Being grateful and planning for the new year

It's that time of year again. In the U.S., we roast turkeys, make a few other dishes, then sit down to a nice dinner with friends and family until we're completely stuffed! Thanksgiving is so special, and despite the work that needs to be done and the stress that sometimes comes with it, we love it and look forward to it every year. 

• STUFFED - very full

We get to take a couple of days off from work (usually); we get to rest and spend time with the people who are dear to us, and be thankful for all that we have, whether we have a little or a lot. The older I get the more I realize that being thankful is a gift we give ourselves. Acknowledging what we have and being grateful for them is like receiving the gifts once again and realizing their importance in our lives. 

• DEAR - close; important

This time of year is also special because it marks the beginning of the holiday season, and as we approach the end of the year, we start thinking about our new year's resolutions. Being thankful is what Thanksgiving is all about, but we should also begin planning for the coming year, begin thinking of the goals that we want to accomplish and how we are going to accomplish them.

Americans are HEADING TO THE POLLS!

Americans are HEADING TO THE POLLS today to CAST their votes for certain local and state officials. A number of governors & members of Congress are on the ballot. Some people think it's "only" a midterm election and is therefore not as significant as a Presidential election. However, it is very important as the OUTCOME will determine whether we will have a Congress that will likely work WITH or AGAINST the President in his last two years in office.

Having A BLAST being a zombie

Catwoman and I work in the same office. She helps students with their status as international students.

It's Halloween! We had a party at work yesterday, and it was a total BLAST. This year I decided to GO OUT ON A LIMB and be a zombie, which was very brave of me as I wasn't sure I would be able to PULL IT OFF. I'm not creative at all when it comes to Halloween costumes. Luckily, a coworker helped me with the makeup, and it worked! My version was pretty LAME, as you'll see below, but he made it look much more SPOOKY and cool! I must say I had a BLAST being a zombie and acting like one!

• A BLAST - a lot of fun, #slang
• GO OUT ON A LIMB - take a chance; do something unfamiliar, #idiom
• PULL IT OFF - succeed in something difficult, #phrasal verb
• SPOOKY - scary
• LAME - weak; not effective

I hope you've had a fun, safe Halloween, everyone!