Not Just Thankful on Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I truly hope you have a fantastic day and that you are surrounded by family, friends, and good food. I love Thanksgiving, it is a pretty low-key holiday, but what it represents is what makes me so happy. I really try to send out gratitude for all of the blessings in my life every single day, but today is the day we get to really show how thankful we are for things.

Some things I am thankful for in no particular order:
-My family and the fact that they are healthy and happy.
-My friends who have shown me what true friendship is all about, and continue to stay by my side even though I live in a different state now.
-Forming new, great friendships in Arizona.
-Having a roof over my head and a comfy bed to sleep in at night.
-My roommate and our hilarious moments together.
-The opportunities that this year has brought me. I am so happy I decided to move away and follow my dreams.
-My health.
-I'm even thankful for the bad times, because they help you appreciate the good times so much more.
-Food, of course.
-I'm thankful for not being scared to go after what I want, like I used to be. You only have one life, so you have to take every opportunity and run with it, and never let fear hold you back.

Of course I could go on and on for days because my life is so amazing and I have been blessed beyond belief. This post is a reminder to me to not just be thankful on Thanksgiving, but to give thanks for everyday and every little thing! I hope you all have just as much, if not more to be thankful for today and everyday! Enjoy your time with the ones that mean the most, and to those people who aren't able to, may you be able to very soon! xoxo!

Inspiration When Needed

I know this probably happens to a lot of people, but by the end of the semester I am definitely lacking motivation, dedication, and most importantly, inspiration. Thanksgiving is next week and then there's only a few weeks until winter break, and I'm sure that is the only thing on most peoples' minds. Lately I feel that I haven't really been where I'm at. When I say that, what I really mean is that I am physically in the places that I am, obviously, but my heart and mind haven't been fully there at the same time. I have been slacking at things that I was so dedicated to at the beginning of the semester, and today is exactly what I needed to remind me that I am where I am right now for a reason, and that I am in the right place.

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication honors a journalist with the Award for Excellence in Journalism every year. This year's recipient was Christiane Amanpour, and today was the day she came to our school and received this award. At the beginning of the semester we were told that if we attended Must See Mondays, which is where every Monday our school hosts a speaker for us students to listen to, and the Cronkite Night at the Movies, and then blog about these events, we would have the opportunity to possibly attend the award luncheon. I knew I wanted to go from the very beginning, and I attended as many events as possible and blogged about them all to get the opportunity to go. This week I was so ecstatic when reading through my e-mails and I received one telling me I was chosen to attend the luncheon. A lot of students got to go, and I think that is awesome they give us this opportunity. 

Christiane Amanpour spoke to students this morning in the First Amendment Forum, and I loved listening to her stories about her career and the advice she has for all of us future journalists. She is such an intelligent woman, and today really reminded me why I chose this field to go into. Journalism can change peoples' lives for the better, and my biggest dream is to make a difference in someone's life and hopefully help make this world a better place. The free three course (amazing) meal was just an added bonus, but the real treat was getting to be in the presence of someone I admire so much. I am so thankful for all of these opportunities, and I finally feel back on track with my goal and my dreams, so thank you Christiane Amanpour and the Walter Cronkite School.

Maria and I at the luncheon.

Part of the luncheon... there were so many people.

Carrie and I at our table.

The food was delicious.

Christiane Amanpour on the big screen accepting her award.

Tricks Not Treats.

You'd probably think this post was going to be about Halloween, but I'm afraid it's not. A friend and I went out to dinner tonight, and I was really excited to try a new restaurant I found just by parking in front of it on my way to class the other day. The place is called House of Tricks, and it is located off of Mill Avenue on 7th Street in Tempe. When I first saw it I thought it was a house with a really cute front yard, but then realized it was a restaurant. I told my friend we should do dinner there this week, and she said that she has heard nothing but good things from them. Well, I'm sad to say that now I have nothing good to say about them. 

We got there and the hostess was nowhere to be found. She finally came back to her stand and sat us at a decent table by one of those portable heaters since it is getting chilly in Arizona. We got water and complimentary bread with a really good garlic-type butter. When another group of people was sat about ten minutes after us and had already gotten drinks and were getting their order taken, and we had not even been asked if we wanted something to drink, we decided it was time to go. You can be the nicest restaurant in the world, with the best menu, but if you have horrible service, people aren't going to want to eat there.

We ended up going to a place we know has great service and delicious food, Rula Bula. It is an adorable little Irish Pub with great food, yummy drinks, live music, and great service. Definitely recommend if you are ever in the Tempe area!