For me, Thanksgiving is like First Christmas. It's as if it is the preview of how Christmas will go, and then you have the Grandmother of it all, New Year's Eve. It's quite the experience.

Back home, my mother takes Thanksgiving very seriously. She's terribly ritualistic, and if you get in her way then she will deem you unfairly sacrilegious. We aren't big on traditions --besides my mother forcing me to stick my hand deep inside of the turkey, and then forcing me to tediously slave over loaves of bread to be torn apart for the stuffing-- so I've been deprived of actual traditions like going around the table and saying what we are thankful for.

And as a shout-out to my mom, no I do not want to start that this year out of obligation for depriving me my entire life.

So in light of that and the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have a lot that I am grateful for.

1. Family

I may have the world's craziest family dynamic, and I am constantly reminded how family goes beyond just blood-relationships. l love my family, and I am very grateful for their support in all of my endeavors --even if they do just aim to push every single button inside of me sometimes.

2. Friendship

This goes along with family, but during some of my worst of times, I have had the best of friends to support me through. One of the most important things in times of distress is the community that you've built around you. If you don't have people around you who continuously challenge you to do better, encourage you, and look out for your best interests, then I highly suggest doing so.

3. Educators

From literally elementary school to college I have had some of the best instructors in almost all of my classes. Yes, there have been a few bad apples --I have a few on the tip of my tongue. However, they are beside the point.

I probably would not be where I am today without the support of teachers who have bent over backward for my education.

So basically go and say thank you to your teachers more often. They do a lot more than you think. And they work a lot harder for you than they should.

4. Home

Moving away from your hometown teaches you one thing: You're gonna miss home. A lot.

Home is more than just your physical house --it's the people who made it feel safe, secure and like yourself. For me, I've got two homes with fabulous individuals who've made it that way.

And I don't know if I can actually express in words how thankful I am for that.

5. Opportunities

I feel like this is an odd one to include, but I have been given a plethora of opportunities over the past few years that I have like I have not had the correct amount of gratitude for. I don't know how to say that I'm gracious for something so general, but I don't take professional, or personal, opportunities for granted, and I most definitely do not let those go to waste.

What are YOU grateful for this holiday?