25 on my 25th

Good morning sunshines!

I'm totally swooping on this idea from Jeannie's bday blog post. Nonetheless, here are 25 things that I am thankful for on my 25th birthday:

1. My health. For some reason, among all my blessings in life, this is one of the things that first come to mind to be really thankful for. My everyday life is made way simpler than I often realize because I am not allergic to shellfish, pollen, or pet dander, nor do I have to wear glasses, nor do I have any more complicated conditions. I will do all that I can to stay fit and healthy forever as a tribute to my gratitude for good health.
   
2. Comfy peep-toe flats! Thank you for sparing my precious feet from pain while still managing to look cute.
   
3. Corporate America. Are you confused? Didn’t Lara quit her 9-5 so she could do volunteer work and travel? Absolutely, I did. But how could I not show some love for the job that provided with me enough so that I could stop working and instead study Yoga, travel to several countries, and spend my bday in Hawaii with my best friend without ever a worry about finances? I absolutely couldn’t be more thankful for this.
   
4. Trader Joe’s and all it's deliciously healthy treats.
   
5. Target. We all know I could putter around this store forever!
   
6. Non-profit organizations and their big-hearted founders. Forever my inspirations. Thank you for helping me by allowing me to help others. You’ve changed my life, and the lives of so many others.
   Justice Now
   Asian American Recovery Services
   Isara Charity Foundation
   Full Life Counseling & Training Center
   
7. Yoga. You may or may not understand this and I may sound like a hippie, but I’ve never been more aware of myself or my potential.
   
   
   
8. All the people I’ve met in random parts of the world. Some of you annoyed the heck out of me. Some of you I became great friends with. A lot of you, I don’t remember your names or may have never even learned them. Nonetheless, the worldly perspectives I’ve gained from you regarding life, love, and politics are priceless, and lessons that could not have been learned by staying in one place.
   
9. Sappy movies that make me cry, including Click and Bride Wars.
   
10. Gracie baby! This bundle of sunshine and flowers makes me happy to the point of actually understanding how my Mom can love her little girl as much as she does.
    
    
    
11. Hella good pizza. Self-explanatory.
    
12. Big sunglasses. So I can inconspicuously stare at…
    
13. Hot guys. Haha! When do I get to meet these 2?
    
    
    
14. Gmail, and lotsa other Google creations, like Google Chrome and Picasa. Thank you for organizing my online life in an intuitive, efficient, and cute manner.
    
15. Planes, trains, buses, cars, and boats that took me safely to wherever I was going.
    
16. Musicians, artists, dancers, singers, writers, poets… creative people who share their art and talent as they should.
    
17. UC Berkeley. Never was I more proud than the day I was able to walk across the stage at the Greek Theatre and receive my diploma. Thank you for allowing me to spend formative years as a young adult in the presence of brilliant minds and a liberal environment that would forever shape my future endeavors. Go Bears!
    
    
    
18. The best family in the world. Anyone who knows any member of my family can vouch that I was grown with love. I love you all for always supporting me. And partying with me ;)
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. My Shu Uemura eyelash curler! It's simply the best!
    
20. The treadmill. Sure, I never truly enjoyed running. But I must give a shout out to the machine that helped me burn booty and allowed me to spend 30 minutes daydreaming about my future.
    
21. People that don’t hate their jobs. You know, friendly grocers, employees that ask, “How are you?” and listen to the answer. Thank you for genuine smiles and for not being mean =)
    
22. Sea, sand, and sunsets all over the world.
    
    
    
23.  Amazingly beautiful girlfriends. Real, true friends are gems and I’m so lucky to have such a shiny collection. These girls are intelligent and fun and also super hot! Despite us sometimes being separated by time and distance, all doing our own things with jobs or school, we all know how lucky we are to have each other.
    
    
    
    
    
24. My parents. Because I came through them, although I am not theirs. Thank you for providing for me in a way that can only be explained as selfless love.
    
    
    
25. God’s obvious presence in my life =)

This list could go on and on. I had to stop myself, really. I'm thankful for everything! What better way to celebrate today than to remind myself that life is beautiful.

I still feel so young and know I am blessed with everything the future has in store for me. Thank you for all the birthday love and wishes. We'll celebrate the next time I see you!