Well, I’m in a bit of a freaked mood because I had a scary and violent run in with a crazy homeless guy in the Tenderloin this afternoon (and had to call SFPD), but am going to try and let that go and instead focus on appreciating all that is good in my life.

A smattering of stuff that I’m thankful for this year:

  • My new EMT job!  I’ve worked two shifts so far and really love my new company.  Think I’ve been doing well, gotten a few “good job, Rook” from my FTOs on my assessments these past few days.  Oh and the cookies went over well, too!  New company just seems like a friendly, supportive, and CARING place to work… it’s got a very “family” vibe and a refreshing lack of attitude in the employees.  We even are having a Christmas party on December 13th!
  • My career change.  Occasionally I’ll still get my mind boggled when I’m in the back of an ambulance, doing a patient work up and it strikes me that I now make my living helping people.  I’m so happy and proud that I had the guts to go through with the career change from finance, and really thrilled to be now working in the EMS industry.  It’s so nice to feel that after a long time of being professionally lost that I have found what I was looking for.
  • That I learned how to cook.  We miss NYC food scene something fierce, however living in SF has its advantages: namely- the lack of cheap, quick and good delivery which forced my hand into learning how to cook.  And cook I’ve done.  I’m not intimidated by anything anymore!  Did I tell you that Earl and I even roasted our own turkey a few weeks back?  I’ve been cooking up a storm- we eat homemade dinners almost 4x a week now.   A Jim Beam, maple hazelnut pie is currently in the works for Turkey Day tomorrow.
  • Family- long distance ones and the close ones.  I’m so grateful that even though my parents and sisters are all the way on the other side of the country that we still keep in close contact and update each other on our lives.  As for my family out here, man they have just been incredible, welcoming us with open arms.
  • Friends- seeing my friend Amy tomorrow, as she’s meeting me out at my Aunt’s in Pleasanton and we’re doing that awesome 30 mile bike loop together through Palomares Canyon pre-big family dinner.  Sort of a bike-version of a Turkey Trot… so we won’t feel guilty chowing down later.  I’m lobbying Earl to join us on the ride, but he is more leaning towards “sleep in” than get up at 8am and ride 30 miles… we will see how that goes.  Also, my friend Nick is flying in next weekend and we are going up to Sacramento for the California Marathon.  I also feel like I am *juuuuust starting* to develop some close friends out here in SF proper.  It hasn’t been easy.  I have to remember when I moved to NYC it took about 4 years before I had a really close circle of friends…  have to try and relax, let that happen naturally and stop stressing over it.
  • Getting back in shape.  Have I told you that I’m currently at my lowest weight in well… almost a year and a half?! !!   Yep!  Very exciting… and even more exciting is the fact that I’ll soon be able to fit into old clothes.  It’s like getting a whole new wardrobe for free :D   HURRAH to that.
  • Speaking of getting back into shape, I’m thankful to have found a great yoga studio!  I joined a Bikram in the Castro last week and so far have really been loving it.  The studio is so clean and warm (in both temperature and mood) and the fellow yogis are down to earth and welcoming to a newbie.  Trying to go 4x a week.  I feel so great after.  I think with my new schedule of working four 12-hour shifts it’s going to be all the more important to decompress and relax when I can, so should be a pretty healthy routine to get into.  Going to try and keep a primary focus on running and have yoga be secondary to that.  The yoga studio is just about 1 mile from our apartment, so I’ve been walking over for classes.  It’s a beautiful walk through the city to get there, too!
  • Volunteering in the Emergency Department at San Francisco General Hospital.  After 8 months of trying, I finally got in there (they had a huge waiting list and backlog of wannabe med students and others hoping to become volunteers).  Their Trauma Center is truly state of the art- I watched a UCSF presentation on their trauma stats breakdown a few weeks ago and was blown away with the not only the volume of patients and diversity of injuries, but the level of care the facility is able to provide while dealing with so many varieties of patients from all walks of life.  I’m extremely proud to be a small part of such a top notch facility and to be giving my time there.
  • I negotiated $300 a month off our rent.  We won’t be as strapped any more!  Plus with my new raise (and lots of overtime :P ), it looks like the edge has been taken off the lean times.  Even though we aren’t rolling in cash there is no shortage of love in this house.
  • Of course my two four legged lovies.  No matter how much of a funk I’m in, when Lucy kneads her paws against me while sitting in the small of my back (which she is doing right now as I type this!) or Linus waggles his butt in excitement and grins his corgirific “smile,” I will with happiness.
  • Finally, my beloved Midwestern hunk o’ nerd, the love of my life.  For once, I’ll be succinct about how crazy I am about this guy ;) Speaking of, here is an adorable photo of Lucy sitting on his chest while he’s trying to work.  How is he supposed to get any work done with a fatty purring fur “wall” between him and the computer screen?!?  Silly kitten.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Love and Turkey to you,
Ceej