Guest Post #1

How exciting is this. My first guest post ever and it happens to be an amazing person. I have known this lady for over 5 years now. She was my "little sister" in sorority and I am so glad that we were matched. We have so many fun and crazy memories together and I am incredibly thankful for her! So here is to Gina! 

ps she is also amazingly talented and creates beautiful videos check them out here

Thanksgiving is celebrated by many, for many different reasons.  It’s the day my dad whips up his homemade Caesar salad from scratch, and the day my mom bakes her perfect pumpkin cheesecake, and delicious cornbread and sausage stuffing alongside her famous carrot soufflé—yes I know that last combination sounds weird, but trust me, it’s to die for!  This holiday is the Thursday before our weekend trip to cut down our Christmas tree.  It’s a time to be thankful.   

mini meatballs my mom makes for the first course of our dinner, escarole soup!

Often times, I think we lose sight of what this holiday is really about.  I am thankful for so many things as Thanksgiving 2013 approaches:

#1 on this list is my parents.  They continue to do everything they can to keep me on the right track in life, to give me a successful future, and to support my decisions along the way.  They are my everything.  I don’t tell them that enough!

#2 is my alma mater, and soon to be graduate school destination, Temple University.  Without this place I wouldn’t have a job, and I certainly wouldn’t be going back to grad school.  As of October 1^st, I was officially hired as a full time videographer here, and the stories I’ve been able to capture on video continue to shape who I am as a person and teach me to view life from others’ perspectives.  Thanks TU!

#3 I am thankful for my health, another thing I think many take for granted.  And no matter how much of a controversy it may be in the political world right now, I am happy that healthcare is accessible to my family.  There are people in this world who have never seen a doctor, because doctors, in some parts of the world, are scarce.  I am thankful to live in a country where that is not the case for me.

#4 is New Jersey, believe it or not.  I am a South Jersey native, and often take for granted how close I am to the city and the beach!  I am happy to have grown up here and will continue to keep this state in my heart always.

#5 is my friends.  I’ve learned to keep the friends who truly care close to you.  I am learning to not take friendships for granted, and to be thankful for the awesome ones I have!

Those are just 5 things that mean something to me during this holiday season.  Advice to readers:  Enjoy that turkey and stuffing this Thanksgiving, but don’t lose sight of all the wonderful things in your life!

Happy Turkey Day!