Day 47: final hour

47 days. Seems like a long time, right? I feel like I've barely scratched the surface.

I read somewhere that a treatment psychologists use for patients with depression is having them write down three things they are thankful for every day for 21 days. After 21 days noticing the positive should become a habit. That is how long it is thought to change an attitude, change a behavior, change yourself.

Did I change? I hope so. I would like to think that after this I will see the blessings more clearly, that I will say thank you and I love you more often, that I will forgive a little quicker, and laugh louder.

While I was contemplating on the point of this whole experiment, I looked back over my posts. I saw a trend, very few of my posts were about physical items. I live in a first world country so I have a million things surrounding me, but those aren't the things that make an impact on me. These aren't the things I am thankful for.

I’m thankful for things like family and friends, sunshine and chivalry. I am thankful for kind words and people that make me smile. These are things that can’t be bought or sold. I think that’s the point. 

Happiness can’t be bought or sold. Therefore, anyone can have it if they choose it. Honestly, most everyone already has it, they just haven't opened their eyes to see it.  

The things that make me happy have nothing to do with money or power. They have everything to do with the people I am surrounded by.

 So, thank you all for reading my daily ramblings. Whether it made an impact on you or not, I at least hope it made you smile.

Open your eyes. Be thankful. Thankful for your life, and for those around you. And don’t forget to say it, let them know how much they matter. 

Happy Easter everyone. 

    

Day 46: playtime isn't just for kids

As I was in the Safeway parking lot today, I watched this older couple, probably late sixties or early seventies, grab a cart and walk towards the front door. Seems like a normal day right? It was, which is why it made me smile.

As the gentleman was walking with the cart, he gleefully pushed off hard and stepped onto the bars to go for a ride. I remember doing this as a kid whenever my mom wasn’t looking. I think that was the best part; that I was doing something exhilarating that I wasn’t supposed to do.

I haven’t done that in years. But that man was having SUCH a fabulous time. He didn't care that it was childish, he didn't care that people saw him. He was simply having a good time.

I want to hold on to this memory. This man reminded me to have fun, regardless of age and audience.

Thank you, unknown man. You brightened my day.  

Day 45: the extra step

I am thankful for professors who give extra credit work. I would not have the GPA I have today (even though it isn't necessarily stellar) if it wasn't for extra credit.

I appreciate a professor so much more when they are understanding and try to help you out. The ones who don’t get enjoyment out of making your day worse; the ones who genuinely try and genuinely care.    

Day 44: semi truck

I was hit by a semi-truck of a cold today. It the oh so dreaded prefinals cold brought on by stress and exhaustion that knocks you flat on your rear end and makes it very difficult to get back up.

I’m thankful for modern medicine, even as simple as ibuprofen.

Such a little pill, so common now days. But makes surviving a killer cold in college a little easier. 

Day 43: knock knock

I am thankful for opening up my front door to this today.

I am thankful for those friends I have that know me well enough to know when I am having a bad day, and who care enough about me to go out of their way to cheer me up.

I know I've already done a shout out to good friends, but this one deserved an extra special thank you.

Liz, you're the best! 

Day 42: an apple a day keeps the doctors away

I love the feeling right after you go grocery shopping.
You have so many choices for food, everything is fresh and new, and it all looks so good. Fresh vegetables, meat that doesn't need to be thawed, and opening up that fresh bag of coffee all just make me so happy.
I am normally not a huge cook, but I'm slowly starting to like cooking my own food. (This is a big step for me, I'm sure I have a few family members that just fainted from surprise.) Since I was raised in a very healthy household, I've noticed that eating unhealthy food really makes me feel like crap. Maybe it is just because I never ate it while growing up so I'm not used to the feeling of unhealthy food. I will get a pizza once in a blue moon, and I cannot remember the last time I bought fast food or a frozen dinner.
I love spending 80% of my time in the produce section when I'm grocery shopping.
I love vegetables. I love when they fill up my fridge.

I am thankful grocery store day.

Day 41: scribe

Have you ever thought about how much it must have sucked to be a scribe?
Like waaaaay back when.
When they did calligraphy and wrote with quills and ink.

I took handwritten notes for the first time in a long the other day.
It sucked.
I was writing in pen because I hate pencil and I kept spelling things wrong, or it looked messy. Being the perfectionist I am, I kept starting the same notes over until they were legible.

It got me thinking about how my parents never used a laptop to take notes.
It also got me to thinking about how pencils and even some pens can erase their mistakes, a quill and ink can't.

It must have been awful to be a scribe. Every word had to be perfect. It had to be evenly spaced and legible and beautiful. And these people weren't writing nursery rhymes, they were writing heavy duty books like the Bible.If you made one mistake it was ruined and and you had to start over.
But they were also probably so much more careful with their words. Because once they were written, they couldn't press a backspace button.
They also probably valued the final outcome so much more, simply because of the effort put in.
It's kind of poetic, in a way.

But for my sanity in the classroom, I am so thankful for my laptop. It spell checks my words, spaces out each letter and word perfectly, and I can make the words look beautiful with just a few clicks.
Crisp and clean when printed.
Very handy. much better than my chicken scratch hand written notes.  

Day 40: when God closes a door he opens a window

I WAS ABLE OPEN MY WINDOW FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

Sorry for the all caps, but this is a big day for me.

I love open windows.

I love hearing wind and birds and leaves and life. I love smelling rain, and I love hearing crickets at night.

When the weather is good, I can’t bear to close my window.

That’s what I hate most about winter. We all huddle in our blankets in our houses with the heaters on and the air is stale and quiet.

Today I left my window open. I listened to birds and leaves rustling and I saw sunshine streaming into my room to announce the coming of spring.

It was a good day,

I am thankful for windows.

SIDENOTE: so my blog was only supposed to go for 40 days, but apparently those forty days don't include Sundays (I'm not catholic, how was I supposed to know I could take Sunday off?). 

SO

I'm sure you are all SO THRILLED to hear it will officially continue until Easter Sunday. 

47 days.

Day 39: there's a window on the ceiling

Sunroofs.
I am thankful my car has a sunroof.

Friday night we drove around for hours, just listening to music and talking about whatever came to mind. We opened the sunroof and drove fast down windy dirt roads and then we tried to find different constellations. [not while driving Mom, don't worry, my eyes were on the road until I pulled to a complete stop].

I love having my sunroof. But ironically, I never use if for sun. Every time I use it, it's always when I am driving around at night with great people listening to fabulous music. Moon roof. Not sun roof.

Next time you're in a car with a moon/sun roof, open it up and go for a drive. Feel the wind and turn up the stereo, and enjoy the scenery.
You won't regret it.

Day 38: my grandma is better than yours

Today, in honor of a special lady’s birthday, I wanted to give her a shout out.

Grandma, this one is for you. I am thankful for the amazing family you have created that I am so lucky to be a part of; for the son you raised, because he is an awesome dad, and I am thankful for the person you are. You are kind and graceful, you are dignified and strong, you are also sassy and feisty. I know I speak for all of us grandkids when I say that you are someone we look up to and admire greatly.

Happy 80^th birthday Grandma! I hope you enjoyed your surprise. We love you!!!!    

Day 37: smile

I saw this link today and it made me actually laugh in class.
Whoops.

Today I am thankful for this pick me up, it brightened my day.
Enjoy!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/its-impossible-to-look-at-this-post-and-not-smile

Day 36: thunder cake

"Grandma looked at the horizon, drew a deep breath and said, ‘This is Thunder Cake weather, all right. Looks like a storm is coming.’"

Today we had our first real rainstorm in months. Seeing the dark clouds and hearing the wind and the rain against the window reminded me of when I was a kid during monsoon season in Arizona.

 For those of you who haven’t ever experienced Arizona’s monsoon season, put it on your bucket list. Every single afternoon during the end of summer the dark stormy clouds roll in and the thunder starts rumbling, rain starts pouring, the winds are howling, and lightening lights up the sky every few minutes. It’s very dramatic.

It was one of my favorite things about my hometown.

When I was a kid there was this book I had called Thunder Cake. The book was about a grandma helping her grandchild overcome her fear of thunderstorms by gathering ingredients and baking a “thunder Cake” every time the storm rolled in.

I loved this book. I remember always begging my mom to read it and make Thunder Cake with me. I thought it was great not only because we were baking, but the cake also called for tomatoes which I thought was the weirdest thing. But it was so good, and it made thunderstorms that much better. 

I loved having that special thing I did with my mom.

Now every time I see those clouds rolling in, it takes me back to those days in our kitchen baking with my mom to the sounds of thunder, wind, and rain. Every time it makes me smile.  

I am thankful for my childhood.  

I am thankful for thunder cake.

Day 35: a picture is worth a thousand words

Okay, so I got a little Pintrest happy. But sometimes you find quotes that say what you want to say, only better. I love quotes. Today, I am thankful for them. 

I wanted to share a few, I hope you love them as much as I do.

Day 34: so fresh

I love the morning after you do laundry.

You have tons of clean clothes, all fresh and hung up and in order. Whenever I do laundry, I also clean my room and organize. I knock it all out in one and feel so productive.
It's so satisfying to wake up to organization because, if you're like me, it won't last long.
I also am thankful that we have a washer and dryer in our apartment. Makes life so much easier.

Ilovemyapartment <3

Day 33: click it or ticket

I love my friends, but some of them terrify me on the road. Nothing specific happened so no need to stress out, but you all know those people who get behind the wheel and you just pray that you make it from A to B? Yeah... 

I’m extremely tired and have too much to do before class tomorrow so I’ll keep this short and sweet:

I am so thankful for seatbelts, I'll take any protection I can get. 

Don’t worry Mom, I got home safe and sound. 

Day 32: go cougs

I love being a cougar. My university is awesome.

At the NWNATA conference, I had the privilege of presenting research with three other classmates at the student forum. The student forum was the same time as two other presentations, which I’m sure were a million times better than the ones the students were participating in. there were 6 other groups presenting as well, and of course none of us are professional presenters, so we weren't necessarily moving the crowd.

Needless to say, it was boring to watch.

But even though it was boring, almost all my classmates that came to the conference came and watched us present. They had seen us present multiple times as practice and were probably so sick of us, and we were the second to last group so they had to wait a long time, but they did it anyway. They stayed to support us.

The next day was Quizbowl. Quizbowl resembles jeopardy; each school with an entry level athletic training program in the northwest had a team of three students to represent. The question was read, the teams conferred and clicked in their answer, and points were awarded as such.

Once again, not necessarily thrilling. And once again, it was during the time of other presentations. But once again, our whole entire program showed up to support. Not only did we sit in the crowd and support, we were the super obnoxious group that cheered ridiculously for every right answer, shouted GO COUGS at random intervals, sang our fight song, and basically annoyed the crap out of everyone else.

We were proud of our classmates, and we wanted them to know how much we supported them.

Our presentation didn't get first place, neither did our Quizbowl team. But we absolutely were the undefeated fans, which comes as no surprise for anyone familiar with WSU.
So shout out to my classmates, I'm thankful for the unwavering support we all have for each other. 

Go cougs. 

Day 31: Riley

Four months ago I had a wake up call.

It was like someone threw ice-water on me to shake me from my haze.

It’s amazing how a phone call can change your life.

It’s amazing how we never realize the role others have played in our lives until they are gone.

Riley was a good friend. At one point in my high school career, I considered him one of my best friends. He was like a big brother to me; he called me out on my crap, annoyed me daily, but in the end was always in my corner. He was my sarcastic partner in crime for goofing off in back of the advanced classes and roaming about the school when we were supposed to be in fashion or student council.

But then he graduated, and we both dated people in different crowds, so we drifted apart. There wasn't a falling out, or a defining moment that ended out friendship, we just simply grew apart. I would still see him at parties or around town and we would say hi and chat, but our lives didn't overlap anymore. Then I moved away.  

It’s the same story you've heard a thousand times.

I hadn't talked to Riley, really talked, in probably four years.

It’s hard every day to know I wasn't there for him when he needed it. He was a good friend during some rough times in my life. I never returned the favor.

I never realized the impact he had on me as a person until I couldn't call him up to say thank you. Until I couldn't bridge the gap between us and reconnect with my old friend.  

I wouldn't be the person I am if he hadn't touched my life, even though it was years ago.

He was smart and sarcastic. He was stubborn and childish. He could make you laugh or drive you crazy in a matter of seconds. The Riley I remember was happy.

He was a good person. He simply lost his way, and chose to wander alone. And somewhere along the way, he forgot which way was up.

I wish I could have been there.

In a roundabout way he reminded me to do what he couldn't, or wouldn't; to live.

He reminded me to tell people I love them. To appreciate life. To wake up every day and remember why it’s all worth it. He also reminded me to let people in, and let them help.

Here is a short clip of the boy I choose to remember, the boy I choose to emulate. The one that was a good friend, and a great person.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9p8UrJ5xaRw

This one is for you Ry. I’m thankful for your life, and all the ways you have helped me, and all the lives you touched. I’ll miss you for the rest of my life.

We all will. 

Day 30: don't be good, be great

I have spent the last 48 hours in seminars, presenting research, listening to others present research, and exploring downtown Boise.

Here are the things I have learned.

1.       MRSA is everywhere. And it’s so gross.

2.       Boise has a very interesting breed of people. It’s like Portland meets country. I like it, but it’s definitely unique.

3.       Old men will take any excuse to command a room and ramble for eons.

4.       Athletic trainers are the best people I know.

There was just shy of 500 athletic trainers, students, and other professionals at this conference.

Boise has literally been taken over by NWNATA, and it’s incredible.

Everyone I have met has been kind and positive. They have been funny and laid back. They have taken real interest in every person they meet, and go out of their way to help you out or make you feel at home.

It’s so easy in a big crowd to stick to what you know and who you know. But not athletic trainers. I feel like I've known these people for years. I don’t feel small for being a student. I have not had a single professional blow me off or treat me as though I am less than them. On the contrary, I feel as though each and every person is trying to help build me up.

Everywhere you go you will hear different people chatting about different crazy medical stories, or reminiscing on the good old days. Or simply just making casual conversation over the potato bar with complete strangers.

“work hard, play hard.”

That is the only way I can explain it. these people are  brilliant and they are passionate. They are strong and they are supportive. Most of all, they are proud of their profession. But they also don’t take themselves too seriously.

We had a speaker yesterday, a member of the hall of fame, stand up to give a speech. It went something like this:

“You may notice my interesting choice in pants. I was wearing professional pants, but you see when I bent down to tie my shoes, they ripped!!! This is the third time this has happened, each time it has been at a conference. Thankfully for you all, I had some backup.”

I love what I do. And I am so thankful I was able to come to this conference and fall in love with my profession all over again. They sure know how to inspire you. 

Day 29: may I have s'more please?

"Alright now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf." 

I hadn't had s'mores in years.

But as we camped the night before, we were kicking ourselves for not bringing out the sugary goodness campfire treat.

So today after we went into Leavenworth we decided to stop by the grocery store to get the goods.

Once again, we ended up around a campfire, listening to good music, and feeling what we felt the night before. That these are the moments we will always remember. The moments of simple and quiet joy. Moments filled with friends, and laughter, and love, and nature.

And s’mores make that moment pure perfection.

Because everything tastes better outside around a campfire. 

Day 28: rest your head

I will never take pillows for granted again.

Last night I went camping in Leavenworth. We went the whole 9 yards: we had wood for a campfire. We had a tent, we had the sleeping bags, and we had the blankets.

The one thing we didn't have? Pillows. Who forgets pillows!? Apparently us. But of course we didn't want to go back into town to get some; we were stubborn and figured we could just use the blankets.

Bad call.

Its March in Washington. Therefore, it is basically still winter. By the time we left the fire to go to bed, it was freezing. We didn't want to use the blankets for pillows, we were too cold. So basically we had to pick between head comfort and warmth, and I spent the night alternating between the two. Needless to say I didn't sleep much.

I woke up feeling sixty years old.

Never forgetting pillows again.

But I will say, there isn't anything quite like sitting around the campfire with good friends listening to good music and stargazing.

“And I swear in that moment, we were infinite.” 

Day 27: don't you forget about me

Okay I’m a hypocrite.

Last night I watched Pitch Perfect for the first time, even though I didn't want to. My sister demanded that I watch it with her at least once. “Just humor me” she said.

SUCH A GOOD MOVIE.

I’m not into chick flicks, or musicals, or feel good lovey Disney-esque films, but this one stole my heart. By the end of it I was ready to put the Breakfast Club on repeat, fall in love with a nerdy but oh so cute singer boy, and join an all-girl choir group.  

There is something to be said for a movie that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside: a movie that makes you want to restart as soon as it is finished. 

If you were a skeptic like me, definitely check it out.

And any guy that wants to sign his heart out to me and look as good as Jesse does, well, I won’t turn you down. Just saying.

But really. I’m thankful for that warm fuzzy feeling. The one that makes you want to dance like a fool in your underwear to cheesy 80’s music, all while jumping on the bed just like your mom used to yell at you not to do when you were a kid.

Don’t act like you've never done that. We all have, and it’s awesome. 

Day 26: Netflix is loading

Okay I know, kind of lame and superficial, but I am so thankful for Netflix. Nothing wastes a Sunday better than watching Netflix all day with your sister, getting delicious Thai takeout, then making nachos, and finishing it off with my father’s infamous margarita recipe.

Just kicking back, embracing the cliché Lazy Sunday stereotype, and loving the fact you have the ability to have this type of day. I don’t think we even left the couch all day…

Plus, it’s always my favorite kind of day when I don’t have to put on real pants.

Thank god for Netflix, it’s the best procrastination tool since the washer and dryer were invented.

Spring break is my favorite.     

Day 25: It doesn't taste any different..

Today I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with my sissy and brother in law. They took me to Bainbridge Island to go wine tasting, which is something I have never done.

Fist off, it was 55 degrees and sunny in Seattle. UHHHMAZING. The ferry ride was beautiful since we could see the mountains in the distance. I'm not a big wine drinker, so they literally all tasted the same to me, but I felt so classy and grown up. It's not necessarily something I will feel a need to do again, but I had some much needed family time.
Then to top it off, I went to my uncles house and learned how to cook chile rellenos. It was delicious food with some great people.

Today was perfect. I  know I say this often, but I really have the best family ever.  

Day 24: captain of my fate

Out of the night that covers me,

      Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

      Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

      How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

      I am the captain of my soul.

-Invictus by William Earnest Henley 

Today I am thankful for the feeling of freedom. That moment where I was driving down the highway into the sunset and I it reminded me that I am young. I am alive. I can go anywhere I want to go and do anything I want to do. My life is mine to make, mine to live, and mine to love.
There is such freedom in that.
I am the captain of my fate. I am the master of my soul.

While you mull over that, listen to this song:
Keep Your Head Up by Ben Howard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP65wbBUpc




Okay so this is kind of cheating, I am putting this post as yesterday even though I did not write yesterday.
I was in a car for 6 hours then I was bonding with the sister, brother in law, and friends so I ran out of time to write it before midnight. But this is what I wanted to post yesterday, so enjoy.

Day 23: hope

Today I am thankful for that glimmer of hope that is spring break. 

This semester has been almost more than I can handle and I haven’t had a week where I could relax yet. It’s definitely needed. This week has gone by so slow and so fast at the same time, just because of how excited I am. I can't wait to see my beautiful sister and play in Seattle, then I get to go camping in Leavenworth with some pretty great friends, then I am going to Boise for the WNATA conference where I am presenting original research.

Needless to say, it won’t be dull. But it will be a much needed break from the daily grind. There isn't anything that motivates you quite as well as knowing you just have only one more day to get through. 

It quite resembles the feeling of being kid on Christmas Eve.

Yep, spring break is pretty much Christmas for college kids. The presents just come in different shapes; like bikinis, beverages, and sleeping until noon.  Or, in my case; rain, bratwursts and beer, and still sleeping until noon.  

Sounds pretty perfect to me.   

Day 22: conservation of energy

I have been studying the conservation of energy and other problems related to physics for the last 6 hours.

Losing.my.mind.

But I am thankful that I have a smart and helpful friend who came come over immediately after the first panicked math related text he received from me in order to help me study for my physics exam tomorrow. That's a conservation of energy if I've ever heard of one: three weeks of lessons shrunk into one night of teaching, and it actually kind of making sense.

David, you're a champ. Thanks for teaching yourself the stuff super quick then somehow finding a way to teach it to me! I now have a glimmer of hope in the form of a passing grade on this test.
#Ioweyou.
And yes, I hashtagged for you. That is how thankful I am.
 

Day 21: happy people don't kill their husbands

"Exercise produces endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't!"
                         -Legally Blonde

Today I am thankful for the mood boost from my first TRX Force class.
It was quite the experience. Basically the score is:

TRX: 1
Amber: 0

If you haven't heard of TRX, look it up. It;s basically doing a workout using ropes and your own body weight. Not as easy as it sounds. But I won't deny it, the feeling you get after completing an exercise, especially one you didn't think you would be able to finish, it's a pretty good feeling. Best natural high there is.

Get out there and try it.
In the words of the physical therapist I work with,

"let's get movin' and groovin"

Day 20: I can do anything good

Yes, I know, that is grammatically incorrect. But watch this video and you will understand the reference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qR3rK0kZFkg

I am thankful for this video. No matter how many times I watch it, it still makes my day!

Day 19: indecision

Today I am thankful for multiple things: friends, chivalry, and good music.

And because I am indecisive, I want to share all three.

1.

“Friends are the family you choose.” I've chosen some great ones. And luckily for me, the best ones still put up with me. J

Sometimes it takes bad moments to recognize the good, and I think that happens often with friends. It’s so easy to forget how lucky you are for those friends who are always there for you, who always support you, who are kind and good and always know how to cheer you up and make you laugh; friends who always understand. But there are moments of clarity, moments that make you appreciate more than ever the true friends you have.

2. 

Today my roommate and I went out for breakfast. As we were waiting for a parking spot, we saw a college student open the car door for the girl he was with. The way he did it and the way she responded made it seem like this was a completely normal and natural occurrence. But how many guys do you know that will go open your car door for you? I’m not saying I am not capable of opening my own door because I absolutely am and I do not expect a guy to do it for me, but it was such a sweet gesture. It was a small reminder that chivalry isn't dead, and it made me smile.

3. 

You know that moment when you hear a new song and it seems to describe the exact feeling inside? It somehow feels like it says everything that you wanted to say but didn't have the words for? I found one of those today. I related to it simply because of a few versus.

Let her go by Passenger.

Because you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know your lover when you've let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home

I loved this song instantly because this is the mentality I don't want. Instead of only seeing the good until it's too late, I want to realize what I have while I have it, and revel in it. 

I don’t want to wait until its gone.

Day 18: family

Short, sweet, and to the point. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my supportive parents who listen to my crazy plans every time I call. I am thankful for my two beautiful and motivated sisters that inspire me to be the best version of myself. I am thankful for my grandma, who has such dignity and grace and shows me the type of person I want to grow into. I am thankful for my aunts and uncles and cousins, they’re all so different and together we are so dysfunctional but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am thankful for my greek family. I have an amazing big who has been there for me since the beginning, and has never once judged me and always supports me. I have one little who is a free spirit and reminds me not to take life so seriously, and I have another little who is so focused and motivated just like me and is always down for a study date. I have a beautiful fun loving twin who, even though I am always MIA, is still there for me.

I am thankful for my athletic training family. They are crazy and hilarious and weird and amazing. They drive me crazy but at the end of the day we’re family.

I am a lucky girl. 

Day 17: the road home

Today was my last day at my clinical site. On Monday, I will start at a physical therapy clinic. Which I am very excited for, don’t get me wrong, but I will miss where I have spent my last 7 weeks, I truly loved it. I really am so very lucky; lucky to have the opportunity I have through my education program. Yes, there are days where I feel overworked and under appreciated. There are days that I wonder if the end goal will be worth all that I am putting in. But I don’t think that is specific to my career path, that’s just life.    

Sometimes I look back and it amazes me that I got here.

It was hard to pick up and leave my hometown and everyone I've ever known to move 1200 miles away. I left some amazing people, and I lost people I cared about as a result. There are days where I have questioned my decision to leave. I don’t know if I was running from my past or if I was chasing my dreams. Regardless, I got lucky. When I first moved here, I hated it. After leaving Arizona, I felt homeless and lost. That feeling is gone now.

I wake up each day looking forward to my life. I have amazing friends who love and accept me. I have an amazing program that challenges me and pushes me. And I have an internship that gives me the freedom to be creative and make a difference. I get the chance to work with some pretty amazing people; athletes, physicians, athletic trainers, educators, and students. Each one has had an impact on me. I learn and grow each day. I am so thankful to have found my home. But my home isn't a physical location. My home is with the people and experiences I have been blessed to have.       



Also, in honor of National Athletic Training month :) I always knew I liked March.

Day 16: Zzzz

Today I am thankful for naptime. This may not be my most meaningful, or serious, or memorable thankful post, but If you aren't thankful for the little things, you'll miss the big things. 

After attempting, yet failing miserably, to pull an all nighter last night (I suck at being a college student, I can’t pull all nighters and function the next day to save my life), all I wanted to do today was go home and sleep. Which I did. I had the best nap ever.

Anyone who thinks they are too old for nap time clearly doesn't have a whole lot going on in their day.

Last year a presenter came to my sorority to talk to us about healthy college habits, and one of those habits was the idea of sleep debt. I swear, it’s a real theory, look it up. Anyway, it basically says that if you get less than 7 hours of sleep, you are in sleep debt. And you keep accumulating this ‘debt’ until you finally pass out and sleep for days in order to repay your 'debt' pretty much.

I absolutely think this is a real thing. Ask my parents, whenever I come home on breaks I have about a three day recovery period where all I do is sleep and I only leave my room for meals and to pee. This could all be avoided however, if we took on the siesta mentality. 

Whoever decided that naps after first grade were no longer socially acceptable, well, they suck. I vote we bring back naptime. A socially supported siesta every day would be phenomenal. We have enough debt in this world, we don't need sleep debt too. 

Thank god for naptime, best part of my day. 

Day 15: puppy love

Today I am thankful for Lucy. 

There is nothing in the world that cam make you feel more loved, needed, and appreciated than a dog. Every time I visit my parents, my adorable lab Lucy gets so excited to see me she races around in circles, cannot be still to save her life, and basically knocks me over to snuggle.

She quite often even pees herself from excitement.

No matter what kind of day you have, coming home to someone that is THAT EXCITED to see you, well it’s a pretty great feeling. There are few humans who react that way. And if they did, well, it would be weird.

But that kind of unconditional love is pretty amazing, and it can change your day. I think we can all learn from that. Loving unconditionally and showing those we love just how much we appreciate them, just like dogs do.

Don’t pee yourself of excitement please, but show your happiness. Show your love.

Let’s make a deal. Let’s be happy. Let’s forgive those who have hurt us. Let’s tell the people in our lives that we love them. And let’s show them that we love them by accepting them no matter what.

Just like dogs do.

Day 14: the golden rule

We have all heard this more times than we can ever remember.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I would be a rich girl. And it's such common sense, it's basic human decency. It's the exact thing we teach our children, model for our youth, and expect from our adults. But I swear, there is still something so uplifting seeing it put into action. It brings tears to your eyes, and it just makes you believe a little more in the goodness of the world.
There is a video that was circulating around my Facebook news-feed. And as a procrastination tool, I clicked on it.
Trust me, it isn't one you want to miss.

http://www.viddler.com/embed/70d1d214/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=48017121&disablebranding=0

Today I am thankful for the standard that this coach held his team to; for the influence he has had on his players. We should all aspire to set such a high moral standard for ourselves.
It reminds me of a quote from OTH: "sometimes it's not about winning. Sometimes it's about healing."

I am thankful for the support of the fans.

I am so thankful for those instilled the golden rule in #22.

And I am thankful for him, for reminding us all of the ability to do good deeds.

Day 13: Thank god for elastic waistbands

Today I am thankful for sweatpants and ice cream. Today instead of being productive, at all, I instead went with Liz and Ty to get ice cream and watch the Bachelor. Yes, so cliché. BUT SO GOOD.

You know you’re jealous.

Two days ago I wrote about remembering that I am young and that I need to live my life. It’s so true. And I am trying to do more of that. So maybe I stayed up too late and watch a trashy tv show. Maybe I didn't do my homework. That isn't the point. The point is I am spending time with good friends and not worrying or stressing about school or the future or anything serious. I’m letting myself just be.

This past year I've done a lot of growing and learning, and I think (or I hope) that I've finally learned the art of letting go, at least somewhat. The art of simply being happy in the moment, regardless of what the future brings.

And I am so thankful for that this lesson condones eating DQ and watching the bachelor in sweatpants with good friends.

I repeat: SO GOOD.    

Day 12: change your words

I checked my email this morning, just like I do every other day. In my inbox was an email from my mom with the subject "smile :)" with a link to two youtube videos she thought I would enjoy.

I loved them both, but one especially got to me, to say the least. I'm not sure if it was in the way that was intended, but regardless, it is this moment of clarity that I am thankful for today.  

If you so choose, click on the link below.

**** Change your words ****

His excuse is blindness. But what is ours? 

We have the ability to see.
But do we?



The second video she sent is also amazing.
Enjoy.
Say what you will  

Day 11: GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED

Today I am thankful for Saturdays filled with roomie dates, criminal minds, and good friends. I woke up and felt like I was getting sick, and I really just wanted to lie in bed all day. But typical Thuy-vy style, she drug me out of bed for some retail therapy and overall roommate bonding. She refused to accept no as an answer. This attitude carried on into the evening.

As much as I drag my feet when she forces me to put on real pants, I must say I love her for it. Tonight I am spending quality time with good friends, and not much is better than that. Sometimes I get too caught up in the adult part of my life that consists of school, grad school applications, and internships that I forget that I am still a 21 year old college student. I am thankful that I have good friends that remind me to be young and live my life.

Levi and Thuy-vy, this one is for you.

You two are the greatest friends a girl could ask for. 

Day 10: quiet moments

Today I am thankful for lazy afternoons. I don’t get many of those, so when I do it’s a rare treat. I went home, had some not-so-healthy snacks and watched Friday Night Lights. I worked on some homework, but none of it is due until next week so there was no stress attached to it. It was a wonderful feeling, to be able to have an afternoon where I wasn't working, or rushing to finish a project. To have a night where I go to sleep early, a night where I sip tea and listen to great music, and just be.

I still have many things to do, but it was refreshing to have a moment of ‘me’ time.  I’ll get back on the grind tomorrow, but today was about healing. There is a quiet strength to being alone, especially when it’s your choice. Parties and going out and hanging out with friends, it’s all wonderful, but sometimes you just need some time off to recharge, ya know?   

I am thankful for those peaceful afternoons, those quiet moments of introspection.

They’re good for the soul.

Day 9: C8H10N4O2

Coffee. Coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Whoever discovered caffeine is a god.

Why am I thankful? Because there is no freaking way I would be able to get through the mountain of assignments that are all due tomorrow, that I conveniently didn't start until tonight, without it. It will still be a miracle if I get any sleep and/or actually finish, but I have a much better chance armed with my coffee mug.

Damn… I wish I had inherited my mother’s productivity.

But caffeine gets me pretty close.

THANK YOU COFFEE INVENTORS.  I owe my college GPA to you. 

Day 8: That was a joke....

Today I am thankful for those who appreciate the art of sarcasm. 87% of what comes out of my mouth is dripping in it, and it gets real awkward real quick when people don’t catch on. They either think I’m the rudest person on the planet, or exceptionally unintelligent. 

I’m not the type to take work too seriously. I obviously take the medical side very seriously and it’s important to be professional, but we spend all day interacting with the same group of people.  You get to know them, and they get to know you. If you can’t lighten up and toss a few jokes around, you are in for a long day. It’s always entertaining when we switch to a new clinical site and the athletes spend a good two or three weeks trying to figure out if I’m kidding or not. And then it takes at least another week for the athletes to be comfortable enough with me to toss it back.

Needless to say, it takes some people a little while to catch on. But oh it is so much fun when they finally do. I think it’s good for the soul to be lighthearted and enthusiastic in your job, otherwise you’ll become bitter. And if you’re bitter, athletes won’t put their faith in you.

That personal relationship, the one that allows you to laugh and tease while still maintaining your professionalism, it’s vital to their trust in you. And it’s also vital to your sanity.

Today the athletes, interns, and the head athletic trainer were quite feisty. But today also had quite a few learning experiences, which is my favorite kind of day. I’m so happy I found a career that allows for both. Professionalism while still having fun. Maturity while still bantering. Being witty, not crude or cruel.  

I don’t think I know a single athletic trainer or athletic training student that doesn't like to administer a dosage of sarcasm every now and again.

We’re good at what we do. We also have fun while we do it.

But it’s so much more fun when people actually get our jokes.

I am thankful the athletes at my clinical site are starting to get mine.  

Day 7: Wait.. I don't get it

Today I am thankful for kind lab partners.

I suck at physics, and I suck even more at physics lab. I've never really understood the point of labs. You’re basically just proving things you already know. They are long, tedious, stressful wastes of time. In most labs, you pair up with someone the first couple days of lab and they’re your lab partner for the rest of the semester. So you are either super lucky and have a friend in the class already, which makes things so much easier, or you try to pair up with someone smarter than you and hope for the best.

The point is that you and your partner create a system. That’s what makes lab go more smoothly.

But oh no, not in physics. Leave it to physics to kick you where it hurts.

In physics lab you are randomly assigned to a new partner every week. It’s awkward, annoying, and it takes longer to get in sync with how your temporary partner than it does to actually do the lab itself. And do you know what really sucks? When you have no idea what in the world is going on.

You’re THAT girl. Or guy. But in my case girl. Obviously.

So it’s refreshing when you work with someone who isn't super impatient or hardcore. When they’re understanding, even if you’re not the math wiz or computer ninja. Because I am neither. I am in constant fear of slowing someone down, messing up the lab, or being an otherwise crappy lab partner.

I worked with a girl today who was probably a zillion times smarter than me, but she didn't act like it. She was kind and patient, and for that I am thankful. I didn't want to stab out my eyes with my pen, so it was exponentially better than most lab experiences.

I am also thankful Lizzy always gets done before me and today was bored enough to enter my data into the computer for my graph, cause I suck at excel. Thanks Lizzy, you’re a champ.    

Day 6: hot and steamy

The best part of my day today was taking a ridiculously hot shower while I pondered the meaning of my life. 

And yes, I am aware of how awkward that sounds.

But ask any female (ask anyone actually, but females are more likely to admit it than males); a hot shower after a long day is one of the best feeling ever. I have a crazy stressful week ahead of me. I thought I had today off so I was planning on it being my productive school day, but I found out last night, as my best friend from high school was on her way to visit me, that I had to be at work for half the day today. Whoops, there goes all my free time to get my work done. It was amazing to see my best friend, it had been way to long, but my stress level today probably took a few years off of my life. 

Even still, I came home from work and hopped in the shower, and let myself unwind from an exhausting day.

Gotta find the magic in the little things I guess.

Plus, it’s always a good day when you break out the new shampoo and conditioner you just bought.

I am so thankful that it is not only socially acceptable but socially encouraged for females to take epically long showers while using fruity and girly shampoos, conditioners, and soap. A little bit of pampering never hurt anyone.

And my blood pressure is also thankful that there is such a thing as hot running water, because I’m pretty sure I’d be in therapy by now if hot water wasn't available. God bless America right? 

Day 5: ain't nothin' quite like mama's cookin'

Today I am thankful for the wonderful goodie bags my mother always sends home with me after I stop by my parents house. They are full of the healthy delicious taste of my childhood, and I get to trade in my cup of noodle for fresh and healthy goodness, which is always a step in the right direction.  

I fully believe in the saying that things taste better when they’re made with love.

My roommate and I deep cleaned our whole apartment today, went grocery shopping, and by the time we came home we were both exhausted but still had so much homework to do. Neither of us wanted to cook, so we checked the freezer to see if we had anything to heat up. I was so exponentially excited to see the food my mom sent me back to school with, I had completely forgotten it was there. I was a happy camper being able to toss together one of my favorite meals from home without any work. Deliciousness with little to no effort; is there anything a college student craves more?

Okay, maybe some would say free booze but I’m sticking with my answer.

Thank you for the goodie bags mama!! Thuy-vy and I appreciate it more than you know.   

Plus, the cobbler is to die for. 

Day 4: "Here, let me help you with that"

Today, I am thankful to the scrawny blond freshman pitcher on the baseball team where I intern. I do not know his name, I don’t know his jersey number, but I know that my opinion of him and his teammates rose significantly today.

Today was a long day. 10 hours of work to be exact. Three baseball games and two basketball games, one after another. I was riding the struggle bus hard too. I filled up a 10 gallon cooler only to discover, as water was shooting all over the whirlpool room, someone had removed the spout. I had to spend a ridiculous amount of time working with an athlete who then preceded yell at me for no reason. And then, to top it all off, as I was lifting a 10 gallon cooler filled to the brink with water to take down to the dugout, I realized a little too late the lid wasn't tight and spilled it all down the front of myself.

Yeah it was one of those days.

But then something happened. Two baseball boys ran over and said “here, let me help you with that.” I naturally said that it was okay and they didn't need to, but they grabbed the coolers anyway, waving away my thanks.

They had absolutely no obligation to help me out. It isn't their job; they were getting ready for a game and they barely even know me.

But they saw me struggling, and instantly offered a helping hand instead of just laughing at the intern. They stopped warming up and ran over immediately. Not because they were told to, just because they were kind.

They turned my day around and reminded me again why I love my job, even on the bad days.

Because even on the bad days, you have the athletes that say thank you. Or help you out. Or put their faith in you.

And ask any athletic trainer, we remember the good ones.

It was such a little thing, and because of that I am even more thankful.

Karma points to you, freshman baseball boy; you’re one of the good ones.   

Day 3: sunglasses and crackerjacks

I saw the sun and actually felt warm for the first time in months. I had forgotten what that little fireball in the sky combined with minimal layers of clothing could do for my mood. There isn't anything quite like driving down the highway with the window down (granted it was only 40 degrees, but that’s t-shirt weather here) listening to musical throwbacks in a car full of good friends.

That is my definition of a perfect moment.

I dusted off the aviators, turned up the stereo, and didn't even try hide the stupid grin on my face.

God, I love sunshine.

These are also the days that remind me of the many reasons why I’m in love with my career path and internship. I spent my day in the sun, sharing ridiculous medical stories and mishaps while standing along the fence of a baseball field.

There is no better way to enjoy the sun than watching some baseball, and the only way that baseball is bearable is when you get to watch it in the sun.

I may have blinded more people than the sun today when I bared my uncovered arms, but that’s beside the point.

Today was perfect.

God I am so thankful for sunshine. 

Day 2: Gimme some of that sugar.

Chocolate, I dedicate this to you. Most single people complain about Valentine’s Day but in my humble opinion, any day that sanctifies exponential chocolate and flower exchange I am definitely okay with. Is there anything better than your roommate/best friend surprising you in the morning with your favorite kind of chocolate and a hilarious card? Is there any better way to feel confident in trading in an exam that took you a total of 20 minutes to complete for a Hershey’s bar? And does anything quite heal a broken heart like a milky way? Nope. Not in my world.

Walking around campus I swear everything was better. People smiled more, held doors for others, professors let class out early, and most of all everyone was kinder.    

They were definitely feeling the love. 

But the day wasn't better for all of us. And for those who have a pain in their heart that got a little bigger today. For those who felt the loss of someone they love a little more acutely, if today was harder than the rest to get through, I hope you know that chocolate helps that too.

You know what else you have, besides that ache in your heart? You have people who love you. Yes, there are people who are not around, people who have left you. Some left by choice, some didn't  And it’s so easy to focus on that pain and that ache in our hearts. It’s so easy to curl up in bed and let all the love that’s in the air today blow us into a spiral of sadness and thoughts of what used to be or could have been.

You know what else is easy? Letting love in. Love from your family and from your friends.  There is someone whose day gets a little brighter when you walk into a room. Someone who can’t help but laugh when you laugh, someone who leans on you when they don’t feel strong enough on their own. Those people love you. They need you. You matter to them. Revel in the joy of having those people. You are not alone.

It may not be the love that you want, but most often it’s the love that you need.

Valentine’s Days is about love. Every kind of love. Celebrate it, and be thankful for every moment you have it.

And on those days where your heart hurts a little more than you think you can handle, chocolate helps that too. Check the bottom drawer in one of your favorite professor’s offices, it’s where they hide the best candy, and do some soul searching.

It’s always worked for me.

Okay, the chocolate has nothing to do with the soul searching, but it makes having to go to class on a day when the sun is shining and love is in the air a little more bearable.

Happy Valentine’s Day. I am thankful for those who love me, even when I am the worst version of myself. And I am thankful for those who I love, the ones who help me be the best version of myself.

And yes, chocolate too.

I’m also thankful for Katy’s secret candy stash. Makes my freaking day.   

Day 1: the ability to give ‘it’ up.

Get your mind out of the gutter. My grandma has the link to this blog.

I am thankful for the ability to give it up. ‘It’ being what I can give up for Lent. I mean, let’s think about this. Here we all are; sitting around thinking about the abundance of things we have available to us, and evaluating which one would be the easiest or the most dramatic to give up for forty days. How many people can afford to give up things like meat or sweets? How many people have stable internet access to be able to give up Facebook or Pintrest? What about how we have the option to choose to participate in this religious activity, even if we aren't even Catholic? How we have the basic ability to choose whether or not we are Catholic? 

Think about that for a second. If that doesn't blow your mind and already make you feel like the luckiest kid alive, you need to get out. Go volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. Visit a homeless shelter. Go on a mission to rural Africa. Talk to a child in Russia.Or simply Google image starving children; whatever. The point is, you need to crawl out from under the rock of stability you've been living under and see how the rest of the world lives if you think you don't have enough.  

I sat in the car driving to my internship with Lizzy, and we talked about all the things we could give up. I sat there driving, in my nice car, wearing clean clothes, to an internship I have through my big fancy college education, talking about all the excess things I have at my disposal.

It’s pretty incredible that I even had the ability to start this blog.

It’s pretty incredible you’re able to read it.

Like I said; if you don’t feel like the luckiest kid alive, you need to get out more. 

An explanation

I've never been much of a blogger. Correction: I've never blogged at all. I’m not big on writing about feelings. But this year for Lent I decided to switch things up and add something instead of taking it away. I decided to see what would happen if I took time each day to write down something I was thankful for, and why.  It’s such a simple thing, being thankful. All the things we have, even the little things, they matter. When was the last time you voiced the day to day things you were thankful for or the people who make your days brighter on a day other than Thanksgiving? The things that helped us get through hard times, or changed our attitude, or caused us to think. I am not a writer, and I don't claim to have any life answers or insights. I won’t promise you'll have some sense of enlightenment after reading this. I won’t be telling you anything that you haven’t thought yourself (or at least I hope not), but I hope what I say will make you smile, or remind you to pay it forward. I hope it shows you that the way you are with others does matter. But mostly I hope that this reminds you why this is all worth it. Sheesh, that’s why I’m writing this. To remind myself of the infinite reasons to be thankful.

For forty days I will be posting an entry every single day of something that made me smile, have a little more faith in humanity, or that I am lucky to have. People that I appreciate, opportunities I have, or moments of clarity.

Enjoy.

Also, you might be wondering about the bandaidsandchapstick URL. Have you ever tried to come up with a URL? Not as easy as you’d think. But mostly bandaids and chapstick are like the greatest items known to mankind. You don’t have to agree. It’s my blog. I say what I want. =D