#eduThanks 2011

I started seeing the #eduThanks tweets last night before I crawled into bed. As I lay there, I started thinking of the incredible myriad of things and people in the higher ed world I had to be thankful for this year. It’s a big list, so a single tweet just won’t do.

In no particular order:

1. Thanks to @colb for her incredible talent of always making me (and everyone else) feel like the most important person in the room, no matter who else is there.
2. Thanks to @marleysmom for coming out of nowhere and being the best friend a girl could ask for. It’s rare to find souls who accepts all of your flaws and still wants to laugh with you at every opportunity. Also, it’s amazing you’re still talking to me after spending 2 years listening to me rage about coursework. Ready for grad school?
3. Thanks to @robin2go. You. You got what I neeeeed…. Thanks for holding me to a higher standard and not letting me believe my own bullshit. Also, for about 150 spittakes throughout the year. I’ve started putting silicone cases on my my electronics because of you. You complete me.
4. Thanks to @gdonaldson and @tomwoj, my #heweb conference husbands. Nobody should ever have that much fun with innuendo. #holla #wink
5. Thanks to @rachelreuben and @woodwardjd for being very supportive, patient, and understanding when I whine about classes. Thanks for celebrating my triumphs with me. Also, Jason, thanks for rocking, cause you do.
6. Thanks to @loripa for always being willing to share a room with me, and for not punching me in the face for my crush on @bicket. I think @smithj90 and I both owe you for that. Also, thanks for making us all kittens. I’m forever your kitten, yo.
7. Thanks to @carriehphillips. You’ve bowled me over with your selfless generosity this year. I’m not sure you know how much that mattered to me, but it did. A lot. Seriously.
8. Thanks to @karinejoly for reminding me that nobody is harder on me than me. I appreciate your continued support and encouragement.
9. Thanks to @corexian for the best hugs ever.
10. Thanks to @cliffyballgame for not always having that thing on your lip. And for being truly lovely.
11. Thanks to @ilikephysics for shining your light into my world. You’re beautiful and amazing and brilliant and fucking hilarious. You inspire me.
12. Thanks to @radiofreegeorgy for being the bar in all things #girlsgonewww. You’re fearless. I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.
13. Thanks to @karlynmb for being bold and confident. Sometimes your strength seeps out into the rest of us. You are so much more to us than fantastic wit and insights (as if that wasn’t enough).
14. Thanks to @onthelevel for being awesome and actually taking decent photos of me. Also, for driving through Ohio in the middle of the night. Also for feeding my ego with all of your “likes” on my tweets. :)
15. Thanks to @bpmore for always listening and having a taser at the ready.
16. Thanks to @helveticaman and @almostdaniel for your faith and encouragement. Whenever I’m feeling small, beaten, or helpless I just come have dinner with you guys.
17. Thanks to @sleary. You were nice to a random conference attendee in 2006 and it changed my life. You continue to be an incredible influence and dear friend.
18. Thanks to @andrewcareaga for being incredible and supportive and actually excited about our little regional conference. 
19. Thanks to @fienen. You are always incredibly helpful to me, even when I’m being a dumbass. Thanks for not minding that I show appreciation by publicly instigating you into amusing conversations.
20. Thanks to each @eduguru for the work you do to make the rest of us think better. I don’t know where you get the time, but keep up the good work.
21. Thanks to the #girlsgoneWWW. These relationships matter to me so far beyond some Twitter chatter.
22. HUGE thanks to all the @highedweb committee and board members. Someday I hope to live up to and fit in with the brilliance of your collective genius…though I’d love to do it with shorter meetings and more beer. Just a thought.