A Very Kiwi Thanksgiving

So in my time, today was Thanksgiving in New Zealand. Obviously, the Kiwis don't celebrate this very American Holiday, and I nearly forgot it was today. I was supposed to be on a bus to Rotorua today, but when I realized it was Thanksgiving, I changed my ticket so I could spend my Turkey Day with the family I have now in New Zealand. And it was also Andrew's Birthday, so it was reason to celebrate in good ole Kiwi fashion.

So what did my Thanksgiving consist of? Well certainly not turkey and football. We launched the boat in the morning and FINALLY me, Sophie, Bianca, Andrew and Co. were able to go for a sail and a fish. In the newspaper that morning, there were pictures of dudes who had just went out at the same spot the day before and caught a MASSIVE snapper, and I was just fucking determined to catch the Thanksgiving fish of the day. Unfortunately, with the wind blowing 20+ knots and it being mid-afternoon, conditions were not ideal for bagging a humongo fish. Ironically, however, it was me, the American, and Sophie, the Frenchy, who happened to catch the only keep-able fish of the day that the Kiwis would be eating for dinner. There were 7 of us and we only caught 4 fish...so not much of a fish feast, but we ended up having a pretty epic dinne,and I didn't actually vomit after this Thanksgiving feast (which is typical of me the past 2 years). And i FINALLY got out on the boat after being promised all week, which was fucking awesome. Can't say I've ever been deep sea fishing for Thanksgiving before. Also can't say I've ever sliced the head off of a live fish for bait, but I suppose that all comes with the experience. Still have fish guts underneath my nails. Yum.

So because Andrew and Bianca are the best ever, they invited their whole family over for a feast to celebrate Andrew's Birthday, and also to celebrate Thanksgiving. I'm not going to lie, it was EXACTLY how thanksgiving is at my house...my mother stressing out about getting everything ready, kids running around like crazy, bottles of wine being opened and beer being consumed...a really warm enviornment full of friends and family. Mom, you will be happy to know that I helped as much as I could with this feast, but instead of making mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, and creamed spinach, and apple pie, I helped prepare cabbage slaw, raw fish salad, Avacado, and a freaking amazing Feijoa fruit crumble. A little unorthodox Thanksgiving of course, but the feelings were still the same.

Now this is about to get sappy. As we all sat down to dinner, I could not help but feel an incredible warmth towards this family. Here they were, welcoming some foreigner into their home, with no judgements, and no preconceived notions. They treated me like their own daughter (especially when Andrew found out about when the scuba guide asked me out), and I felt increidbly lucky to have been a part of this wonderful group of people. And then I lost it, because after we made a toast to Andre's birthday, Bianca aksed me to share my Thanksgiving tradition, which was go around the table and say what I am thankful for.

Well.

Of course I am thankful for my health. And my youth. And having this INCREDIBLE opportunity to be here in New Zealand, to travel the world, to have this amazing experience and meet so many fantastic people. And to eat amazing food and share cultures and knowledge and everything...I have only been here for about 3 weeks and it has already been "life changing". But what am I the most thankful for? My family, who have had the most amazing support for me through out my entire life. My Dad who has instilled in me the desire to follow my dreams, my Brother, who altought gives me shit all the time about my crazy life, still would defend me with his life. And my mom, who is the most AMAZING mother in the entire world, who has put up with me coming and going and giving her stress about where I am and what I am doing. Who would fly across the world to New Zealand, despite her motion sickness and slight fear of flying, to comfort me if I needed her. I love you guys. And for my friends, Caitlin, I know you're reading this, hopefully after a few bottles of wine, thanks for being my sister. And all the others, you know who you are, who support me and love me and I know will be there for me always and forever. I have so much to be Thankful for in this wonderful life, I wish it was something we all thought about every day. I've also had a few glasses of Feijoa wine so I'm feeling extra sappy at the moment. But tomorrow is America's Thanksgiving, so please eat some sweet potato cassarole for me. And be thankful that you're with your family, because I miss mine :)