I dont have time to write much here, since this is crunch time when it comes to my LIS classes at UH-Manoa. There are projects, presentations, web-pages and readings to finish up!
But hey, that's one thing for me to be thankful. I'm thankful that I am in the Library and Information Science (LIS) program at UH-Manoa. It gives me a goal, a motivation, a purpose in life! Plus, opportunities to learn new skills, new ideas, and meet new people! Plus, I get to use their computer lab :)
Plus, being at UH-Manoa gives me an opportunity to enjoy the green scenery as well as campus activities.
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As for other things I am thankful for in my life (ie. family, work, etc.), here is a repeat from last year's Thanksgiving blog post
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-blog-post.html
1) Family(2013 note: this is a great job to go along with being a graduate student. You can choose from the available sub jobs and skip on some if you need study time. Plus, it does pay more than most "student jobs" on the UH campus )
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.
My main job is working as a substitute teacher, with both the public and private schools.
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.
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.
(2013 note: plus finally having a smartphone! My BlackBerry Q10 is one of the most under-rated gadgets of all time. check out the post http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2013/10/adventures-on-my-new-smartphone.html
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 :)
(2013 note : and now that I got a smartphone, I can easily access internet information when I'm outdoors, on the bus, or at home. )
I'm sure I got more to be thankful for, but time is running out for me!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving
And good luck to those who have to work tomorrow.
