Hello, hello! Long time no (real) talk, right? I’m back from my whirlwind trip and am slowly getting back into the swing of things. I was very quiet in the blog world and on social media last week and it was nice to disconnect for a bit. Unfortunately it wasn’t a complete disconnect from the internet and emails because I had tons of homework. It sure is a trick having a week off right before finals!
Side note: can you believe it’s December?! I’m sure everyone and their mother has said this today, but December really snuck up on me this year.
My Thanksgiving week was chock-full of travel (4 states in 7 days), cold weather and family events. As cliché as it sounds, this week put things into perspective. A little recap of my marvelous week “thankful” style…
Head over to Katie’s blog for more marvelous reads
Today, I give more thanks for…
My Family
Very rarely do I get to see my cousins, but I consider them my best friends. Even if we weren’t blood-related, they are the type of people who I would want to be best friends with. We may not talk for a month but, when we do, we can pick up right where we left off. I’m very grateful to have a large family that has stayed extremely close and is incredibly supportive. The number of people who congratulated me on the marathon (without me mentioning it), made me feel very loved.
My Health
I may have complained about this head-cold that I’ve had all week, but that’s nothing compared to other situations. Seeing loved ones struggle with health issues is heartbreaking. I feel so helpless and want to do something, but I know that just spending quality time with them is what I can contribute.
I also took a bootcamp class with my aunt. I’m thankful that I had a fairly easy recovery from the marathon and am strong enough to take these types of classes. I’ve learned that if I let my body heal and do its job, it will (hopefully) continue to run smoothly. No pun intended.
This room was the size of a closet but I still got a great workout.
Food
From family dinners, to restaurant meals and then Thanksgiving, there was truly an abundance of food this week. Many leftovers (that unfortunately weren’t conducive for traveling) and tons of delicious homemade meals. My aunt put so much time into cooking Thanksgiving dinner for our large family and she was sweet to make mostly everything gluten-free.
I picked the right seat. No, this isn’t all I ate.
I don’t prefer Thanksgiving food and while I happily ate my turkey, sweet potatoes and veggies, I’m grateful that I have the option to be picky. It’s easy to forget that not everyone has food, let alone a Thanksgiving feast.
Tradition
My cousin’s wedding was beautiful! It was the first church-wedding I’ve been to and it really made me appreciate faith and family traditions. She incorporated lace from her grandmother’s wedding dress into her own and she added sentimental and personal touches throughout the evening. Everything was elegant and well-planned.
Lastly, as a completely serious joke…
Where I Live
I can confidently say I’m happy to live in warm weather. This was honestly one of the first times I haven’t dreaded going back to Miami LOL. I love the cities in the Northeast, but the cold/gray/wind turn me into an ice bitch queen. Until I stepped off the plane last night I forgot what it felt like to be warm. I’m in a mental dilemma because all the jobs in my dream field are in the Northeast, but my immediate family and the sun is in the south. I feel like every time I travel I become more and more set on living in Tampa. But that’s a post for another day….
How was your Thanksgiving?!
When was the last wedding you attended?
How lovely that you & your cousins have such a special bond. They are the ones that will always be @ your side when you need someone the most. <3
You’re so right! I consider them my best friends.
Yes to all those wonderful things! That’s what keeps us going and makes life worth it!
I haven’t been to a wedding in years, but I LOVE them, haha! And you look so pretty! XOXO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Not Your Typical Thanksgiving: Full Of Firsts, Fun, And Love
This was my first wedding in 5 years but I feel like I’ll be attending them more frequently because my cousins are getting older!
So glad you got to spend time with family! That’s the best part about the holidays in my opinion. I’m sad we couldn’t figure something out but we WILL make it happen this summer!
pickyrunner recently posted…Catch you later.
I wish I had more time with them. I felt like it was “go go go” because of the holidays and the wedding. YES! We will :)
Aww, you look so lovely at the wedding! Isn’t it so nice to call to mind what you’re thankful for? It looks like you had a really great break, full of food and family :) That’s what it’s all about! PS — I still have to do the stop drop and selfie on Insta, aahHhh! : )
Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Holiday From Real – Cali Bound for Thanksgiving
Thank you! Oh haha no problem! Save it for a rainy day :)
Don’t let the cold scare you away! Winter is a challenge in the North, but I find it really makes me appreciate the seasons. Nothing feels as good as the first warm run in the spring when everything blooms (or a sudden thaw in the winter).
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Run Less Run Faster: Week Five
I do love the change of seasons. I lived up north for 10 years and don’t remember it being that bad. I wish I could be a snow bird!