Day 50

Tonight, after seeing the play Luna Gale, I'm so thankful that I had two loving parents who provided me with everything I needed and much of what I wanted. My heart aches for those, especially the kids, who are abused and mistreated. I told John that the play made me want us to be foster parents...maybe someday.

Day 49

Today, I'm thankful for James, the homeless guy I wrote about a few days ago. On my way home from work this evening, he was waiting for me on Randolph. He said that I've brought him luck. He had a phone interview for a job at O'Hare today and has another interview there tomorrow. He asked me for a hug, which I gave him, and thanked me again for the $5 that got him a place to stay for the rest of the winter. I don't know his whole story, but I hope he gets back on his feet. Good luck, James! And, thanks for the smile and great feeling of helping someone in need.

Day 48

I'm thankful that I did not have to drive anywhere today. It snowed quite a bit and the roads were a mess! My walk home tonight was beautiful though.

Day 47

I'm thankful for my very creative friends who hosted a taco crawl for their 30th birthdays. We rode a bus around the city for approximately 4 hours, stopping at 4 different taco places. It was so, so fun! Thanks, Vibha and Anit!!

Stop #4: Bullhead Cantina

Day 46*

Ahh, I forgot to post yesterday. I'm thankful for getting two workouts in, strength training with John and then my first solo run in a long time. Both were great! I really had to talk myself in to going for the run but once I got a mile into it, I felt awesome!

Day 45

Today, on Valentine's Day, I'm thankful for my husband. We don't go too crazy on Valentine's Day, but it is a special day for us as we had our first solo date on Valentine's Day 2005. That night, we ventured out to the Tumbleweed on the east side of Madison and then watched Miss Congeniality in the apartment I shared with four other girls.

This year, I asked for a rice cooker (romantic, I know) and John did the research and bought me one. We also went out to dinner and will soon be watching Game of Thrones while cuddling up on the couch together. Can't get much better than that!

A throwback from our second Valentine's Day (but the first one with photo proof), 2006.

Day 44

Once again, I'm thankful for being a part of the Chicago Scholars organization. Tonight I spent a half hour at an event for current high school juniors who have applied to be a part of the next class of Chicago Scholars (college graduating class of 2019). It was really cool to see so many new, excited, and interested faces. One student asked a question directly from me, "What can we do to help you help us?" I was really impressed! My response: Reply to your mentors.

If John and I end up moving away from Chicago this summer, I'm really going to miss the Chicago Scholars program.

Day 43

There's a homeless man who hangs out on Randolph Street. I see him almost every day on my way to and/or from work. He almost always greets me with a smile and asks how my day was. Yesterday, he said he wasn't doing too well. He mentioned that someone told him about a place he could stay but he needed $18. He had told me this a week or so ago but I didn't have any cash on me. Yesterday I did so I gave him $5.

Today, he waited for me to walk by and gave me a thumbs up as soon as he saw me. He said he got in to the place last night so he'll have a place to stay for a few months. He thanked me for the money: "It's all because of you."

Today, I'm thankful that I trusted my gut about this guy and helped him out. And, I'm really thankful he has a place to stay, a warm bed to sleep in.

Day 42

Today I'm thankful that I got out for a run, even though it was pretty chilly. Natallie was willing so off we went. I'm lucky to have a runner-friend as willing to go out in the cold as I am...and one who runs essentially the same pace as me!

I'm also super thankful that my husband cooked me dinner. Thanks, hunny!

Day 41

I'm thankful for a relaxing evening with nothing on the to do list. Ahh! Now if I could just get my saved articles list down to zero (from 242!)...

Day 40

Today I'm thankful for a relaxing but productive day. John and I worked out together this morning, we cheered on the Badgers to a victory over Michigan State, I ran with Natallie, and I cleaned out my inbox of any emails needing attention. Plus, it was sunny...that's always something to be thankful for (especially during the Chicago winter)!

Day 39

Today I'm thankful for a beautiful snowfall. My walk home was so enjoyable...mesmerizing, really!

I wish I could have taken a better photo!

Day 38

Today I'm thankful for a relatively "easy" day at work. The students I saw weren't super complicated. Security didn't walk anybody over. I actually had time to figure out what supplies we need and ordered them. I also had time to register for the American College Health Association (ACHA) Annual Meeting. Can't wait to go to San Antonio!

Day 37

Today I'm thankful that there are other caring people in this world. This morning a 20-something guy stopped me in the park to ask if I could call someone because he was worried about a guy sitting on a park bench who looked cold. I walk through the park every day and knew the guy he was referring to. I assured him that this guy was there almost every day and that I was pretty sure he had somewhere warm to go, if necessary.

Then, I walked by a security guard and relayed the story to him. His response: "Oh, Mike? Don't worry. We keep an eye on him and get him in where it's warm if he needs it." Thank you, caring guy. And thank you, security guard.

Day 36

I'm thankful that I got to run tonight...and that my husband made me dinner!

Day 35

I'm thankful for my job. After having dinner with three fairy recent nursing graduates, I do not miss floor nursing...not much, at least. I'm thankful to have a job that I only have to spend 40 hours a week at, where I get an hour lunch break almost every day, and where I can use the bathroom when I need to.

I'm also thankful for these three former students and now friends. Thanks for inviting me to dinner!

Day 34

I'm thankful that I was able to talk to my grandma today. It's amazing how just chatting for 10 minutes can make both of our days better. Keep working hard in rehab, Grandma! You'll be up walking again soon!

Day 33

Today I'm thankful for a fun and productive day. I worked out with John and Keith and then we went out for brunch. Then I (finally) put away all the Christmas decorations and dusted the entire apartment. Then we made the food for our little Super Bowl party and relaxed while watching the game. Natallie joined us for the game too. Great day!

Day 32

Today I'm thankful that I can just enjoy the snow and don't have to worry about shoveling it or driving in it. It was fun to run in the snow this afternoon!

Resolutions update #1

In order to help hold myself accountable for my resolutions this year, I'm going to blog about them at the beginning of each month. Here goes update #1:

1. Keep exercising. I've done fairly well with exercising this month, especially if you count downhill skiing (which I do). We went on two ski trips, one to Idaho and one to northern Wisconsin, for a total of 5 full days of skiing. I ran 3 times for a total of 9.79 miles. This should go up as the weather gets better...Chicago has had a nasty January! I also "ran" on the elliptical once and strength trained with John twice. I keep track of my workouts on dailymile but am also adding them to my calendar so they're easier to see over the long term.
2. Eat more vegetables. Hmm...this one is much harder to quantify. Maybe I should start keeping track of daily vegetable servings...though I'm not sure I'm ready to actually see that. This is a work in progress!
3. Enjoy the moment. Absolutely! Resolution #6 helps with this. Also, John is applying for new jobs but hasn't heard about any of them yet so we're not sure what the future will bring. This makes it easier for me to enjoy what's happening now and not think too much about the future.
4. Make a baby. Not yet. Still trying!
5. Read for pleasure. I think I read for at least 15 minutes all but five days this month. That's pretty awesome! I finished the book I started in the beginning of 2013, Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, which is the second book of a longer series called Kushiel's Legacy. I really enjoy these books and John says the fourth, fifth, and sixth books are the best. Then, I read Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham (from Gilmore Girls and Parenthood). This book was definitely a change of pace from what I had been reading so it took me a little while to get into it. But, by the end, I didn't want to be finished! A second book is in the works...yay! Finally, I started A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, the 14th and final book in the Wheel of Time series. It's been a long time since I read the 13th book so it took me a little while to get back into this series but now that I'm a few chapters in, I'm hooked!
6. Give thanks every day. I'm doing really well with this (as you know if you've been reading my almost daily posts). There have been a few days where I've forgotten or been unable to post so I mark those titles with an asterisk. Writing these out every day really help me to realize how lucky I am.
7. Explore (more of) Chicago. We haven't really ventured out of our comfort zone neighborhood-wise yet this year but we have tried a few new bars and restaurants. Hopefully as it warms up we'll get out exploring a bit more!