Thankful Thursday # 10

Good morning, everyone! Without further ado here are this week's reasons to be happy:

1. Being with the people you love. Having been here last ten months ago I have missed everyone terribly. And thankfully part of that longing doesn't rear its ugly head until I actually see them again, which is good, you get to kill that I've missed you feeling straight away. And I've been gleefully murdering it every day.
2. Family birthdays in person. Because I only visit Portugal in the Summer and during the Christmas holidays I resigned myself to the idea that there were a lot of things I would forever miss. Namely spending family birthdays with my family. Well, today's my brother's birthday (and tomorrow's my aunt's) and I'm here! Hurray!
3. Portuguese bread. Seriously. If I could I would empty my suitcase and travel to the UK bringing nothing but pounds and pounds of delicious bread. Damn it, why did I have to bring pointless things like clothes and mobile chargers?
4. Having quiet head space. Yummy moments with no one around, just the music you want to listen to and the things you want to do, no strict schedules, so you can take your time, and just treasure your own company.
5. The book fair. The book fair, everyone! Again, as said in #2, I never imagined I would see another book fair for many, many years to come. And yet due to this unexpected turn of events here I am, ready to hunt for literary bargains and have farturas (think churros without the filling) in the park.
6. A sunny weekend at the beach. I don't want to jinx it, so I almost didn't write about it, but here goes... The weather's been crappy since I got here (literally, it turned the day I landed) and tomorrow we're heading off to the beach for a few days. It's basically a bring your sunscreen and your book scenario. Nothing much to do but bask in the sun and read 200 pages a day. Yes please!
7. Finding your off switch. I'm a worrier and it stresses me out. Yet somehow most times my brain still retains the power to switch off the ability to see grand picture and be happy with minor details of my life. I could be freaking out because I've been made redundant a couple of weeks ago. Instead I choose to detatch myself from that for now and enjoy my impromptu holiday. I may not have a job at the moment but hey! cheaper books and birthday cakes!
8. Getting closure and having an action plan. The good thing about seeing all your friends and family is that every time you meet someone for the first time during the holiday you have to explain yet again what happened to your former job and what you're planning to do next. I was actually dreading it because I didn't think it would give me a chance to get any closure and move on, but I found that it really helps. Having to repeat myself on this issue again and again helps me to remember the great things I can take away from my job, how much I loved it and everyone in it, how much I learned and grew and it solidifies my resolve leaving me increasingly more confident with my plans for the future. And that's just plain awesome!