Things I'm thankful for

My 7th annual list:

1. This frickin' amazing life I lead... seriously, I get to travel the world, live in the cutest house ever, have people paid to take care of me and the house, make more than enough money, and do what I love....seriously?
   
2. That I didn't have to move or start a new job this year. Being settled is wonderful.
   
3. Great friends; I'm so blessed to have such great friends around the world. I've loved girl weekends with Amy around E. Africa, meeting up with Muna in Thailand, seeing all my great friends and colleagues in India, meeting up with old and new friends in South Africa and Cambodia, the friends I'm currently seeing while in the US, and I can tell I've made some lifelong friendships in Nairobi.
4. Travel; another year of new countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa) and revisiting some old great ones (India, Cambodia and Thailand) and great trips within Kenya.
   
5. Being able to be home for Thanksgiving!
6. New animals; The gorillas were clearly the most impressive but fun times diving with sun fish and swimming with dolphins too. Now, if only I could finally see a leopard!
7. Nairobi climate; after many years in Delhi, I am constantly appreciative the year-round beautiful weather. And am currently appreciative of the much needed rains.
8. Electricity; for a variety of reasons (drought reducing the hydroelectric capacity of Kenya, my company not paying the bills, wiring problems) I have learned how much I love electricity and how much better it makes my life.
9. Routines; anyone who knows me will not be surprised at this but I have some great ones in Nairobi... dance classes, monday movies, frisbee
10. It was a hard decision picking one last one but I think the prize goes to India: I don't know if it's because of India or that it was my first post but I feel like I've learned so many life lessons from my time there - patience, trust, how to laugh in difficult situations, how to let people help me, how to value the small things (walking, breathing, beef), what a truly amazing work environment can be, what real struggle looks like, and that I will always be equipped to handle any situation.