I'm thankful to have had this amazing opportunity to study abroad. I've been places I never would've imagined going and met so many amazing people. Normally on Thanksgiving my cell phone is flooded with 'Happy Thanksgiving' texts from friends, but being overseas, I did not get to experience this annual delight. However, one of my Irish friends did remember me on Thanksgiving and I think that text means more to me than he could possibly know. I also have the best travel buddies a girl could ask for. I cannot count the times they've made me laugh till my cheeks hurt and I had tears in my eyes. They are truly amazing young women and I cannot imagine my life in Ireland without them! I've truly feel that I've grown as a person since I've been in Ireland. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made and I'm so grateful that I was given this opportunity.
I am grateful to have an incredible group of friends. Whether they be friends from Ireland, college, high school, or those few that I've known since elementary school, they are amazing people. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such genuinely great people. I even would count those I've worked with at Bella Napoli as a second family. We've had so many good times together, and I know we'll be there for each other for years to come! I cannot wait to see all those lovely familiar faces when I get back to the states!
Most of all I'm so incredibly thankful for my wonderful, loving family. We always poke fun at my mom for using the phrase, 'my cup runneth over' every year at Thanksgiving. But, I feel like I may need to steal this phrase this year. When it comes to my family, my cup really does run over. I have a father who supports me in all that I do (not only financially - although I do also really appreciate that part!). I have a mother who I'm so thankful I never went through the 'I hate you' phase with - I'm lucky enough to count my mother as a friend as well as family. I'm happy to say that I also know count my three older brothers as friends instead of mortal enemies. I'm not exactly sure when that transition occurred, but I will be ever grateful that it did. I also cannot say enough about my extended family. I have wonderful grandparents who I cannot imagine my life without, cousins who are the closest things I've ever had to sisters, the most adorable little second cousins who bring me nothing but smiles and laughs, and wonderful aunts and uncles who I love being around and can make me laugh until I cry.
Being away from home for Thanksgiving was really difficult. However, we all made it through, and at least for me, it made me reflect on my life more than normal. I have so much to be thankful for, and if you're reading this blog post - you're probably among those things for which I am most grateful!
AND now that Thanksgiving is over, it is officially the start of the Christmas season! This is my favorite time of year and I could not be more excited. I'm even watching 'A Christmas Story' right now as I'm writing this! I cannot wait to break out the Christmas music either and we're going to a tree lighting in about a week! We're off to London next weekend and I've heard that they're already all decked out for Christmas, so that will surely get us even more into the Christmas spirit!
While I will be so sad to leave this wonderful country and experience in about three weeks, I genuinely cannot wait to be home with my amazing family for the Christmas season!
With love, from Ireland!
Biff
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