1000 Things I’m Thankful For (Part 1: #1-500)
As we all know this has been an emotionally exhausting year for many, and some more than others. But as we enter the holiday season (albeit unconventional one), it’s the perfect time to look ahead and set goals for a hopefully brighter future while reflecting inward on ourselves & appreciate what we have and all that there have been we can be thankful for - at the very least that we have made it this far through this year.
And I recently learned from this investing podcast (yes, the investing practice is as much about personal development as it is about money…see end for link), the concept of maro, from the late so-called Warren Buffett of Japan, Wahei Takeda. As a billionaire investor, the podcast went onto explain some of the secrets to his success, one of which being maro, or “thankful” in Japanese. To Wahei, the most important thing that one could do every day, the thing that was responsible for his success, was to “Be thankful 1,000 times a day,” to “Maro Up.” Given it’s around a 40-minute podcast, the speaker demonstrated for a bit and was able to do 20 / minute (netting 1 / 3 seconds), meaning it would take 50 mins nonstop (i.e., being able to think of it off top of one’s mind) to hit 1000 a day. And supposedly Wahei practiced it everyday. So I thought to give it a try myself.
It was much harder than I thought, particularly after my first 100 it seemed like a 1000 to me. As such, this really got me delving into my everyday life, the big and the small, and everything in between. It took a couple of days, and still was only able to come up with just 500. But as this idea of thankfulness should be a consistent and constant practice (as opposed to only Thanksgiving), I will continue to work on this list and share part 2 (#501-1000) later.
In no particular order and apologies in advance for any duplicates or omissions…there is so much to be thankful for that we aren’t always aware of!
My family
(Having) my job
Good health (especially now)
No COVID (knock on wood)
Supportive colleagues & work environment
My friends
My mentors - past, present, and future
My alma mater - Carnegie Mellon
My alma mater - JP Stevens High School
My alma mater - Woodrow Wilson Middle School
My alma mater - Woodbrook Elementary
My past professors, teachers, & advisors
A fairly struggle-free, middle class lifestyle
My intelligence (that has carried me so far, and while I strive to continue learning always, that there are people who may not have had had it as easy, in terms of learning….other factors excluded)
My relatives / extended family for their love and support always
Taiwan (and my Taiwanese heritage)
America (my country despite its imperfections, I am proud to have been born and raised here)
Dance (and my ability to do so)
CMU Dance team & community
Team Repetti community
Gyro with Phoenix
Coffee & my favorite cafes around me
Frances Hesselbein (bless her always!)
Hesselbein Global Fellows
City of Pittsburgh! (Tbt CLA, Pitt)
Jen
Mari-Therese
Ricky
Jane
Ethan
Amy
Matias
Access to basic necessities, e.g., indoor plumbing, electricity, running water, heating, shelter
My 5 senses
My musicality (i.e., piano, dance, ability to enjoy/appreciate music, etc.)
Study abroad experience in London
Study abroad experience in Shanghai
Ability to travel
Past vacations (big and small)
Being light-skinned, male
Food security
Farmers who help cultivate my food
Supply chain intermediaries (e.g., truck drivers, food packers, etc.)
Healthcare workers (!!!)
Other frontline workers (bank branch employees, grocery store employees, etc.)
Scientists
Nonprofits / volunteers giving their time for others
Spotify!
Snapchat!
Video editing
Good workout
Ice cream
Millie’s ice cream!
Being able to sit in cafes & do work or talk with people
Eating out
Payday!
Favorable economic conditions
Krispy Kreme!
Donuts
Streaming
A good book
A good talk / speaker
My (few) Youtube subscribers
Noodlehead!
Arriviste Coffee!
Adda Coffee!
KLVN Coffee!
Commonplace Coffee!
La Prima!
Coffee Tree Roasters!
Pamela’s!
Brunch food
Succulents
Being bilingual
A good night’s sleep
Hot bath
Refreshing shower
Democracy
Civil liberties
My first failed crush
Former piano teacher
Former cello teacher
Public transit
Airplanes
Civil servants
Mail carrier
Cooking for myself
Every breath I take
Sunny days
Rainy days
Peacetime
My manager, Jing Wu
My other managers / superiors, Tom Holloway, Evan Sekeris, Elizabeth Mays
Mahdi Fahimi
Kristen George
Andy Sun
The man who led me to my job initially, Michael O’Malley
Dorm boys: Alex, Alec, and Bobby
My unforgettable first time clubbing
Social dancing
Dancing on the ballroom floor
The game Resistance
Movies
Movie theaters
SDC movie premieres back during undergrad days
In-person Commencement ceremony
Free food
Trader Joe’s
Christine Zona
Rozana Sweeney
Adam Handen
Rachel Keeler
James Repetti
My apartment
My building management / landlord company
My Tartan Circle group
2014 AID Summer
Taiwan OCAC staff
FASCA NY / NJ
CMU Emerging Leaders
Meredith Hassenrik
Kathleen Conway
Carol Goldburg
Onur Kesten
Joachim Groeger
David Childers
Yu Yueming
Teacher Hsu and Principal Chou
Chinese School staff & teachers
Interviews I’ve ever received
Likes and comments on social media
Coffee dates
My phone
Camera
Family friend dinners
Family dinners
Family outings
Friend dates
Catching up with friends after awhile
Pittsburgh Steelers
Internet
Meeting new people
Being the last few people on a Zoom hangout (hours after the “official hangout” ended) and talking past into the night
Confessing feelings to a crush, regardless of their rejection (haven’t had a gf yet 😂)
Social drinking and sharing funny stories
Receiving letters / cards in the mail
Cheese
Asian food (and the ubiquity thereof)
Cafe 33
Fuku Tea
Everyday Noodles
Performing at Carnegie Hall
Piano auditions
School field trip bus rides
Revolving restaurants
Parks
Spending time in nature (e.g., hikes)
Walks
New York skyline (particularly from West New York in NJ)
Pittsburgh skyline
Primrose Hill, London
Getting invited to things
Hugging someone when meeting / parting with someone
My voice, both literally (being able to talk) and figuratively (being able to express my opinions freely, i.e., voting, free speech, etc.)
Knowing how to program / code
Surgical masks from relatives
Semi-annual red envelopes (birthday & lunar new year)
Parents investment in my education
Forbearance & 0% interest student loans
The radio
My CD collections (from pre-Spotify era)
Being one of the oldest my year (before college & adult days, being able to boast that as one of the first to turn 18)
Bidet toilets
Zipcar trips (“zip trips”)
Day trips
Roadtrips
Service / rest areas
Things that make me scared
Things that give me joy
Hot soup
Cozy bed
Instant noodles
Bubble tea
Foliage
Season of fall
Seasons in general (seasonality)
Traveling
No cavities after teeth checkup
The Office episodes
Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me”
Seeing Taylor Swift live (Reputation tour)
Seeing Elton John live (Farewell tour)
The feeling of a yet-to-be confessed crush on someone
Sci-fi shows (Expanse, Dark Matter, Colony)
Partaking in toasts (my first and only so far during undergrad Senior Week)
Award ceremonies
Receiving awards
Hearing friends’ good news
Chipotle
Fries on salad
Alone time
Group time
Public transit
Flora and fauna
Good samaritans
Persons in uniform (i.e., military)
Positive feedback (compliments)
Negative feedback (constructive criticism)
Conflicts with people
Smiles
Letters of recommendations / references for me
Coffee runs
Loyalty programs
Casual conversation with strangers
Connecting / finding commonality at the most unexpected moment (“small world!”)
Farmer’s markets
Group lunches
Kristen George’s taco bar
My first internship at SVN
Luck
Trash collector (waste management)
Crossing guards
Police officers
Firefighters
EMT / Parmedics
Janitors (custodial staff)
Money
Human decency
Public defenders
Air we breathe
Air conditioning
Cars
Lightbulb
Television
Broadcast news
Phone conversations
Video calls
Sleep-in days
Day off
Productive day
Clean home
Clean body
Calculator
My stuffed animals
Old photographs
Yearbooks
Cursive handwriting
Neat handwriting
Swimming pools
Knowing how to swim
CPR
Scholarships
Grants
Loans
Lifeguards
Mother Nature
My own body down to the skin and flesh
The feeling of being naked
Customer service reps
How-to videos
Youtube
Social Security
Medicare
Medicaid
Affordable Care Act
Waking up
Falling asleep
Naps
Afternoon tea
Cream tea
Candles
Snow
Snow days
Half days
Parades
Celebrations
Birthdays
Sending gifts
Birthday surprises
Surprise parties
Trick or treating
Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade
New Year’s Rose parade
Ball drop at Times Square
Elections
Holidays
Group hangouts
Hot pot night
Dogs / Puppies
Cartoons
Comedies
Love stories
Flannel / plaid
Driving
My notebooks
My calendars
The Cloud
Google Maps
GPS
Coins / coin collections
Upbeat music
Classical music
Clear skies
My headphone
Sunrises
Sunsets
Eclipses
Mints
Activists
Civil disobedience
Bill of RIghts
Human rights
Tolerance
Diversity
For every second of existence
Feeling full (and not hungry)
Stretching exercises
Camaraderie
Bull markets
Bear markets
Online translators
My hard drive
Karma
Snack time
Birthday cake
Coffee cake
Concerts
Movies on planes
Throwback Thursday
Consistency
Courage
Vulnerability
Confidence
Self-confidence
Good listeners
Charity
Making mistakes
Rejection
Reflection
Polar bears
Teddy bears
“That mutual feeling”
Hospitality
Good massage
Dancing with others
Donations
Donors
Salary
Benefits
9-to-5 workday
Mentorships
1:1 relationships
Hor d’ouerves
Graduation
Throwing up grad caps
Late night studying
College (student) experience
Venmo
No major disabilities
Moments when I can use my abilities / talents to help others
1st grade: Ms. Luminello
2nd grade: Ms. Capaccio
3rd grade: Ms. Whitman
4th grade: Ms. Kowalsky
5th grade: Mr. Moskowitz / Ms. Rossi
Elem Spanish: Sra. Almanzar
6th grade HR / Math: Ms. Fortino
6th grade Social Studies: Ms. Yascko
6th grade Science: Mr. Nasser
6th grade English: Mr. Robinson / Mr. Gesualdo
6th grade Spanish: Sra. Stanzione
6th grade PE: Mr. Prasnal
Elem & MS Orchestra: Ms. Liu
MS Choir: Ms. Jensen
7th grade Math: Mr. Karatz
7th grade Science: Ms. Dragona
7th grade Social Studies: Ms. Hurwitz
7th grade English: Ms. Nilooban / Ms. LaMarca
7th grade HR: Mr. Aiello
7th grade PE: Mr. Nardino
7th grade Health: Ms. DiCocco
7th grade Spanish: Sra. Schwartz
MS Drama club: Ms. Luckenbaugh
8th grade HR / Social Studies: Ms. McCormack
8th grade Science: Mr. Thomas
8th grade Math: Ms. Debrossy
8th grade English: Ms. Podlaski
8th grade PE: Ms. Holzhauer (George)
8th grade Health: Mr. Papernik
8th grade Spanish: Sra. Zambrano
Principal Donnelly
Principal Cotoia
HS HR: Sra. Martinez
9th grade Geometry: Ms. Carter
9th grade US History: Ms. Seeman
9th grade Environmental Science: Ms. Billyer
9th grade English: Ms. Lee
9th grade Spanish: Sra. Dziuban
HS Orchestra: Mr. Verdi
10th grade Algebra: Ms. Baldessari
10th grade AP US History: Mr. Martinez
10th grade Biology: Ms. Gumina
10th grade English: Ms. Pawar
10th grade Spanish: Sr. Fiorello
10th grade Driver’s Ed: Ms. Petrucelli
11th grade Pre-Calc: Mr. Alfonzo
11th grade AP World History: Ms. Brandstetter
11th grade Chemistry: Ms. Liotti
11th grade English: Ms. Mateyka
11th grade Spanish: Sra. Buonomo
11th grade Business Law: Ms. Cleary
12th grade AP Calc AB: Ms. Unger
12th grade AP Government: Mr. Boufford
12th grade English: Ms. Sato
12th grade Comp Sci: Mr. Olah
12th grade Economics: Ms. Teboul
HS PE / Health: Mr. Ronco, Ms. Nixon
HS Student Council: Mr. Baer
HS Counselor: Ms. Lin
HS Principal: Ms. Pawlikowski
Intro Stats: Prof. Weinberg
Global Histories: Prof. Law
Principles of Economics (73-100): Prof. Sleet and Prof. Yenmez
Multivariate Analysis: Prof. Mihai
Models/Methods of Optimization: Prof. Walker
Intro Business Management: Prof. Lamont
Intermediate Microeconomics: Prof. Miralles
Interpretation & Argument: Matt Nelson
Intro to Probability: Prof. Freeman
Intermediate Macroeconomics: Prof. Wee
Game Theory: Isa Hafalir
Econometrics I: Joachim Groeger
With the Firm: Managing Through Incentives: Prof. Kushnir
Acting for Business: Prof. Hitch
Writing for Economists: Prof. Stark
Econometrics II: Prof. Childers
Chinese Language & Culture: Prof. Sun
Intro to Classical Chinese: Prof. Wu
Statistical Graphics: Prof. Wieczorek
Business Presentations: Prof. Burke
Intro to Finance: Prof. Albertus
Technology Strategy: Prof. Sirbu
Chinese Ghost Literature: Prof. Liu
Principles of Computing: Prof. Stehlik / Prof. Kosbie
Fundamentals of Programming: Prof. Taylor
Physics for Future Presidents: Prof. Ghosh
Intro to Accounting: Prof. Ruchti
Operations Management: Prof. Kekre
Organizational Behavior: Prof. Glikson
Chinese History - Last Emperors: Prof. Weiner
Multicultural Pittsburgh: Stephan Caspar
Dept Modern Language: Susan Polansky
Tepper School Dean (then): Bob Dammon
Bryan Koval
Angie Lusk
Michelle Mirabella
Kristine Kengor
Jennifer Frick
CMU residential staff
CMU Career Center staff
CMU Housing staff
CMU Dining staff
CMU custodial staff
Thomas Cooley
Pascal Petter
SISU staff
SISU squad
LSE staff
Office hours
Extra credit
English tutor: Jeanne Kushinsky
Sam Patti
Ron Kosko
Nicholas Coffee
Security Guard Kevin at 3 PNC
“Mr. Brightside” - The Killers
Jeannie’s uncanny memory for birthdays (& our onesie costume selfie)
My epic onesie Halloween sophomore year
My first Emerging Leaders mentor Tiana
My EL fam
Allison Fisher
Meg Richards
Family trip to Disney/Universal December 2019
Half court basketball at childhood home
As a child, running around in a decently sized backyard
Sound of bagpipes
Plant-based meat
Handshakes
Fallingwater
Never having bought a phone out of my own money
The clothing I’m wearing
The clothing in my closet
Richard & Eileen Clauser
My collection of all the letters / cards I’ve ever received to date
Soft throw pillows
Neck pillows
Getting upgraded on a long-distance flight
Giddy feeling going to bed the day before a vacation
First baseball game seeing Chien-ming Wang, “Glory of Taiwanese in MLB”
S’mores