Thursday, November 28, 2013

List of Thanks 2013

The following is a list of things I am thankful for.

  • My education. I am thankful for the opportunity to expand my mind. I am thankful for reaching the goal of graduating SLCC this year and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend the U this semester. It has been an awesome semester and I am thankful that it's winding down. I am so thankful for all my wonderful instructors this semester, my insightful classmates, my chill advisor, etc. I am so thankful to be able to learn about gender studies and question social norms without fearing my safety. 
  • I am thankful for my sweet, thoughtful, beautiful, partner Allan.
  • I am thankful for my family: my mom Sandy, my dad Terry, my siblings Cassie and Daniel. I'm thankful for all of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I am thankful that my aunt Michelle moved back to Utah this year and I get to hang out with her much more.
  • I am thankful for my closest friends: Anna, Andrew, Emilee, and Casey. I wish we hung out and talked more. I care deeply about each of you.
  • I am thankful for my flexible, laid back job.
  • I am thankful to live in America. I am thankful that I don't think that it is the best country in the world; I'm thankful I'm not ethnocentric. I'm thankful that even though the American government is flawed, it could be a lot worse.
  • I'm thankful for Davis county, where I've grown up and live currently; it may lack diversity but it does not lack safety. (ok... at least compared to other parts of the world) 
  • I'm thankful for Salt Lake City. This beautiful city that I'm getting to know is diverse and unique and increasingly queer-friendly.
  • It feels uncomfortable to say this, but I am thankful for my white privilege, and my other privileges. I am thankful that I am (trying to be) aware of my (perceived) privileges. And being aware of them, how could I not be thankful that they have given me safety, power, and a lack of feeling less than.
  • I am thankful that it has not snowed much yet this season. I am hoping that it will be a calm winter.
  • Even though it's sketchy sometimes, I am thankful for public transportation. Although I anticipate that it will not be fun to use in the cold snowy winter, I am thankful that it means I will not be driving to the U in the snow and fearing for my life and stressing about parking.
  • I am thankful for my brain, and my learning and growth. I'm thankful for change. I'm thankful for empathy and for introspection.
  • I'm thankful that this list could go on and on and on, because I am so blessed and because life is so beautiful.