Happy Thanksgiving! This is the fourth one we're celebrating together (if you can believe it).
There was the 2008 Thanksgiving Narrative
There was the 2009 Cranky Thanksgiving Post
And there was the 2010 Thankful Thanksgiving (yes, it took me three years to actually figure out the purpose of the holiday)
This year, however, is radically different. This year is the Year of No Thanksgiving.
They don't celebrate it over here, you see. I had classes today as usual. Stores are open. There are no touch football games going on in the park, and there are no driveways overflowing with out-of-town cars.
It's an ordinary day here in Austria, and I have to say, it makes me a little sad.
AIFS is trying to make it up to us by organizing a fancy dinner concert for tonight. We're going to the oldest restaurant in Europe to eat a three course meal (traditional Austrian food, not turkey) and listen to Mozart. Dresses and suits are required.
And while this is all very nice, and while I appreciate the program trying to make us feel less forlorn about missing Thanksgiving, I would much prefer jeans and sweatshirts to a cocktail dress. I would rather eat my Dad's homemade stuffing than schnitzel. I would rather sit across the table from my young cousins than from people who don't know the first thing about me. Heck, I would rather suffer through another Packer win than listen to a string quartet.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to study in Salzburg. I'm thankful for all that I've seen and experienced. I'm thankful for my health and my newfound independence and for my family and friends back home who love me. I'm thankful for Special K Cereal (red berries).
And I'm thankful for you, especially if you stuck with me after the 2009 Thanksgiving post (that was rough to reread).
Have a wonderful day, you guys. Eat plenty of turkey for me.
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