today, i am grateful for:

1. the truly wonderful friends i have made over the past year and the continued support they provide me, even from on the other side of the pond.

2. care packages.

3. dr. pepper chapstick in lieu of dr. pepper soda.

4. colleagues who laugh at themselves and are warm and friendly to me.

5. my email pen pals, who write me consistently even when i'm tardy in responding.