Post-Thanksgiving thoughts: I have so many things to be thankful for – I’m truly blessed in many ways. In this post, thought I’d share some of the smaller things that I’m grateful for. Of course, I’m thankful for the usual (and most important) things too – family, friends, school, etc. I do think that making an effort to recognize the little pleasures in life is beneficial (and important) as well, so here goes!
1. Distance to school – With close to 90% of my classes at Haas this semester, I really can’t complain considering I live 7 minutes away from the school. With my bike, that commute is cut down to 3 minutes.
2. Swimming towel check-in – Typically to get a swimming towel for my swim class, I would need to have my ID card scanned. But the lady at the table hardly looks up while tossing me a towel every time I stop by.
3. Amoeba Music – I love how I can just be in the store looking at records and be happy even if I don’t end up buying anything. This is one of the most tangible ways I relieve stress – picking up some records never hurts, either.
4. Thai Basil lunch special – I’m thankful that I can just call in after class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and they’ll have my order ready by the time I arrive at the restaurant. Seriously huge portions, great food usually, and all for $6.
5. Really chill apartment manager – Seriously, we have one of the nicest and chillest apartment managers in all of Berkeley. She’ll always say hi and ask us how we’re doing. Always makes my day better to chat with her for a brief moment.
6. Hills – This could easily be a source of complaint, but I prefer to look on the bright side. Where else can I find such an exhilarating source of joy, than to bomb hills on my bike, scooter, longboard, etc.? And each hill is different, with unique characteristics, just waiting to be conquered.
7. (Comparatively) temperate weather – I remember having a miserable fall/winter at Berkeley my freshman year, because it seriously rained ALL THE TIME. The weather at Cal has been surprisingly temperate this year – uncharacteristically warm with occasional rainy days.
8. Spotify – How did I ever listen to music before Spotify? Millions of songs at the tips of my fingers, all for free, and legal? Spotify turned these once-mutually exclusive features into the future of music. This is what record companies should have done instead of going after grandmas and school-aged kids over “copyright infringement.”
9. Mocha almond fudge ice cream at John’s $1 Scoop – No matter the occasion, mood, or group of people I’m with, if I’m in the downtown Berkeley area, I am beckoned by John’s mocha almond fudge ice cream. Single scoop of scrumptious ice cream on a sugar cone. It’s the little things in life…
10. Bed – Who knew a cheapo IKEA foam mattress could feel so comfortable? I injured my back a few years ago, and I get better sleep on this mattress than I do on mattresses hundreds of dollars more expensive.
See? So many things in life to be thankful for! Hope everyone is having a wonderful, restful, and fun break!
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Turkeys and stuff at randomtidbitsofthought.wordpress.com.
