happy thanksgiving!

Things I am thankful for:

- The emails that my six best friends from high school and I still exchange, full of life updates and amusing stories. Receiving an email from one of them seriously makes my week.
- The red and silver tinsel Jessica and I bought to decorate the window of our room, which now looks very home-y and Christmas-y
- The headlamp that my thoughtful friends Ellen and Emma bought for me before I left, because it is by far one of the most helpful things I have here
- Talking to my grandma, grandpa, cousin, and sister yesterday on Thanksgiving
- Nescafe instant coffee
- My ability – due my own work, but mostly because of my generous parents – to complete college and hopefully attend graduate school. We take it for granted in the US, but being here has made me realize how incredibly lucky I am, not only to be able to apply for school, but for the ability to pay for it.
- My nifty water filter!
- This crazy, fun, challenging, educational experience I’m having in Uganda. I often have “Is this really my life?!” moments.
- The amount of reading I’m able to do here (I’m on my 17th book!)
- My health. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I haven’t gotten sick yet here, which is lucky.
- The amazing, welcoming staff here. It sounds cliché, but we really function like a family here, and it makes being here so enjoyable and comfortable. I can’t imagine it being any other way.
- You! If you’re reading this, I’m thankful for YOU!