Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For

Having finally come to from my turkey-induced coma, I can offer you the Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For. This was quite an interesting exercise because I found a lot to be thankful for but had a difficult time choosing what would make the cut and then how to write about it. I took some pointers from this interesting article about gratitude journals that I read in the NYT on my way home Thanksgiving Day. Apparently, a gratitude journal can make you a happier person. After reading the article, I honestly considered starting a gratitude journal of my own, but then I realized being happier might compromise my caustic wit and thought the better of it.

5) Preliminary Deadlines - As much as I hate them, I really love them. Every single one of my classes this semester has had preliminary deadlines for our semester projects/papers. Even though I’ve half-assed every single one of them, I’m glad to know that I have something down on paper even if that something sucks.



4) Neighbors - I’ve never been much of the neighborly type, I tend to keep myself and prefer that others keep to themselves as well. But now that I have friendly neighbors, boy am I glad I do. Here’s why: They’ll do things for you! Like take care of your cat and bring in your newspaper while you’re out of town. Also, there’s that sense of community thing, but that’s really secondary to having people do favors for you.



3) Having Someone to Come Home To—even if that someone is a cat. I was really happy that I got a cat over the summer when I came home to find her genuinely excited to see me. It sure beat coming back to a cold, dark, empty house, even if Bayani can’t cook me dinner or give me a back massage. Nevertheless, an enthusiastic purr is enough of a homecoming for me.


2) Being Able to Go Home - I’m thankful that I can go home and have a family to go home to that I actually like. It occurs to me every so often that some people actually don’t like they’re families, which must make the holidays suck a lot.



1) Being Able to Leave Home - As much as I love my family, I’m glad that I don’t have to live with them anymore. I think the pleasure of going home is a direct function of being able to leave. Plus, not being there all the time makes it that much more enjoyable and my family a lot more tolerable. And that probably makes me happier than any gratitude journal.

Top 5 Things I Want To Do Before I Graduate

5) Tryout for Movement's Swing Dance Group
Movement is one of the many, many dance collectives on campus that are always practicing out on lower Sproul Plaza and blasting some obnoxious hip-hop dance mix. What's different about Movement is that they have several different divisions of dance and swing happens to be one of them. I've been meaning to put all those swing dance lessons I've taken to use and try out, and so far I've managed to forget every single year. But not this spring! Also, given that it's "no experience required" I figure I have a leg up.


4) Sex in the Stacks (or at least a good make out sesh).
While I'm generally would not describe myself as an exhibitionist, this is always something that I've wanted to do. And actually, come to think of it, exhibition really has nothing to do with it because I wouldn't want people to see. I just like the idea of doing the nasty around all those books. Books are sexy.




3) Organize a {M}aganda Event
Since next semester is supposedly going to be the semester that I do all the things I've been meaning to do for the last 3 years but haven't gotten around to, I'd like to up my commitment to the magazine and actually plan an event. I was thinking a filmfest would be cool and maybe get the magazine involved in some environmental advocacy stuff, because we definitely don't do enough of that.

2) Attend or Participate in PCN
I have never been to Berkeley's PCN, or Pilipino Cultural Night, and frankly, that just feels kind of wrong to me. Even more wrong than never having been to a football game. I've been deterred by the fact that the showcase of filipino dance and music and other culture related things usually runs 5 hours. But given that this is my last chance as an undergrad, I feel a certain cultural compulsion.


1) Go To Professor Stockinger's Office Hours
In my 3 years at Cal, I've managed to go to a professor's office hours once. It's always seemed like I could never find the time in my schedule and it didn't seem particularly important given that they don't grade my papers or my tests. Interestingly, once Professor Litwack—a tycoon of a professor and one of the best lecturers I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying—retired, I began regretting not going to his office hours because I'd missed out on an opportunity to talk to a great thinker. One of the best things about being at a prestigious university like Berkeley is all the great minds that we have access to. Stockinger, who I have for Soc 160: The Sociology of Culture, is retiring after this year and he's as much a tycoon and as good a lecturer as Litwack, so I figure I better get on that, especially since the semester is winding down. (BTW, this was the only picture I could find of Dr. Jim on the entire interweb).

Top 5 Things I Want To Do Before I Graduate

5) Go on a trip to Vegas, and if that fails, Disneyland. Seeing as Vegas is the adult's Disneyland, I feel like these can go together. I want to visit Vegas as a legal drinker/gambler. I loved Vegas as a minor, so I can only imagine the joy and trouble that I can get into now. I also have not been to Disneyland since the summer you and I went, Sofia, and I need to relive the tutu-wearing experience. I'm in Cali, I might as well go! Two wonderful places just a small plane ride away.



4) Take a fiction writing class. I miss enjoyable, creative writing classes, and Stanford's are supposedly really good. Val is taking one this quarter, and it looks really fun. I want to take a class that does not require serious problem-setting or shit tons of reading.


3) Go to Exotic Erotic. Playboy named it one of the Top Ten College Parties, yet I have not gone in the past three years. The rule of the party is simple: girls get to wear two items of whatever they want; guys get one. Basically everyone gets slutty (though some are very creative), and rub up against each other. As that is totally my scene, you can see why I've yet to attend.



2) Go camping at Yosemite. I did not go with my freshman or sophomore dorms to Yosemite, which means I'll need to go on my own. It looks gorgeous and I can't imagine going four years here without making my way out there.


1) Fountain Hopping! One of the most iconic Stanford experiences, fountain hopping is a unique tradition that I have somehow missed. I shall do it before I leave though!