Attitude of Gratitude

In honor of Thanksgiving (arguably my favorite holiday), I'm going to write this entire blog post in "I'm grateful for..." statements and scriptures to emphasize how important gratitude is to Heavenly Father.

"in everything give thanks" (D&C 98:1)

I'm grateful I was able to take Mike to one of my favorite places in DC - The Kennedy Center - for one of their daily free performances.

I'm grateful we were able to share a mind-opening cultural experience (Indonesian hip hop artists), even though I did not enjoy the actual music.

I'm grateful we were able to enjoy the beautiful night skyline of Georgetown (another favorite place) and go to Institute before he left for Ohio the rest of the week.

I'm grateful for a boyfriend who appreciates, supports, and tries to understand me.

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 37:37)

I'm grateful for my health and the opportunity to finally use my yoga pass to take a barre yoga class at EpicYoga

Grateful for how graceful, strong, and beautiful the class made me feel and all the cool new poses I learned.

"Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. (D&C 59:18-21)

I'm grateful I had warm neighbors/roommates/friends to share Thanksgiving with.

Being a foodie, I'm grateful for FOOD and the variety and quantity God has enabled me to enjoy.

I'm grateful for how much food can enhance and enrich life.

I'm grateful I was able to spend Thanksgiving with friends old and new :)

I'm grateful for Britt's efforts to create an elegant, homey experience for us.

I'm grateful I didn't accidentally drink the alcoholic apple cider Britt accidentally bought hahaha

I'm grateful chronic hunger is not something I have to worry about, tho uncomfortable fullness and food comas occasionally are...(2nd plate in 2 hours, 5th Thanksgiving meal this month - see last week's post)

"If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." (D&C 136:28)

I'm grateful I was able to go to the Broadway Jazz class at Joy of Motion again!!! (it's usually during my work time)

I'm grateful for opportunities to challenge my body with new dance movements/genres while feeling confident with my Latin dance foundation, tho my Latin hip actions come out in dances that shouldn't have it! (see video of routine on Facebook)

"He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." (D&C 78:19)

I'm grateful for the means to go shopping on Black Friday and for all the affordable clothes I got for winter (remind me never to wear dance clothes out in public again).

I'm grateful I had the time to catch up with 2 good friends and finally get some Chinese food in Chinatown! (I've had crepes, smoothies, sandwiches, etc. in Chinatown - but never Chinese food...oh, the irony!)

I'm grateful for soup - my ultimate comfort food; this egg drop soup was particularly yellow...and delicious

I'm grateful I got to refuel before my next dance class (can't believe I cleaned that plate).

I'm grateful for multicultural friends who get that side of me, and who let me try their food hehe.

I'm grateful I was able to use up my dance pass on the expiration date by going to an intermediate jazz class - it was so intense and exhausting that I didn't stay to take any pics/videos.

I'm grateful I was able to catch up on a ton (10+ hours) of homework, indulge in Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, go to Church, and do visiting teaching.

Other things I'm also grateful for:

My family - for their love and support, the whole eclectic mix of them
My friends/roommates - for their understanding, acceptance, and advice
My education - for a chance to expand my mind/skills and establish a career
My job - for steady income, full benefits, and great coworkers
My apartment - for its comfort and conveniences
My Talents/Gifts - for multiple ways to reach my potential
Technology - for the ability to communicate, travel, etc. unlike any other time
Music - for its magical power to touch my soul
Dance - for the beauty, fun, and inspiration it brings to my life
Personal Revelation - for God's specific instruction just for me
Scriptures - for spiritual knowledge and reminders
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - talk about perfect unconditional love (John 3:16)
Temples & Covenants - to provide an eternal perspective and hope
America - for its freedoms, rights, and responsibilities
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - for without it, I would be lost

"Live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which [God] doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38)

Series of Indulgences

I don't know how I'm not 600 pounds right now because this week was PACKED with gastronomical indulgences!

Thursday - Was craving comfort food so I treated myself to lunch at Whole Foods...and didn't realize until I paid for it that I had 2 more Thanksgiving meals this weekend! Mmm it was still good...loooved the mushroom gravy

Still using up classes on my dance pass so I decided to give modern dance a try since I've always made fun of it...I was thoroughly unimpressed.

We spent most of the 45 minute warm-up (it was a 90 minute class) rolling around on the floor. I don't like how loose and undisciplined it all felt. It's like when I gave West African dance a try and learned what kinds of dance I prefer (see blog post). All the moves in modern seemed so arbitrary and I didn't even break a sweat, nor did I feel beautiful, graceful, strong, or challenged. None of the reasons why I dance were fulfilled (see other blog post) so I was thoroughly frustrated about the big waste of time. At least now I can say I've tried modern dance and still dislike it!

Friday - the 7th floor of the med school building had a Thanksgiving potluck

My plate. Favorite: corn pudding

with 2 great coworkers

Dessert table

I'm a "sampler" when it comes to dessert...the chocolate mousse was my favorite

After work, Mike met me at my work for our date. It started with an intellectual indulgence at Barnes & Noble (we both love books/bookstores). It was such a cute date idea - we each had 25 minutes to find 4 books that best define/describe us. It was harder than I thought! I came back with 7 books so he said we could each choose 5. Then we spent the next 2.5 hours talking about why they represented or were significant to us. What an adorable nerd I'm dating :)

Wish I had time to read all these!

Then came the culinary indulgence - we went back to his place and baked red velvet cake!

Mike made us popcorn in a wok while the cake baked hahaa - he's more Chinese than I am in some ways

Lesson learned: don't bake cake in a bread pan...unless you want a molten lava cake!

It kinda fell apart, but wasn't any less delicious with cream cheese frosting!

Tried to watch one of my favorite movies that Mike had never seen - Life is Beautiful - but we both fell asleep haha. I highly recommend it (the movie, not falling asleep during it)!




Saturday - Mike's mom was in town so we got to show her around Georgetown and she treated us to "breakfast" at Georgetown Cupcakes (my 1st time!). With all the many cupcake places in DC, I wanted to see why this one gets the most fame.

Unlike the modern dance class, it did not disappoint! I picked the key lime and caramel apple. They spilled over in the box but WOW - I'm a believer.

It was a beautiful and unusually warm day!

No room to sit in the shop so we ate on the cow bench outside Ben & Jerry's haha. Gotta go back for their ice cream some time.

Spent the rest of the day helping with our big ward Thanksgiving activity and temple trip. I helped at the registration table.

We had this much food multiplied by 5. Great turnout...

...great food... tho it's rather embarrassing when my plate is fuller than anyone else's at the table, including the guys'. Favorite: Honey Baked Ham's turkey - that store lives up to its reputation as well. Yum!

...great company! Former roommates, current friends :)

Then over 100 members of our ward headed to the gorgeous Washington D.C. temple...almost too beautiful for words.

It's not Thanksgiving yet but I'm grateful for...

1) wonderful people in my life
2) all the good food I was able to indulge in this week
3) two more dance classes on my pass to help burn off the excess calories

Bond with Bond

You know how they say "Love comes when you're least expecting it"? Combine that with my belief that "God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself" and that basically describes how a special guy allowed me to change my relationship status on Facebook for the first time in 20 months (yes, I counted). Oh, and he's the unnamed person I explored Old Town Alexandria and watched Wreck-It Ralph with in last week's post haha.

Between our 1st encounter at a Church social and our 2nd encounter at Institute 6 weeks later, I had decided to give up on boys - I was tired of putting so much effort into trying to meet new guys and getting them to like me but being rejected that I was emotionally depleted. I decided to focus instead on exploring new dance experiences and doing member missionary work (oh yea, and grad school). But then it was like God chuckled mischievously and finally placed a man in my life who appreciates me for ME! How refreshing :)

His name is Bond, Mike Bond...which made it extra fun to go to a party to celebrate the premiere of the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, because I was able to say I went to see [James] Bond with [Mike] Bond and be a Bond girl (not the sleazy kind). So we dressed all spiffy and I got all dolled up to go to an awesome soiree hosted by Rob, a friend from church. He put out lots of props for us to take pics with :D

We had alot of fun with that...

"Hmm what other poses can we do?"

"Haha we suck at coming up with poses"

The boys had fun with the guns, as boys are wont to do

I held a real gun for the first time - eek!

A girl can't help but feel safe and empowered when she's guarded by 2 strapping men with guns (even if they were unloaded haha)

Then we sashayed over to the "bar" and Mike prepared us a couple of Mormon martinis :D

Tres chic

After a bit more sashaying around the party, we caravaned to the movie theatre for the late night showing. Admittedly, I don't think I've ever watched an entire James Bond movie, but Skyfall did not disappoint.





Coincidentally, Mike is just starting to get into salsa dancing and I've been doing it for 6 years, so I was happy to teach him some basic steps and techniques - he was such an attentive and diligent student :) Then we headed to The Salsa Room and met up with Melanie. Hip shaking fun was had by all.

On Sunday, our apartment had another dinner party. There was lots of good food...

...including Mike's homemade bread, which impressed the roomies haha

After dinner, we watched the Joseph Smith video and some others, and played a rousing musical game of Signs :D Then, of course, we had to do the traditional "family" pic...

...and goofy pic

Had a great week of bonding with Mr. Bond (along with many others!), who will likely be joining me in living DC to the fullest in the future...