As Thanksgiving rolls around, I realize many people are dedicating at least a moment to stop and think what they're thankful for. When I stop to think about what I am thankful for, I realize a lot of it sounds generic: family, friends, life, love, shelter, etc. It's great to be thankful for these things, but there are also many more random, minuscule things to be thankful for and bring a little source of joy. Here are some of these things that seem small and irrelevant, but I am thankful for because they bring me happiness:
1. The sound of a violin.
2. The way my Brazilian mother says the word 'squirrel' (skrull).
3. French fries.
4. Baby laughs.
5. The way cold water tastes when you finally drink it after being out in the hot sun.
6. The sound my sister's tortoise makes when she munches on lettuce.
7. Harry Styles.
8. Dumb movies you watch at 3 AM with your friends and the sleep deprivation makes it even funnier.
9. The color of the sky when the sun is setting or rising.
10. The smell of birthday candles when you blow them out.
11. The color turquoise.
12. Green eyes.
13. Car rides at night on the highway when you're singing at the top of your lungs.
14. Tan lines.
15. When someone tells you to text them when you've arrived safely.
16. Holding someone's hand.
17. That transitional feeling on a roller coaster between being terrified and actually enjoying yourself.
18. Getting emotionally attached to fictional characters.
19. Zac Efron singing 'Bet On It' in High School Musical 2.
20. When someone remembers a little detail you once told them.
21. Being told: "You're my best friend."
22. Even numbers.
23. Having a desk lamp with an outlet so that I don't have to reach under my bed to get my charger.
24. The smell of a book.
25. Grandparents.
26. When someone sings their heart out and you throw up both your hands and say "yessssss."
27. Being inspired.
28. Being proud of where you're from.
29. How soft my little sister's cheeks are when I squish them.
30. Discovering new music.
31. Pepper on your Mac n Cheese.
32. That first second when you meet a new person and realize they're super cute.
33. British accents.
34. Emily Blunt and everything she does.
35. Finding a new favorite show.
36. When someone writes you a letter.
37. The little song my laundry machine plays when it's done washing my clothes.
38. Disney movies.
39. When I was a little kid and I didn't complain when my mom took me to the bank with her because I knew they had lollipops.
40. Libraries.
41. Women empowering each other.
42. Sleeping in.
43. Summer vacation during high school.
44. How cool the Zakim Bridge in Boston looks at night.
45. The Italian language.
46. Dimples.
47. Chocolate.
48. When I was playing Uno with my friends and one friend asked another what color she wanted to change the game to and my friend responded: "Four."
49. Sitting around a fire with your friends.
50. Being able to tell the difference between a temporary friendship and one that will last forever.
