Thankful Thursday!

"I don't think I'll ever run out of things to be grateful for." - Unknown

Turns out that this is my last full week in Liverpool for a couple of months. It's been an exciting one.

Of course, I have reasons to be grateful. What about you?

Time Donators - You may be wondering what a "time donator" is... don't worry I'll tell you. A time donator is exactly what it sounds like - a person who generously gives their time
to another without ever expecting anything in return. Due to my dissertation I have been begging for time from various Beatle people over the last three weeks. Although I have made some connections here in Liverpool, I have not yet reached celebrity status so it's a bit difficult to get some attention. (Fear not, I'll work on that in the fall.) However, this obstacle has made me very aware of how grateful I should be for those who have been so charitable with their time. I've spent many hours with John Lennon's sister, Julia, who has been so kind to me. Today, I spent my afternoon with Colin, the caretaker of Mendips (John's childhood home) while he was doing tours of the home for the National Trust. Not to forget all of the interviews I have lined up in the coming months for this dissertation. However, my dissertation would not be possible without the generosity of others.

This Great Opportunity - I know I have said this a million times before but I cannot ignore the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that drowns me when I take a second and realize what I am doing and where I am. This is not something that many people get to do and I'm aware of people who have applied to this program and weren't accepted. I can't imagine how different my life would be if I didn't get accepted to this program. I think even that when I'm 92 I will still be amazed that I did this. It isn't easy to pick up and move to the other side of the world to do something that everyone around you thinks is crazy. I just can't get over how lucky I am. Have to thank the universe for this for the rest of my days.

Garbage Bags - Go ahead, laugh. But there is no easier way to move house than throwing everything in garbage bags and being done with it. I have six bags full of stuff to take tomorrow. I'm thrilled that garbage bags have made it so easy.

Summer Songs - There is just something about sunny songs that can put a smile on my face no matter what. These songs are even better when the days are so beautiful that you cannot resist singing! I think that a summer song completes an almost summer day. I'm happy they're around.

Angry Birds - a great time killer. It's excellent when you're stuck waiting for taxis and when Dann is rambling about zombies attacking the city.

What are you grateful for?

Thankful Thursday

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. - G. B. Sten

What an amazing week I have had!   I have so much to be thankful for that it is starting to get absurd.

The five winners are...

Dogs -  I love dogs. Happiness is a warm puppy.   I love to cuddle with them.  They do not get mad at me and they do not take up too much space when they are taking up all of the space.  They wag their tails so hard when they see me that I think their little bums might fall off.  But most of all, I can always find comfort in a dog.  Forever grateful for comfort.

Cats - I know this one is funny but it's quite humbling for me to be around a cat.  My fear of them is so powerful that I freeze if a tiny little kitten puts her paws on me.  Nothing like a cat to keep your feet on the ground.

Website with Quotes - Honestly, finding the quote for the beginning of my posts is always the most difficult part of T.T.

All of My Family Members - are healthy.  There is no greater reason to be thankful.  My own health is something to be thankful for but each and every one of my family members are doing relatively okay has me overwhelmed with gratitude.  As my arrival to Scranton grows closer each day, I cannot express how excited I am to be able to see everyone that I left behind.  I thank the stars above for this.

Dann's Mom and Dad - Thanks to their generosity and hospitality I was able to see Queen Elizabeth with my own eyes in real life.  She was so very close to me and she waved at me.  I can almost bet that the Queen of England hasn't waved at you in a while.    Not to mention that because his parents were kind enough to let me stay in their house, I was able to be in actual home and not this institution-like flat!   I was able to watch normal t.v. and sleep in a normal sized bed.  And just to live a normal life for two days (besides seeing Ms. Queen, that isn't really normal.)  Incredibly grateful for all they offered.  Besides that spider they were talking about.  :)     And of course, the fact that Dann is here because of them is something I should be grateful for and I am, most days!

What about you?


P.S.  Hello Russia!

Thankful Thursday!

Gratitude is the best attitude! - Author Unknown

So I only have three weeks left of my first year in Liverpool.  I don't know how many more years I will be here but I know that I am coming back for the fall and will be here until March 22, 2012.  I will of course try to sneak my way to stay for a bit longer.  Once again I have found myself overwhelmed with gratitude this week and I want nothing more than to share it with you guys. Especially you, Russia! :)

The winners are...

Shani's Talent - for three days this week I had to be beautiful.  Shani Lane made that possible.  She is excellent at hair and makeup. You should most definitely fly your behind to England and have her work her talents on you.   Let's face it, I can't be bothered with fussing with hair and make-up and when Shani does it I look a zillion times better than I ever could have done for myself.  So I do thank the universe for Miss Shani Lane's talents.

Dann's Patience - I hate to break it to you but I am hardly a possible person to deal with.  I am always right; my contradictions do not count unless you do them; I am a bear when I am hungry and I'm a toddler when I am tired.  Not to mention if my feet aren't covered while I am trying to sleep I tend to get cranky. This guy tolerates me like no other.  It saves tons of arguments that would occur if  Dann didn't have patience like he does.

That I Don't Dwell in Drama - Maybe it comes with age, maybe it comes with security, maybe it comes with just not giving a damn about the negative things that people think or say or whateves.  However, I have started a new (age) year resolution, not caring about the negative people around me.  You should do it too.  I am 1,000 times happier already and I've only been doing it for four days. I am grateful that I no longer waste my time and energy towards those that do not adhere to the pretty awesome "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" ideology. I highly recommend it.  

My Academic Confidence - I could very well be out of my tree but I have dissertation to do and I'm not that afraid to do it.  I don't know if it is because I am convinced I can do anything after teaching to 100 seventh graders or if it because I taught snoozy seniors in their last month before graduation but I am so confident that this dissertation will be easy peasy. (Editor's Note: The writer has no valid reason to think this).  I am grateful that I am not freaking out about this.

My Wonderful Group of Liverpool Friends - They were so unbelievably kind to me on my birthday! I celebrated for five days!  The girls arranged a wonderful dinner at Blake's Restaurant in the Hard Day's Night Hotel and managed to get my other friends to come along without my knowing!  It was such a special birthday! I am quite convinced I am the luckiest girl in the universe.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”  - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Hello Everyone!  Russia, how are you?    I know it has been forever since I have posted a TT but I had SO much to do!   My goodness I have so much to be thankful for on this day the Thursday before my birthday! So here it goes.....


The five winners for this week are....

Debbie Clark - Debbie is/was a nurse at CMC hospital in Scranton.  Now, I don't know if anyone knows the back story of this writer but it is a long one.   But the main points I'll make right now is that on May 6, 1984 at 4:22 pm my mom gave birth to a child that was hardly breathing in Kingston, PA (that baby was me).  By the end of that night, I was moved to CMC hospital and my mom and dad were told that I wouldn't live to see a week.  So... 28 years later here I am breathing. Of course, it wasn't easy. For the first three years of my life I was in and out of the hospital (CHOP and CMC).  By the time I was cleared to go home for good (of course it wasn't definite that it was for good that the time), I had three cardiac arrests and sixteen respiratory arrests under my belt.  When I was almost seven add two more of each and then I was in clear.  There is the gist of it. So anyway, Debbie Clark had a lot to do with my survival. Of course there were other nurses and doctors involved but Debbie also had a separate connection with the "patient" as she knew my mother for a few years by the time I was born.  As it ended up  I now know her daughter (who was in school with my brother)  and who son (who I graduated with).  So as my 28th trip around the sun begins, I cannot help but think of Debbie and be grateful that she took the time to take care of me.

Dollie - If you go to my mom's, packed away in a box somewhere (she just moved that's why)  you will find a dirty, worn out doll with brown hair wearing a blue outfit with white polka dots. She has rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes which always smile as much as her little pink lips! Her hair used to be curly but over the first three years of my life, I apparently stressed my mother and Dollie out.   Dollie used to have a little bell thing inside of her which would make her jingle when you shook her. I say used to because she has too many accidents of people not watching where she was and tripping over. She is my favorite toy and I'll keep her forever. She was with me for every hospital and doctor visit. Every shot that I had to get, I squeezed Dollie's hand and it didn't hurt so much.  Jacob asked to see her once and I told him that she was off limits.... that means something people. So for Dollie's loyalty, I am forever grateful.

Lindsey Stevens - was my very first best friend.  Her and I played at the North Scranton Little League while our siblings were off playing some form of baseball.  My first real memory of her is when we were about five she asked me if I wanted to come over her house.  I told her that I would ask my mom and what her address was and then suddenly I am nine years old and still friends with Lindsey. Most importantly, Lindsey always treated me like I was a normal kid. When I look back at my first school birthday parties, Lindsey is always my right hand man-  eh- girl.    Of course, the great divide of middle school occurred and that is when we ended up separating.  We did try very hard to stay close but it just didn't happen, as that happens.  However, Lindsey showed me how to be a friend and what it was all about.  So for all of my days, I will always remember Miss Lindsey Margaret Stevens and be grateful that she was my first friend.

The House That Built Me -  It may not have been a everyone's ideal living situation, but I loved it.  It made my upbringing completely amazing and unique. I miss that house everyday and I miss the people that I considered family.  I actually dream about it more than twice a week and long to go back to those days.  I will have endless gratitude towards that building.

My Aunt Lisa and Uncle Terry -  They were kind enough to invite me to spend Easter vacation with them in Paris.  It was the most beautiful thing I have ever done.  I will take time, sometime soon, and do a blog all about it. I will never be able to thank them enough for what they have done for me It was such a fantastic experience and I will never forget having Easter brunch aboard a wonderful ship on the River Seine!

What are you thankful for?