The past few months for me have been a little bumpy (what with the health issues, the weird weather and everything) but overall, life hasn't been bad at all. I'm back home! That's something to be very thankful for. Originally when I set off for Taiwan, I planned to return around Thanksgiving this year, but it ended up happening a little sooner than planned, and I'm really thankful for that (despite the rollercoaster the past 3 months have been), the least of which is because I love this time of year so, so much. I am doubly cheerful this year because I missed the winter holidays last year. Well, I didn't "miss" them, but being in 80*F temperatures during the winter holidays where Thanksgiving isn't celebrated (of course) and Christmas is downplayed just doesn't feel like celebrating the holidays at all.

Here is a short list of things I'm thankful for right now ...

• My family and friends
• Autumn! I've finally decided that this is my favorite season, and oh how I've missed seeing the beautiful colors of fall, and the crisp weather, the fall wardrobes ... and of course harvest season foods!
• The luxury of sort of taking my time to figure out what I want to do next
• The tolerance and ideological freedom of the United States