Roxanne Online

Attitutde of Gratitude: Wrapup Post

So writing blog posts from the road proved to be trickier than my maxed out brain could handle for more than a few days. That didn't make me any less thankful. I know at the beginning of this project I said I wouldn't thank all the obvious things in my life. Well I lied. I'm doing that now.

I was thankful for the following things, in no particular order:

Jason & Paul- Mostly for being rad dudes, but more specifically because they requested a shout out on the blog. They have been a part of many (most!) of the adventures I've had here in Denver and I'm really glad they are my friends.

All the ladies in my life- While I do feel way comfortable around my dude friends, I love my chicks as well. There's something so nice about being able to hang out with my ladies who I've known forever as well as who I've only known a short time and being able to chat about anything.

Family- I have the best Mom, Dad & Brother and I'm lucky to have them in my life. They've made me who I am today and have done more for me than a dumb blog post could ever mention. Thanks guys!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- I know that this church is true. It's been such a strength and blessing in my life and I have no idea where I'd be without it. I'm extremely grateful to be a part of this church.

Des- Just when I was starting to think I'd never find the lid to my pot, this guy shows up out of nowhere and is everything I ever wanted.  He's loving, thoughtful, smart, has a great imagination and a great heart and can always make me laugh. He's a hard worker, is close with his family and is very motivated.  I've loved getting to know him the past year that we've dated and I'm so excited to marry him and spend the rest of our lives with each other.

Discount Tires- (So this one wasn't obvious but I was so freaking thankful for them yesterday) I was super bummed a couple days ago to discover a HUGE nail in my tire and the tire being nearly completely flat. Not something I wanted to pay for with a wedding and Christmas coming up. With the help from the wonderful Des (see above), we got air pumped into it and drove it to Discount Tires.  I was expecting to be bullied into spending thousands on new tires. Imagine my delight when the tire place fixed it for free and just recommended I get new ones at some point because they've not been rotated and the front ones are getting bald. Back ones are fine. I didn't pay a thing, they took the nail out and I went on my way.  What a great place! Des got his tires rotated as well for free. How do you stay in business Discount Tires? You are giving services away for free? I'm not complaining. Thanks!

With that I will wrap up my month of thankfulness. And if you're reading this, I'm thankful for you too.

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 24

Today I'm grateful for phones with GPS built into them. Some of you readers out there may be saying 'but roxanne, you already thanked the internet'. True, but this is slightly different and I really was glad to have it today.

This week marked my first trip to New York with a phone that can access Google Maps. It made getting around about a billion times easier. Not constantly pulling a huge map out and self consciously checking it. Not wondering where local restaurants are. Not trying to figure out how long it might take to get places. It even has a subway route map built in. Such a time saver! I did learn quickly that my phones battery dies if I don't put it on airplane mode in the subways, but after jumping that hurdle I was very glad to have a tiny map at my diisposal.
My brother pointed out that the access to information we have now must have been what Einstein's friends must have felt when they were all hanging out and someone asked how something worked. Instant answer.
I'm glad I don't have to feel like a lost tourist in the city anymore. Thanks phone with GPS!

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 23

On Tuesday, I was thankful for friends, but especially ones I'd not seen since graduating from college. I had dinner the night before with high school buds Melissa and Reema (and later Michelle) and it was a great night. Tuesday not only reunited me with my old college roomie Carmela but had me face to face with Absar-my Pakistani body double. We were inseparable in college and then he moved back to Pakistan to do med school. He's here for an internship and when I found out he would be in the city at the same time as me, I screamed. It was so so good to see him again. He and I and Carmela had a lovely evening reminiscing, skipping through the streets arm in arm and wearing silly hats. I love when you can go five years without seeing someone and then pick up right where you left off. Thank you reunions with old friends!

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 22

Monday found me thankful for New York City having everything you'd ever need in it. I went shopping with my mom, brother & his girlfriend Allison and found exactly what I was looking for for my wedding dress. Actually Allison found it for me.
I like that no matter what you are looking for, chances are you will be able to buy the finest and crappiest versions of it in the big apple. Thanks New York!

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 21

Today I'm thankful for airplanes. How lovely that we can sit in a cramped metal cylinder, throw back some Coke and peanuts, and then end up halfway across the country. A trip that used to take weeks now takes a few hours and we complain about how long the flight is.
I'm thankful I don't have to sit in the car for a million hours to get from Denver to the east coast. Thank you airplanes!

Ed. note: since I'm posting from the road, I'm on my iPod instead of a computer so I can't post pictures. Try to use your imaginations, brosephs.

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 20

Today I'm thankful for the moon* This thing had inspired tons of poems from me. I love that it constantly is changing, has a cool color/texture and you won't go blind if you stare at it. I'm also a night owl so the moon and I are good friends. Tonight was a full moon and the light was so bright I was casting a shadow at midnight. Beautiful. Thanks Moon!

*celestial body, not Sam Rockwell movie

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 19

Today I'm thankful for great future in-laws. My parents and I have flown to Phoenix so they could meet Des's family. My mom and I came down early to attend a bridal shower that was thrown by a Barker family friend, Lolly. She was a fab hostess and the shower was great. I got to meet a lot of family friends. They were kind enough to help Des & I furnish our new house with lots of kitchen supplies. I'm so excited to get everything set up in the new place.
After the shower, we spent time with the Barker women (Patty, Pat, Courteney & Melissa). It was really nice to chat and get to know them better. I'm looking forward to becoming a Barker (aaah!!) Thank you future in-laws!

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 18

Today, after the power went out on our whole block, I was thankful for electricity. It happened just after sunset so I had to scramble to find flashlights. After that, I found candles and lit them throughout the house. I was in the middle of writing a to-pack list and had to finish by candlelight. Which would have been quaint and romantic a hundred years ago, but today just made me grumpy and hurt my eyes. It made me appreciate the lights so much more when the power came back. Thanks electricity!

Attitude of Gratitude- Day 17

Today I'm thankful for burritos. Specifically, Chipotle burritos. I still remember when these came to my old college town. My roommate Lydia came home and announced that she'd been there, the burritos were $5 and they're gigantic. They are the size of a human newborn.  Prices have gone up a little since then, but the deliciousness has not subsided.  I would dream about these things when I was overseas. I had a friend in Scotland who lived in Virginia for a summer and learned of the power and majesty of these gentle giants. He then had to go back to the UK where there are no Chipotles to be found. Years later, he still gets cravings. I had a similar experience, being without them for nearly 2 years. As soon as I set foot on American soil, I vowed I'd eat there every single day*. I have been somewhat lax with that particular vow, but I eat there frequently and love every chicken-black bean-rice-corn salsa-guacamole-sour cream-cheese-filled bite. Thank you Chipotle burritos for existing (and being walking distance from my house)!

(*ed note: Actually the very first thing I did after setting foot upon American soil was sob hysterically because I didn't want to be there. Second thing was the burrito vow.)

Attitude of Gratitude: Day 16

Today I'm thankful for having indoor plumbing.  Not only so I don't have to leave my warm toasty house in the winter time to go to the bathroom but also so I can have hot showers on freezing days. What a great invention. My friend Reema lived in the honors dorms at UVA. The school said it was an honor to live there, even though the rooms didn't have heat (they did have fireplaces with wood provided) and no toilets. You had to go to a separate bathroom outside. This doesn't sound like an honor to me at all.  You can keep your honors dorms, UVA. I will take my bathroom and showers inside where the heat is. Athankyouverymuch. Thanks indoor plumbing!