Thank you, Native Americans.

Sarah & Nikki at "French" Thanksgiving

Frandel and I at "French" Thanksgiving

Good friends, good food, good times!

My 2 point sweet potatoes

My program director, Markus, and assistant director, Caroline.

Yes, that is a real, little crab.

Thanksgiving.

Every year at Thanksgiving, no matter where I am, I have participated in tradition of going around the table and saying what each person is thankful for.

I have been home for most Thanksgivings, except the two I spent with Ali's family in Idaho Falls while I was going to BYUI. Even then, we all counted our blessings.

In France, no one cares about Thanksgiving.

It goes unnoticed-stores stay open, turkey's run about 90 euro and pumpkin pies have not yet made an appearance in stores or on dinner tables.

It did not go without celebration for "les etudiants" in the CSU program, however.

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner was held on the Friday before with all the trimmings-mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, even pumpkin pie.

Since turkey was out of the budget, a small chicken was substituted. It felt like a holiday, with all my newly made good friends sitting around, chatting about travel plans for Christmas and school and past Thanksgivings.

We had a more formal dinner the night of Thanksgiving, with the entire program of about 60 people. It was held at a quaint restaurant outside of town, with a fish soup starter, Julia Child's special beef dish with polenta, and cheescake (ish) for dessert. Not exactly a turkey dinner.

It was nice to all be together. I sat at a table with Sarah, Nikki and Frandel, who all feel more like family than friends with all we've been through so far together.

Before we started the meal, we continued the tradition of saying what we were grateful for. We all included eachother, our families who are funding our time here, our friends at home who continually give their support even though they miss us, our opportunity to study in Europe and the chances we've had to see the world.

We have alot of blessings.