I barely have time to breathe, let alone spend QT with the BF.

I’m currently only on my second week back in school. However, in those few days, I’ve managed to become a producer at our student TV station, write a paper on The Godfather script, drop a class because it had too much homework, and signed up to become a licensed real estate agent. I’ve canceled or just flat out forgotten about my friends, and worst of all, I’ve barely seen my boyfriend… even though I live with him.

Anybody else dealing with the time crunch in a relationship? How do you deal?

Forever a dreamer, I have lived through movies. I wanted to change the bad boy like Reese Witherspoon in Cruel Intentions. I wanted a wardrobe like Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada. And mostly, I wanted to dance my way to sex like Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing (and not in the frat party/grinding sorta way).

Keep dreaming, right?

However, after spending lots of time analyzing my favorite movies, I’ve realized that it’s not so hard for the everyday man to create a movie moment in everyday life. Sure, finding a Leonardo DiCaprio to sketch my naked body on a sinking ship might be hard (and not ideal considering the ending), but many of the most romantic gestures in movies aren’t so hard to manage, even without a script:

Kiss me and dip in a public spot: While most couples may become accustomed to the “Good-bye, see you later” peck, it is not really that difficult to kiss a girl for longer than a millisecond and bring in some impromptu passion. Although I personally hated Berger from Sex and the City, there is this great scene where he says to Carrie “We need a movie moment kiss” and then dips her in front of a museum or a library or some other spot where people are bound to swoon at this chivalrous man. Movie moment that takes about 5 seconds and leaves you breathless for the next hour? Not so hard.

Arrange to kiss in the rain: Next time there is a thunderstorm, don’t arrange to be in bed (just yet) watching a movie. Rather, drag me outside to kiss me in the rain. This becomes even more movie-like if we’ve just had a fight and are making up in the rain (but I don’t suggest starting a fight just to create a movie moment – I’m not that crazy). Besides it can only lead to one of two things: either a hot shower (hopefully together) to warm up, or fantastic sex where we rip each other’s wet clothes off of each other…both of which are also great movie moments.

Throw me up against a wall and make out. Seriously: For the greatest of sex scenes, think The Notebook. How hot would it be to walk into a party, look for your guy, and all of the sudden feel those hands on you that push you up against a wall and have to kiss you then and there? So long as he’s not too violent with it, moves like that totally get both of your hearts racing, and again, probably take about 10 seconds to complete. There’s nothing hotter than knowing that you have to have somebody right then and there, so if you’re the kind of person who isn’t into impromptu sex in a broom closet, this move will totally turn a girl on without embarrassing you both if you get caught.

Do cute things without being told to: One of my friends is just blessed with that gene that makes him plan surprise dates for his girlfriend every month or so. He leaves notes under her pillow, he plans surprise picnics, he doesn’t tell her where they’re going, and he gives her flowers for no reason. A lot of this stuff doesn’t cost much, but it’s so nice to see that your guy is thinking about you. Things like bringing each other coffee when you are stressed, popping over with Chinese food, and coming by just to say hi all take minimal effort but get maximum appreciation points. It’s not that girls want loads of money spent on them, we just want proof that the guys are thinking about us since we spend so much brainpower on them. Cute things are often relatively easy and will always earn a man brownie points.

Stay in contact: Leave a message telling your girl that you were thinking about her. If you’re at the library, text her saying you would rather be with her than with your books. Of course she can assume this, but it’s always nice to hear. Again, the little things go a long way, and then she can swoon to her friends about how much her guy appreciates her.

If you have other great moments that are easy to replicate in reality, share ‘em here! Then we can all pass this link on to the men in our lives and have our own real-life romantic movie moments.

I’m writing this letter with sadness in my heart and hot fudge in my hair. I’ve spent the last two months scooping your ice cream and ringing up orders and now its time for me to go home. But even though I must leave, I wanted to spend a few final moments reflecting on our time together.

Like remember all those times when you came in with your Blackberry in one hand, your Bugaboo stroller in the other, and you didn’t even look up from your phone to place your order? I always respected you for your determination to complete your conversation, even if it sometimes meant you couldn’t make eye contact with me.

Or haha, I’m cracking up about that time I gave you two cents in change and you held your hand out waiting for it so you could put it back in your Prada wallet, which you shoved into your Fendi bag instead of the tip jar. That was a great time.

Oh wait, an even better memory is the time you got your toddler an ice cream cone and the precocious little thing dumped it all on the floor and, instead of offering to help pick it up, you demanded a a new ice cream at no extra charge. And even though there was a line in front of you, I admired you for teaching your child resilience by cutting the entire line so your baby could have their second ice cream immediately.

I know this letter is supposed to be full of good times and laughs but I really need to take this moment to apologize for asking you to repeat your order twice. It was completely my fault that after working an eight-hour shift; I couldn’t remember exactly which yogurt you wanted in which size after you rattled them off to me. So I totally appreciate that after I asked you to repeat the order, you spoke incredibly slowly as if I had the IQ of a sugar cone.

But back to the good times. Like remember that one time you had a last-minute impromptu birthday party in the store and you totally forget to tell anyone that worked there? That was a great surprise and it was even more fun when you spent the entire time complaining because we couldn’t give you personal attention. Our ice-cream-scooper-party-

planner-waitress-nanny was out that day and I have to thank for your understanding.

And it was totally reasonable that you didn’t leave any kind of tip. The eye contact we made when I was on my hands and knees wiping slices of melting ice cream cake off the floor was tip enough.

I really hope your son had a wonderful birthday because the celebration continued long after you left. We got to get the broom, the mop, and every other cleaning product out in order to clean up after your party. I wish more parents had your appreciation of suspense and gratitude. I knew that when you said, “your store is completely disorganized and unable to put on a party,” you really meant thank you.

Even though I’m having a wonderful time writing this letter, I really must get back to my internship. Internship? you might say. Yes, the days when I wasn’t scooping ice cream and pouring skim milk into your coffee, I was interning. I know, its crazy to think that underneath that ice-cream stained shirt, was a college student who was just working in the store for a little extra money.

You are probably wondering how I could be a college student and still have messed up your change that one time. But don’t feel bad. After all, once I put on that highly attractive ice cream uniform I only existed to listen to you complain about your frozen yogurt melting too fast. Ice cream melting when its hot out. It’s completely my fault and I take full responsibility. I only hope that one day, twenty years from now, when those precious little babies you brought into the store are working their summer jobs, wherever that might be, someone treats them with the same respect you gave me.

P.S. I might have underestimated the calories in the frozen yogurt. Whoops.

Not that it is hard to come up with a list; I have so many things in my life that I am so fortunate to have. Things that I should really appreciate more year round, come to think of it. Things that I should not come to expect, but should rather feel lucky to have.

This is a problem many of us have – wanting more and appreciating nothing – so I thought I would take this opportunity to get all of you in the spirit of giving thanks by sharing with you just a few of the things I am more than grateful for this year:

1. My DVR: I know this shouldn’t come before family, but my DVR really is there for me when no one else is around. Like really early on a Saturday morning when I can’t sleep due to some interesting sounds coming from upstairs. Or after a long day of work when I want nothing more than the wisdom of one Ms. Oprah Winfrey.

2. My Family: I have put them through a lot these past few years; from my post-college depression to my spur-of-the-moment move to NY and then my spur-of-the-moment move back home. They are supportive, funny, loving and all around the best people I know. But they are still not willing to sit with me at 6:45 on a Saturday morning. Hence their number 2 spot.

3. My Dog: No matter what, my pup is always willing to cuddle up next to me for a nice nap, share a dish of ice cream with me, and kiss me in the morning no matter how bad my breath is.

4. My Boot Camp Instructor: This guy is definitely on some super strong crack (he has an obscene amount of energy at 6am on a Monday), but whatever he is doing it is working for me. His energy and music selection inspire me to get to the gym by 6am and jump around, sprint and do far too many push ups. And my arms are looking daaaamn good for it.

5. My Friends: Staying close to my best friends has been hard since college ended. We are all across the country! But every time we get together for a reunion – or even just chat on the phone – I realize just how lucky I am to have them. They are my rock. They are my support. And they are really f-ing funny.

6. Target: Fabulous clothes for cheap. How can you not appreciate that!?

7. My Strength: Not my physical strength – even though my arms are filling out quite nicely! – but my emotional strength. The first few years out of college are rough, which is why I am so grateful for the strength I have found to get through it. I had many down days along the way, but I fought through and have found a new level of happiness. I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

8. Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

9. Coffee (Namely, Pumpkin Lattes): My bosses are also grateful for this as it is the only thing that gets me through the day. Mmm. That smell, that taste. When it hits your lips….

10. CollegeCandy: I know it seems so cheesy, but I feel so lucky to have this outlet to express myself. Writing is my passion; besides coffee, this is the one thing that gets me through a long day. So, I am extremely grateful to have such a wonderful place to put my words on “paper.”

I have so much more – I am one lucky girl – but this isn’t about me. What about you; what are you thankful for this season