Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought I would take some time out of this day full of cooking and family and list the things that I am thankful for this year:
Good health for myself and all of my loved ones. Amazing friends that I love and trust who are always there for me. A supportive, loving family that I can depend on. An incredible boyfriend who has made my transition to NYC so easy and fun - I couldn't imagine another man in my life. A job that I love and coworkers who I can call friends. Being involved in an academic program that I am enjoying and will help me to get ahead in my career. Having the opportunity to play in a professional orchestra (and sometimes to even sit principal horn!). The ability to have my own apartment in the city and be able to financially support myself. -- It is amazing how many wonderful things I have to be thankful for this year.

After watching coverage of the attacks in India, I really thought about how lucky I am to have so many blessings in my life. I hope when you are reading this you will think about all the things you are thankful for and all of the wonderful opportunities we each have in our lives. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Growing up

So... I'm a complete blog slacker. BUT in my defense I've been super busy with school, work, orchestra, and now ushering on the side (which is the coolest part-time job ever -- I get paid to watch operas, drama productions, ballets, etc.). Living in NYC has been an adventure so far. I've been exploring the bar scene, restaurants, my neighborhood, museums, and parks. I absolutely LOVE city life - there's always so much to do and so many places to visit.

This past weekend two of my close friends from high school came for a visit and it was so great to see them after 5 years. So much time has passed but it was nice to see that the three of us all stayed true to ourselves. When we were together, it felt like no time had passed since the last time we were all together (which I think was Kristine's high school graduation party). Having all started at the same place, it was interesting to see the paths each of us took to get to where we are now. We relearned about each others lives, had some drinks, reminisced about old times and old friends, talked about people we used to know and how much they have changed over the years. Some of the people we used to call our best friends have become strangers, others have moved far away and lost touch. It was wonderful to see how well my old friends were doing. At the end of the night we promised to never let that much time pass between visits again.

As we get older, the years fly by so much faster. I can't believe it's already been 5 years since high school graduation and that I'm an adult in the real world. I'm busier than ever with more responsibilities. I've grown up, my dreams and goals have changed and I've changed too. Growing up is both terrifying and a lot of fun. I'm sure this is probably true for everyone. It was great to catch up with old friends who know where I have been. They hold a piece of my past and have shaped who I am. Even though we're all going through different experiences, it's nice to know that our memories will always remain the same.

Money can't buy happiness afterall

I was writing a paper this past week about how nonprofits lose sight of their mission as they become larger in order to compete with the private sector. With the economy being so horrible, it made me think about my own life and the lives of so many who have lost their jobs. I didn't choose a career where I'd make the big bucks but I'm always happy at my job and I love what I do. Being surrounded by the arts makes me feel fulfilled and instead of being miserable and working crazy hours, I'm doing something I believe in and making a modest salary. As hundreds of people lose their jobs (the line for the crosstown bus has gotten significantly shorter over the past few weeks) I keep thinking about how they must be evaluating their lives. So many people choose a high stress career that makes lots of money instead of doing something more relaxing and enjoyable. Now after years or even decades of working for a company, putting in endless hours and dedicating their time to a company that they trusted would provide them with a comfortable life, they're out of luck. Did they love their job and are sad now not to be working? Are they angry about losing their retirement money after years of going to a job they hated? Do they worry about their future and the future of their families? It's extremely sad to think about how many people are victims of our failing economy but maybe now that they're not in a cubicle stressing out and crunching numbers, they'll have time to relax - read a book that they've been putting off, spend time with their kids, or just do nothing at all and stare at the television. Maybe doing nothing for a while is not such a bad thing.

I guess the moral of the story is do what makes you happy and don't worry about the money because you never know when it will be gone.