2019 and An Attitude of Gratitude

7/31/19 was not only the last day of July and the third day of our family vacation, it was also day 212 of 2019 and that makes it a palindromic day.  And a great day it was.... a visit with friends from the Penn Band (another met in the Band couple!), a good lunch, a trip to the Winchester Mystery House (ooooooo), rich ice cream, and then a trip to In and Out Burger (for the first time for the Sherrs!)  But the best part of the day, was after dinner, when we played board games as a family.  I love sitting around, playing board games, and laughing hysterically.  It helps heal the sting when I make a strategic error and end up losing horribly (but still finishing ahead of my kids!) :-D  My gratitude tonight is for family board game nights.   We should have more of them.  Anna wants us to try to not just have them on vacation, I think she is right.

On the 211th day of 2019, I made my first trip to the campus of Stanford University.  I had seen a lot of pictures, but had never actually been on campus.  It is a beautiful campus and, as we walked around on 7/230/19, I marveled at the art, the landscaping, the fountains.... really picturesque.  But another thing I noticed is that, although I was walking a lot more than usual, it was not bothering me as much.  I realized it's the change in air quality out here on the West Coast.  I am not even talking about pollution (although I think CA has some really strict air quality rules, comparatively to other states), I am talking about a dry, crisp day with a cool breeze and, although it was hot in the sun, if you sat on a bench in the shade it was glorious.  As I said to my family, if it weren't for the long commute to Penn and my pathological fear of earthquakes, CA would be an attractive living destination.  But I love my current community and I will retu...

On the 210th day of 2019, we flew to the West Coast.  7/29/19 is the start of our annual Sherr Family Vacation.  We had a 2+ hour flight and then a 6+ hour flight.  But it was not that bad because I got the SWA WiFi (I usually do) and I was able to keep up with my advisees (schedules came out tonight) and even spend some time on FB.  Meanwhile Sarah was able to watch Free TV (she loves her some HGTV) and the flights seemed shorter than they actually were.  Thank goodness for In-flight WiFi - that is where my gratitude stems from tonight.  And now it is very late and we all need to go to sleep.   GOODNIGHT!

It is very late on the 209th day of 2019.  A busy day getting things done that need to be done before we leave for vacation on the West Coast.  So, as 7/28 has come to a close, I am grateful (on National Parent's Day) that I am seeing my parents soon!

We have been waiting for the 208th day of 2019 for months.  Because 7/27/19 was the Annual GuptaFest!  I love events where Band Alumni and friends get all together: Homecoming, Alumni Day, Band Camp, and GuptaFest.  Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun, Good Times.  Tonight my gratitude flows freely for GuptaFest and the hosts, Koosh and Meryl.  THANK YOU, GUPTAS (and great to see you all, friends!)

The 207th day of 2019 is my Uncle Ron's 77th birthday!  77 - a Palindrome!  Everyone in Oaklyn knows him as "DJ Rockin' Ron" and he has been a large part of the events in my town and in my kids' schools.  Always makes it a good time.  As 7/26/19 comes to an end, I expound upon my gratitude for DJ Rockin' Ron.  An uncle so cool people think he is MY brother instead of my Dad's brother!  ROCK ON, RON!

On the 206th day of 2019, I have had the opportunity to see the benefits of today's technology.  From Wifi at work making working anywhere in our office suite possible, to doing work on a project that is trying to improve technology for students, staff, faculty, and alumni at Penn, to the simple joy of listening to satellite radio via USB in Sarah's car (where it is not activated).  There are so many good uses of technology and on 7/25/19, I am grateful for technology, while also being aware of the troubling bad uses, that we need to control.  Goodnight all, let's all pledge to use our technology well.