A Time to Give Thanks!

As most people know, yesterday was Thanksgiving. For Americans, this holiday is very important. Usually in the United States, the family and some friends get together, eat, and just give thanks. In my family (American), Almost everyone gets together and we meet in a little wooden cabin in St. Francisville. This has been the tradition since before I was born. Of course, this year I couldn't join them. However, I did try to bring a little bit of "home" to my second home in Italy.

    Laurel, Darcy and I decided to have a little party for our families and a few friends. After school Laurel and I went to Laurel's host house to prepare the food for the party. We made the Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, homemade Noodles, Glazed Cinnamon Carrots, and Broccoli. 

My host parents lending a hand or two.

I was messing around with the turkey.

Serena (Laurel's host sister) and I.

Pasta making. American vs. Italian

I'm so proud of this. It's the second time I've cooked turkey in my life.

Stuffing. It tastes like home. 

Stuffing and mashed potatoes, not the potato purée they have in Italy.

Serena, Zia, and me 

 

The table. I think it looks pretty good.

My family in Illinois having their party. It doesn't look too different, does it?

My Italian tutor and her husband.

 I think it's safe to say the Italians liked American cooking.

 

The party! If you look you can see the American, Italian and Canadian flags. Before we ate we said a prayer in English and in Italian. Then, we listened to the American national anthem, the Canadian national anthem and of course the Italian Anthem. It was really sweet that they went into that much thought to do that for us. The little things really do count.

 We must have done pretty well the great Luigi Prota continued to eat our food. Haha 

Well, I was really expecting the worst about being away from my family but I realized I had my other family right before my eyes. My parents and my sister - I'm so happy that I have them. Surprisingly they let me go. I thank them for being crazy enough to say yes to the even crazier idea of becoming an exchange student with Rotary. I'm glad I have both of my families there when I need them; Italian and American. My friends that I have from around the world. I'm thinking of you all. The Rotarians who got me here in Italy and support me. I can't even begin to name off everything that I'm thankful for. This party certainly made me feel much better. I wasn't alone for this large holiday. I spent it like it should be spent with family and friends.