Thanks

So much has happened since I last posted that I feel the need to split it up into a few posts! So here's one on Thanksgiving, and look out for two more in the next few days about spending the weekend in Dallas and having family in Houston!



Thanksgiving in the JV house was completely different than any other Thanksgiving I've ever had, but it's definitely one I'll never forget.

At home, I am always woken up just before the Macy's parade begins, just in time to hear "Let's Have a Parade!" It's one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving morning, as we watch the parade, have pancakes, and wait for Santa to arrive at Macy's. Usually while we are parade-watching, singing along to the musicals and getting filled in on celebrity happenings, we begin to decorate the house for Christmas! It's usually chilly outside, and around 2 or 3, we head over to Aunt Patsy's for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.

This year, I woke up to my alarm at 9, and while I wanted to turn the parade on, there were people sleeping on the floor, strewn about the living room. The San Antonio JV house arrived on Wednesday night, and we had so much fun catching up with them and telling stories. I got up to start getting the kitchen ready for round 2- I had already cooked one turkey the night before, but there was still a lot to do before turkey #2 went in the oven! We had breakfast gathered around the TV and watched the parade while pies, cornbreads, and casseroles went in the oven.

The whole cooking process was a lot of work, but so much fun! Both turkeys turned out really well, as did the stuffing I made with my Nana's recipe! It was exhausting for sure, but we had a really lovely meal, and it was worth the work. We were able to enjoy spending time outside in our backyard- Thanksgiving under the palm trees, can you imagine?! It was a perfect day here in Texas, and while I was longing for home, I wouldn't want to have spent this Thanksgiving any other way.

I only felt it was appropriate to reflect a little bit about what I'm especially thankful for this year:

Music- I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to get through this year without music. I am constantly listening to Pandora, iTunes, or Youtube. I can identify with many artists through the songs I'm listening to, and through singing, I am able to let myself go and relax.

Family- I miss my family so very much, but even 1500 miles away, they are so supportive of this crazy adventure I'm on. I can't wait to be reunited with everyone!

My wonderful boyfriend- I miss Tom so much, and he puts up with so much of my crazy, hectic teaching schedule! I know it's not easy to have any long-distance relationship, but between two busy, dedicated JVs, it's an extra challenge. I can't wait to see him again! It's less than a month :).

Cristo Rey Jesuit-  What an incredible community that I am so blessed to be a part of! This place challenges me in new ways every minute, but it has given me so much more than I could have asked for, and I'm only 4 months in. It will be very difficult to leave this place and these students.

My community- I absolutely couldn't do this without the five crazy, funny, outrageous and inspiring girls I live with. We're an odd bunch, but we work well together, and I know that we ended up in one house for a reason!

Friends- Friends at home and other places on the east coast (and abroad!), you mean the world to me. Thank you for the constant love, letters, texts, and cookies that come in the mail. I miss you all desperately, and I can't wait to see you over my Christmas vacation.

US Mail- Whether it's the jury duty notice that comes to my house that I need to fill out or the care package filled with fall treats or a Rita's Water Ice t-shirt, things that come in the Mail bring me so much joy. I also get so much joy from mailing letters and care packages! The US Mail rocks.