Day 5

Today I am thankful for:

Being ahead of schedule
Taking time out to watch The Wonder Years on Instant Netflix
When things go as planned

Days 3 & 4

Forgot yesterday again. Alas, it takes 30 days to make a habit. Or is it 28?

Yesterday:
Productivity
Accomplishing my running goals
Good sushi

Today:
Sleeping in
Salted caramel hot chocolate
Avoiding buyer's remorse
The lack of traffic on Sunday mornings

Day 2

I forgot yesterday! Busy, busy, busy.

I'm thankful for:

having things to do at my internship.
meeting new and interesting people.
friendly bus drivers.

The 14 days of Thanksgiving

For the next 2 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I will post a list of things I am thankful for that are of particular relevance for that day. I am stressed out about not having enough time or money, and hope this will make me feel better.

Today I am thankful for:

Catching the bus just in time (twice!)
Having ample outerwear options
The occasional packet of Nutter Butters
People who aren't afraid to disagree with someone just because the latter someone seems to have more authority

Ta-da.

Social work pessimism.

I often get frustrated with the idea that anything is achievable with hard work. I understand this thinking has diminished a bit with the recession because people understand that bad circumstances can befall any of us, and it's not due to individual failure. However there is still the presumption that each of us has the power to change our own circumstances. We need to set goals and never give up. Look at all those people born into poverty who are now lawmakers and educators. The Colin Powell argument. This is a hard thing to argue against, because it really does sound logical. Just keep at it and eventually it will come your way. If it doesn't, you didn't try hard enough. Many people who think this are well-meaning - teachers trying to instill hope in their students, activists trying to inspire a community.

Unfortunately, they're wrong.

And this is the best quote I've found to summarize it (and believe me, as a social work student I've read a lot on this.

"It is a false hope informed by privilege and rooted in the optimism of the spectator who needs not suffer—a “let them eat cake” utterance that reveals a fundamental incomprehension of suffering."

Not to say the sufferers or the people trying to help empower them should give up. But there are other things that need to be changed before we can assume that all people have the same chances for success. This country is as far from equality as it gets.

A Christmas card teaser.

I always forget to call it autumn.

Things I love about autumn:
running through pretty neighborhoods where all the houses have pumpkins on the stoop.
the decor.
drinking warm beverages, and the appropriateness of apple cider and pumpkin lattes in that selection.
the food, a la apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, soup, and butternut squash. I could go on.
walking around.
cycling.
layering.
festivals, including the many Oktoberfests and the Bucktown Apple Pie Contest.
speaking of Oktoberfest, fall ales.
being outside.
Halloween.
pumpkin patches and pumpkin carving (but not pumpkin seeds).
the smells!

Things I'm looking forward to this particular fall:
visiting my parents next week, going to craft fairs with my mom and niece, getting apple cider donuts from Tom's market, coffee with my sister, seeing my other sister who's pregnant and this time being normal enough to not think she's carrying an alien (although let's be real, she's too early to be showing), and seeing my dear friend Nikki who I don't talk to nearly enough. Oh, and my puppies of course!
going to the Chicago Botanic Gardens, where I've never been but it's free and I imagine it's gorgeous this time of year. If I could get married (hypothetically, people) anywhere it would be there, but it costs like $20,000.
finally running again, and being better than before BECAUSE I HAVE THE MOST AWESOME SHOES IN THE WORLD (Altra Intuition, ladies; dudes, Altra Instinct. Get them).
speaking of running, the Hot Chocolate 5k! Nom nom.
and also volunteering for the Girls on the Run 5k.
cycling more.
homecoming! camping (fall camping, at that), maybe some hiking, bubble tea from Fusion Brew, seeing friends, and overall being on campus for the first time since graduation.

Perhaps I'm just in a rosy mood because I went to yoga and the farmer's market on this lovely day, and later will go shopping and get coffee with Thomas. It does seem rather early for fall to be setting in so aggressively, and I'm afraid that by mid-December I'll be wishing for warmth again. I guess that means I'll just have to go on vacation!