I didn’t do this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, mostly because I couldn’t get myself together enough to create the post. But I didn’t want to let Thanksgiving go by without sharing the things I am appreciative for, which are many. They range from silly materialistic goods that make my life easier, to the members of my family who are always there for me. So here is a list of ten things I am thankful for, a few days late for Top Ten Tuesday, but right on time for Thanksgiving itself.
I am thankful for books. Books have provided an escape from reality for me ever since I learned to read. I adore the magical lands I can travel to, the characters I get to know, and the lives I get to live without ever leaving my favorite chair. I also love the world that books have opened up for me, from various fandoms to the world I am ensconsced in now: that of book bloggers.
I am thankful for my fellow book bloggers. I adore reading all of your thoughts and opinions on books, including those I’ve read myself or those I’m being newly introduced to. I love that the community is so welcoming and willing to share parts of themselves with complete strangers. I am trying to open myself up a bit more so I can reciprocate.
I am thankful for my job. Obviously I wish I was still a librarian, but the transition to a first grade teacher – while not always smooth – has really gone well and I am mostly thankful that I still have a job. Others in my district weren’t as lucky – they got pink slips instead of notes saying they would need to transfer locations and/or positions – so things could definitely be worse. And being a first grade teacher really isn’t the worst thing in the world!
On that note, I am thankful for my students. They are a challenging bunch; they’re wiggly, overly talkative, and sometimes downright defiant and rude, particularly to their peers. They keep me on my toes and constantly thinking about new ways to do things that might make them (and me) more successful. But already, with four months of school behind us, they are making tremendous gains, and I look forward to seeing what I can help them achieve. The ability to work a little more independently would make me very happy!
I am thankful for sports. I am not terribly athletic myself, but BOY do I love watching others compete! I love that sports stories sometimes transcend time, and that regardless of the sport, you will always see people competing at their highest level to try to achieve whatever ultimate outcome they wish for. I am especially thankful that the Olympics is almost here, as I am a huge fan of the whole atmosphere of the games. I’m also thankful for baseball, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, because they are my hometown team, and own the biggest piece of my sports fan heart. ♥
I am thankful for my family. I am very close to my mom in particular (and cannot even say how appreciative I am that she helps me grade the massive amounts of papers I bring home!), but all of my family, from my dad and stepmom, to my grandma, to my cousins, are all wonderful and I love getting to spend time with them. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on everything others do for you, and I can say with definitive certainty that my last few months wouldn’t have gone nearly as smoothly without my family assisting me.
I am thankful for computers, and in particular the Internet. It’s amazing how connected the Internet makes us. I am able to chat with people all over the world in the blink of an eye, and it’s also connected me with some people who have changed from online friends to real-life friends. I initially started my online experience with the Harry Potter fandom, back when I was in college, and that little jaunt into an online community literally changed my life. I don’t think I’d have half of the experiences I’ve had if not for a friend in college mentioning the world “fanfiction” to me and opening my eyes to the possibilities!
I am thankful for my ability to purchase frivolous things. I am well aware that some people can’t afford things they need, let alone things they want. I know that I am lucky, because if I want something, I can usually afford to splurge on it. From books that sit unread on my bookshelves, to the most comfortable (but expensive) ballet flats on the planet, to iPads and iPods and laptops, if I want it, I can usually get it. And I’m fully aware that my ability to do so makes me very lucky indeed.
I am thankful for fru-fru coffee drinks. I don’t like your regular drip coffee – I think it tastes terrible – but if you add some steamed milk, flavoring and espresso to a cup, I am sold. I love lattes in particular, especially anything pumpkin flavored. Which means I especially love Fall, because that’s when these drinks are in abundance. Considering that I need caffeine in the morning to get me fully awake, fru-fru coffee drinks are a lifesaver!
And most of all, I am thankful for all of you who are reading this right now. I didn’t have any grandiose plans for this blog, and was fully expecting it to just languish without too many people popping by to visit. So thank you to everyone who has followed me, who comments on my post, and who keeps tabs on what I’m reading and asks me how I’m doing. Thank you for making my little place on the internet a little more brighter!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! ♥
Read and Reviewed 
I love your blog and I hope you had a great thanksgiving!
Aww, thank you! I love your blog, too. <3 Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
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