Wednesday night I found myself walking down the street wearing a backpacking backpack full to the top with ingredients, (struggling a little under the weight). After dreaming Wednesday night, of trying to roll out pie crust in a room full of UWC students and family members where kids were climbing on the crust, I woke up and got back to work. We searched the city for turkey, hauled 20 lbs of potatoes to the residence, and bought another backpack worth plus as much as 2 of us could carry in our hands of groceries. We were preparing to cook for over 100 people from over 21 countries.

We started cooking at 3:00, peeling and peeling potatoes, mixing up vats of cornbread and banana-bread batter (we had to multiply the recipes by 10), chopping fruits and veggies for salads. The six American students along with helpers from Turkey(my roommate), Austria, Germany, Hong Kong and other countries, along with the amazing kitchen staff who kept us from burning anything helped supply us with ingredients, equipment, and knowledge, had filled up the tables with food by 7:30 when the feast began. There where mountains of cornbread, more mashed potatoes than I've ever seen, curries from Singapore, pies, cakes, stuffing, cranberry sauce made from dried cranberries (no fresh or frozen to be found), fried fish from China, and so so much more!

Preparing and cooking had been slightly stressful and a lot of work, but seeing everyone, from so many countries excited to celebrate this holiday made it more than worth it. Being able to share something important to my culture with my new friends and classmates made me more excited about thanksgiving than ever. We ate and smiled and talked about what they are thankful for and then compared our food babies.

I am thankful, thankful for out differences and our opportunities to share them, for all the people who have made my life rich and full.