1. I am grateful for siblings that I love to hang out with. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in a family where this was not the case.
2. I am grateful that I have been able to be around all of my nieces and nephews while they’ve been little. 
3. I am grateful that my married siblings have found spouses that make them happy and that they have good marriages.

The past three years have not been the kindest to me in terms of my weight. I hit an all time high last April (graduation time) which means I have all of one graduation picture I can stand and most of my grad school pictures make me slightly depressed. That said, grad school was a lot to manage in terms of time commitments and eating commitments (late night study groups, “networking” lunches, etc, etc), so I can’t be too hard on myself.

But, I was determined to make some changes once I graduated. During the six weeks I was in AZ before moving to New York, I was on a very regimented, doctor supervised diet. I did another round of the diet over that past six weeks (this time I wasn’t quite as successful, but I still lost quite a bit…it’s harder to do while working and living in New York). I am finally feeling comfortable in my skin again. And I’m fitting into my cute clothes that I haven’t been able to get into for three years.

I’m definitely concerned about gaining the weight back. I think maintenance requires lots more strength of mind and will than losing the weight…when the numbers on the scale are going down, the motivation is high. When you’re working hard to just stay the same weight…not so motivating.

Anyway, here’s what losing about 30 lbs looks like. (Yes, I am shamelessly tooting my own horn.)

I still want to lose more…but I definitely wanted to celebrate my progress.

1. I’m grateful for Facebook and all of the “happy birthday” wall posts I received today. I know it’s not as personal as a phone call or email (and I am grateful for the calls, emails, and texts I received also), but it’s kind of fun to know that all of these people, even if just for two seconds, were thinking about me on my birthday.
2. I’m grateful for communication technology that allows me to talk to people throughout the world with just a thought!
3. I’m grateful for direct flights from JFK to PHX so that I can spend part of my birthday with my family!

1. I am grateful that 15 years ago I became friends with one of my dearest of all friends, Jennifer. And being friends with Jennifer led to me being friends with Sarah. And being friends with Sarah led to me being friends with Kelly and Candice. So basically, I’m really glad Jen was born. Happy Birthday Jen!
2. I am grateful for the new friends I am making in NYC, and especially at work! Today I got to spend the day at Cornell interviewing candidates with one of my coworkers. The four hour drive both directions helped me to get to know her much better and vice versa and having friends at work just makes my job that much better.
3. I am grateful for all of my MBA friends and the advice that they are willing to give me when I really need it. 

1. I am grateful to live in a country where we can vote on our leaders. Even if sometimes people make really dumb choices. 
2. I am grateful for religious freedom and love living in a city where evidence of that freedom is displayed every day.
3. I am grateful for the armed forces that help protect our country and our freedoms.