I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't originally in the holiday spirit. Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, and being so far away, I couldn't imagine it being all that great. Of course I was thankful for having the amazing opportunity to be in Israel, but I couldn't help but wish I was home, surrounded by friends and family.
As the holiday got closer, Perri, Jordan, and I started to think of ways that we could explain Thanksgiving to our students. We started by creating a huge orange poster. On the top, we wrote, "What are you thankful for?" We had students color in turkeys which we put down the side, and on the bottom we wrote, "Happy Thanksgiving!" Students and teachers were all given the chance to write on the banner what they were thankful for. Everyone was thankful for different things, but most their family, friends, and health. It wasn't too different from what we are always thankful for at home.
On Thanksgiving day, it didn't seem like much of a holiday. I went to work as I would every normal Thursday. However, instead of teaching English, we gave a power point presentation about Thanksgiving. We explained the history of how it started, how it became a national holiday, the foods we eat, and how we celebrate. We also had Jordan talk about Canadian Thanksgiving. At the end of each presentation, we showed them clips of the Macy's parade. It made me feel a bit more like it was actually Thanksgiving.
When work was over, I was able to go home and live stream the parade. Even though it made me homesick, I was happy to be able to watch the parade. I knew that back at home, my family was doing the exact same thing and it made me feel connected to them. When it was over, I did my cooking and my entire apartment went to the downstairs apartment.
All of the fellows, the Israeli peers included, gathered together for a huge Thanksgiving meal. David was asked to share the traditional story, although I must say he added some twists. It was the first Thanksgiving for so many Israelis, and it was exciting that we got to share that with them. When we realized that the Chicago Bears and Detriot Lions game was on, people started asking whose computer could be hooked to the TV. Knowing that mine could, I ran upstairs and grabbed it. When we finally got the game on the TV, everyone cheered. I felt like an American hero.
Dinner went late into the night, until all of the food, desert, and drinks were gone. However, the celebration didn't end there.
On Friday, some of us gathered at the local school to play some good ole' football. None of us were particually good, but it a good time was had by all. Even those who just sat on the side had a great time laughing at all of our missed catches or silly touchdown dances. My personal favorite moment was when Michelle told David to simply fall on the ground. She thought this would distract the other team and we would be able to score. While we didn't score, watching David fall was hilarious and we did get a complete pass, one of few.
There was loads of food, desert, smiles, and laughter. It wasn't my traditional Thanksgiving, but I'd still say it was one for the books.
As the holiday got closer, Perri, Jordan, and I started to think of ways that we could explain Thanksgiving to our students. We started by creating a huge orange poster. On the top, we wrote, "What are you thankful for?" We had students color in turkeys which we put down the side, and on the bottom we wrote, "Happy Thanksgiving!" Students and teachers were all given the chance to write on the banner what they were thankful for. Everyone was thankful for different things, but most their family, friends, and health. It wasn't too different from what we are always thankful for at home.
On Thanksgiving day, it didn't seem like much of a holiday. I went to work as I would every normal Thursday. However, instead of teaching English, we gave a power point presentation about Thanksgiving. We explained the history of how it started, how it became a national holiday, the foods we eat, and how we celebrate. We also had Jordan talk about Canadian Thanksgiving. At the end of each presentation, we showed them clips of the Macy's parade. It made me feel a bit more like it was actually Thanksgiving.
When work was over, I was able to go home and live stream the parade. Even though it made me homesick, I was happy to be able to watch the parade. I knew that back at home, my family was doing the exact same thing and it made me feel connected to them. When it was over, I did my cooking and my entire apartment went to the downstairs apartment.
All of the fellows, the Israeli peers included, gathered together for a huge Thanksgiving meal. David was asked to share the traditional story, although I must say he added some twists. It was the first Thanksgiving for so many Israelis, and it was exciting that we got to share that with them. When we realized that the Chicago Bears and Detriot Lions game was on, people started asking whose computer could be hooked to the TV. Knowing that mine could, I ran upstairs and grabbed it. When we finally got the game on the TV, everyone cheered. I felt like an American hero.
Dinner went late into the night, until all of the food, desert, and drinks were gone. However, the celebration didn't end there.
On Friday, some of us gathered at the local school to play some good ole' football. None of us were particually good, but it a good time was had by all. Even those who just sat on the side had a great time laughing at all of our missed catches or silly touchdown dances. My personal favorite moment was when Michelle told David to simply fall on the ground. She thought this would distract the other team and we would be able to score. While we didn't score, watching David fall was hilarious and we did get a complete pass, one of few.
There was loads of food, desert, smiles, and laughter. It wasn't my traditional Thanksgiving, but I'd still say it was one for the books.