Thanksgiving Thankfulness

 

For those who don't know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It always has been. Unfortunately, the reason for the season has been lost amongst people trying to outdo each other in terms of who got what and how much it cost. Thanksgiving, however, is when the family just gathers over good food. What could be better than that? 

Last year, I missed spending this holiday with my family as it was my first year in New York. I spent it at a co-workers with some great, interesting people ; it was a lot of fun. On my way home, I got lost on 34th St. LOL! That gave me a chance to see the New York crowds out and about as they waited for the stores to open so that they could claim their Black Friday deals. 

Top Left: My too cute place setting from dinner last year; Top Right: In getting lost, I see my favorite landmark lit up in honor of Thanksgiving; Bottom Left: The crowd for Macy's was MASSIVE; Bottom right: The prizes my team won for winning Turkey Trivia. Yep, a Powerball ticket. They only asked for $1mil each even though the jackpot was +$300mil.

However, this year, I was determined to be home among my family and friends.

So, here I am. It feels so good to be home. I'm very thankful that I get to spend time with them all. In honor of Thanksgiving, I am listing other reasons why I am thankful. The list is endless, so I will list my top 5.

1. Family - I love them all.  I listen to others say how their families don't gather to celebrate each other, and I feel so sorry for them. I couldn't imagine. I love my family. We're not perfect, but we're there for each other when it matters.

2. Friends - I value my friends as they all play a special role in my life. Also, they value me, and that means more than I can say. 

3. Life - I'm thankful to be here in this world today. God didn't have to, but He did. I'm here and I'm grateful. 

4. Experiences I've Endured - Someone once told me "we are the sum of our experiences." True story. Those experiences (growing up in the projects, obtaining my Master's degree, teaching, my current job, living in NYC - just to name a few) are leading me to a place of greatness. I can't wait to see when it manifests!

5. The Food That I Get To Enjoy Today - My aunt's potato salad, my other aunt's macaroni and cheese, my uncle's fried turkey, and my mom's fried chicken!!!!!

I'm grateful! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

 

Sunshine Award

I'm baaaaack! I had to take a pause for the cause.

Recently, I was nominated for a Sunshine Award by the wonderful Sophia of the blog TwentyFiveSeasons. Please visit her blog. She has interesting posts on site on life, love, children, health, and more.

Because I was nominated, there are some rules that I must follow, which are as follows:
1. Acknoledge your nominator.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer 11 questions from your nominator.
4. List 11 bloggers you think deserve to be nominated and recognized. - Unfortunately, I'm new to this and am not familiar with others' blogs. 
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer.

11 Random Facts:

I love God.

I moved from the smallest, country town in America to the biggest city (New York). Can we say culture shock?

I love salads. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everyday.

I am the second of five children.

I love to read, mostly romance.

I’ve only just discovered what I want to do with my life at 33 years old.

I am 33 years old.

I don’t like to shop, but I LOVE fashion.

I am shy, yet I tend to intimidate many.

My mom is my she-ro. She epitomizes strength and perseverance.

I want to leave my mark on this world in the biggest way possible. 

___________________

1.    What inspires you to blog? – Life. Issues. Disparities. Current events. Mood.

2.    Does your family like to be featured in your posts? - I’ve never asked them. Now that I think about it, maybe I will feature them.

3.    What is the meaning behind your blog name? - I think I want to change it, but right now it is “Cute, Curvy, and Uncensored.” I start it with cute and curvy, not only because I am, but because I originally wanted it to be a fashion blog. However, when I began writing, I headed into another direction. Specifically speaking, I began writing about all things important to me or that struck my fancy.

4.    What is your favorite show? It can be net or TV based. - My favorite TV show is a throwback. The Cosby Show. This show shaped my thoughts on how life should be. From growing up, to going to college, to having a family of my own, I thought this was how life was with many laughs shared in between. My second favorite show is Girlfriends.

5.    Do you have any strange abilities? - Uh, no. LOL.

6.    Are you a planner or fly by the seat of your pants type of person? - Both. I try to plan but end up flying by the seat of my pants. Procrastination is my middle name, unfortunately.

7.    What's was your last Facebook status? - Hehe. My last status reads, “Two words: Morris. Chestnut" I just saw The Best Man Holiday. Nuff said.

8.    What public figure would you like to interview for your blog? Why? - Demetria Lucas of abelleinbk.com. I am really feeling her right now. She’s a blogger, author, is about to have her new reality show debut on Bravo soon, and is living the life she wants as she pleases. I would like to interview her to get pointers on how to get myself there.

9.    Where would you like to go for next vacation? - Jamaica. I just want to chill on the beach with no worries except how much darker I’m going to become.

10.  Are you an Android or an Apple? - I have no preference between the two, but I have an iPhone, but owned a Droid before that and probably will afterwards.

11. Is the glass half empty or half full? - Right now the glass is half empty. I have a few things

going on in my life that are causing that outlook. However, soon it will be half full.

Like Arnold said....

I haven't had the time to dedicate to my blog as life has just been hectic and stressful over the past few weeks. No need to fret, however. I will be back soon to add more posts and finally provide the much needed overhaul to my blog. I can't wait to get back to it. So, in my Arnold Schwarzenegger voice, "I'll be back."