I'm glad that I got the special chance to experience a truly American Christmas with all the bells and whistles, except the typical American Christmas dinner - turkey and sides. Instead we had a wonderful and super delicious, easy menu. There was mashed potatoes, green beans casserole, a mixed salad, gravy, vegan turkey slices and even Austrian bread with some "I can't believe it's not" butter. Of course we didn't forget about desserts but at the end of the long day we were so full that barely anyone was able to even try our yummy homemade cakes and cookies. After talking about all the good food I totally lost the thread and realized that I started from the back, the 25th of December.
As you all might know, America actually celebrates Christmas one day later than we (Europeans) do. Nevertheless, we went to our church on Sunday to join the Christmas Eve Service. It was so beautiful, they decorated the whole big room with Christmas lights and trees. Everyone was dressed up and they even organized a mini orchestra and some amazing musicians to guide us through the service. Later when my friend Dylan told me the leadsinger was a pretty popular Spanish musician I was really surprised. My personal little highlight was when the pastor began to light the church with his candlelight. The church was full of a thousand little stars in shape of a candle. My body began to shake a little and I suddenly forgot how to breathe. All I could think of was how happy and blessed I am to sit in a building with wonderful christmas music, God and of course, most important: I was surrounded by my lovely family. Now I know that those moments counted the most during my whole exchange.
New Years Eve is a typical family holiday, especially when you have young kids at home who are not old enough to go out.
Thankfully my sweet family was offering me to invite my friends. We ended up having a nice game night together with my family and friends. My mom prepared yummy snacks and drinks. Later that night Gigi and I had a vegan donut, we were so full but our eyes were bigger than our stomach could handle. Even though I really enjoyed it, I kinda regret it afterwards in the morning. Now I know I shouldn't have cared. You loose weight so quickly when you are going back to your home country. And that's a promise from me to you: You only regret those things you haven't tried.
Gaining weight in the US is just a little side effect of pure enjoyment and it's worth it. (Also, everyone who thinks that vegans are skinny or even sick--> have a look at me, I'm the best example and proof that this is a BIG lie :D)
They told me in advance that Christmas holiday is probably gonna be the hardest time for all the exchange students. Seriously, it is. But not because I missed my Austrian home so much. I just feared going back. It was basically a reminder that my time was almost over. Of course I thought of my family and friends at home,too. It was the very first time I didn't spend this holiday in my home country, but I knew that beofre I went on an exchange and I already had a second family to spend it with. Morever, one of my best friends had to leave a couple of days after Christmas, that was a quite emotional time with the worst and best mixed feelings I've ever felt.
Have a good start, look after yourself and others
Love,
Anna :)