What I’m Thankful For

There was a video where I said all of this, but after much difficulty uploading the file, I gave up and decided to write it all out. Please imagine facial expressions and arm movements of loving gratitude towards you all.

Also, this comes nowhere close to thanking the people and the things that have made 2009 such an incredible year in the way they deserve to be thanked. But it’s a start.

My Family – I don’t actually need to write you here, because you’ll hear the real version. But thank you.

HPA Members, Chapters, and Staff - You all amaze me. Every time I talk to you or check my email or read about what you’re doing, my heart gives a little jump because I feel so honored and grateful to be a part of this. I hope you all know how much of an impact you’re having on the world. Chapters especially, you all give me hope in the world that we are creating. Thank you for being a part of my life, and working so hard to make the projects we envision together come to life. Also, staff, thank you for making me laugh loudly and frequently.

North Carolina Wizards – oh, wow. It’s a hard one to write, because I’d much rather just hug you all. You make life interesting, exciting, and above all, very very happy. Thank you.

UNC – (I’m so used to writing it for radio I put it in as U-N-C the first time) You house some of the best professors and friends I’ve met. Thank you for letting me, keeping me around, and making me very unsure of what I want to do with my life. You’re pushing me to be the best Karen I can be (that reference was just for dad).

Sababa – ooooh what a day! We have a CD! And went to Charlotte (thank you for making that trek and making my family happy). Seriously, you all are responsible for many of my favorite moments each week. Let us KEEP singing songs for the peaceing of the world.

New Yorkers – Thank you for making me feel welcome in your city, and feeding me hot dogs and nuts for an absurdly low price. Also, thank you for student theater discount tickets. And people of NYC (The ones I got close to), thank you for feeding me, teaching me how to use the subways, hanging out with me, and putting up with my crazy and mistyped texting.

Everyone at STAND, Mass Equality, and the other partner organizations I’ve gotten to work with: I am in awe of the work you do. Thank you for letting me a part of it.

Bus 790 and Birthright Israel – Wow, folks. What a trip. What a quest, even. Thank you for the memories, the experiences, and keeping in touch when we got back. Let’s do it again. (also, I finally got some of my pictures printed. Last week. Finally).

Leakycon 2009 Staff and Attendees – You changed my life in ways I still don’t quite know how to say in words. THank you for planning it. Thank you for helping me get there (also, to the HPA Board, thank you for this and so many other things that you do). And Andrew and Kate, thank you for letting me plan and putting up with my overly-thought out plans.

Journalism folks – I have learned so much, about news and about what I want to do. Thank you for teaching me and helping me learn and letting me work on some very memorable stories.

The Ace Gang – You make me happy. I’m very happy I got to live with 2/3 of you for some amount of time this year. Anna…you’re next!!

The Roommate – oh god, where to start. thank you thank you a thousand times, thank you.

Nanowrimo writers and OLL staff – You are prominent in all of my Thanksgiving thanks becuase I’m either done and grateful for the accomplished feeling, or struggling to finish and grateful for your inspiration. Thanks for making the last 4 thanksgivings memorable. This on’e shaping up the same way.

People who Donate Money to Good Causes – It is needed and appreciated in ways you can’t imagine. Thank you for making it possible for me to do the work I want to do.

The Individuals – You know who you are. This is me saying thank you for everything.

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