Author: miadervisevic

a not so Thanksgiving day

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Every year, I look forward to Thanksgiving. I time where my family comes together and has an amazing meal, while talking about anything and everything. Baking and preparing the food, playing games, and laughter fills our household with joy and warmth. Every year, we go up to my grandmother’s house, in the mountains, run the Turkey-trot and then come home for a late lunch of traditional Thanksgiving food, (the apple pie is a classic that I prepare every year.) It’s a time of happiness and quality family time. I never thought I would be this sad on Thanksgiving though.

I’m missing home now more than ever, as my family gets together, while I’m halfway across the world. Today, I went to class like normal, which was a weird feeling, knowing my friends and family are gathering. Of course, the students around me carried on like it was a normal day, because to them, it is. It was a weird feeling going to class like any other day, but knowing and feeling like I should be home with my family. I can hardly describe it accurately. It was just a missing piece, a separation, and/or an empty feeling in one way or another.

While, I did FaceTime my family, and caught up with them; getting to know what they’ve been doing, what food they were preparing, and trading some jokes, it wasn’t the same. I long to see them in person, and hug them again. Seeing them virtually is definitely not the same as in-person, even if I did see them in a way. I miss seeing my dog, playing board games, remembering cherished memories, and squabbling about who sets the table. I miss making the apple pie, and running the turkey-trot (even though I hate running), and I miss just coming together with my whole family, for some uninterrupted family time, where I can appreciate the people around me.

While, I have been missing my family before today, and missing the familiarity, it’s different on a holiday. Its seems I miss them more, and miss the action of coming together as well. Truly, Christmas and Thanksgiving are the only times where we coming together like this, and It’s sad knowing I am missing one of these times. However, I hang onto the fact that I will see them in 20 days! I can’t wait to hug them, as they come to England to see it in winter, and show them around.

While I’m sad to be apart from my family today, I have to remember that I will see them soon! The time will fly by, and before I know it, I will be back in my family’s embrace. So maybe it is a very Thanksgiving day, because I am reminded how thankful I am for my friends, family, and the people around me that I hold dear.

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The start of Christmas in London

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In London, Christmas starts on November first. The lights are shinning, and the markets start getting set up. Everything has decorations, and the joy of the winter holidays are in the air! Its so surreal to experience Christmas (or the start of it) in a big city like London! While Denver may have one or two small Christmas markets, and an iceskating rink, London goes big or goes home. There are at least 7 markets close to me, as well as iceskating rinks in the making. Not to mention, the famous Hyde Park Winter Wonderland!

It’s so fun to walk around the city and look at all the lights and decorations. It brings so much joy, and on every corner you can see people laughing, taking pictures, and enjoying time together. Scarfs, sweaters, and hats, have become the staple fashion over here now, where people bundle up cozily and spend time together. I love experiencing this kind of atmosphere, as its so different from my hometown. I find myself comparing aspects (such as holiday festivities) to my hometown life, and how it’s similar or different. London is a huge city, and in some way, with all the lights, and decorations, it seems to almost appreciate the holidays more. I do find some similarities though, and its fun to find a piece of home. The smaller markets are very similar to the German one we have in Denver, and it’s fun to walk around and think of home, while also experiencing something a little bit different. I find myself appreciating the winter season more and more while I’m here.

The first snowfall of the season happened on Sunday, and it was beautiful to see the little flurries of snow falling down. People tilting their heads up to watch it fall, and enjoying the phenomenon. The snow doesn’t stick here, as its kind of a mix between rain and snow, but its fun nonetheless, and exciting to experience. However, the cold here sets in quickly, and it doesn’t take long for one to get cold, if they don’t have a proper jacket.

School has started to slow down a bit, and my friends and I have started to focus on our projects and final papers. Because of the drop in weather and temperature, theres not much one would want to do other than go to the markets at night or on the weekends; So, I’ve been spending my days focusing on the four papers I have to write by mid December, and going to classes. However, this does give me and my flatmates an opportunity to plan what markets we would like to go to, as well as talk and catch up. So far, my flatmates and some other friends have planed a few markets as well as iceskating, that we are so excited to go to!

I used to not like winter, because of the cold, and the lack of things to do, but experiencing winter here in London makes me want to rethink. Even the darkest of nights so far, have been brightened with all the lights in central London as well as the company of friends. Its interesting to see how being in a different city (and studying abroad) can change perspectives and ways of life. I enjoy seeing the differences in myself, and influences of the city I am in, and cant wait to experience more in the last month I have.

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