It seems only fitting that I dedicate a blog post to Thanksgiving so that I can think about and share what all I am thankful for. This is my first Thanksgiving away from home, and though I'm thinking about my family and how they are coping proceeding with their day of thanks without me, I feel like the luckiest girl alive for many reasons.
Family
My family is the most important thing in the world to me, and without them, I wouldn't be here in France, gazing out my school's library window at the cobblestoned streets reflecting on this crisp Thanksgiving day. I miss my family a lot, and I'm thankful that I can say they miss me too. I can picture my dad and brother, clad in their khakis and flannel, smelling the smoky aroma billowing from the turkey in the Big Green Egg by the marsh. I can see my sister meticulously placing each marshmallow on top of the sweet potato casserole. I can see my mom pulling out everything from the oven, perfectly timed for the most highly anticipated lunch of the year.
Family
My family is the most important thing in the world to me, and without them, I wouldn't be here in France, gazing out my school's library window at the cobblestoned streets reflecting on this crisp Thanksgiving day. I miss my family a lot, and I'm thankful that I can say they miss me too. I can picture my dad and brother, clad in their khakis and flannel, smelling the smoky aroma billowing from the turkey in the Big Green Egg by the marsh. I can see my sister meticulously placing each marshmallow on top of the sweet potato casserole. I can see my mom pulling out everything from the oven, perfectly timed for the most highly anticipated lunch of the year.
I'm thankful for my French host family, who has so generously opened their home for me. Marie-Dominique is unfaltering in her kindness, and I'll always remember our time talking over dinner and recounting our days to one another. Without the host-family experience my time in France would be extremely different.
Friends
I'm so blessed to have friends far and near. Though I don't talk to all of them every day, I'm thankful to know that they are well and doing wonderful things with their lives. Brilliant friends who are dominating through their first semester of graduate school, successful friends who are already out working in the real world, caring friends who are fighting poverty in Africa, loving friends who just call every once in a while to say hello. I'm also lucky to have friends I've made here in France, who, without a doubt, will be friends for life. I can be nostalgic today for those far away, but I can also take advantage of the limited time I have left with these friends I've made over the past 3 months. I'm thankful that I can return to my friends from home in three short weeks, just in time for Christmas.
Friends
I'm so blessed to have friends far and near. Though I don't talk to all of them every day, I'm thankful to know that they are well and doing wonderful things with their lives. Brilliant friends who are dominating through their first semester of graduate school, successful friends who are already out working in the real world, caring friends who are fighting poverty in Africa, loving friends who just call every once in a while to say hello. I'm also lucky to have friends I've made here in France, who, without a doubt, will be friends for life. I can be nostalgic today for those far away, but I can also take advantage of the limited time I have left with these friends I've made over the past 3 months. I'm thankful that I can return to my friends from home in three short weeks, just in time for Christmas.
Education
I will always be thankful for the education I received at Clemson. Clemson taught me so much about the world, about myself, and about International Business/Political Science (had to squeeze the major in there somehow)! I'll always be grateful for my time there and will cherish it for years to come. I'm also very thankful for Institute for American Universities (IAU), where I am studying now of course! This university allows me to pursue my French interests alongside Americans from all over, opening my mind and challenging my opinions. I'm also thankful for the Thanksgiving feast they are preparing for us tonight, so that we can literally have a taste of home in a foreign country.
Health
I'm so blessed to be healthy. Sometimes it blows my mind, as common as sickness is, that I'm able to make the 25 minute walk on my own two feet to school while enjoying breathing in the chilly clean air. That I'm able to use my brain to learn in school every day and to work together with others to find solutions in group projects. To use my voice to Skype or call my family and friends back home and tell them how much I love and miss them. To not have any allergies to inhibit my experience of French food (or any other kind of food, for that matter). Must give thanks for health every day.
These are some of the most important things I'm thankful for. If I were to list them all, I'd be still writing well into New Years! I wish all of you who are reading a Happy Thanksgiving, know that I am thankful for YOU, and I can't wait to see you when I get home!
xoxo
Holly
I will always be thankful for the education I received at Clemson. Clemson taught me so much about the world, about myself, and about International Business/Political Science (had to squeeze the major in there somehow)! I'll always be grateful for my time there and will cherish it for years to come. I'm also very thankful for Institute for American Universities (IAU), where I am studying now of course! This university allows me to pursue my French interests alongside Americans from all over, opening my mind and challenging my opinions. I'm also thankful for the Thanksgiving feast they are preparing for us tonight, so that we can literally have a taste of home in a foreign country.
Health
I'm so blessed to be healthy. Sometimes it blows my mind, as common as sickness is, that I'm able to make the 25 minute walk on my own two feet to school while enjoying breathing in the chilly clean air. That I'm able to use my brain to learn in school every day and to work together with others to find solutions in group projects. To use my voice to Skype or call my family and friends back home and tell them how much I love and miss them. To not have any allergies to inhibit my experience of French food (or any other kind of food, for that matter). Must give thanks for health every day.
These are some of the most important things I'm thankful for. If I were to list them all, I'd be still writing well into New Years! I wish all of you who are reading a Happy Thanksgiving, know that I am thankful for YOU, and I can't wait to see you when I get home!
xoxo
Holly