November 29, 2013

What I'm Thankful For (2013 Edition)

alexa jacky wedding ourgreateststory

"... 2013 the most magical year of my life so far." Taylor Swift said this in one of her acceptance speeches at the American Music Awards last Sunday, and it seems like the most fitting way for me to describe what this year has been like for me so far. It's been filled with love and happiness and lots of magic, and this Thanksgiving, I just wanted to share a few of the things that I'm truly grateful for:
thanksgiving 1 macky
Some days I wake up still in shock that I'm actually married to my best friend and the love of my life! We were together for 7 years prior to making things official (twice) in 2013, so it's been a long time coming. I love the fact that we complement each other so well; there's a mutual admiration society between us, and common goals and dreams to share when it comes to our future. I am deeply, irrevocably in love with this man -- and so grateful to be able to call him husband.
thanksgiving 2 family
I am in love with my family, both the family that I was born into and the one that I'm now a part of. On both ends, I feel like I have people who will constantly support me, love me and wish me all the happiness in the world. It's always a relief to know that they've got my back no matter what, and that they value me for who I am -- and no one can ever, ever, ever take that away from me. Plus, it's a major bonus that both sides of my family get along so well!

A special shout-out deserves to be made to my (newly acquired) big brother, Kahlil. We were lucky enough to get to spend a lot of time together while I was in the Philippines, and we've discovered how alike we are and how great we get along. I couldn't ask for a better brother (in-law)!
thanksgiving 3 best friends
One of my biggest fortunes in life is having a great set of friends. My best friends, with one exception, were all able to fly home for my wedding in September, which meant so much to me. They've kept me entertained, constantly supported and encouraged me and have never, ever judged me or turned away when I needed them. While we don't always see eye to eye on things, when it comes down to it, I know these girls will always be there for me when I need them.
thanksgiving 4 new york
I am so blessed to live within commuting distance of Manhattan! There's so many sights to see, and events to attend, and places to go that I never get bored living here. It's given me unparalleled access to celebrities, Broadway shows, live concerts and book events -- which is one of the things I love most about. It's also the place where I learned how to work and play and live on my own, and that will forever make it dear in my heart.
thanksgiving 5 philippines
I had the privilege of being able to go home TWO times this year, once in February for two weeks, and again in August to mid-October. It was such a wonderful time for me and, while the wedding(s) certainly played a big role in that, it was getting to spend time with family and friends that made it so special. I also got the opportunity to relax and unwind, spending lots of time with people I love and books and traveling.
thanksgiving 6 blog
I am so, so grateful for all the opportunities that this blog has given me, especially when I get to meet and work with authors and publishers. But what I'm most thankful for is all of YOU -- my followers, my friends. Being able to have you read my posts, and share your thoughts in the comments or via Twitter, has definitely made my days brighter and more fun. I love sharing my book thoughts with all of you, and I hope I continue to form stronger friendships with each and every one of you!

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Because I'm feeling so much gratitude for all of you, I've decided to host a GRATITUDE GIVEAWAY in honor of thanksgiving to thank all of YOU. To make it fair to all my followers, whether in the US or overseas, I've decided to make it international. Winners will get to spend $25 on Amazon (if they're from the US) or on Book Depository (if they're from another country)! 

69 Comments:

  1. Alexa, I'm so happy for you, and that you've had such an amazing year! Yours and Macky's love story has always been so sweet, and I was thrilled for you when you two got married!

    I'm thankful for the crazy changes that have happened in my life over the last year. I've made some huge changes to my future, and I'm thankful I was inspired to make them. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks, Jana! I really love your sweet words about our love story :) I'm glad you were inspired to make these changes in your life, and wish you all the luck pursuing them!

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  2. I love how happy you are!!

    I am thankful for my recent book deal with Harper Collins!!

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    1. Thanks, Jackie! And can we all pause for a moment and CONGRATULATE you on the book deal? That's AMAZING news! So happy for you :)

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  3. I'm thankful for many, many things this year. My health, my core group of friends, my family. All of the "basic" yet true stuff. And I am so happy that you have had a good year. That makes ME happy.

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    1. The basic stuff is important, really, and I'm glad you have good, solid people and things for that. Thank you :)

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  4. I am thankful for my family, friends, health... but I am NEWLY thankful for this new hobby of book blogging in my life and how it has led me to meet so many wonderful people including YOU. :) I'm glad you've had such a wonderful year and I hope 2014 is even better!

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    1. Aww, I'm so happy that we met because of our mutual love of books too! So glad you've got so many things to be grateful for :)

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  5. I love this list! 2013 will always be a special year for you because of your wedding. :) One of the things I'm thankful for this year is that I got to meet several book bloggers based all over the world, including YOU and Mr. A. Hope we get to see each other again the next time we're in the same country.

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    1. Yes, 2013 will be my wedding year -- and that will always make it special in my mind! I'm really glad we got the opportunity to meet in person, and hope that it happens again soon.

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  6. My wonderful kids and awesome books released this year.

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    1. Aww, yay! Those are definitely things worth being grateful for this year.

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  7. Such a sweet post! I've only been to NYC twice but I love it! I can't wait to be back in May! Happy thanksgiving, love!

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    1. I can't wait to (hopefully) see you again during BEA. This time, we should get a less blurry photo -- and hopefully run into each other before the last day! ;)

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  8. AWWW, what a super sweet post. I'm so in love with that wedding photo of you guys. Gorgeous!

    I'm thankful for your friendship and how close we've grown this past year. I'm also thankful for banana cream cheeseake.

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    1. I LOVE YOU, LENA! I'm so glad that we're friends, as our friendship is one of my favorite things I've gained from this crazy book blogging hobby of mine. And thanks for your kind words about the wedding photo (it's one of my favorites too!)!

      Banana cream cheesecake sounds DELICIOUS.

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  9. I'm so happy that your wedding went so well. You look beautiful! My husband, friends, and family are definitely the most important things to me as well. I've always wanted to live in NY, but I just moved right outside of DC so I guess this will have to be close enough. At least I can take a bus up to the city for a weekend if I want to. Hopefully I can make it to BEA this year!

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    1. Thank you! It was such a wonderful, unforgettable day, and I'm so happy with how everything turned out. Ooh, you live near DC? Looks like I'll have to let you know the next time I come into town (since I do come and visit the DMV area a lot!). Hope I see you at BEA!

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  10. What a sweet post! Your wedding sounds like it was a lot of fun and went well! I love NY as well and there's always so many things to do there. I always find something new every time that I go.

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for friends and family as well.

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    1. I hope you get another chance to visit NYC soon! And thank you for your wonderful words about my post :)

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  11. Happy Thanksgiving! This is such a beautiful post, and I love the love you have for your husband ... wishing you SO MUCH love in your future. I wish I lived within commuting distance from NYC; it's such a fun and vibrant city! I'm currently planning/conspiring for a trip to BEA -- I just feel that this MUST happen SOON.

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    1. Oops, I commented before I read the post! I'm thankful for my little boy -- truly the best gift I could ever ask for =)

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    2. Thank you for your lovely words about me and my husband! I sincerely hope that you get to come to NYC for BEA. That would be an awesome opportunity for us to meet :)

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  12. I'm thankful for the health of my family <3
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. That's definitely a great thing to be thankful for! Glad everyone is in good health :)

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  13. What a fun pic from your wedding- everyone looks so happy! And I am so going to visit New York someday. I was there once as a baby, but that doesn't count as I don't remember it! ;)

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    1. Thanks, Leandra! That's definitely the reason I love this photo so much. And I really hope you get a chance to visit NYC one day (soon)!

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  14. my family for sure and my education! :D

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    1. Yes, indeed. Those are awesome things to be thankful for!

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  15. I'm thankful for the blogging community, as well. Since I've gotten more involved it has surprised me what a gift the posts and little comments have become. Such a joyful blessing that I'm very grateful for. ^^ Thanks for an awesome blog- and for the giveaway!

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    1. It's such an incredible feeling to be a part of this community of people who love books and talking about books. I feel like I've gained so many friends who understand my obsession with stories and books and characters!

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  16. I'm thankful for many things in my life, but one thing that happened this year which makes me happy is starting the bookclub with some Dutch book bloggers :D

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    1. Oh yes, your book club sounds AWESOME! It includes some of my very favorite people. I'm glad you guys were able to make it happen :)

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    1. Aww, that's incredibly sweet! I'm sure he's thankful for you too :)

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  18. I'm thankful for the wonderful books i got this year !!

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    1. That's definitely something to be thankful for! There's nothing quite like the joy of a good book.

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  19. I'm thankful for my amazing family!

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    1. Aww, this is so sweet! I bet they're extremely thankful for you as well.

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  20. I'm thankful for everything, especially for my family. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

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    1. I'm glad to hear that you've got a lot to be thankful for, and it warms my heart to see you mention your family specifically :)

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  21. You had such an amazing year!! I am thankful that I've gotten to know you through blogging-- you put off such a positive and uplifting vibe. Everyone can easily tell what a genuine and beautiful person you are. I am blessed to know you!
    I am so thankful for my family and all the new friends I've made this year. Also, so happy I started blogging last February. It has been such a blast!

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    1. BETTY. You are the sweetest <3 Thank you for such wonderful, uplifting words! They made my day just now seeing this again. I'm so glad you decided to start blogging this year. It's been great getting to know you over the past few months, and I look forward to more shenanigans and hangouts this year!

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  22. I love this post! So many great things to be thankful for! =) I'm so thankful for my family, friends and fiance! And I'm definitely thankful that I started book blogging this year and have met so many amazing bloggers through it!!

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    1. YAY! I'm so glad that you decided to start blogging this year. It's been great getting to know you a little bit better through our Twitter conversations. I can't wait to meet you at BEA this year!

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  23. I am thankful that I get to live in my house for a few months before we have to move. I've lived in this house for 28 years years so I am very grateful. By the way, congratulations on getting married! I've been married for 8 years and it's the best thing that's ever happened for me.

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    1. Wow! That's a long time to stay in one place, but it must feel great to have that sense of familiarity and history too. And thank you! It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

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  24. I am thankful for my family and friends because without them i can't be the person I am right now and of course to God for showering me so many blessings! :-) Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

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    1. I think these are definitely wonderful things to be thankful for! And God is pretty darn amazing, isn't he? He's definitely blessed me.

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  25. Im so thankful for God , my family , friends and My Books xx , thank you so much for the giveaway xx

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    1. These are certainly important things to be thankful for! :D

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  26. I'm thankful for my family, the love of my life, my home, and my kitty. It was wonderful to read your post. Thanks for the giveaway :) <3

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    1. Thanks, Ellen! You've definitely got some great things to be thankful for this year :)

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  27. My beloved family and all the books i have! :)

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    1. Awesome things to be thankful for! I'm very grateful for these things, too.

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  28. I maaaaaay have aww'd over your wedding picture. Again. :)

    I'm thankful for friends and family and my internships and BOOKS!

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    1. Aww, shucks <3 And yay for all the things you're grateful for, especially your internships (which both sound awesome) and books (which is what got you blogging which is how we became friends in the first place)!

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  29. I'm thankful for my family, that we're all healthy. Also, for the friends I have and can count on.

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    1. A healthy family and true friends are always good things to have <3

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  30. Alexa, you had such a wonderful year.. and you looked absolutely STUNNING at your wedding :) Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway; I am thankful for friends and family above all, and also that both my boyfriend and myself are able to work.

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    1. Thank you, Lauren! You're seriously making blush with all the nice words :) And I'm glad to hear that all is well with your family, friends and you and your boyfriend!

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  31. Aww I love your wedding photo above! I'm glad that for you this year has been full of love and happiness :)
    For myself, I'm thankful for having the opportunity to travel. I've spend the first 6 months of this year studying abroad, and it has made me grow as a person SO much. I'm really thankful that I had the opportunity to do that and make some wonderful friends. I'm also thankful for my family, but that's nothing new. I'm ALWAYS thankful for them.

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    1. Thank you! <3 Wow, I'm so jealous of your travel adventure -- and living abroad. I never got the opportunity to do that while I was still studying, but I'm very glad you did!

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  32. I'm thankful for my family, and how blessed I am to have every single part of my body in place and that I'm able to do what I love.

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    1. I've realized lately that it's important to pay attention to your body and take care of it! I've been neglecting that. Glad that's not the case for you! And I'm also happy that you get to do something you love.

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  33. I'm thankful for my family and health :)

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    1. It's great to be thankful for these two things. And I'm sure your family is grateful for you too!

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