Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great this year. My parents came to Boston for the week and were real troopers. On Tuesday, they hiked around Boston in the pouring rain. I showed them where I interned and took them to an authentic Japanese meal. We wandered around Quincy Market and then headed back to the Cheesecake Factory so they could met John. Dinner went well. My parents and John got along well. My mom and John bonded over a shared piece of cake and the movie Captain Ron. It was great. John makes me so happy. However, he left the next day to spend Thanksgiving with his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews and niece in D.C. It was weird not to see him everyday.
So, I hung out with my parents. We ate lunch in the North End and indulged in Gelato. I swear that is the only reason Dad comes back to Boston. Just Kidding. On Thanksgiving, we ate at the Omni Park House Hotel. It was a buffet and the food was great. They invented teh Parker House Rolls and Boston Cream Pie, both which I tried. The rolls rocked. Afterwards, we went and saw the movie Four Christmases. It was good for some laughs. On my parents last day here, we did some shopping and just spent time together. I love them so much. I am glad they came and visited me. Also, I am glad John came back. Seeing him made the stress melt away.

Top 10 Things I am Thankful For...

Though Thanksgiving is 2 days away, I thought I would a top 10 list of what I am thankful for. Also, I challenge everyone who reads my blog to post their own list/feelings if they can:

10. Getting into Simmons and moving to Boston. I have enjoyed the benefits...

9. Umbrellas. When it rains out here, it really comes down hard.

8. Thermals and Flannels. They keep me warm on chilly days.

7. The Sun. I love its warmth.

6. The Gopsel. I love attending church and reading the scriptures. I do not know where I would be without the Gospel.

5. Family. Grandma and Granpda are two of the most loving people on planet earth. Julee, you are awesome. Not only are you a great aunt, but you are one of my best friends. Thanks for always being there. Aubree, I miss you. I miss seeing your creatioons. Keep on rocking. Debbie, thanks for always being there. My cousins...You are exceptional people, with loving hearts. I am grateful to have all of you in my life.

4. John. What can I say? Well, many things, but I won't embarrass you. Thanks for coming into my life. You truly make it better.

3. Nathan, Laurel, Eli, and my future nephew. I miss and love you guys. Congrats on the new house. You guys are great.

2. Renee. I could not ask for a better sister or best friend. I love and miss you. Thanks for always listening to my problems and for providing me with laughs.

1. My parents. I could not have gotten to this point in my life without both of them. Their love and support is unwavering. They are always there for me. Thanks for everything. I would list everything but it might go on and on for a bit. I love you both.

45 minutes later...

Sometimes taking the train to school is a nightmare and this morning was no exception. After switching trains at Park Street, as I have to take a Green line train to school after taking the Red line in from Cambridge, I hoped unto my train. The fabulous "E" line after letting two already full trains go by. It was about 8:30 and usually I am to school by 9 as my class starts at 9:30. We leave Park Street and make our first stop. I get off at the sixth stop on this line. Between this stop and the next, we stop. I did not find anything unusual about this as sometimes the train stops because it has to wait for the train in front of it to leave the station.

After we do not move for a few minutes, we hear the announcement that a train up ahead has broken down at the Copley stop, but that they were moving the train already. This should not take that long I thought. Then another annoucement that they still had not moved the train. We just kept standing there and waiting. Then the annoucements became on how it was now a "major" delay due to a disabled train. Finally, after 45 minutes, our train finally moved at 9:30. Luckily, i was only 30 minutes late to class along with some other classmates. Let me tell you though, a lot of guys gave up their seats for us girls so we did not have to stand the whole time. But it was not fun.

My Mom!!!

My mom is the best. I am thankful for all she does for me and for what she teaches me. She leads by example. For example, the other day I was asking her why should I remember to acknowledge peoples' birthdays when they cannot put forth the same effort in remembering mine. Why should I give them a gift or even a card? It would teach them a thing or two. I wanted to be that petty person, but she reminded me that I needed to rise above that attitude and be the bigger person, which I always end up doing. Much to my chagrin sometimes. She always practices what she preaches. Last night, Renee called to tell me that Renee Berry Snyder, a friend who she had a falling out with last year, practically invited every woman in our home ward to her baby shower except my mom. She invited people who did not even know her. My mom found out about the shower because people called and asked if she would come with them. My mom politely told them no, she could not because she was not invited.

Though, she was upset, rightfully so, as she has done much for Renee in the past like providing her with rides, food, and letting her jerk of a husband (he is one of the rudest people I have ever met) into our house without complaint, she felt slighted by Renee. Instead, of focusing on her anger, she went out and bought Renee a baby gift from Mozart's in Redlands. She sent it to her and did get a thank-you card in return. She was the bigger person. She always does this though. No matter how she feels, even if the person has not treated her nicely, she is the first to volunteer to help out or offer them her support. She knows the right thing to do. I love this quality about her. Though we do tend to complain sometimes, we know the right thing to do. We feel good at day's end as it is the Christlike thing to do. I love my mom very much. I felt horrible when I heard how Renee had intentionally not invited her. No matter how she feels about my sister, she should not take it out on my mom. My mom has been nothing but nice to her and has done so much for her.

Again, my mom has decided to look the other way and made the best out of an ugly situation. I strive everyday to have this attitude. It is about having a loving heart. She has the most loving heart. I am so thankful for that. I love her very much. Thanks for continuing to teach me how to be the "bigger person" by example even when I am so resistant to the idea.

The Saga continues...

Today, I attempted to get my car fixed. Luckily, I live right next to an auto repair shop. So I took my car down there and had it looked at. The guy who looked at my car was extremely helpful. He explained that my best option was to file an insurance claim and just pay my deductiable. He said that this tree branch did a lot of damage and it was possible that it did some unseen damage that he would not find out about until he could take a closer look at my car. He did caution me against further driving my car as it could cause more damage based on how my window was shattered. I have not even had my car for a year.

So, we went into his office and we called my insurance company. I gave them all my information and now I have to wait for them to send an adjuster over to look at my car and estimate the damages. It gets even better as they are storing my car for me to protect it from further damage. Out of this crappy blow I was dealt, I am dealing with very helpful people, who along with my dad, have helped me through this situation. They even offered to help me rent a car if i need one. Luckily, I live in a city where if I am without a car, I can walk everywhere or take public transportation. I do not even drive to school. Usually, I drive to church or to the grocery store. Lets just say I have not put gas in my car since mid-September. The situation is getting better. Now, i just have to shake this stupid head cold, which has taken all my energy.

Stupid Wind Storm

So this past week we have had rain on and off and on and off. Yesterday though with the rain came this horrible wind. Not only was it cold, but the winds were strong. They were leaves and tree branches everywhere. I thought my car was fine until I got to church this morning. (FYI-I had like the world's worst morning). Then I noticed that my small window on the back left side of my car was shattered. I could not believe it and feeling sick, all i could think was I do not want to deal with this and why did this happen to me? On further exploration, not only did my window shatter, but the stupid tree branch that hit my car dented the top of my car. I am sure dad was excited about both of my early morning phone calls home to him. But he was great. He told exactly what to do. I told Renee (as she and I are each other's sounding boards) that I wish they were coming tomorrow because they could help me, but I can handle it on my own. I know how. I guess self-reliability is good trait to have.

Realizing I could do nothing until tomorrow, I just felt completely exhausted. Combining this with feeling sick lead me to collapse into tears driving home. I just started crying, but my mom tells me that sometimes crying is good for us. It helps us feel better and I felt better afterwards and then again, after I cried on the phone with Renee. Oh, the crying. What this stupid wind storm did to me. I just realized that I need to let myself rest and that I am not superwoman. So, I have spent the good part of this Sunday just resting in bed. Sleep is good. It feels great. My body is saying thanks!!! Thank you!!!

On a more positive note, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. My parents are coming into town and I am excited to see them though I feel my parents are more excited to meet town then see me. I am thankful for so many things this year, but that will come in a later post.

The Best Surprise

Last night, we went out to celebrate my roommate Robin's birthday. Before we left to catch the T, we met up with John. He surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I had never been surprised with flowers before and it is an incredibly sweet gesture. I loved it. He is so thoughful and great and amazing. I am so lucky to have him in my life everyday.

"Finding Joy in the Journey"

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."

This past week I have been reading the General Conference talks in the November Ensign. I really enjoyed this past Conference and I especially loved the talk President Monson gave called "Finding Joy in the Journey." I felt his words were what I needed to hear at this particular moment in my life, especially as I had just experienced some major life changes.

His talk focused on dealing with the changes in our lives. He said that "some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden...But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly." I openly welcomed the changes in my life as I moved from California to Boston and began Graduate School. However, with these changes came homesickness and 3,000 mile gap between me and my family. This is the furtherest I have lived from them for a long period of time. Instead of dealing on this fact, I embraced these changes. As President Monson said in his talk "time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching comes the changes."

All my changes have been good and come with great results. President Monson spoke of how this is our one and only chance at mortal life as oppurtunities will come and go. We need to make sure that we do not let important things pass by us, but embrace them. He said we need to "find joy in the journey -- NOW." Live in the moment now and embrace what life has to offer. I have tried to do this and like I said it works. I have made some wonderful friends out and I am dating a wonderful man. He truly makes me happy in every way possible and I am so lucky to have him. So lucky!!!

President Monson goes on to talk about how we will have to deal with stresses along this journey. He said that "we should not let them get in the way of what is most important--and what is most important almost always involves the people around us." This is true. When school gets to be too much or family issues come up, I try to focus on what is positive in my life. Usually, I call my parents and they listen to me ramble on and on. My dad once told me that his shoulders were there for me to cry on and I have never forgotten that. He always can talk me through anything. My mom too. She listens and provides advice and laughs. Laugther really is the best medicine.

One of my other favorite quotes from his talke was "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows." Hopefully, I still have many tomorrows left. I think I do. I am finding joy in this journey and hope it continues. Joy brings much happiness and strenghtens our relationships with others. Also, we need to remember to express our gratitude towards the Lord for all he has given us. So in times that are rough or when changes occur, lets remember to find joy in our journey no matter how hard it may seem.

Home

It seems the colder it gets in New England, the more I miss my family. Actually, the more I miss the warmth of the California sun. No, in all honesty, I do miss my family each day, but I love my life out here in Boston. Aside my school work load, I have no complaints. I have a great boyfriend and good friends. What more could I ask for? I am really happy. John makes me reallly happy. I really am though I need to work on managing my stress better. But hey, that has always been one of my problems.

Tonight, when I called my mom, she was babysitting my nephew Eli. He actually talked to me on the phone until he decided his puzzles were more interesting. He told me "hi" and that he was "doing puzzles." He is too cute. I miss him. Before I hung up with my mom, he was counting Boston's paws for my mom and pointing out his tummy.

I am glad the election is over. Though it was exciting, I am glad we are finally moving on to hopefully better days. I'll admit, Obama's speech gave me goosebumps. I hope he can live up to his promises as I do with each new President. Now, I am off to find my emerging technologies paper topic. It is not as fun as it sounds.

Remember to Vote Today!!!

Just a reminder to everyone to remember to vote today. It is important that our voices be heard this year as our country is desperately needing a change. Remember, everyone's vote is important and counts. You can feel the relief knowing the Bush years are finally ending and that we can move on to something better.

On a side note, I am also exicted for election day as tomorrow I will awake and there will no longer be any John Sununu/Jean Shaheen attack ads running 24/7. There are running for Senate in New Hampshire, but we get their commercials in Boston. They are annoying. So annoying.