Hey everyone,
Sorry that it's been so long since I've last posted, but nothing extremely exciting has been happening. I'm finally settled in, feeling like a normal(ish, I'll never be normal, let's be honest) italian teenager, and I'm developing a sort of routine. The language is still difficult, but the amount that I've learned at this point is outstanding, and I'd never have guessed that I'd be able to understand so much in such a short amount of time. Anyways, on to the fun stuff!
Yesterday was thanksgiving, which I'm sure all you crazy Americans know. Also, fun fact, my second favorite holiday after Christmas. Getting to see all the family, eating a disgustingly large amount of food and not regretting it at all, and the official start of the Christmas season.
Well, of course, this year I'm not with my family, which is a little sad, but luckily I have another great family here. One who is so excited to share a huge American tradition with me, even though they're italian. So last afternoon, I went to my host grandmas house and baked a (slightly failed) pumpkin pie, while she, her sister, my host grandpa, and my other host grandma made turkey, focaccia, mashed potatoes, and other fabulous foods.
Even I made a focaccia!
It was such a fun, great night, and I'm so extremely grateful for this second family I have. And on that note, here's a list of things I'm grateful for this year:
• My family at home, in particular my parents. This year wouldn't be possible without them and letting me leave them the same year as my sister must've been so hard, but they always support me no matter what, and for that, I will always be grateful.
• Italy. The people in it, the food I've eaten, the friends I've made, the new language and culture I'm struggling to understand, and the challenge it's presenting me with to overcome.
• My dogs. Lord do I miss my dogs.
• My friends at home who stick with me through thick and thin, even when we fight, or don't agree on something, even when I'm 5000 miles away. They're the best.
• Me. I'm grateful that I have the courage to do this, that I'm pushing myself so far out of my comfort zone to accomplish something that has and will change my life, that I'm investing in my future, and that I'm having fun doing it.
Okay, now that all the sappy, loving stuff is out of the way, here are some more pictures:
Buona festa del Ringraziamento!
Xoxo,
Maeve
