Gee, thanks!

11.21.02

About three days after I wrote my previous journal entry, Yosemite got dumped on. That is, it rained, no poured, for two days straight. It was like someone had turned on the shower, and I, living in a glorified drain, experienced my first of Yosemite's waterfalls. Two weeks later, the falls are still spilling over, just in time for my friends from Wisconsin to visit.

Which brings me to the topic of this journal entry… things that I am thankful for. A classic assignment for students of all ages. This, being my first year out of school, I felt a void for a while, lacking structured activities. Dwelling on that thought for a minute or so, I celebrated that I now have time to do what I want - I can study and play what, where and when I want. And if I want to write a piece about what I'm thankful for around Thanksgiving time, as conventional and school-like as it is, I can do so with or without sharing. (Note: I can also start sentences with And and not get yelled at). I chose to share, and here's what I am thankful for:

I am thankful to live in such a beautiful place, and that those before me had the insight to protect it. I still am not used to the granite cliffs that are the walls to my new home - I can't help but look up everyday and marvel at how the light strikes them. The positioning of my house, with Yosemite Falls visible from my front porch (o.k. it's not that hard to miss), is the envy of my parents - how cool is that! Thank you Merced River, for carving out this beautiful place. Ok, ok. I suppose I'd be hearing from the glacier people if I didn't mention them, Thank you glaciers - nice work on Half Dome especially.

The natural beauty I see in Yosemite ironically reminds me of that in my home state, Wisconsin. We don't have as many large rocks as this place does, but there are similarities. They call meadows here what we call grasslands and prairies back home. With nearly 1000 hours of prairie restoration under my belt, it is comforting to see some familiar friends (plants) out here. When you spend so much time with anything - get to know their name, their characteristics, care for it and see it grow throughout two summers, I cannot help but refer to these plants as my friends. To have familiar "faces" here to greet me was a pleasant surprise (Why, hello milkweed!). I am anxious for spring when the wildflowers start blooming, and to see how it compares to the prairies in the Midwest. I am thankful for these familiar faces.

I suppose it is hard not to compare my new home to my old one - not only the environment, but the people and life that I lead. I am thankful for family and friends that fill my life with love. I have three friends coming from Wisconsin in the next week to celebrate Thanksgiving with me! As I realize Yosemite is an attraction in itself (I'd have a slightly harder time getting people to visit me in say, Siberia) I feel quite honored that they travel so far to see me. People in Yosemite are genuine, and it seems that everyone is content with their lives and what they've chosen to dowith them. People say hello when you pass them on the sidewalk.
I like that. I am thankful for the friends that I've made with people that live in different countries - come to think of it, I have friends on every continent, which is invaluable in expanding my knowledge of the world.

Lastly, my health. I recently injured my knee, which reminded me of how annoying it is to have a body that isn't working properly. I am thankful that it is healing and will probably be alright for the December expedition.

And the list goes on - live music, swimming, full moons, sunsets, sleeping in, tea, natural hot springs, shitake "sushi" rolls, Harper's Index etc… Although the foundations of the upcoming holiday are a bit shaky to say the least, I am a fan of recollecting all that we have to be grateful for and may take for granted. If this inspired you in any way to think of the things that you are thankful for then great. If not, at least this wasn't a school assignment or anything.

Pay no attention to the falls behind the snag

Jocelyn