Thankful for #31

#31--The last day of December thankfulness!  I have been saving and thinking about what I should write for this last one for a bit now. 

I am thankful for the US military.  Say what you will about it and what they do.  But I really appreciated the Navy, Army, and Air force.  While I was in Korea, I had the opportunity to meet several members of the military, since there are several bases on the peninsula.  The little city where I lived also happened to be right over the mountain from Camp Casey--An Army Base. 

The US military branches do alot of great things.  But, I really love the uniforms.  When a guy slips on a US military uniform, I personally think the attractiveness increases about ten fold.

My friends who know this about me do one of the following:
A.) Agree
B.) Just can't understand
C.) Whenever I talk to someone who happens to be in the military-they like to embarrass me


Now for my friends (and yes I asked them if I could post these)

My friend Kyle, part of the Army Honor Guard.

My buddy Stever, part of the Army.

The Army Manchu Ball-2009.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!

Thankful for #30

I'm thankful for my other "families"...that I have from all over!

My girl- Brittany and her fam

My Korean sisters!      My Korean church family!

My Japan family!

I love them all!

Thankful for #29

Ben-jamin!  My other brother. The middle one.  The TX kid! 

I'm thankful for my middle brother today.  I love receiving random pictures from him and his adventures.  Let's take today for example...
Text: AMBER! check these out!! 
LOL!  I <3 those!
I know, right?!
Oh, oh, oh, oh, BEN! check this out! Russe>
OMFG! I'm jealous!

Yeah...I love my brother.

Thankful for #28

I am thankful for all different types of people.  How boring would it be if we all had the same kind of talents and strengths?  it takes all kinds and I am really glad that I get to work, be friends with, and be related to so many interesting people.   

 Take this for example, today at work I was paired with my youngest brother making gingerbread.  "Lil" Dan is really great at being precise and accurate, me-not so much.  I know how to do things to make it work but if it needs nitty gritty details, forget it. 

So when we were forming the gingerbread into molds, Dan take pieces and roll them into exact circles and press cinnamon sugar into them-which was great!  I pressed them into the molds--making them work and the system worked very well. 

Thankful for #27

I am REALLY grateful for really awesome books!

I just finished a book, Twelve.  I picked it up at Barnes and Nobles because it was a store pick, because, "This is not your sparkly vampire story." 

Spectacular!

What are some great books you have read recently?

Thankful for #26

I'm thankful for people who can take any situation and make it better.  Sometimes I get into routines and get...grouchy.  I am really grateful for the friends I have that can turn that frown upside down! 

Thankful for #25

Surprises!  I am so thankful for surprises!  I love surprising people!  My mother this year, knew what everyone was getting her except for me.  She thought she knew....but when she opened her piece of flooring today.  She had NO idea.  It was great!  (By the way...I am getting her a new kitchen floor)   It was awesome to see the look on her face, priceless!

Thankful for #24

!!!SANTA!!!

Thankful for #23

I'm thankful for snow!  And not just any kind of snow...Christmas snow!

I rather not have snow ANYTIME but on one day of the year, guess what guys?  We're getting a snow storm-today- on the 23rd and 24th..that means some serious Christmas snow.

Also, Santa's sleigh can more easily glide when there is snow, right?

Thankful for #22

I am really thankful for pets!  Cats, dogs, birds, fish...whatever floats your boat!

Two of the blogs I follow had this about pets:

Single Dad Laughing

Red Means Go!

In my house we have had cats, iguanas, turtles, sea monkeys and fish!  I love having pets!!!

Thankful for #21

I a thankful for being able to be in weddings!  How fun!  Yesterday while I was working my friend, Betsy from high school, who is home for Christmas asked me if I wanted to be a bridesmaid!  Of course, I FREAKED out and said YES! (repeatedly).

Here are some high quality bonding times with my friend Betsy. 

On the left--we work at 12th Night Dinner every year....and sometimes things like this happen were we play with the props after.  On the right--The Henry Doorley Zoo (it's epic!)

I first met Betsy in high school on a 3 week school trip to Japan.  She was the youngest of our group but she fit right in with all her craziness.  Betsy and I are not good at keeping up with each other during the year but each time we do meet up, it's like time has never passed.  We fall right back into crazyland!

Also!  I will be in my friend Ashley's wedding this summer as well.  We had dress fittings last night at David's Bridal--it was actually super fun!

 

Ashley and I met in college, she lived across the hall from me her freshman year and we have stayed friends ever since. 

The pic on the left--is our Claire's(like the store) explosion club we went to--not a great club but some awesome memories! Right Pic--we thought we were being WAY funny one day at school.  I don't know....

I can't wait!

Thankful for #20

Thankful for really awesome things that happen in nature.  Case in point...the Lunar Eclipse that is happening!  How cool!

"There are not many days like Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Take it from people who know - astronomers. There was maybe one day like this Tuesday in the past 2,000 years.  On Tuesday morning, astronomers say, there will be - or depending on when this is read, was - a total eclipse of the moon. And on the very same day, the winter solstice arrives." (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/20/AR2010122006447.html)

Thankful for #19

I am really thankful for people that go out of their way to make you feel welcome.  I really like when people do this when you are new to a group, area, space, whatever.  AND it's so easy to do.  So go on....go say Hi to someone!

Thankful for #18

I am thankful for good, clean entertainment.  Sometimes that's all I want!  I went and saw Tron in 3D with the parents this evening.  The movie had no swearing, no sexual anything (except the body suits--tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. hahaha), and it was a decent movie. 

Thankful for #17

Today's thankful shout out goes to my Dad.

Today I was able to have some serious bonding time with just Pops!  We got to do some Christmas shopping for my mom and able to go out  together.  It was a fun little daddy-daughter date. Awwwww, how cute, I know! 

Thankful for #16

I am thankful for games!  Games are a great resource to teach students, of any age (in my opinion), bond with family and friends.  I have had some of the best times of my life while playing games with people.   When I say games, I mean board games, card games, classroom games, video games or whatever.

So last night while the ice/snow storm was raging outside, inside a few of us friends got together to play, The World of Munchkin.  This game totally mocks Dungeons and Dragons, but it was SO fun! 

A lil description from the page, "Munchkin is the mega-hit card game about dungeon adventure . . . with none of that stupid roleplaying stuff. You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab magic items. And what magic items! Don the Horny Helmet and the Boots of Butt-Kicking. Wield the Staff of Napalm . . . or maybe the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment. Start by slaughtering the Potted Plant and the Drooling Slime, and work your way up to the Plutonium Dragon . . ." (http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/game/)

So go on, play a game!



Thankful for #15

Today I'm thankful for videos like this where I get to reminisce about Korean culture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJpxv3dv1Es&NR=1

Oh, Korea only you would have a TV show like this.

Thankful for #14

I am thankful for new ways to meet people. 

Gone are the days when I have to actually talk to face to face to meet you.  I can meet people from ALL over the world, all different backgrounds, etc, etc, etc.  Blogger friends, Chat friends, Facebook Friends....  I have an awesome network of buddies!

Thankful for #13

Hey Everyone...look I am posting early!

Thankful for on number lucky 13...Christmas Songs!!!  Seriously, Christmas is not the same for me unless I hear some excellent tunes! 

Some of my favorites?
1. The Chipmunks Song:  ALVIN!!!!  Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for toys and time for cheer.....I still want a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuula hoop!
2. Carol of the Bells: We sang this in high school honor choir and I still remember all the words
3. Baby, It's Cold Outisde:  I have some seriously mixed feelings about this song.  You should really listen to the lyrics. 
4. Silent Night:  Just love it.

What are some of your favs?

Thankful for #12

Today I am thankful for all my diverse friends!  I know so many cool people, from so many places, cultures, backgrounds, etc, etc, etc!

Thankful for #11

So many things to be grateful for today!  It is really hard for me to choose!  I got to sleep in, hang out with a girl scout troop, travel in a car when it was super crappy outside, wrap some gifts for my family, and feeling more and more like it's Christmas!

But specifically I am grateful for little Girl Scouts. 

My mom helps out with a local troop of 2-3rd graders in our town, she asked me to go on their outing today.  The whole troop went to see a theater production of Peter Pan.

Some highlights from the production:

*The first time Peter Pan (who is played by a woman) comes on stage in the production, one the girls leaned over, "That's a girl!  It's not a boy!  It's a girl!"

*Another classic: Is when Tinkerbell drinks the poison and Peter Pan asks the audience for help, clapping, so that Tink does not die, one of the little scouts was crying.  Too cute!

*Interesting side note: The man and woman who played Peter Pan and Capt Hook are actually married in real life!

Do you believe?



Thankful for #10

I am thankful for my part time job.  I work at a little local Catering business.  I get to prep food, bake bread, cookies, cakes, meat, do dishes, wait on people, setting up decorations and lots of other little tidbits as well.  I get to try so many different kinds of foods,  practice my cooking skillz, and earn a few bucks too.  It's not a bad gig at all! 

Are you thankful for your job?

Thankful for #9

I am thankful that it is December 9th today and the weather was gorgeous!!  You could literally go outside and only need a light jacket! 

How crazy is that!  Last year around this time Nebraska had already had 3 snow storms...at least that's what my trusty radio show told me a few days ago. 

I am not a fan of the snow unless it falls under one of these conditions:

1.) It's so far below zero, we definitely need an excuse for it to be so cold out.
2.) Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and or the day after Christmas
3.)  It gets me out of school



(What's your idea of a perfect date?) 
(April....because it's not too hot and not too cold.  All you need is a light jacket!)

Thankful for #8

Today I am thankful for  chat messengers.  I can literally talk to people from all over the world!  I can chat to my Japanese friend, I could take to my friend that is teaching in Korea or to my little brother down in Texas.  So awesome!  I love technology.........as Kip would say (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhq0KxHSwHI).

Thankful for #7

I am thankful today for WWII veterans.  Today is December 7th.  This day in 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, which kicked the USA into World War II officially.  The attacked killed about 2,403 people and left hundreds wounded. 

My grandfather was a WWII veteran.  He never talked about his experience to us grandkids.  But from what my mother and grandmother told me, he was in France and possibly Germany around 1945.  This is when the war was ending and US troops were finally seeing concentration camps.  I can not even imagine what those men went through when they first entered the camps and saw all those awful things. 

Thank You.  Thank You.  Thank You.

More information about Pearl Harbor:  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl.htm