Day 31: January 31, 2011

As the month comes to a close, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I am enjoying recording my thanks. Each day I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about all that I have to be grateful for. Sometimes it's tiny little things and sometimes it's more global parts of my life, but I love that I am ending each day thinking about the best part of it. It has made me a lot more cognisant of how focusing on the positives instead of the negatives can really put a different "spin" on every part of life. Usually thinking of something that I'm thankful for that day is easy, but a few days I realized halfway through my blog post that I was actually focusing more on the negatives of the day than the positives....delete. I'm one month in, and I think I just may be able to sustain all my resolutions for the year!

As for the progress on my other resolutions,

Books read: 2

Currently reading: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

New Recipes Tried: 4

This week's Recipe: Brown Butter Cocoa Walnut Brownies

And today I am thankful for Subway station musicians. As I made my way to jury duty this morning (by the way, I did not get selected) I encountered a man with an accordion playing pop songs, singing with all his heart, doggy as his band mate, and random man chiming in with partial lyrics. I had to slow down to appreciate it, even if it meant smelling the vomit-like odor that filled the MUNI station this morning for a few more seconds. And seriously, what is it about subway stations and the crazy acoustics? I think, like the shower, they make everyone sound better.

I have always been intrigued by the subway musician. On my last visit to Paris I emerged to find a mini-symphony taking place in the station that made the hair on my arms stand up. In Rome I remember a woman and her daughter singing opera in the bustling Colosseum station. In fact, I have pretty vivid memories of underground musicians in most of the cities I have visited. I have definitely witnessed more than a few that should NOT quit their day jobs, but I always appreciate the life they bring to a part of the city that I would otherwise overlook.

Day 30: January 30, 2011

Today I am grateful for jury duty. I'm sure this sounds ridiculous, and even as I write this I wonder if I am jinxing myself into a twelve-month jury duty "sentence". Tomorrow, almost one year to the day from my last summons, I have jury duty. I have never actually served on a jury, but I've spent my fair share of time in the selection process. Last year I spent three days in the courtroom being questioned by, I'm fairly certain, the most annoying attorney living on this earth. Then I was dismissed. To top it off, the three days I spent also happened to be my three days off that week, so I still had to work for the following three days. Boo. So why exactly am I looking forward to fulfilling my civic duty this year? Well, tomorrow I was schedule to work at 7:00 am. Jury duty starts at 11:00 am. For me this means: two extra hours of sleep, a walk in the park in the morning, and time to make dinner in the evening. I hope that tomorrow I will be expressing my thanks for not being chosen for the a jury:)

Day 29: January 29, 2011

I'm new to the whole idea of blogging and have never been super into following them, but today I am thankful for the blog. Well, one blog in particular: Cupcakin', authored by my cupcake-obsessed lady friend, Stephanie. I am thankful for this blog because today it gave me the excuse to sample several delightful cupcake flavors at a cupcakery in Napa. Red Velvet, vanilla, pink champagne, Irish Car Bomb, Samoa, yum! I'm taking my participation in her process very seriously, and I felt it my duty to try just a little (ha!) of each so I could offer her my semi-expert opinion. I look forward to many cupcake shop visits in the future- in the name of the blog, of course.

Day 28: January 28, 2011

Today I am thankful for country roads. There isn't much "country" in the Bay Area, so I'm using this term loosely, but I took a fantastic drive down some of the roads less travelled today and was amazed at how much of this place I haven't yet discovered.

Day 27: January 27, 2011

Today I'm thankful for...drum roll please: reality TV. Much to my husband's dismay, I love me some Real Housewives and the rest of my Bravo faves. Guilty pleasure? Not so much. Mindless, yes, but I'm not ashamed to say I watch Guiliana and Bill and I savor every minute of it! Maybe I need more drama in my life so I won't want to watch everyone else's. Nah, I think it's more fun to watch than to participate.

Day 26: January 26, 2011

What is black and white and read all over? Alright, maybe not read all over. More like black, white, and read over and over...by me. That's right people: my planner. My trusty paper and leather date book has never done me wrong, and frankly, I would be lost without it. I consult it several times a day, periodically jot notes and my "to do" list in it, and it keeps track of all my passwords for me. Now, after urgings from my husband, the passwords are in a secret code just in case it ever comes into the wrong hands. And that will never happen. EVER. Because planner and I are attached at the hip. And when the year is over, my dear friend will be tucked away safely with the planners of years past because I can never part with them!

Today I am thankful for the best use of trees I can think of, otherwise known as my second (more effective) brain: My Planner!

Day 25: January 25, 2011

Today I am grateful for our faux Spring! I cannot believe the beautiful weather we are having! It is sure going to be a rude awakening when Winter decides to join us again...