Giving thanks

Though this year has shaped up to be quite full of misses with few hits for me, in the spirit of the holiday season I have come to realize that it's years like these that define you. It's easy to remember the events that hurt you - a place, a smell, a feeling. And why is it that the best moments seem to pass by without you noticing? Maybe it's our endless search for self-improvement, or our need to have everything always work out. But it never does, and if it did, would it be as sweet if we had never known hardship? It really is true that life is what happens when you're busy making plans for it.

So for my own cartharsis, and to stick it to a world that tries to break us, I've laid out a few of my favorite moments and accomplishments of this year that I will carry forward. The bad moments can stay where they are - in the past. These are by no means in chronological order.

1 - My mom turned 60 this year, and my dad, sister and brother all came together to get her her first trip to Europe. I think the fact that it was from all of us made it so much more special for her, and she had such a great time. We saw so much and walked everywhere, and I always got tired before she did. I'm the luckiest because I got to share that with her.

2 - Matt hiked a horrible 42 miles over the treacherous and rather depressing landscape of Scotland. I was so proud of him for that.

3 - I surprised Matt with a birthday trip to Spain. He didn't know where we were going until we got past security. I never would have been able to do that from the US!

4 - I started my Sociology with Law B.S. program through the University of London, purely for intellectual reasons, but now hope it will help me get into Columbia Law. I love that I'm learning again.

5 - Matt and I got to go to a Polish wedding and see two of the nicest people we know tie the knot.

6 - I spent 3 amazing weeks in Italy, drinking more wine and eating more pasta than should be allowed. And I learned how to make gnocchi.

7 - I turned down two good job offers because they just didn't feel right. It feels great to be in a position like that.

8 - I finally got into Pilates, going twice a week now, and I've actually gotten quite good at it :-)

9 - I made a huge life decision to finally to try my hand at law.

10 - I survived another year in Amsterdam! And thanks to trips home and visits from friends, we haven't felt isolated from family and old friends.