Thursday, November 22, 2007

Giving Thanks

Today is the American holiday of Thanksgiving, a day during which we stuff our faces with turkey, pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes and mumble something about how thankful we are for our families before watching the American football game and falling asleep on the couch. And really, isn't that how it's supposed to be done?

Well, today I won't be eating any turkey or pumpkin pie (but there will probably be some falling asleep on the couch), but even without all the fixings, I certainly have plenty to be thankful for this year ...

I am thankful for my family, all of who supported me during the last few months as I moved to Istanbul. I'm sure there was some nail biting on the parts of my parents at the prospect of Turkey -- "But Turkey is SO FAR AWAY!"


(sorry mom, dad, and amy - all the pictures on my computer are from this semester [ and what I can steal from facebook albums])

I am thankful for my friends back at home, all of you who have made my day in one way or other – letters, random IMs or Skype calls just to say hello and see how I’m doing over here (and inquire as to when I’m going to come to my senses and come home).



I am thankful for my friends here in Istanbul, both Turkish and other exchange students, for having made my semester so memorable. From road trips to Bulgaria to randomly getting lost and exploring parts of Istanbul to cooking a huge Thanksgiving dinner together to share tonight.



I am thankful for my Turkish family – Resa and Mehmet (Anne ve Baba) – for all their help in getting me here, finding my lost luggage (and making sure it found me), recommending Turkish medicines and taking care of me when I was sick. I promise I'll stop jinxing myself on this blog and causing you trouble at some point before I return to the states in January.



I am thankful for the generosity of the Turkish people. These people truly are selfless and kind and giving, more so than any other people I have ever met.

And I am thankful that this world is a good place to be, for all the reminders of how fortunate I am, and that there are adventures galore to last me a lifetime and wonderful people to share them with.

Iyi Sukran gunleri!
Happy Thanksgiving!

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