Thanksgiving

Starting this blog has been long overdue. For someone who loves to read and write as much as I do, its weird that I havent been writing this ever since it was invented. Well. I created this over 3 years ago, but then got busy and never looked back. And they say there is a right time for everything. I think Ive reached stage where I am comfortable sharing my thoughts with people out there. Moreover, there couldnt be a better day to start writing this -- the festival of giving thanks for life.


10 things to be thankful for on this thanksgiving...

1. My family. They love me and so do I. My parents have been role models, a support system, my friends and a lot more in different stages of my life. A loving sister was the icing on the cake.

2. A loved one to share life with. The pleasures in life mean something when you have someone you can share them with.

3. My university & education. Some may feel that this has come too high on the list. While the above two will remain constants through my life, this opportunity to study in a school like the U of A in the US!!! is something Ive come to appreciate a lot more lately. While growing up in India I couldnt have imagined that Id grow up to find this explosion of opportunities in a single place, whether it is the library or the Rec-- Ive got a lot to thank when it comes to pursuing my doctorate here.

4. My friends. I have a few of them, but they are very special and they know who they are. My close friends have moved with me through my life. They accept me for who I am, and dont demand things of me and especially dont cease to be my friends when I dont fulfill those expectations. I am glad I have these people in my life to share my happiness with.

5. The internet. It has many virtues and vices. I am grateful for its invention and pray that it accomplishes much good and little bad.

6. News. Political, economic, sometimes sports/ tennis. International Relations. Politics I thrive on this stuff! So a big thank you to all the hardworking journalists and columnists out there who keep reading interesting.

7. Independence: In my life, in my home, in my country-- not all of us have a lot of this. All of us who do should appreciate it for it lets us shape our life the way we want to. Independence brings responsibility though, and to be able to make your own decisions and shoulder responsibility for your actions is a heady and satisfying feeling.

8. Being born an Indian. The list of reasons I am happy that I was born an Indian is way too long. So ill leave it for another time. It gives me values, intellegence, sincerity in work, strength, and a perspective on life-- for all of which Im highly grateful. The right blend of the old and the new.

9. Books. Its coming a little down on this list. But these are my best friends. They've stuck with me when no one else. Grew up reading authors like Enid Blyton, Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew books), and much more. Teenage was occupied with Agatha Christie and Jane Austen. And now the list if endless with a few favourites being P. G. Wodehouse, Malcolm Gladwell etc. This year, I am thankful to have read books like the Alchemist, Blink, etc...

10. Music. :) When Im sad, when Im happy. When Im excited, when Im low. When I am optimistic.. or not, this is a constant companion. People like A. R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Jagjit Singh etc make music what it is for me... so am grateful we have so much talent in the Indian music industry.This wouldnt be possible with the wonderful gift of a Macbook Pro this year ;) So adding that to this list is essential.

Aakriti