40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 6

Today I'm thankful for:

1.  Getting most of my marks done for term 1 cut-off.  Tiring work =_=
2. Jason coming to visit me as a sit in a dark corner inputting my marks.
3. Having dinner ready as I got home.  Having a home-cooked meal after starving for a couple of hours tastes extra good =)
4. My Catering Club - JOLLY CORNER CAFE - is under way!  Anyone want some delicious treats come by my school on Dec 14 at 3:30pm and hang out at our cafe.  Who needs bubble tea anyways?
5. Korean dramas - they're so much more interesting than I thought they'd be.  Brilliant Legacy gave me hours of good entertainment, much sleep deprived because it's so addictive.
6. Christmas!  Regardless, it's still one of my favourite times of the year because it brings back so many happy memories.  Still waiting for that carriage ride through Central Park and seeing the big Christmas tree in New York to complete my fantasy.
7. My car being fixed for a decent price.  Really didn't expect to have such a gaping hole in my wallet but praise the Lord for giving me a car and providing me with a job to pay for the many unfortunate incidences.  To be honest, it could have been a lot worse.  Who knows what accident I might have gotten into if I'd made it to the big streets?
8. My dad for going around and finding an inexpensive autobody shop for me and negotiating prices for me and checking up on my car while it's being fixed (it's near his work place).  Makes me feel less like I'm going to be gypped because I'm a girl who knows not much about cars.
9. Korres eyeliner deal at Lynnwood!  Originally went down because Jason wanted to pick up a board game but I ended up getting the deal.  One of my fave black pencil eyeliner is by Korres which I picked up at Sephora for $21.  Found a limited time package deal of 10 eyeliners for only $32.50 (USD plus tax).  WOW!
10. Warm baths - somehow particular enticing this time of year.  So comfy... *gurgle drown* j/k!

40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 5

Haha I'm SO slow with this challenge but it's moving along:

Today I'm thankful for:

1. Snow!  I think you either love it or hate it.  For me, snow has it's inconveniences but it always bring back happy childhood feelings.  I remember living in my first house, looking up at the snow falling until it feels like I'm flying up towards the sky.  I guess this is why they say early childhood experiences are important in shaping your life?
   
2. Warm home - when it's cold outside, I feel blessed to be inside my warm house admiring the beauty.
   
3. Youtube - endless videos that show super talented people showcasing their skills.  It really opens up my eyes to what kind of gifts are out there.  Then again, I need to stay away from beauty reviews because it always makes me want to shop =S
   
4. The big kitchen warehouse sale.  I originally thought I couldn't go because it was by invitation only, but my colleague sent me her invitation so I could go.  Bought lots of kitchenware goodies.  I'm quite as addicted to kitchenware as I am to make-up.  Bought pie/cake pans, egg poacher, pancake stencils, mini sifter, a mini mandoline, an apple peeler/corer/cutter, and a bunch of random stuff I probably won't need but nice to have if I ever need it. :)
   
5. Vegas trip - we are going!  I was looking forward to traveling this winter holiday.  It's motivating me to get through the year one break at a time.  After this it's planning something for spring break =)  Let me know if you guys have ideas!  So far it's my sisters and Jason.  Gonna be a fun time!
   
6. Columbia jacket - bought it last time when Jason, his parents and I went to the states.  Jason is a Columbia fan because he loves all his jackets he gets from there so he convinced me that it's better than investing in another North Face jacket.  It was a great deal and is a double so I can wear both layers or just the thinner one underneath.  I think it'll really come in happy now that it's going to be a cold winter.
   
7. My car - yes it's been busted since the first month I got it due more to the crazy snowfall in 2008 more than my driving skills.  But despite it's ugly battle scars that make a 2 year old car look so beaten down, it's been reliably taking me to travel different destinations and giving me the freedom to go where I want.  I even made it down to Oregon and back!
   
8. Nails - this one is random but I've been into nail art since Paula did my nails and I'm happy to have relatively nicely shaped nails to work with.
   
9. Friends - don't see them a lot these days but it's nice they still remember me enough to send invites for gatherings.  Always nice to know that there are people out there who like me (well...most of the time anyways :D)
   
10. My bed - warm and snuggly and have been there for me for over 10 years.  Gonna jump in and bundle up now.  Good night!!!

40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 4

I know I'm way behind on this challenge but still moving along.

Today I'm thankful for:

1. A relatively short staff meeting, and I was not nodding off!
2. Being able to finish making my Preservation Arts test for the grade 11/12s.
3. Double of my spare blocks due to the Remembrance Day assembly next week!  I get a break between 9:25am-12:35pm!  Now to think of something totally unproductive to do during that time...
4. The newly put together Christian Club - first meeting I went to today, we played Biblical Charades.  Was lots of fun and nice to see familiar faces of students I didn't know were Christians.
5. Ursula who seeked to resolve our tiff by buying me a larger container of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
6. The man who was very rude, came up to me and Jason and told us off for the driving mistake his son made, and then proceeded to walk away and not listen to our explanation.  We were on our way to church (and so was he).  Jason and I were very angry and felt disrespected.  But through the sermon, we found peace.  Jason was also reminded and shared with me that God often feels how we feel.  Because often when we pray, we rarely listen, but just us spewing out our needs to God.  If we felt angry and unjustified, I can't imagine how God feels.  A good reminder and food for thought.
7. Finding the cheaper version of a higher recommended lip liner.
8. The mini-Halloween chocolate bars.  I feel less guilty eating small ones (now it's just a matter of keeping the numbers to a minimum).
9. The ability to drive to work in the pouring rain and dark mornings.
10. The pouring rain and dark mornings - sounds strange but the change it weather makes me think of Christmas.  Plus waking up and going to work in the dark somehow makes me feel like I woke up earlier than usual and therefore more productive.

Goodnite!

40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 3

Today, I'm thankful for...

1. Jason's dad driving us all down to the states for a bit of shopping.
2. Having some leftover US dollars to use so no need to convert more out of my account.
3. Finding a very warm Columbia winter jacket (thanks to Jason's suggestion since he's a fan) to replace my 5 year old pink puffy North Face jacket.  It was on sale from $210 down to $150 and then an additional 25% off.  And it's actually 2 in 1 so I can unzip the top layer and just wear the bottom layer (which alone costs $70).  Great deal for a quality jacket. 
4. Being able to go find the handbag my sister wanted to buy for my mom at the Coach outlet store, get to the cashier and pay before a huge line-ups formed in- and outside of the store.
5. Being able to sleep during the long car ride.
6. Finding the Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss colours that are not yet (or maybe they won't be available at all) in Vancouver stores!  Been searching in every London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Superstore, and Walmart around here and no luck until today at Target.  And better  yet, the prices is half of what they sell it here.
7. Finding mini Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry ice cream for $1 each (don't get to indulge that like everyday!)
8. Eating some delicious steak once again at Outback Steakhouse.
9. Getting through the borders without waiting too long and with no hassle.
10. Getting home safely from the mini road-trip.

40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 2

Today, I'm thankful for...

1. Having a toilet available when I was suddenly attacked with a major stomachache after what I suspect as eating some old ham.
2. The cool sensation of tiger balm rubbed on my belly.  It reminds me of childhood.
3. Getting paid and being able to pay off my hefty visa bill.
4. Having some Christian students (none of the ones I'm teaching this year) drop by after school and had a short but rather nice chit-chat on science and Christianity.
5. The sunny weather which brightens up my mood, but chilly enough to keep groceries in the car rather than stuffing my refrigerator =)
6. My sweet student who wrote Happy Birthday on a piece of wrapped gum when she found out it was Jason's birthday.
7. My new computer - it's so much faster and the screen is so much brighter!
8. Praise 106.5 - my radio station for the past three years where God uses music and sermons that speak to me.
9. My bed - it's so comfortable *snuggle*
10. The ability to snooze, hopefully dreamlessly, tonight.

40 Day Gratitude Challenge - Day 1

I've accepted Tessa's (http://amileinherheels.blogspot.com/) challenge:
*Tessa Tham Hey BHLC Bloggers!! Let's do this challenge as suggested by CP. Blog about 10 things you're thankful for, daily for the next 40 days :) We should give thanks everyday. Not only on Thanksgiving! Danielle Mah Shauna Lim Paul Chong Aaron S.H. Lo Kevin K Chong Elena Tsang*

Hopefully there never comes in time in my life when I'm no longer thankful.  Praise the Lord for this challenge.

1. Mom: 
   Cooking dinner for us every night despite the long, tough work hours.  Preparing my lunch for me so I can just grab it out of the fridge (good job, food teachers), and doing household chores on her day off.  My schedule would be way more packed without her, and I know I don't deserve it.
2. Dad:
   Working from 5am-8pm everyday to be our provider of many of the luxuries in life while he skimps on himself.  Please Lord, don't let me forget to pray that he will eventually open his heart up to You.
3. Theo:
   Kindhearted and inspires me to be a person I used to be.  He's still often more patient than most of us in the family and reminds me of my popo.  His negative traits are a reminder of what we've taught him.  How shameful I am to not have been a better example. 
4. Ursula:
   For sharing her love of fashion and her life issues with me, despite the constant backlash she gets from a tough-love type of sister (yes, both for shopping and for other life problems).
5. Brenda:
   For continuing to keep in touch with the family even after having married and moved out.  For her understanding in many situations and rarely ever making me feel guilty.
6. Jason:
   For dropping by after school to surprise me with a screamer and helping me supervise my kids while I make my grocery runs, for being patient even when I'm not reasonable, and for showing me how to have healthy relationships.
7. Catering Club
   During my practicum, I wished for students who were like my sponsors'.  They hung out in the classroom, shared their life with them, and jumped to help out whenever possible.  During that time, I was inspired seeing that they have such a connection and I wondered if I would ever have that.  For the past 3 years of teaching, I have almost immediately gained my own lovely group of kids, known as the Catering Club who are willing to do just that.  They make my job worthwhile.
8. My teaching job
   After receiving the lay-off notice at the end of the last school year, I'm thankful to once again be teaching full-time without financial worry.
9. My make-up job
   The consistent flow of clients, even when unexpected.  Thank you friends for your referrals, for believing in my work, and for allowing me to do what I enjoy.
10. God
    For without Him, none of the above would be possible.  Just as I was listening to a sermon on Praise 106.5 last night, often we take too much credit for what He has blessed us with.  He's reminded me to be humble and loving, a challenge I constantly need to battle with.

I tried to be specific because if I'm any more general, I'm sure I'll be repeating myself day in and day out.  I guess last thing I'm going to say is that I'm thankful I'm at home typing this today rather than still being at work =)

A pair of shoes I'm currently craving but know that it'll be a bad idea to buy them because they're too high and I'll be limping within 5 minutes of wearing them on concrete.  Why do my feet not have any cushion?!

EDIT

I changed my mind after going in and trying it.  It doesn't look as good on the feet as it does by itself, though it is quite a work of art.  I ended up trying on and loving these peach shoes that reminds me of my mom's back when we were kids.  Very retro but I love it!