30 Days of Thankful: Day 16

I am thankful for Aveda Institute. One of my RAs from back in the days had told me about them, and I had been treated to a refresher facial in Austin. Recently, I decided to try the one in Birmingham after getting great feedback from Kelly and Stacy. Since I went only once for a 30 minute facial, I can't tell too much of a difference, but the experience was great. Plus, it is cheaper than professional places since it's a training institution. I am looking forward to my next visit.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 15

I am thankful for the massaging chair pad that Tom got me at Christmas a few years ago. There are days that my upper back is really sore and full of knots, so a warm massage feels really nice.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 14

I am thankful for all the wishes, cards, and gifts. You have made my day/week so special.

30 Days of Thankful - Day 13

I am thankful for my cultural background. I have fond memories of switching lunch with my high school besties, having dim sum with my dad, mine frire (similar to lo mein noodles), boulettes (chinese meatballs), crepes and so on. I got to taste so many different (homemade) cuisines. And then there were the festivals. We had quite a few, and most of them are centered around food. And the exchange of food. Angie would bring treats for Chinese New Year, and I would bring her something for Diwali.
Today is Diwali - the festival of light and my favorite. I really hope that one year I will be home for it. For those who celebrate, I wish you a very happy Diwali.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 12

I am thankful for my graduate lab. My former mentor and his group were able to restore my faith in science. I was ready to quit in 2007 after a miserable experience until I transferred to Dr. P's lab. While I love my current clinical work, I will always have a soft spot for basic sciences and enzymology, which have made me a more well-rounded scientist. Now that I've graduated we have lab meetings at the J. Clyde every so often. We talk about science, and I get much needed advice on my project and lab dynamics.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 11

In honor of Veterans Day, I am thankful for the people who fought to make America the great country that it is today.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 10

I am thankful for our ability to travel. We are in relatively good travel shape and our jobs are somewhat flexible with time-off. We have visited many neat places and met up with family and friends. We have also been lucky to travel when one of us has a conference. Last year, I was in Rhode Island for a Gordon conference and Tom met me in Boston afterwards. This year, we are doing Destin. Tom has been very supportive of my desire to visit all the states.

Also, Happy Birthday Geoff!

30 Days of Thankful: Day 9

I am thankful for my car - she is now 7 years old, is paid off, and I haven't had any major issues. Oh the memories we share!

30 Days of Thankful: Day 8

I am thankful for our apartment. Yes, I am ready to tell my landlord that I cry myself to sleep every night for not having a dog. No, I don't really do it, but at least once a week, Tom has to hear me whine about wanting a dog. No, we can't move because Tom doesn't want to move the couches and more importantly a change of address could mean delays with the green card stuff. Our apartment has a great location, close to work, stores, and restaurants. With the cooler weather coming in, it's time to start walking to and from work again. It's relatively safe and our landlords are friendly.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 7

I am thankful for technology. When I first came to the US, I had to buy calling cards at $20 each to be able to talk to my family for 1 hour. Now, I pay about the same for a year of unlimited calling through the magic jack. Skype is another great invention. Through Skype, my parents were able to "attend" my public dissertation defense, they get regular tours of the house and the garden, and can talk to me while I cook Sunday breakfast. My sister gets to see my latest purchases, especially if shoes and purses are involved. We do a lot of wedding planning with Skype and email. My cousin's 3 year old daughter has been able to send her best wishes for our wedding (and danced for us), and I had a Google Hangout with my BFF Grace. I have faith that I will be able to Skype with my high school BFF Angie, who is all the way out in Australia.
Being able to text both nationally and internationally has become such an important way to communicate. The latest is trying to convince BFF Laura that the spider could be relocated rather than killed, and getting pictures of BFF Susie Beth's newborn. 
Words with Friends has been great too - from playing with my mother-in-law,  Tom's cousin, friends, co-workers to playing with my long lost friend, Moy, who lives in Birmingham, UK.
Streaming (movies, full episodes, football games) is another activity that has become popular and helpful in our household. For example, Sunday Tom wanted to watch the night game but I also wanted to watch Revenge, which aired at the same time. So I caught up to the show yesterday on the ABC app on the iPad. 
Yep, technology, you have made my life so much easier.