2017 Gratitude List

November 23, 2017 / Natasha Regehr / 0 Comments

As much as I try to think of new things to be thankful for every single day, I can’t help but notice a few themes (read: blatant reiterations) creeping into this year’s Gratitude List. Can you spot them?

Bon courage!

Efficient meetings
Not being disregarded
Comfortable hiking boots
French is starting!
Patient housemates
Errands accomplished
Surprise sales
French again!
Knowing my passport number but not my bank account number
Yin was just right
And so were my exercise clothes
Hatha, oh hatha
Not going to the mall twice in one day
Leaving for Italy soon!

Italy!
Caught planes
Home again
Somewhat
My meds are available here
Done coughing
Playing Mozart
Being an alto
Groceries at Acima
His honesty
And his big heart
Shivasana without coughing
Everything without coughing
My busy days are still pretty sweet
Not coughing in hammocks
Duty is done, for now
I get weekends off
Weather is still warm
Free Saturdays
I was not sitting on the tramline when the tram went by
Mona led me around the marathon
Still swimming weather
Two hours of bon français
Meetings
Roast beef
IT
Surviving
Testing is done (mostly)
At least it’s not my stomach
Dessert
Invitations
New connections
Sleepy weekends
Finding my nail clippers
A short walk to work
Finishing report cards
Staying home
Real conversations
Masterful writing
Start-stop
Flamenco shoes
Excellent teaching resources
Democracy
Canada
i.e. not being American
Fuzzy pants
Not sniffling
Grilled fish
Barre yoga
Good hats
Kind pedagogy
Rollerblades
Smiling children
Progress
Patience
Shrimp and pasta
Heaters and fleece
Cancelling things
Sunglasses
Food
Roomies who buy meds
Teachers who show up
Fennel seeds
Not having a fibroid
Picture day swaps
Roomies who buy more meds
Nurses who consult via text
Only making some mistakes
Remembering most things, I think
Warsaw!
New friends
Hot chocolate
New ideas
Fatigued but functional
The friendly carfinder
Alto love
Being relaxed, even when incompetent
Being able to help a friend by (of all things) driving
Shorter, lighter periods
Invitations
Potlucks
Fires
MacGyver
Long sleeps
Our husband-across-the-hall
No wet basement to worry about
Carts
Art
Industriousness
Restedness
Positive rehearsals
Good French
Emmy found my umbrella
Grace
Perfectly imperfect
Ropes, garlands, and barriers
Good people
Office Space
Not doing a concert today
Having a fireplace
Successful driving
Finding pretzels
People who like me
Early bedtimes
Back to yoga
Hot chocolate
Offices to send kids to
Near misses are not hits
My vibrato finally did me good
I play the flute
I am resourceful and savvy
Time for migraine naps and heartfelt words
I’m not throwing up
The concert was short and calm
It’s bedtime
Megan’s a wizard
My colleagues are kind
Social success
Sunshine on my arms
Yummy food
New friends
A sunny roof
Decisions
Hospitality training
Pasta, even on Tuesday
Remembering I have a maid
Being invited to play in orchestras
Nailing the Mozart
New introvert friends
Cheese sauce success
Being wanted
Being free
Simultaneously
Staying in
Easy fixes
My mom is here!!!!!
Finding all the places we were looking for
Being so happy
Good fires
Finding our way out of derb ghallef
Making it to the mosque on time
So happy
Not getting hit, ticketed, or towed
Nice strangers
Finding the car again
And the keys
Mustaphaaaa
Cabs
Peaceful gardens full of nice people
The part of Marrakesh that is not a medina
Breathing unwalled air
Safe roads
Extra space
A relaxing day
Said, the guide
Bartering a bit
“You are a very strong woman… I like you!”
Safety on the switchbacks
No rain, snow, darkness, or flat tires
Finding our way
Clear skies
Rocks to climb
Three nice tours
Silver shopping
Mom survived the mountain roads
Beach walks
Trekking poles
Ocean frolics
Camel steak
Getting home
Cousin love
Restful days
Fiction is only fiction
No one passed out on the two-hour walk
Hay Hassani success!
Sunny rollerblades
Safe flights
Downtime
Fireplaces
Running water
Three consecutive workouts
Electricity
Four consecutive workouts
Maybe five
Water days
Warmth
When the maid finally comes
When the fire isn’t smoky
(even though this one was)
Routine
An easy Friday
Still liking my job
And my guy
Finishing my French homework
A lazy Saturday
No damage
Dull days
Places to go
Getting better at French
And teaching
A tolerable loneliness
The friends I still have
Warm spots
Nines and tens
Gravol, imitrex, and sleep
Good conversation
Green things
He’s just thoughtless
People want me
I found my contract
Yoga is fun
Teaching is fun
Going to bed early with a book is fun
Yay Friday
The faith club
Catholics
Naps
People who are glad I’m here
Nailing things
String quartets to soothe the soul
Arabic letters
Kahoot
Ipads
Ilyas
Internet
Double rainbows
Pills
Finding missing things
Careem and Karim
Confidence, success
At least there’s a story behind the weirdness
A really good fire
22 charged ipads by 11pm
Not having to play the game
Spots that are not cold
Affirmation
Last minute inspiration
Fun Arabic
Cancelling French
Soccer not being in my room
Inactivity
Getting into PowerSchool
Getting into GradeBook
Getting out of GradeBook
Brunch!
Still liking my job
Not being quite as cold as usual
Energy, chattability, life
Plans
Loving Arabic
Migraine sleeps
Kids who like music
Staying home
Staying warm
Longer days
Patches of sun
Hard yoga
Kind people
So loved
Potential friendships
Spring
Getting out
Not hitting any cars
Finding my way
Easy parking
Kangoo was available
It’s bedtime
An undramatic hit and run
Timely deadlines
Doctors who know stuff
Photocopiers that work
Friends who listen
Taco day
Being thought of
Being patient
Being able
Murdoch
Not going to work
A lazy day
Another lazy day
Not going out in the rain
Remembering my enchiladas
Not getting rained on
Getting through those crazy intersections
Being liked and listened to
Staying calm
My sound system
Orders placed
One who loves
Campus potlucks
Feeling a little better
One can always make a fruit salad
A walk to the beach
Sleep sleep sleep
Energy
Warmth
Encouragement
My boxes!
Choir fun
The new pharmacy route
Going home soon
Hairdryers
FB carpooling
Short meetings
Brilliant lessons
Feeling normal
Packed!
The A-team brothers
Good news
Finishing
Canadian pizza
Bus fun
Rest
Pampering
Nesting
Family fun
A feeling of home
Eventless border crossings
Mixed feelings
Hamada is a patient man
And so is my Anwar
Waking up
And going back to sleep
YouTube moves
Routine
Comfort
The accident didn’t involve me
L & Z are reasonable people
One day MM will all be over
My roommate is a costume queen
The circus
Frank conversations
Resolution
Caesar salad
Improvising
Heat
Health
A roommate who isn’t freaked out by fibroid talk
Good books
Excessive warmth
Finding what I needed right away
Costume help
Not having a parasite
Trident
Tailors
Great books
Sometimes I help people with things
And sometimes I just go to bed
Gifted people who like to help
Being able to cancel things
And walk up the hill to bed
Tomorrow is new
I can control my own brain chemistry
Somewhat
Clear thoughts
Humour
Invitations
SoundShapes
Jeans
Community
Good tagine
Being confided in
Found paint
And the car
And the road
No taxi needed
Going to bed early
Good night
Memorizing Arabic music
Pepper
Team-building fun
Arabic fun
10/10 fun
Wine, women, fire, and sci-fi
This too shall pass
Megan’s pep talk
And A/V skills
IT’S THE WEEKEND
It’s still the weekend
Colour printers
Workouts that are really workouts
Carbs
Not going to church
Walks with friends
Not having a meeting
Last day of Tuesday torture
Only 11 more weeks of crappy Wednesdays
Someone’s waiting for me
Tomorrow is new
Only one more day ‘til the end of ASA
Language stamina
Good-bye, Abba
Hello, weekend
Coming and going as I please
Not playing kickball
Or volleyball
Books
Bank machines
Workouts
Double-sided printing
Scanning
Completed tasks
Decent days
Progress
Acima
Willing vocalists
Eager 4^th Grade singers
Being on time
Breaks
Susan and humour on the curb
Changing my mind
Forgiveness
Someone to be proud of
Sidewalk solfège plans
Holidays!
Delightful Ifrane
Mountain climbing
New besties
I don’t have to have friends if I don’t want to
Walking alone is more fun anyway
Reserve water
Coconut oil
Leaving when I feel like leaving
Staying home when I want to stay home
Being smart enough to do my own taxes
Finally getting to try barre yoga
Not driving more than I have to
Liking my new carpet
Summer is coming
Finding eggplant, pizza, and corn
Finding parking
Walking places
Common languages
Restful days
A school with greens, yellows, and reds
Friendly lunches
Perfect warmth
Versatile scarves
New ideas
Warm days
Found my phone
Choir was cancelled
My Alabama gals are awesome
Bearable Wednesday
A boss who’s got my back
Great weather
Pieces coming together
Downtime
Red leggings
Not being in charge of the Canada booth
Space
Lazy days
Green lights from admin
Eager kids
Taxes done
No mama mia mayhem
Not a supply teacher
Naptime
Easy days
Great admin
A reason to eat salty things
Adrenaline
People pulling together
Eager beavers
Optimism
Clean laundry
Introversion
Alone time
Not talking
Sun, pool, book
A choir puts everything in perspective
And makes the next day magical
Admin I can trust
A guy I can trust
Smart friends
Rest
Appointment mix-up wasn’t serious
Got fruit even though the banks were closed
My stuff was moved
Ponytails are possible now
As is sleep
Monday rehearsals: check
Adrenaline
New days
Z washed my tea stuff
Children hugged me
It will be okay
It was okay
It was awesome
I did something real today
An awesome venetian mask for superhero day
Glock Star
Easy bank deposits
Poolside lounging
Too much chocolate
Relaxed friendships
Dull days
Friends to walk and w(h)ine with
Double desserts
A home to miss
Heat wave!
It’s so easy to walk up and down the hill
Sandal weather at last
Imperfect, but passable improv
At least I got the disco lights working
Observation done
Friday done
Not getting any tickets
Not even one
Not getting pulled over
Having a lazy day to myself
Extra harira
Greenwear
New cousins
Connections to dad
Sundress weather
Normal blood tests
Visa friends
A great place to work
Abdellah the car guy
A keen recorder group
Good cheer
Careem
Not parking downtown
The lady who sent my fax
A good doctor here
NOT FASTING
Hammam zen
Hammock zen
Home soon
Jennifer cooks
I stir
Short workdays
Shiny hair
Car papers done
No more lap-running
Being on track
One more Wednesday afternoon
No-water day, poolside
An organized bathroom
Bank errand success
Simplicity
New Ikea lamp
A relaxing work week
A job that loves me
I didn’t split my chin
Or get run over
And I made it home
Anticipation
Spaghetti
Transportation choices
And back-up choices
Watermelon win
Visa in progress
Horses on the beach
Reasonable hours
Finishing things
Proactive people
Accommodating people
Getting through stuff
End in sight
Good wine
That mid-June feeling
Pool time
Short assemblies
French cancellations
Acceptance
Half-days
Direction
Sun, sunhat, sundress, sunscreen
Learning things
Got the visa
Got there and back again
Got on the SUP
Got out of bed
Got Careem to come to GWA!
Grades are done
Year is done
Pasta
Friendship
Swimming
Bra shopping
Girl time
Getting packed
SUP yoga
Pills
Boxes
Industry
Getting my laptop back
Undamaged
Untouched
A guy who will drive me to Montreal and back in a day
Things that don’t change
House progress
Appointment progress
Happy reunions
Screwdriver bits
Squishy bread
Flat tire conditions (tolerable)
They got the nut off the wheel
Family concord
Air France success
Eyes are fine
Mom time
Black shoes
Letting go of things
Riding a bicycle down a pretty path without being unduly noticed
Sausages
A new green vedding dress
Comfortable conversation
Clean bathrooms
Portable literature
At least I’m not stuck in a basement apartment
Decent tech support
A day of full togetherness
A day full of reading and sleeping (on my own terms)
Cookies
Grilled cheese
Good books
Being useful
Selling A’s stuff
Short services
Long naps
Thorough vaccination schedules
Fish tacos
Bra fitters
Red
A patient mom
Nathan finally has WhatsApp
Time with mom
Not playing baseball
Brunch with Nathan
Backstops
Nieces and nephews grow into friends
Blessed to have choices
FAMILY
Finding Samed
The bank machine worked
Some day I will come back alone
I brought my backpack to Tiananmen Square
My roommates don’t hate me
I brought my ipad, and therefore wasn’t bored
Brief, but interesting conversations
An actual rehearsal
I’m good with salvage operations
Not going to parties with a bunch of teenagers
Or adults
Not passing out on stage
Not losing my passport/wallet/phone
Hiding towels
Mountaineering
Blogging
Egg tarts
Phone vents
Escalators
Intuition
Freedom freedom freedom
Teriyaki pineapple burgers
Taxis
Showers
Soup and grilled cheese
Not washing pots
Normal-sized feet
Only three days of coursework
A ride there and back
More rides to and fro
At least I play a bit of piano
Sleep fixes most things
Dalcroze is done
I found and photographed the Dalcroze book
A good wedding meal
Moroccan threads
Used book sales
And quiet corridors
Mom’s house
Mom’s ways
Space, sweet space
An emotionally neutral day
Pork
C is writing a book
I am an autonomous human being
Hair powder
BLT pizza with Nate
He came
Pancakes with Nate
A great laser place
Forgetting things
People who understand
Fun with Nathan
Bacon mania
Bouncing back
New starts
Good roommates
Return to normality
Jan’s car
Campus naps
Library couches
Clean shelves
Ample space
Perfect colours
Being too busy to think
Good people to miss
Cheerful curtains
New friendships are possible
Change can be okay
Girl time is the best time
Perfect pool temps
Christa, my one dear friend in this place
Figuring things out
(lesson plans and the like)
Being pretty much ready for school
Well-behaved children
Easy first days
Normal classes
Easy 2^nd days
Free yoga
Facetime friends
The road rage guy didn’t follow me
My job is pretty close to perfect
A beautiful view
Finding an excuse to not go to Marjane
Lisa, Chuck, and wine
Hammock, novel, beer
Dutch Blitz
Beach invitations
Afternoon naps
Morning naps
Not going anywhere
Decorating approval
Two more social events
Plenty of food
A magnificent bedroom
A day without people
Books
Quiet
Evening sunlight through my window
A safe and happy space
Soon I’ll feel better
Optimism
Clean dishes, or the potential thereof
Small connections
Liking my job
Tire is fixed
Impromptu street parties
That I can enjoy, and then escape
Leaving
An escort to my car
A clothesline
A clean chair
MAP testing
Extra PD MAD
Feeling like I’m outside, even when I’m inside
Wall yoga was cancelled
(not) missing tagine Tuesday
I have an easy job
I am making friends
Parent night is easy and entertaining
Enough food
Enough yoga
Bearable block parties
Baroque music
This room
Sharing confidences
Staying in pyjamas all day
N is okay
A calm day
N is alive
N is alive again
And surrounded by people who love him
A calm, satisfying, inspiring day of teaching
Quad gang
Friendships
Real conversations
Finding decent flights
Avoiding bikram yoga
Trying wall yoga
Expedia
Easy pilates
Deep stretches
Answered questions
Possibility
Getting what I signed up for
Cute students
Zumba
Art teachers who laugh with me
Not taking the French Institute test seriously
Magical apologies
Pictures on walls
Appliances that work
An uneventful day
Decisiveness
They won’t always be beginning recorder players
Staying in on a Tuesday night
Enough time to eat my lunch
I get to rest when I don’t know the steps in Zumba
Good classes
Cheerfulness
Another successful drive home
Oil pastels
Drawing can be fun
Meeting new people can be fun
Even the medina can be fun
I got to talk to N today
An amazing French teacher!
Fun drawing in the city
A life of my own
Seeing my whole family at Thanksgiving dinner
I get to write stories at work
Roommate connections
When the photocopiers cooperate
And there are coveted books in the library
I have teeth
N has a spot
Symphony friends
Spared lives
Big trips
Not being lonely
Or at least only a little bit
Finding my way to Greece
Cheap food
Dormer
Surviving the bike tour
New hats
Perfect weather
An easy bus to the lake
With a nice old lady to talk to
A ride to the hotel
A nice cabinmate
Finding my way
Interesting conversations
(three in one day)
Merciful boat crews
Not falling into a volcano
Lazy holiday evenings
Not having a panic attack at the bottom of the ocean
Not having to go down a second time
Not getting lost on the donkey paths
Having choices
Not scuba diving
Airport couches
Smooth flying
Home again
Normal days
Pasta Mondays
Chocolate vodka
Yoga chill
N called D
Good humour
Resilience
Scuba friends
Cartoon friends
Pseudo-resolution
Good teaching
H and A were in trouble
Kangoo coolness
City success
Story-writing fun
Passable borscht
Pepper on a Sunday
Social progress
A spare room for laundry
Assistants
Tech that works
Imperfection is okay
Three cheers from the headmaster
A marginally better day
A somewhat leisurely lunch
Lu, who rocks my administrative world
Helpful assistants
Courage to continue
The Corniche
Sidewalks to come
Open space
Finishing grades and sub plans
A “grasse matinée”
Not having a headache
A spacious place to live
A day off
Easy packing
Finishing report cards
Excited kids
A good, good life
Empty airplane seats
Not missing planes, buses, or elevators
Choosing the right taxi
New friends
New experiences
Fuzzy pants
Travel dreams
Early nights
Mom’s new car
Kind admin
Warm socks
Art galleries
Sushi
Friends with vocabulary
Windows
I woke up at 7:10 instead of 8:10
No collisions
Or assaults
Rescheduling
Good wine
Good company
Hassle-free shopping
A friendly friendsgiving
Options
Sounding boards
Tickets booked
Helpful convos
Helpful assistants
They won’t be playing the recorder forever
Better Boomwhacker storage
Having everything I need
Christa’s croissants

Want seconds? Or thirds or fourths? Check out my previous gratitude lists — and be thankful!

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2017 Gratitude List

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