This is a bit late, but I guess it’s never too late to be thankful.
These are from last year, but still relevant: (I imagine I’ll recycle them every year)
-My family, immediate and extended, who are perfect for me
-A life time of good friends coming into my life at all the right times, who have shown patience with me and continue to stick by me through all my moods.
-My boyfriend who also came into my life at the right time and who is respectful, supportive, and understanding of me
-Brothers and sisters in Christ from all parts/phases of my 25 years 
Specifically for this year:
-four seasons
-the weeks when i’m not sick
-the chance to see India and all the friends from India God has brought are Detroit community
-discovering banksy (this year?)
-story ideas (even if they are not that great)
-MSNing with my friends from the office in Thailand
-getting back here safely but feeling like I will always have a home waiting for me on the other side of the world, if I need it.
-my grandma’s 90 years
-chocolate on sale
-getting to see both sides of the family when i went home
-the sounds of trains
-my students and the chance to get to know them this semester
-being a teacher
-new friends
-being able to speak English to waiters. I don’t mean to be thankful for this, but honestly, I am.
-npr
-affordable master’s degree
-being able to speak Thai to waiters if I have to…
-that Lu called me a Daoist on my last reading response and drew a smiley face because I said I liked the idea that the world’s default position was harmony.
-new president
-the nwf blew up band
-my uncle paul’s improvised harmonies
-detroit theater community
-bags of almonds
-the time i got to know p’pbu
-the kindness of the new family she’s with
-A chance to see where P’George grew up and when his mother told me I was fat, and that was a compliment.
-when P’Nui’s dad told me he’d pick me up from the airport when I returned to Thailand
-getting really good at airports
-the chance to hang out with my brother more than usual
-My brother and my dad’s trip to Thailand
-that my friends in thailand are safe and the protests are finished (for now)
-the people who share my office
-a chance to learn spanish (for free)
-the attitudes and philosophies of the three people who teach our teaching class
-the church i attend and the people i’m slowly getting to know there
-poetry performances over the phone in chicago
-being so close to chicago again
-every time i drive from here to detroit and make it
-my car, P’Otto, which has been quite reliable
-the sprint course we had at our program
-thursday evening poetry/fiction readings
-the coffee shop and their bottomless mugs
-watching the leaves turn
-snow that doesn’t stick
-the ability to pray anywhere at any time
-long phone calls for free
-Kwame’s out
-pictures of my friends’ babies
-my baby cousins
-reconnecting with old friends
-learning to eat cheese and love it again
-knowing how to cook some thai dishes
-jungle jim’s
-phone calls from p’nui
-p’george’s photo site
-book recommendations (even if i’ll never get a chance to read them)
-that harry taught last sunday–the last two i’ve been home, i think.
-my guitar
-the reminders from people that i shouldn’t fear doing too much damage, or failure
-gas prices went down
-cheap wine
-4 more years of listening to obama’s speeches.
-opportunities to be generous
-new books
-new bookshelves
-songs
-the patience and love from my friends and family
-you
