My Thanksgiving

Alonso here. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Yes, there's no other occasion of the month to be thankful for than November.

I'll be more than happy to tell you  the things I like most about Thanksgiving.

Food:

Turkey

No Thanksgiving has ever been complete without turkey being the main course. My favorite part of the turkey is always the drumstick. Inside every turkey is a wishbone that can b used to make a wish.

Mashed Potatoes

I've eaten potatoes when they're sliced into chips or cut to make french fries, but I also like mashed potatoes. Always goes great with gravy on top.

Cranberry Jell-O

Jell-O has always been one of my favorite desserts. The best flavors I had are strawberry, orange, and berry blue. There's better flavor of Jell-O to have after Thanksgiving dinner than cranberry Jell-O. I first discovered this last year when I went to Cafasso's. Since then, I always loved to include Cranberry Jell-O for every Thanksgiving meal.

TV specials:

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I will not lie. I always loved watching the parade at 9 on NBC. It has it all: Musical performances, guest appearances, parade floats, and best of all, balloon floats. I'll tell you my favorite balloon floats.

Pillsbury Doughboy

The cute and lovable character is the mascot of all Pillsbury baking products. He's too adorable to hate. I love how every time his tummy is poked, he giggles. I've seen every commercial with the Doughboy and I enjoy them. Seeing a balloon float of him is even better.

Garfield

I always loved Garfield ever since I read the comic strips and watched Garfield and Friends. It was Thanksgiving of 2003 that a balloon float of Garfield has been made in honor of his 25th birthday. When I first found out about it, I was very excited. I thought Garfield was a great addition to the parade. There was an older version of the Garfield balloon float but I wasn't around to see that.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Ah, yes. My all-time (video game) hero manages to join the the MTDP. There was an old Sonic balloon float that was supposed to be on the parade 20 years ago but bad winds made this balloon float along with the other ones popped. When I found out Sonic would make a comeback in the parade in honor of the Big 2-0, I was very happy. It's become part of the parade ever since.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Peanuts gang than tuning in to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving? The highlights of this awesome special are "Snoopy VS the chair", Snoopy and Woodstock as pilgrims, and the meal at the end. This special used to air on CBS and now airs on ABC. Both my father and I love to watch this TV Special.

Happy Thanksgiving. This is Alonso signing off.

Gym Time

Hello. Alonso here.

Today, I thought I'd tell you about the best things I've done and enjoyed ever since: Gym.

What better way to get exercise than to go to Snap Fitness. It all started in 2011 when my parents decided my physique needed work.

All that was required in order for me to go to the gym was paper work. After the papers were complete, I finally got a chance to get in. If there's anything I know, it's that a key card is always necessary.

What made me like the gym the most were nice people like Kyle and Chandran.

Kyle was one of the employees for Snap. On my way to the gym, I often see him walking by and would say "See you at the gym.". Yesterday, he was nice enough to give me a ride to Snap since it was cold.

Another nice person I know and trust is my coach, Chandran. While doing my exercises, I take the time to speak with him. He's always been good to me and I'd do anything to show my appreciation. Sometimes, he'd tell me when he can't always be at the gym, such as when he goes on vacation.

My exercises include chest press, back row or lat pull, foot press, leg extension, leg curl, bicep extension, triceps extension, shoulder press, back row, abs, and stretching out. Sometimes, I'd have to switch them around.

My brother, Rodrigo also goes to the gym to work. Last year, he and I walked together. We never argued then.

Also, I thought going to the gym with my uncle and my mother were the best times of my life.

Now for my favorite and least favorite things about gym:

Favorite things

Treadmills

Before starting my exercises, I'd work my legs off in a treadmill. Adjusting the speed is a must. Not too fast, not too slow.

Chest press

Always the best way to start my exercise routine. Recently, I set the weight to 75 pounds. If necessary, I'll set it to 80 or 100.

Abs

I did this exercise with a machine but I felt using a ball seemed like a better idea.

Least favorite things

Foot press

I don't really hate it but it kinda hurts my big toes.

Leg curl

Not that I hate it, but the pain get to my thighs. But hey, no pain, no gain.

Overall, going to Snap Fitness has been the best thing I've ever done. I owe it all to my father, Kyle, and Chandran for making it all possible.