2016 has been quite the year – not just on a national scale, but within the Seattle tech community and the walls of WTIA as well. Thanksgiving Day is the perfect time step back, block out the noise, and reflect on the abundance in our lives that can sometimes be all too easy to forget about. If you’re not yet in a tryptophan coma, take a moment to see what the employees at WTIA are giving thanks for this year. Chances are some of it will resonate with you.

Fuzz Asni:

I am thankful for the United States of America. This is the country where I feel at home away from home. This country gave me the best education I could have hoped for. It gave me love and it gave me opportunity. Although it is challenging at times and although it seems as a gay Muslim immigrant of color, I have every reason to be afraid today –  I AM NOT. This country is greater than its skepticism and better than the voices of discontent that seem to scream louder everyday. Despite its flaw, I am thankful for this great nation. Its imperfection gives me something to hope for, something to work towards and something to dream on. I am thankful for the wonderful people that have opened their doors and hearts to me. I have wonderful families and friends, and for them, I am also thankful.

Anna Choi:

I am thankful for living in a city that cares about diversity inclusion. Having grown up in all-white Middle America (Ohio, Georgia, and eastern Washington) my whole life, I did not appreciate being Asian and felt threatened if another Asian might rob my token status.

Not fitting in was always subtle – making fun of mom’s accent, guys saying asian women are so nice in serving you, having to pronounce my last name with a contorted “CHEE-CHEE-CHONG” kind of tone as I cooly would say “Choi, it’s pronounced Choi,” or just always having to answer the question, “What ARE YOU?” I am grateful for my dad’s wisdom to say, “I am what I am” or “I am human.” :D

I now live in an age and city where those subtle experiences never happen. In fact, I find white people in Seattle are sometimes more Korean than me! They know the language, culture, and/or enjoy the food more than me. It’s amazing!  

As a mixed couple, married to a white man, I am especially grateful that my son Eli will get to grow up “normal” and not have to take flack from those not used to differences. Eli is free to focus on what lights him up and how he wants to contribute in the world. I can authentically say now, I am proud to be a Korean American and am grateful to call this community my home.

Toni Colman:

I am thankful for my dog, Winston, because no matter where my life has taken me…through the ups and the downs…the happy and sad times…he is always there putting a smile on my face. He’s been on this rollercoaster of life with me providing me unconditional love 24/7. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in crime.  

Nick Ellingson:

I’m thankful for friends, family, and for a workplace that provides a sense of purpose, an opportunity to improve my community, and to be creative within all facets of my job. Also, I’m thankful that I’m officially the Dungeon Master of my D&D group. Let the world building begin!

Mike Monroe:

I’m thankful for…

1) a local community of health and benefit solution providers that serve the tech industry,

2) the opportunity to work closely with technology employer groups,

3) the opportunity to work in the tech sector – the highest growth and most innovative industry in our economy, and

4) being Washington-born and raised. We live in an incredibly beautiful and progressive state with some of the brightest minds in the world.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, joy, and and a whole lot of delicious food.