"The season is best enjoyed in the warm embrace of kith and kin"-Clark W. Griswold

I have decided to postpone my sorority life part deux post to write about what I am thankful for this holiday season (and by postpone, I mean that I inevitably procrastinated writing and now Christmas is in two days and a post entitled "What I am thankful for this Boxing Day" really lacks the emphasis I'm looking for).

I began formulating this post as I was working my holiday retail job at Orland Mall. It's interesting how much your attitude changes towards the holidays when you spend your time in a mall. I went from sauntering into work to the tune of "Jingle Bells" at the end of November to speed-walking through the mall, avoiding eye contact and taking on a Nine Inch Nails song as my theme. So, as I stood there, in what I imagine the seventh circle of hell to look like, I created a list of what I really appreciate as 2011 comes to a close.

So here it goes...the top five things I am thankful for this season.

1. Anti-Frizz hair products

Dear John Frieda and the creators of Redken hair products, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for creating a substance that tames my poodle-like hair and allows me to participate in society like a semi functioning adult. I appreciate your team of scientific experts who have made this possible for all girls with sad, poofy hair. Give yourself a pat on the back.

2. Lenny

My 1998 Buick LeSabre is my best friend. That vehicle not only allows me to get from place to place, but provides a comfortable velvet couch for me to sit upon and a pair of screeching windshield wipers to listen to. Despite his broken tapedeck (whatsup 1990's) and ability to drain my bank account due to gas, it's a love that will never die. Because he will never die. I literally backed him into a cement pole at 20 miles an hour the other day and there was not a scratch. Not. One. Scratch.

He's committed. And so am I.

3. Milano's Pizza

Eating this pizza is like eating a hug. It embraces you with its cheesy goodness and warms the cockles of your heart (and not only because it's served at a cool 500 degrees F). 773-445-4010. Call it. You won't regret it.

4. This

This video (made by the creator of the diva video I posted a couple months ago) sums up what college was like for me. Jealous? You should be.

I am thankful that I got to live this every day for three years. When you're living in the midst of something, you never fully realize how much you'll miss it until it's gone. And now that I am graduated and away from it, I miss that energy more than anything. IUB made my life, and me as a person, better.

And finally...going right along the sappy route (after all, it is the holidays)...the #5 reason I am thankful this holiday season...

I got an internship/job.

:)

Happy Holidays everyone!