It's been years since I last written a "what I'm thankful for" blog post, and now it's time to get back into the habit of grattitude
So what I shall I be thankful for these days?
1) Family
This year, I felt I had greatly improved relations with my family
In the past, I held a lot of anger some of the bad decisions my parents have made when I was growing up. However, in the past few years, I have written them letters on how their bad decisions have hurt me in a negative way.
This is something I encourage all you adults to do ASAP, before your parents pass away. Some of the false prophets of wisdom will tell you to "just let it go", but "letting go" without telling your parents how you truly feel is NOT a sign of wisdom, it's a sign of cowardice!
But now that I pretty much told them everything that has been annoying me all these years, my relations with my parents have dramatically improved!
By truly communicating how I felt, my parent got some important feedback. And I have learned that their past bad decisions was more of good intentions gone wrong instead of bad decisions on purpose.
But the main thing now is that I have been getting along with my parents great this year.
I do recognize that in many ways, my parents have done more to help me than they really needed to.
I also recognize that other people had a worse family upbringing than mine.
I was lucky to have both parents raising me, while others have been abandoned by deadbeat parents way too early in their life.
I was lucky to have parents who were employed, while others had parents who were unemployed (or under-employed) and therefore struggled to provide the life's neccessities.
I was lucky to have parents who understood the importance of education and had books in the home, whereas others had parents who were totally negligent on their kid's education.
I was lucky to have parents who valued cultural diversity, whereas others had parents who are bigots.
I was lucky to have parents who valued spirituality without forcing a religious belief on me, whereas others had parents who are religious fanatics.
I am also lucky that I had parents who learned from their mistakes, whereas others had parents who acted like they did nothing wrong!
I can now say my parents are good people who have "bailed me out" during the times I was struggling to find work.
And also, my family always have plenty of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings! :) :) :) :)
I sure can't wait :) :) :) :) :)
2) Employment
I may not be a millionaire, nor am I even anywhere close to an upper-middle-class lifestyle.
Also, I'm still disappointed that I haven't yet been picked to re-join the Ala Moana Macy's holiday seasonal team this season.
But you know what? I'm already employed anyways.
My main job is working as a substitute teacher, with both the public and private schools.
I also got a side job this Thanksgiving weekend, doing promotional sign waving for America's Matress. ( I also did so for the 4th of July and Labor Day weekends as well).
I also did a side job helping out with the elections this year. And even more lucky, my polling place (UH Lab School) didn't ran out of ballots, unlike some other polling places.
I also did a side job with Labor Ready this summer, role-playing as a "victim of a terrorist attack". I was a "guinea pig" for the National Guard training at Bellows AFB in Waimanalo.
Some people have a hard time finding a job. I know people who said they've been unemployed longer than the 99-week limit for unemployment benefits! YIKES!!!
So I'm grateful to have a sub teacher job as well as finding some side jobs.
PS: To Macy's (Ala Moana), you know my contact information, in case you need extra help next month :)
3) Having basic neccessities
Being employed as allowed me to have basic neccessities such as shelter, running water, working toilets, food, electricity and a bus pass.
Millions of people worldwide (and even some here in Hawaii) don't even have access to basic neccessities.
Even worse, some people are living in war zones, which makes it even harder for food and other supplies to be shipped and readily available.
Right now, there are wars going on in Congo, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza and Syria. It is hard for me to imagine living under such conditions.
So anytime I'm feeling stressed and annoyed, I have remind myself that those people would love to trade places with me.
4) Some luxuries
I'm definitely not living the life of mega-luxury.
However, I'm grateful for having such minor luxuries like a bike, cell phone YMCA membership, a stereo system, a matress and 2 bookshelves.
I also have access to public services like the bus and the libraries.
5) Living in the Internet Age
And with the Internet Age, I have easy access to information.
And not just with Google and Wikipedia.
I can use YouTube to listen to old speeches and classic songs.
I can use my social network to find some pretty cool information.
I can keep in contact with former classmates, former co-workers and distant relatives with Facebook.
And of course, I am thankful for Blogger, which has allowed me to express my thoughts to the world. With my blog, I can tell everyone my side of the story and share it with my facebook friends :)
6) A second chance
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I have changed my long-term goals. Whereas I started this year trying to pursue a master's elementary education at the University of Phoenix, I decided to withdraw from that program.
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2012/06/change-in-direction.html
So now, my next goal is to enroll in the master's program in the Library and Information Science (LIS) at the University of Hawaii- Manoa.
So now I'm about to get my 2nd chance to re-join the UH student community :)
I'm also about to get my 2nd chance to pursue a master's program in a professional field, but this time, for a field that would be better suited for me.
I'm currently waiting on my financial aid info to be proccessed.
But if all goes well, I will oficially be a graduate student at UH in 2 months :)
7) This Amazing Year so far
Some great things happened this year.
I got back into subbing with the private schools again, but this time with Kelly Services.
And also this......
This summer was the greatest summer I had for a very long time.
I did a few side jobs.
I applied for the LIS program at UH
And the biggest factor making this a great summer .................................. I also had to time to do an apartment makeover.
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-apartment-gets-make-over.html
Just thinking about the improvements to my apartment makes a very thankful for a very great summer and a very great year so far:)
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As for the fall, I had a great time hanging out with my brother and a few friends for karaoke, hung out with another friend a week later. I also had a great Halloween with my clown wig, and my exploring UH, Ala Moana (hello Macy's.... hint, hint) and Waikiki.
8) Conclusion
I look forward to a great Thanksgiving with my family tomorrow.
I look forward to good conversations and of course, good food :)
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving too! :)
