Happy Thanksgiving, Avila! There are a lot of emotions, thoughts, and traditions surrounding the annual holiday. So, in honor of Thanksgiving last week, we asked this year’s Talon staff about their Thanksgiving experiences and we rounded them up for you! Let us know what YOU think about Thanksgiving and what you did to celebrate this event this year.
If you do not celebrate Thanksgiving, why not?
Thamer Shafei: I am from Saudi Arabia, and we did not celebrate thanksgiving. Muslims only have two festivals a year. which is Hajj and Eid al-Fitr.
What are your feelings on the Thanksgiving Holiday?
Khulud Al Harthi: It is interesting to see people celebrate and prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. It reminds me of our biggest celebration as Muslims, which is Eid Al-Fitr. I love to see family gatherings, food sharing, and thankful emotions.
Max Williams: It feels nice and relaxing. I like to go to spend time with family and friends and eat some good food.
Natalia Kidder: I think that it is a historically significant date with important traditions.
If you are celebrating, how are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year?
Max Williams: With my family and friends.
Natalia Kidder: Having dinner with my mom's side of the family and having dessert & drinks with my boyfriend's family.
If you do not, what are you doing with the time off?
Khulud Al Harthi: I am invited to share Thanksgiving dinner with my neighbors! It would be great experience to me.
Thamer Shafei: On the phone, I talk to my family and friends, and if I have assignments, I complete them. I don't have anything special planned for Thanksgiving.
What is your fondest Thanksgiving memory?
Max Williams: Watching my uncle get excited about the Dallas Cowboys winning on Thanksgiving.
Natalia Kidder: Until I was about 15, my mom's sister hosted thanksgiving at her house. she lived in North Kansas City and had a really big house with a big basement for all the cousins to run around and play in. I always loved going to her house and spending Thanksgiving there. She moved to Florida about 7 years ago so we don't see her or go to her house anymore. But that will always be such a good memory for me.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Max Williams: Playing Thanksgiving trivia with my entire family.
Natalia Kidder: My uncle always leads us in prayer before eating at family functions. So even though it isn't specific to Thanksgiving, it means a lot to me.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish/food?
Khulud Al Harthi: I have no favorite food, but I am so excited to try Thanksgiving Turkey for the first time!
Max Williams: Turkey.
Natalia Kidder: Green Bean Casserole!!! The best.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
Max Williams: To me, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks back to our loved ones and have the chance to interact with grandparents, cousins, and other family.
Natalia Kidder: Time to relax, share a meal with people you love, and for everyone to take a pause from life and give thanks for the many blessings we are given.
Thamer Shafei: I don’t celebrate, so I spend my time doing anything like watching TV and doing my homework.
We hope you have enjoyed getting to hear from some of this years' Talon staff. We are thankful for YOU, Avila community!
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