly thankful to have this amazing girl as my best friend and twin....And here is her thankfulness project!

10 things Amber is incredibly thankful for...

1. my wonderfully chaotic family
2. alpha phi - my heart & soul
3. football season
4. weekly trips to disneyland
5. rainy weather
6. marc jacobs
7. harry potter and the deathly hallows
8. the christmas section at target
9. the nordstrom shoe department. and nordstrom in general.
10. ray lamontagne

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...Alpha Phi. It is the greatest love of my life. They are my support system, my family, my home away from home. I've never met a more motivated, beautiful, honest, and loving group of women and I am so proud of every girl in the chapter and everything we've accomplished together. This chapter is my heart and soul and has changed my life for the better. aoe." --Amber

Thank you for playing Amber!

photo via Amber M.

The Thankfulness Project: Meghan

Meghan is my roommate from freshman year. I have lived with her all 4 years of college and I think she is a big part of why I loved UCSD so much. Right now, she is applying to law school and I know that she will end up somewhere incredible (especially since she rocked the LSATs). She is a fashionista, a UCLA lover, and my absolute favorite person to drink tea with. My favorite memory with her is probably that one time we drank wine and watched movies all night, literally we must have watched like 4 or 5 movies (like Pearl Harbor, Moulin Rouge, Stuart Little)...it may not seem memorable to everyone else, but that was pretty much when I knew we were going to be best friends forever. I am incredibly thankful to have her as one of my best friends.... And here is her thankfulness project!
 
10 things Meghan is incredibly thankful for...

1. A nephew on the way
2. Pumpkin flavor everything
3. Dinner with my entire family (all 8 and a half of us)
4. Holiday decorations in the mall
5. Wind and crisp morning air
6. Morning gossip with my mom
7. Holiday cups at Starbucks
8. Not feeling too, too guilty about pulling out my Christmas CD
9. Fall boots & scarves
10. Scrambled eggs and coffee in the morning

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...my new nephew.  My older sister is due December 19th, but it seems like the baby might come a little earlier.  Despite the gross details of pregnancy and child birth I've had the misfortune of learning through this experience, after holding a 4 month old for an hour yesterday, I am even more excited about this new baby.  Life has been kind of dull and lonely since moving home and this little man, who will most likely be named Braeden, keeps me going and gives me something to look forward to.  I am so lucky and blessed to have what I already know is the cutest little baby boy as my main man in a month's time.  Nothing else in the world matters :)" --Meghan

Thank you for playing Meghan!

Check out Meghan's Blog right Here.

photo via Google images

The Thankfulness Project: Matt

Here is what my wonderful awesome amazing handsome brilliant sexy boyfriend Matt is thankful for. Can you tell that I am incredibly thankful to have him in my life?

 

10 things Matt is incredibly thankful for...

1. My incredible girlfriend that fights through thick and thin with me and never ceases to make me smile on a daily basis.
2. My parents, who are the most understanding and unselfish people I know in this world.
3. Siblings that are always a joy to be around and won't hesitate to keep me in check if I say something dumb.
4. The San Francisco Giants who decided to complete my life by winning the World Series this past season.
5. Smooth Jazz and how it calms me down and enables me to design and complete successful work.
6. Netflix for always being there when I have an all-nighter of work to do.
7. Architecture and how it allows me to express a great passion of mine.
8. A simple smile and how that can change even anyone's worst days.  
9. Coffee and how it can keep me up all night and warm me up on the coldest of days.
10. Optimism and how it can make the most difficult situations a learning experience and a way to find the positive aspects of any situation.

"Right now, I am incredibly thankful for...a simple smile because it can change a terrible day into a good one.  It has the power to create memories, give someone butterflies, and make every situation a fun and enjoyable experience.  Without smiling, the world would be a sad place." --Matt

The Thankfulness Project

In honor of it being November, the month of Thanksgiving, I wanted to start a new project, called the Thankfulness Project. The idea is to write down ten things we are thankful for at this moment in our lives. What I would like to do is to get my friends and family to participate and submit a list every day for something they are thankful about. You definitely do not have to list anything in order. It might be more fun if things are randomly listed in your list. After you finish your list, pick one thing you want to talk about being thankful for and write a short paragraph about it (you can feel free to incorporate other things on your list as well). I really want this to work, so if you are following us, please submit your list to mluo77@gmail.com.

I got the idea from another blog I have been following for the last few years, called The Rockstar Diaries. Naomi, the blogger, came up with the idea to make a list of things that make her happy, so essentially this is my version of her lists. If you want to check out her Here's to Happiness project, you should because she is adorable! Anyways, back to the Thankfulness Project.... I think this could be really fun, and I hope you guys think so too :)

         10 things I am incredibly thankful for....

            1. My awesome boyfriend who I love to pieces (even 460 miles apart)

            2. Orange leaves in trees and crisp, morning air

            3. The Giants winning the World Series 

            4. My family and their support in everything I do

            5. Christmas decorations that started popping up after Halloween

            6. People who give me the opportunity to interview for jobs

            7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

            8. Great happy hours around the peninsula

            9. The smell of rain the morning after a storm

            10. Starbucks and their red cups, and pumpkin spice lattes!

"Right now, I am really thankful that red cups are back at Starbucks. There is nothing better than a warm cup of coffee in a bright red cup to start off your morning, pick you up in the afternoon, or warm you up at night. The only thing that could make it even better is if I could pick up some red cups and cuddle up with my awesome boyfriend and watch harry potter movies all day."

photo via Google images