many thanks...

Thanksgiving has come and gone but my thanks have not. I thought I'd take the time out now (even though it's 2AM and I should be already fast asleep!!) to give thanks to a number of things. It's so important to stop and think about what we have in our lives because it's easy to get caught up in the day to day stuff and forget the big picture. Sometimes I catch myself dwelling only on the negative. Thanksgiving is that one day everyone really stops to think of what they're grateful for. That plus tons of delicious food make for a very satisfying holiday.

This year was no exception. We had a feast around 1:30PM (we always eat early) then gathered in the living room upstairs to check out the new Wii Fit. That thing is amazing. It changes your Mii to look like the weight/shape you are after doing the Wii Fit test. Even though my balance is terrible (which I already knew haha) it said my Wii Fit age was 25. Score! The games were the best part -- skiing, skateboarding, balance tests, hula hoops, soccer (I hold an undefeated record!), etc.

It was so much fun that day; I was sad to have to leave. That leads me to the start of my list...

What I'm Thankful For

...that God put me here on this earth. He could have easily decided not to let me born. Instead, he sent me to be the head of the Corrigan siblings. It is a blessing in disguise being the oldest. You worry about everyone. But they look up to you. Their love is unconditional. I am grateful for them. Each one of them (there's 4 of us) teach me something, through their words and actions. We may have grown up in the same household but they're all unique. I admire them.

... my parents unconditional love. No matter how much I mess up or how well I do, their love is the same. They'd walk barefoot for hundreds of miles for us, take a bullet, starve all day, if it meant helping us in some way. They were young parents that sacrificed a lot and continue to do so to this day. I've learned everything about life from these two. They deserve my utmost respect.

...being with someone who shows kindness and respect to everyone. Jonathan is one of the most genuine souls I've ever met. He is real -- he doesn't pretend to be someone he is not. He loves tradition. He's like a kid at heart. You can trust him with your secrets. He may not like coffee but hey, not everyone is perfect! ;-) We became friends so quickly because we are very alike but even though I was stubborn at first, I came around and gave him a chance and it was probably the smartest choice I made all year!

...friends who are there to lend an ear.

...Kimmie's sister Jen getting a second chance at life. Thank you "Fred."

...my sister's love & support. We live together so that automatically earns her brownie points. It's not always easy sharing a dwelling but we make the best of it. We support each other. We listen to each other's problems when we don't want bother anyone else with them. We are a team. Anyone that puts up with my frequent FarmVille use gets an A+ in my book =P

...the roof over my head. No matter how many times I complain about the apartment we live in, it's better than on the streets.

...the food on my plate. I always have somewhere to eat, even though I can't cook to save my life.

...my job. Even with it's crazy hours and even though it's not exactly what I need to create security in my life, it's a good job and without it, I don't know where I'd be!

....Jonathan's family. They have been so warm and welcoming, it's amazing.

...coffee. How would I get through the mornings without you?

...my faith. Without it, I would drown in despair.

...God Himself. He is who I live for and although I would love to be on this earth for a long time, cannot wait to be Home with Him and His Son.

'tis the season

This past Friday I went to Atlas Park with the Graffeo gang and J.D, in what felt like the first Christmasy day of the season (and yes, I know it's not Thanksgiving yet). We ate dinner at California Pizza Kitchen (I'm still day dreaming about that pizza...SO good) followed by a movie. Jim Carrey's version of this beloved tale was much more sinister than I expected and even though I struggled to stay awake at points (not the movies fault, I was seriously sleep deprived that day) I really enjoyed it. Andrea Bocelli's "God Bless Us Everyone" closed the movie and the next day I downloaded it -- beautiful song.

Atlas Park was done up Christmas style so that plus the movie really helped make feel like the holidays are getting closer and closer. Very exciting stuff. This time of the year never gets old, no matter how old I get. This Christmas might be a little different because I'm not sure what the plans are (we usually spend Eve in Long Island with cousins and Day at home). Alex not being here then sucks. But, nevertheless, looking forward to it. Here's all of us in front of the Christmas Bear after the movie let out.

Left to right: Sal, Daniela, Christina, AnnaMarie, Rita, Mike, myself & J.D

By the way, Amazon never fails me! I scored a Yankee DVD (Fall Classics from 1996-2001) for $34 when in the Yankee Clubhouse it was marked at $80! Sweet giblets! Can't wait for this to arrive.

I dream of sandy beaches.

Once in a blue moon, an opportunity will arise that you'd have to be a fool to pass up. Like seeing two friends get married. And attending a Yankee game, with seats right behind the bullpen. Now imagine those two opportunities landing on the same day!!! Just my luck right? Fortunately I found a way to make this work. The game is at 1pm. It should be over by 4, the latest. I don't know what time the reception is because the invites haven't been sent out yet, just the save-the-dates. But it all seems possible. I mean, God doesn't give you anything you can't handle so apparently He thinks I can juggle this wacky schedule I will have on May 15th!! I should note the tickets were a gift so the date of the game was not in my hands. Obviously I would never have chosen this date myself. But I am grateful Tiffany's friend gifted her with this and chose me to go along!

Funny I mentioned Thanksgiving in the post early yesterday because later that night, Alex (my aunt) and I spoke about what it would be like this Thanksgiving. Normally we do a big Thanksgiving feast around 1 or 2 then settle in for a movie that everyone agrees on. But this time, after the feast we are going to be enjoying Alex's gift to Oma, Opa and Michael (my brother). She got them the Wii Fit! With the Wii Olympic games. (I think that's the game she said she got). Those three are the biggest Wii fanatics in the house so that's why it's for them but on Thanksgiving, we're all going to enjoy it. Can't wait! The reason she is giving them their Christmas present on Thanksgiving is because Alex & Moe are going to be in Puerto Rico for 3 weeks. They leave on the 3rd and won't be back until the 28th! So sad they won't be here for Christmas. Last December, when they went to PR, my oma and I went for a week with them. We flew out the last week of their stay and came home with them. It was so much fun and I wish I could go again this year. But I have a feeling we will next winter.

sleepy woes.

Tiffany took this photo of Jorda over the weekend. She had SO much energy on that walk. I should say she walked me not vice versa haha.

Is next week actually Turkey Day?! Not sure what to make of this. Once Thanksgiving is over, you know what that means...Christmas comes out in full force. Not that it hasn't already....

I'm guilty of doing some holiday shopping already. I'm sure my aunt will love what I chose for her. Saw it yesterday while on Austin Street and couldn't pass it up! It's right up her alley.

So last night I stopped by JD's after work, just to hang out for a bit since we wouldn't have a chance to do so until late Wednesday. Felt like watching a movie so I found the '91 version of The Addams Family on MTV. Was really into it....next thing I know, it's 7:30am!! Fortuntely JD drove me home before class so I could grab my books.

Thank God for hats, that's all I have to add.

27!

There's always magic in the air during the post season and if you're lucky enough to have your team go to the World Series, even more so then. The Yankees had an incredible year (103-59) so it was the icing on the cake for them to win the World Series. The teams they played against in the ALCS and then in the WS really made for a good show. I applaud the Angels and the Phillies for putting up a good fight! Would love for the Yanks to do it again next year. I really don't want to see Matsui or Damon go but I understand the need to bring in new and younger players.

When they won on the 4th, there was no way I was going to miss the parade that Friday, the 6th.

What a cutie! This dog was decked out in Yankee gear.

The crowd went a little wild there, throwing people in the air.

Newspapers EVERYWHERE.

Matsui = MVP AND Pedro's daddy :-)

Jay-Z and A-Rod.

Andy Pettite and kids.

Mariano Rivera!! How fitting they should choose him to close out the parade :-)

old fart.

November is off to a beautiful start...

I turned 24 on the 8th and received this gorgeous Yankees bomber jacket from the parents! They definitely went all out this year. This gift was just one of many.


Jonathan and his parents surprised me with a cake at the end of the day! You can NEVER go wrong with ice cream cake.

This beauty (Coach) is my gift from Jonathan. He just earned major brownie points with this gift choice! (not that he needed it) It is a lot more purple in person. I'm afraid to get finger prints on it LOL.

He took my sister and I out to dinner at Jade. It's this fantastic Asian restaurant in Forest Hills. Highly recommended.

Robyn & I.

This really was one of the most memorable birthdays I've had in a good long while! It was just a great day from start to finish. JD & his family were nothing but good to me and the same goes to mine, as well as my close friends and all the birthday wishes I received.

Mr. November...who's it gonna be?

What a way to kick off the month. Yankees are coming home to the Bronx, with a fantastic chance to win the World Series. What better way to christen the new stadium? I have this gut feeling it was all meant to happen this way, with the Core 4 in the lineup for tomorrow. Ah, baseball magic.

I feel like the anti-Yankees slurs are in full force. Haven't heard them this strong since they went against Boston in '04. There are even Yankees fans that are getting nasty with other Yankees fans. Well, not nasty but snide rather. They claim some people are not real fans and just jumping on the bandwagon of a winning team. The Yankee fans get so much grief at times, that it's best to not admit you're a fan of them at times, haha. I think the more supporters, the merrier. I think the key to keeping sane during the baseball season (at least during this point) is to avoid reading anything you know will irk you.

So it turns out having a wedding on Halloween was actually brilliant. I had so much fun and I still got to dress up, albiet not in costume. The ceremony was at 3pm at St. Andrew Avellino Church in Flushing with the reception following at 6pm in the Bronx, at the gorgeous Marina Del Rey. That place was something else. Jonathan's sister got married there two years ago and I'm sure Alexis remembered it from them. Seriously, if you are in the NYC area, I highly recommend it. Location, food, staff, atmopshere were all on their game. I will be posting pictures first chance I get.

Starbucks came out with their Christmas menu already. I'm sipping on a gingerbread latte as I type. This makes me very excited for the holidays. That and I can swear, some evenings...I can smell Christmas coming.