up your architecture.

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Maybe I'll try to go month by month with something from each to highlight all the joy the last year brought...

November 2006-

I am Thankful for...

All the help I got from Sam and Omar especially in wrangling people together for Biloxi Studio '07.
The guidance I received from Ozayr, my thesis instructor and friend.
My studio being something that both gave me headaches and assurances that I was pursuing what I wanted to pursue with my thesis. Namely, not what I was doing in studio.
Ruth being Ruth and not anyone else.

December 2006-

I am Thankful for...

The Christmas season getting me through the end of the semester
My annual New Years party
The Troy and Erika Christmas Eve Morning Brunch
All my studio mates and friends who helped keep each other (and myself) going during the homestretch

January 2007-

I am Thankful for...

The Biloxi Crew convincing me that I should come down with them when they went down which led to my decision to take out my loan and stay down there the entire semester.
My folks and thesis committee for supporting the decision for totally different reasons.
Emily for being very patient and ultimately forgiving given the circumstances.
The entire GCCDS community for welcoming us into their group and the studio group for welcoming me into theirs.

February 2007-

I am Thankful for...

Finally breaking Joe Paterno's win record in NCAA Football 2004.
Sundance of the South at Hands On
Mardi Gras being a great coast-wide celebration
Ozayr coming down to visit and help me find the focus I needed for my thesis

March 2007-

I am Thankful for...

Anne coming back down to Biloxi with me on one of the best road trips I've had
Spring Break bringing Minnesotans down for the second straight year
Al + Ruby D'Orville and their unstoppable hospitality
The Dartmouth crew and the invention of the Hands On Date Auction

April 2007-

I am Thankful for...

Many Hands On-ers, but especially Dan, Erin, Heath, Michelle, and Guillermo
The Return of Blue 7 for the Easter weekend
Three Words: Slip And Slide
Having a great defense of my Thesis and putting one of the great adventures of my life in the rear view mirror

May 2007-

I am Thankful for...

Being chosen by my peers to be the commencement speaker for the M.Arch program
Finally getting a chance to see Billy Joel in concert with one of my best friends
Jessie letting me sleep on her couch when I came down to visit right before the big move
Nadene and Shana, for being two great individuals and even better friends
Randomly meeting Anyeshka in the Atlanta Airport

June 2007

I am Thankful for...

Everyone who came to my graduation/going-away party
My family who helped more than you can imagine during the packing and moving process
Jessie letting me sleep on her couch when I came down to visit right after the big move
Credit Cards that allowed me to live until I got my first paycheck

July 2007

I am Thankful for...

Being a judge and a part of the first ever Hands On Olympics
Brandon, who was a great friend during his time here in Biloxi
The Women of Architecture
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Sam, for all the rides while my car was incapacitated
The birth of my first nephew Jacob Wallace Steiner

August 2007

I am Thankful for...
Patrick coming to visit
The Roadtrip that Shall Not Be Named to Slidell, LA with Ian
High Definition Television and new friends to watch it with
The Drive for Five and Sophomore Class Conference Calls
My Car working again

September 2007

I am Thankful for...

Visiting Minneapolis and seeing my family and friends
Red Beans + Rice on Mondays at The Schooner
Chipotle, Psycho Suzi's, and the Minnesota Twins
Seeing Atmosphere at Tipitina's in New Orleans

October 2007

I am Thankful for...

The success of the first ever Blitz Built, and subsequent celebration at a certain pizza bar
Sunsets on the Coast with the sounds of Miami Vice and a remote control powerboat
Getting a chance to speak twice in Minneapolis about what we're doing at the GCCDS
Getting to see my Nephew and Niece

November 2007

I am Thankful for...

The entire roster of the GCCDS for a great thanksgiving
Molly, for being one of my most consistent long distance friends
Cell Phones for allowing me to keep in touch with everyone
The Minnesota-Mississippi Social Club

Finally, here's a link to my pics from Thanksgiving on Flickr... All-Star Biloxi Refugee Thanksgiving 2007