When I woke up on the morning of thanksgiving it was sunny and significantly warmer than the day before. This simple condition really set the tone for my day in a very positive way.
When I got to school I shared some "pumpkin spice candy corn" with my class (which they liked significantly more than I do) and got to tell them a little about the fall and specifically thanksgiving in the USA. Once my classmates found out I was missing an important holiday in my life they were all quick to wish me a happy thanksgiving, and some of my friends even decided that we should go and eat Chinese to celebrate. These small moments with my class made me realize that even though I was not at home, thanksgiving could still be something special.
When I got home I was really expecting to go into my room, and eat some of my American candy to "celebrate" the holiday that was so special to my life, but that didn't happen either. My host parents knew it was a big holiday for me so my host father prepared a special meal for me. Turkey breast in gravy with cranberries in it served along side knödel (which are kind of like stuffing) using a recipe he found on the internet. And it was all delicious, and the gesture was so sweet my heart was truly warmed.
The next day was not filled with a late night, and early morning spent in the mall with a million other cranky people who really just needed that cheap tv, outfit, necklace etc... Instead I spent the day in school. Again. But after school I found more holiday cheer surprisingly working its way into my life. As always the Christmas season was not allowed to start for me until the day after thanksgiving, "Black Friday". So to kick off the season of my favorite holiday I visited my first advent market and saw all kinds of beautiful holiday treasure and lots of other junk too! My host mother and I even rode a Christmas roller coaster while my host cousin and host aunt waited for us outside. This bit of Christmas cheer really. Roughy my mood in general to a new, high, level because... CHRISTMAS!
Once I had enough of the wonderful holiday market I head home to enjoy a little more thanksgiving fun. I was really excited to show my host parents what a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is all about, so I popped some popcorn, acquired some jellybeans and prepared some toast in order to make this a totally authentic experience (ok, I forgot the pretzel rods). My host parents were delighted by the little details I put in to make this a little more fun for all of us. And to be honest since I was a little kid I have always wanted to eat popcorn, toast, and jellybeans for thanksgiving (just like Charlie Brown). This was a funny thing to do, and I realize that but to me sharing this movie and having this silly dinner made me really happy and it felt like I was enjoying the holiday in yet another exciting new way.
Although this thanksgiving was not spent with a turkey larger than a baby surrounded by people so loud you can't even hear your own thoughts I began to thinkl maybe the fundamental qualities of this non-typical,thanksgiving day was not so different than that of the thanksgivings I had enjoyed at home. Although the people were different and the food was not so extreme or traditional I still spent my holiday surrounded by amazing people who went out of their way to do something special for me; and for that I am so thankful.
And to all my family who read this; I can't wait to be back with all of you next year. I think one quiet thanksgiving is enough to last a lifetime.
