In preparation for Thanksgiving...

..I'm trying to remember to appreciate all the things I've got, more than just once a year.

So after thinking about it all day, here is what I am thankful for today:

• a super tightly-knit family, that I can always count on for anything.  They are super embarassing sometimes, but I think that's why I love them most.
• a wonderful boyfriend that can deal with the whining, complaining, and forgetfulness on a daily basis and who goes along with my crazy schemes even though most times they are illogical
• my job, though very stressful at times, is very rewarding while also keeps me feeling challenged every day - I also get the added benefit of a very flexible and logical boss whom I get along well with and enjoy working for
• my baby puppies and kitty who keep me happy when I'm at home
• my amazing friends who deal with my strange behaviors and ridiculous nicknames every day, and who travel vast distances to visit me in south bay even though there's nothing to do here
• high school friends who are always there to hang out when I'm in san diego
• berkeley friends who are now scattered throughout the country world who I can always go visit, or talk to on skype, from 8th floor, taiko, d-boat, AAA, classes, parties, and other random events
• co-workers and ex-co-workers for helping me become successful at my first grown-up job and keeping me entertained at the office
• the tons of other friends i've made along the way who I've managed to keep in touch with, or even if I haven't
• my own willpower, for being strong enough to save enough money to almost be completely out of debt
• all of my teachers, for helping me to not be stupid
• white cheddar popcorn, for always being delicious
• my nikon, for keeping all my memories safe

I'm happy with all the decisions I've made up until this point in my life, and don't regret anything except maybe one - that I was too chicken to play Maria in my 3rd grade play because I thought that an asian girl couldn't play a white girl and because I didn't want to hold hands with the boy who was playing the captain.  But really, I really do have a near-perfect life right now.  I definitely don't appreciate it enough - I always want more and want something different than I have, but I am learning not to take anything for granted and I hope things keep heading this direction. 

Loving life.

Pet Peeves

Something that really bothers me is when people just throw money at a problem hoping to fix it, and not trying to actually fix the root of the problem.  For example:

If your dog scratches windows, you could either just keep buying new screens or dog-scratch-proof screens, OR you could teach your dog to not scratch the windows.  Oh, new screens are easier you say? That's fine.  I hope your dog never goes near any other screens that are NOT dog-scratch-proof... otherwise, you may have to pay some more money to get those fixed...

If you dog goes into the compost pile and tries to eat everything in it, and then takes things out of that compost pile, and tosses them around the yard, you can try to reinforce the compost pile.. oh, that didn't work because your dog destroyed the reinforcement... ok, then lets just buy a compost barrel instead so there's no more issue!  hmmm, did your dog learn anything from that?  no, and they will most likely chew on the barrel as well.

If your dog destroys everything in the yard, including a bottle of lighter fluid, swim fins, SUNFLOWERS that are still growing, shoes that were taken from inside the house, etc. you could just blame it on your roommates and say that they shouldn't leave anything in the yard, OR you could.. hmm, let's think.. train your dog not to chew on things that are not chew toys or treats.  No way.. train your dog?  That's ludicrous!

"I'm super lazy and don't want to do any chores WAH!" Oh I know, hire a maid!  

Of course this pet peeve is an actual, more generalized pet peeve that expands to entire nations, but this is just.. you know.. an example.

Good Roommates

1. When you say you're going to tell people to help you do something, you don't bail out in the middle. You help out until it's done.
2. When all of your roommates are cleaning a house (that you told them to help clean), you don't get to just not help because you don't feel like it or because you feel like you've done your share - you haven't, if everyone has been cleaning for the same amount of time. (Did you know we cleaned for over an hour after you left? You did, because we had to give you all of your stuff that you had laying around the living room since before Christmas.)
3. You can't decide When you live in a house with a lot of people in it, you don't just tell half of them to clean and not the other half.

That's pretty fucked up. Leave me alone. I'm not a baby and you're not my mother. Please don't tell me what to do anymore. I don't mind helping to clean - ask anyone else I've lived with in the past. But you can't just assume people will clean on your schedule. No one asks you to clean things up when you are busy. You never really help clean up after parties, or after get-togethers, or after anything, really - 10 minutes at the beginning doesn't count. Then retreat to your room to do nothing while your roommates clean everything. You've done it multiple times and we always let it slide. Oh, then why don't you ahead and also go break some more of my stuff. Thanks.