It's the appreciation for things you didn't necessarily think you would appreciate - or better, even, for things you started off hating. Or it's becoming acutely aware of small, everyday occurrences with a happy disposition.
Either way, I've started a list of things I'm thankful for that might help paint the picture of the life I'm living.
I'm thankful for:
- the pigeons that are building a nest right outside my window. I watch them every morning when I wake up.
- the old man who was playing golf last week in my backyard park. The Meadows is a large open park that has three short-game practice links on it. He was out there in all his glory practicing his swing, fetching his golf ball after every four hits, walking up and down the practice area just outside my window
- a man with a stellar mustache smoking his pipe en route to work
- Joan McLatchie, my most favorite lecturer this semester, who is nothing but a jolly teacher. Her jokes make me laugh and her early morning classes are always interesting.
- going for a walk and upon returning home, looking just past my apartment building and seeing the castle.
- having to visit Edinburgh's northeast coast for a class project. A sole post for that experience is much needed.
- the quirks of my flat ranging from toilets (the one flushes only with one forceful thrust of the handle ALL the way down - I'm talking 90 degrees from start to finish. The other requires a training session to ensure you have the right rhythm. It's two super quick, SUPER quick, flushes with the last one finishing at 90 degrees), to turning on the outlets before you use them, to having windows that open directly out sans screen.
- 2-litre bottles of beer.
- a fantastic jazz bar we stumbled upon last night that mixes Ska and up-tempo jazz with seven immensely talented musicians. I could have stayed there all day.
- visiting tourist attractions like "Elephant House" where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter, Greyfriar's Bobby, and the Royal mile.
- the history of this town. "Ye Old Golf Tavern", conveniently located right next door (as in, I walk outside 30 feet and I'm at the main entrance of the pub without crossing streets or needing a buddy), was founded in 1456. That.is.old.
- having flatmates and friends who will adventure with me. This includes going on ghost tours, climbing Arthur's Seat, reserving Riverdance tickets, seeing a rugby match of Scotland vs. Italy, and visiting the Parliament building. I probably wouldn't do these things if I were by myself so I am very thankful of their willingness to accompany me.
- The Concord, a take-away fish and chips store that has the best fish and chips around. Upon ordering, the father and son began bickering in a playful way when a regular came in to give them even more grief. The father and son team kept giving her a hard time about something, and they would each take turns winking at one another and the other patrons in the store. After my order was complete, I left with this immense sense of simplistic happiness that you could only find at a local fish and chips stand.
- my international friends in my classes: Chris from Switzerland, Kirstie from Hong Kong, Julie from France, Bex from Wales, and Lori-Jane from Scotland.
- sunny mornings when I'm awake before the sun rises over the buildings across the park. As I'm getting ready for class, I watch the sun come up and flood my room with golden rays. I.love.it.
- bumping into some favorite friends en route to class, realizing at 8:30 a.m. that my day is going to be glorious. This is amplified by a good shuffle of iTune songs and patiently waiting for the bus as the wind whips your hair everywhere - all because you're in a mindset of having a great day.
- sharing a new found thrift shop with friends and playing dress up.
- this experience <3
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