So very thankful

I had my first thanksgiving in the US. I didn't think I would enjoy the holiday – I expected it to be naff and cheesy, I wasn't sure I wanted to celebrate the United States. As it turns out I did enjoy it very much.

In honour of the bizarre holiday I will compose a list. A list of ten things I am so very thankful for.

1. My commute to work takes me from the West Village in Manhattan, to the intersection of Calyer and Franklin, in Brooklyn. It is a weirder commute, from a fancy neighbourhood to a sort of up and coming one. Imagine Marlyebone to Hackney. It is easy however. It involves just one subway and about 20 minutes of walking and it is quite beautiful. The walk from the Bedford Avenue L stop in Williamsburg to Greenpoint goes along the west coast of north Brooklyn, with views of the east river, and the whole manhattan skyline. I am Thankful that I get to walk past it in the bright blue many days a week.

2. My sister invited me to New York City for the first time about 2 years ago, when I was about to finish university. The invite was open ended, and she continued to remind me about it for a year. When I finally was given the courage to come, she hired me at her restaurant, now our restaurant, and has hosted me, cared for me, and challenged me. Such as has pretty much been our relationship my whole life, it turns out. I am not sure what I would be without her, but I don't think it would be as good as it is. I am very thankful for Ivy.

3. At Chez, after a long thanksgiving shift, we all sat down for a meal, and played games. I really love those guys. Thanks to everyone who puts up with me, and has shown me NYC.
4. My friend Simon is a Yoga teacher, and I have started going to his classes. Every tuesday and thursday, I take the C train to Crown Heights, and he spends an hour stretching me and relaxing me. He has taught me how to breath. I thank him for his guidance, and for time spent in his confidence.
5. I am staying in a lovely apartment in the west village. Like I said, the west village is fancy, and very beautiful, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the whole united states. On days off, when I have no friends to see nor anything to do (which is often, as I don't have many friends in the city), I get to walk around cobble and tree lined streets, peering into peoples lives via their ground floor windows. I am thankful to be somewhere that provides me so many hours of interest every day

6. Siouxie! Ivy and Gabes border collie, named after Siouxie Sioux, lead singer of the new wave bad Siouxie and the Banshees. I love their song 'Honk Kong Garden'. A about a year and a half old, Siouxie the dog is a missile of energy and love. She is a great dancer.

7. I spoke to Lily on the phone today, she, I am happy to know, is very well. I am happy I get to know she is well. Having friends so far away is a shame and most nights, most of the time, I miss them. But it is an enjojyable kind of pining; longing for summer. I am lucky to feel it.
8. The other I day, I was walking down a bright blue sixth avenue. A gaggle of students, awkward and excited; sure to be friends for not just the next four years, but for ever, argued down the street. A dog walker wielding a hurricane of a dozen so dogs followed. Then a stranger a street shouted at me. Called me a bitch. I guess I am thankful for that even. It is cool that I am a bitch in New York.
9. In some ways, Ivy being so open, and us getting on so well, was not at all unexpected, she has been my best friend for some time. Not so expected, was how open to me Gabe, Ivy's boyfriend and my other boss, was. He has become a friend and a laugh and am thankful for his letting me infiltrate his life so fully.
10. My commute back home from work takes starts at the intersection of Calyer and Franklin, in Brooklyn, to the West Village in Manhattan. At night, the windows in the apartments in the skyscrapers shine brighter than the stars in the sky. It Hasn't got old yet.

There is much to be thankful for,

Asa.