Daily: Reflect on 5 things for which I'm grateful.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Weekend Gratitudes

1. For my friends B & Z, who were available on a moment’s notice when I needed cheering up.

2. For their friend J, who treated us all to dinner.

3. That I’m finally starting to see income from the second job.

4. That my new roommate is a sweetheart and has helped me with the condo and my life in more ways than just paying rent.

5. That it won’t be long now before it’s spring in the Bay Area.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Today I am grateful

1. That my friend and colleague had a successful surgery and is expected to recover fully. (The surgery was risky and urgent.)

2. That while I still have not fully recovered, my injury no longer prevents me from working.

3. That because I’m now working, I will actually have some “disposable” income this month.

4. That I’ve been discovering old friends, and solidifying current friendships, via the Internet.

5. Salted Caramel Signature hot chocolate at Starbucks.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 – INAUGURATION DAY!

1. I’m proud and honored to be an American.
2. How appropriate to celebrate MLK’s birthday just one day before Obama’s inauguration.
3. Barack Hussein Obama now replaces William Jefferson Clinton as my President (I was in complete denial about GWB).
4. All around me at school (a college) there’s a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the future of America and the world.
5. The first Hawaiian President!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

1. Long distance friends.
2. Being able to connect with long distance friends through the magic of the Internet.
3. Coming to work and being grateful I’m not a client of my own department (which assists disabled persons).
4. Day, by day, the hip is healing, although incrementally.
5. 70+ degrees F in San Jose, bright and sunny! Need I say more?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Today I’m grateful:
1. That in these uncertain times, I still have a good job (at least for the next few months);
2. That yesterday I received an unexpected bonus check from an old investment;
3. That the upcoming inauguration has stimulated a new sense of optimism in America;
4. That despite all my complaints, I am still in very good health;
5. That I have a full and challenging weekend ahead of me.

Happy New Year! I love saying that because it’s so cheerful!

1. The new roomie called me before I left for work to tell me he’d made lunch for me.

2. Said lunch was very good.

3. My new assistant is working out much better than expected.

4. Getting in touch with an old friend whom I hadn’t spoken to in over a year.

5. My team was victorious over a tough opponent, and I got an assist with my new stick (thanks, S & U).

1. Sharks beat NY Rangers in a nail-biter. Nabby ROCKS!

2. All of my officiating went well this weekend. My hip was almost “normal” by the last game. The first game (the level I’d never done before) was especially exciting with two shorthanded goals and a couple of dramatic changes in momentum.

3. A friend gave me a lovely gift of a Canadiens 100 anniversary puck (yeah, I’m a hockey geek).

4. Finishing my Christmas projects. I need to purchase a couple more items, gift wrap, and I’m done.

5. Birthday dinner for a friend, that turned out well despite the weather.

1. Getting a good night’s sleep for the first time in weeks.

2. A game assignment in a division I’ve never worked before.

3. Filling up with the cheapest gas in town ($1.71/gallon)

4. Getting a bit further along on my Christmas list.

5. Having a snuggly kitty on a cold evening.

It’s been quite a while since I posted on this goal. I was reminded yesterday by someone wiser than I that it’s a better thing to recount the good things- no matter how small, than to focus on the negative ones.

So here goes-
1. I’m glad that finals are “finally” over, and pleased that my part in the organization of proctoring 200+ tests within the week made the process quite a bit smoother than in semesters past.

2. I’m grateful that the school’s decision to close school on January 2 gives me another paid holiday.

3. I’m happy that, as a result of #2, I’m able to take today off, also with pay.

4. Even though I’m still not fully healed from my injury, I’m now able to skate, and starting to generate some much-needed income.

5. I’m looking forward to having my friend D move in soon, which will also help with expenses.

I’m officially putting the “DONE” stamp on what was probably my best week ever:

1. Having dinner with a friend from high school (whom I haven’t seen in, oh, 25 years), and it was like no time had passed at all. We talked for hours.

2. Having low expectations for a meeting and having it turn out, not just good, but EXCELLENT! (and this happened twice during the week)

3. Having moderate expectations for a meeting and having it turn out as expected. Which wasn’t necessarily good or bad, it just was what it was (sorry if that doesn’t make sense). That happened twice also.

4. Being able to help out a friend with his business, and having a great time in the process.

5. Dancing at the Obon festival, which is a joyous celebration of family and ancestors. It’s hard to describe the feeling of community and connectedness- both in the present and to one’s ancestors. But each summer that I go reminds me of all the Obon festivals in my past, and all the family that have passed on as well as those that remain. And it’s FUN!