Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope everyone has or will have a great time enjoying family and food!

This year, we won’t be feasting on turkey or stuffing ourselves with pie 😦  But, not having a food baby means I can focus on what Thanksgiving’s really about: Gratitude! So, here’s the 5 things I’m most grateful for.

1. College- I have the full support and ability to attend any university I’ve applied to. Even better, I have the full support of my parents to pursue my passion for Eastern European history and culture as a major. My parents, who were already fortunate to attend university, had to pick a major out of practicality and many of my peers do the same. I honestly can’t believe I’ll actually get to spend the next four years doing exactly what I love. Even though the application process’s been more than frustrating, it’s worth it.
2. Work Experience- Over the summer, I had the AMAZING opportunity to intern at Sidechef. I wrote and edited articles, which basically translates to staring at food porn all day. More importantly, the people at Sidechef really made me feel like part of the team even though I was by far the most under-qualified person there. I got to sit in on meetings and lunch with my the operations manager and content director and even design a user retention plan, which they actually took into consideration! I also learned some pretty valuable life skills. Seriously, rush hour subway traffic is no joke, neither is trying to resist blowing off exorbiant sums on the 5 Japanese Restaurants within 500m of the office!
3. School- Last year, I mentioned how grateful I was for being able to choose my classes and striking gold in regards to my teachers. This year, I’m happy to say it’s the same. This year definitely hasn’t gone very smoothly academically, but I’m still more than grateful for everything, including the struggles. First, I’m thankful that these struggles have come on in senior year, when my actual grades aren’t as important. I can actually afford a B in lit class and focus on learning the skills instead of on the number. Also, struggling now and recognizing my weaknesses in high school, where I have the support of my parents, teachers and safety of a familiar environment, is infinitely better than struggling in college, where the challenge will be compounded the adjustment process. So, I’ve definitely shed too many tears over my grades and will probably shed more, but I know to be thankful.
4. Shanghai- I’m so grateful for Shanghai and everything it has allowed me to do and experience. In Shanghai, I’m able to spend all day exploring the city riding the subway, taking a taxi or just walking around without having to worry about safety or convenience; I get to taste the world whether that’s 2RMB skewers or omasake; my compound is right next to the newly built riverside walk. Next year, I’ll end up in a new city that probably isn’t as comfortable and certainly less familiar. This only makes me more aware and grateful for what Shanghai’s given me
5. My Family- I saved the most important for last. Family is totally cliche, but things are cliche for a reason. This year, I’ve really come to appreciate my family. They’ve stuck with me through the stresses of college apps, listened to my teary rants, paid for all the ridiculous expenses (do students really need to be paying over $100 just to take a test!) and spoiling me in general. It’s not always the big things that count the most. Here are just some of small but significant things my parents have done for me that remind me just how much they love me: time my eggs to make sure they don’t get too hard, send me text messages telling me they care, liking and commenting on every post, brightening up my room with flowers

These are just 5 of the thousands of things I am/should be grateful for. I hope everyone can find at least 5 things to be grateful for, no matter how small.

On that note, the holiday season has officially begun! Stay happy, healthy and have fun!

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