1) my family- my parents are the most supportive people in my life. they encouraged me (well dad a little reluctantly) to come to spain. when i'm feeling homesick, they're always there to talk to me and make me feel better, always reminding me that i'll see them soon. it's pretty amazing to have parents who support you so much in whatever choice you make, and i feel so blessed that they're my parents. and then of course sean and kathleen, who always make me laugh. sean is my drinking/sports buddy, kathleen my shopping buddy. having siblings is a blessing, but being as close as we are is a double blessing. and family extends to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, all who have offered me words of encouragement when i decided to experience a foreign country. one thing my aunt joanne wrote to me was "never mistake being alone for loneliness." that was one of the best pieces of advice i received before i left, and everytime i feel homesick or like there's no one to talk to, i remember that quote. sorry that was mushy, i'll try to be funnier now...
2) my friends- new friends and old friends!!! my US friends, always keeping me updated on what's happening back home, always interested in my stories, some even planning trips to see me! what more can a girl ask for. and my new friends here, who can relate to how i'm feeling, and are always willing to go out for tapas and travel. or help me out if i need it.
3) food- this has several subcategories, because i've realized that there are just some foods that make life a million times better, and they are...
churros con chocolate- my sundays would be pointless and boring without them.
eggs- since they are basically the only thing i eat, i might be dead if they didn't exist.
stove top stuffing- two boxes arrived in the mail the other day from my mom. after a bitter internal struggle, i decided to share them at our thanksgiving dinner on saturday. guess you can't be selfish on thanksgiving.
french fries- no explanation necessary
croquetas- my favorite tapa of all time. so crispy and delicious
4)laughter- while being in spain, i have realized how much i laugh. i find everything funny. for example...
my students- every single class makes me laugh. sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. yesterday while the professor was teaching the possessive "s", he asked, "what does Charlie's chicken mean?" and one girl blurted out, "pollo que se llama Charlie!" (a chicken named Charlie!). the entire class could not stop laughing, and she was such a good sport about it, laughing along with them.
the leg of ham in the teachers lounge- i wish i was kidding. there is a whole leg of ham. see picture below.
the skinny black santa trying to sell bootleg dvds in the middle of the road today
5) opportunities- how many people are able to do what i'm doing?
6) airmail- how else would i have stuffing for thanksgiving?
7) trivia night at hannigans- actually makes monday my favorite day of the week
8) skype and facebook- you can keep in touch with any and everybody
9) a job- unlike a lot of people in spain, i have an income!
i know there's a lot more things i'm thankful for, but right now i need a siesta (#10), will add more later!
came up with a few more!!
11) hot water! those few days without was quite the eye-opener
12) that i'm healthy! and my friends and family too!
13) airplanes - i just can't imagine how the pilgrims did it!
14) that i get to see my friends and family in 28 days :)
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