5 Things I’m Thankful For

This week’s The Fit Dish (hosted by Jessica and Jill) theme is An Attitude of Gratitude! I’ve kindasorta written about it before previously:

So instead, I’m going to expand on that and talk about 5 things I’m thankful for!

I don’t say it enough, but I’ve been incredibly blessed with the people in my life. There is no way I could ever repay them (nor will they ever let me), so I always try to pay it forward.

Family/Friends

It’s been over a year since I’ve seen my family and most of my closest friends, but without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They’ve been there every step of the way to encourage and support me, and of course, to douse me with some reality and/or tough love every here and there (e.g. most recently, my dad’s voicing of his concerns that I have already become and will forever stay a cat lady)…but it’s all in good fun! I love and miss them. <3 I get to see some of them in just a little over a week though!!! :D!!!

Please Save A Cat

This fits under “family” too. Linda is like my other mom, and Scott is like my other older brother who occasionally threatens to drop a bomb on a very specific part of the house when I send him a [joking] text saying that I ate his food in the fridge.

I started volunteering here in April of 2013, and the following year, Linda asked if I wanted to move in, free of charge, so I wouldn’t be in as much of a world of debt in regards to my astronomical student loans. She even took off a day of work to help me move.

Aka how I came to legitimately live at a cat rescue.

Please Save A Cat is my home base in West Virginia, and despite being on clinical rotations for the past 1.5 years, I’ve been going back whenever possible (every few weeks) to help out. Linda is one of the nicest ladies I will ever know, and I am beyond blessed to have her in my life. (My livelihood is also forever grateful.) I’ll be spending Thanksgiving here this year! :]

My Churches in Lewisburg + Ashland

I am continually amazed by the human capacity for kindness. When I was completing my first two years of medical school on campus, a lady at my church offered to cook each week’s worth of meals for me, so I wouldn’t have to worry about preparing food and could just focus on studying. I didn’t actually take her up on that because I felt like I’d been freeloading, but just the fact that she even offered was really touching.

They’ve offered me food, help with running errands, a place to stay, thrown me a birthday party…the list goes on and on. (Un-church-related, but my landlord actually came to stand in as my family at my white coat ceremony because my family couldn’t be there for it!)

One of the families at my church in Ashland has also all but adopted me into their family. My friend (aka their son) jokes that they tell me about family functions long before the word ever gets to him, and I got to spend an early Thanksgiving + Christmas with them last year. They even included me in their gift exchange! <3

Twirly Girls Pole Fitness + Phil Clark’s Martial Arts Academy

Review of TG | Review of PCMAA

I have been absolutely spoiled by these two places, so much so that I’m honestly a little concerned that I’ll never find another studio/gym this welcoming, friendly, and all-around awesome. They are true hidden gems, located in Pleasanton, CA, and Ashland, KY, respectively. I think of Bel and Phil as family, and if I could take both these places to wherever it is that I end up, I would do so in a heartbeat…if I weren’t opposed to uprooting businesses. So instead, I just reallyyyy wish I could teleport.

I will be back in CA in less than a month(!!!), so I’ll get to hit up TG again soon (it’s been 4 years since I’ve been able to go regularly).

I’m also really sad to be leaving PCMAA, but last week, I [finally] got to meet Rhalan Gracie!!! I missed his seminar last year because my preceptor had 36 patients in the afternoon, and I most definitely did not get out in time. I was all sorts of devastated, but better late than never! He apparently teaches classes about 30 minutes from my home in CA, so it looks like I’ll be bringing my gi back after all! :D!!!

This Blog

Full-on sap mode! Despite the fact that I’ve been uprooted all over the place (I’ve lived in 7 states over the last 4 months) and go months at a time without seeing a single familiar face…I haven’t felt quite as alone as I thought I would.

The reason?

It’s because of you, my lovely readers! :]! Med school can be extremely alienating, especially when it comes to 4th year, but I love being able to keep up with your lives through your blogs/social media and in the comments! The friends I’ve made through the blogosphere make me feel like I’m still taking my friends along with me wherever I go. <3 (Portable friendships for the win!)

So here’s to all of you! Thanks so much for being in my life! <3

I’m linking this up the Blogsgiving linkup too!

Beauty and the Pitch | Lipstick and Brunch | The Pace | Faith Haller

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• What’s something that you’re thankful for?

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