Thankful, Grateful, Blessed
Oh boy. One minute you’re posting about spring in New York, and the next thing you know it’s fall in Chicago. But I finally have a new post for you, and at least it’s only been a few months (ok, seven) and not four years like Adele (Hello. It’s me). Like she famously said in a recent interview, “I’m sorry it took so long, but you know, life happened.”
And life did happen. Lots of really great things. A few challenging things. But mostly the usual things like work and commuting and maintaining my reputation as a Chicago socialite. There were several times where I’d think about writing, and then I wouldn’t know where to start because I’d already missed so many amazing things that I intended to share. But as is usually case, the best way to get back into the swing of things is to just do it. And with it being Thanksgiving week, I’ve had a huge case of all the feelings. So now’s as good a time as any.
This Thanksgiving was unique because it’s the first I’ve ever spent at my own place, on my own. While I’ve spent several holidays traveling overseas, it felt decidedly weird to be stateside and not be with my family, whom I’m extremely close to. But sometimes when you’re a grown-up, you have to make grown-up decisions, and attend to grown-up things, which is how I ended up here in Chicago for the week. To be honest, it was totally fine and rather uneventful, but a nice breather as well.
There was work, various tasks, work, errands, blah blah blah. Also re-organizing my entire closet and sleeping in (#RealLife). Maria and I killed it at the gym, which I’m super proud of. We tried a ton of new-to-us classes with names like Buff Yoga and Body Pump, in addition to the usual suspects like Hip Hop and Hot Vinyasa. I even got a few runs in, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been improving my time and endurance. For a girl who basically has the opposite of a runner’s body, I really can’t believe how far I’ve come in the last two years!
First up was the November get-together of the Metra Supper Club. We planned to go out as we usually do, but made a last minute switch to hang out at my place. Such a great decision, not only because it was a blast, but also because the conversation with this gang inevitably takes a turn for the, um, risque and scandalous. Great food and great company. French pastries and macarons to boot!
Next up, the Friendsgiving dinner hosted by Tamara and Tom. Of course we all made way too much food (and proceeded to eat way too much food) but that’s half the fun. Followed up by fun times playing a crazy game requiring one to pick up a successively shorter paper bag off the floor with your mouth, with only your feet touching the ground. Some people take post-dinner walks, our gang participates in a variety of yoga moves and contortions because we are occasionally known to be weird and competitive. Also, we learned how to use a selfie stick!
Actual Thanksgiving was pretty fun too. A full day of gymming, lunch downtown, the movies (Hunger Games!), and watching the Bears-Packers game with Maria and Sara. We ended the night with nachos, which I hear is a U.P. (that’s the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) tradition, ha!
Mmmm…congealed cheese product. Pretty sure it was organic.
It was really nice to have them to spend the day with!
And last, but not least, I had a lot of time to think about things. I realize that sounds totally cliche and like I’m about to invoke Oprah or something. But it’s hard not to feel a sense of gratitude during this season. With every passing year, I get a little more clarity as to what really matters in life. I feel thankful, grateful, and blessed for all of the lessons that the universe has given me this year, even if some of them were tough to get through; the amazing opportunities and experiences that I’ve had; and most importantly the incredible people that grace my life. I have always felt so lucky to have so many wonderful friends and such an amazing family. I couldn’t ask for more.
So what’s next? I do hope to get back into blogging. I miss writing. I miss sharing things. I have some exciting things coming up, but I also had a bunch of interesting events over the last few months that I’d love to tell you about. Check back and I’ll fill you in, friends!
Kavi360 