Week 5 Gratitude Challenge

Consistency is something that I suck at. I have long accepted this fact and now I'm trying to work on improving my consistency when sticking to this. I have fallen off on the gratitude challenge but its never too late to get back on track. I feel that I have done a good job of focusing on the things I'm grateful for offline, now I just need to keep it up on the blog. At this point in my life it can be easy to switch into complain mode and focus on what is currently missing in my world, so I thought this challenge would keep me on my toes in staying grateful.


This week's prompt is something someone gave you. At first I was stumped on how to begin this prompt and then it came to me. My parents. I am quite blessed to have parents that have given me more than I can ever repay them. They worked hard to give my sister and I a good childhood and start in life. They instilled a hard work ethic in me that I have carried over into my adult life. My parents didn't come from money and always taught us that if you wanted nice things you had to work hard to earn them. I am thankful that I was raised with those values. As Thanksgiving is coming in a few days I am grateful for all the big and small things they have given me in my life.

A coffee date

If we were on a coffee date, I’d tell you how while I love the smell of coffee I rarely drink it. If it’s cold I’m drinking a hot cocoa or in warmer weather I’ll sip on a frappuccino.

If we were on a coffee date, I’d tell you how in September I took a break from the job search to regroup. I had started back in March and gone on more than a handful of interviews with no job offer. It has been frustrating and discouraging to say the least. I haven’t had this hard of a time looking for employment since I graduated college back in 2004. To be honest it has done a number on my self-esteem, but I am taking time to really think about what I want job wise. This week I submitted an application for an educational leadership fellowship that I am very excited about. I should know in a month if I make it to the next round.

If we were on a coffee date, I’d tell you about how DC is starting to feel like home. It’s funny to say but it feels different living in the city versus the surrounding suburbs. I have reconnected with a friend from Florida who moved up 3 years ago and our guys get along pretty well, so it has been nice to have friends up here.

If we were on a coffee date, I’d tell you that it feels a little weird not to be spending Thanksgiving with my immediate family. One of the bad parts of living away from your parents is the holidays. My sister has to split Thanksgiving and Christmas with her husband’s family and this year she is coming to Orlando for Christmas. So I’m staying in DC, my sister will be with her in laws and my parents are going to Puerto Rico.  Something about spending a holiday without parents makes me feel very much like an adult.

Family- Gratitude Challenge

I was a little late posting this week's installment of the Gratitude Challenge, but better late than never I say. This week's prompt was family and I couldn't ask for a better family. My parents and sister are incredibly important to me even if I don't always tell them. I often say that the only thing I miss about Orlando (besides Publix and less traffic) is my having my parents near by.  I am grateful to know that if I ever need anything they are just a phone call away. Even in my 30's sometimes talking to your Mom about a tough day or situation just makes you feel better.


For me I think it was easy to take my parents and sister for granted when we all lived in the same city. Getting together only required a phone call and a reasonable drive, but now we are scattered in 3 different states. This year we are all doing our own thing for Thanksgiving and then all coming together in Orlando for Christmas. There is something about living far away from your family that will truly make you appreciate them in a way you didn't when they were just down the road from you.