This is the first year I haven't been with my immediate family for Thanksgiving, but when I moved down here I knew that I would miss holidays. I actually worked Wednesday night, slept for a few hours, and went to my cousin Annette's house and ate with her and her husband's family. I love Thanksgiving food!
We got our holiday schedule a while ago, and Mayra immediately began planning our Thanksgiving feast. We each had a food assignment, and we were going to dress up like pilgrims and Indians (the Native American kind; I have to clarify because I do work with people from India). I was so excited and asked if I got to be an Indian. Mayra, said, "No. You're too white." I think it was the first time I was actually discriminated against because of my race. It was all in good fun, and I don't feel the worse for it. Upon arrival at work, Mayra had made us all hats of sorts, and the festivities began.
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| Back row: Jessica, Julie, Tyler, and me. Front row: Angela, Mayra and Vickie |
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| Pilgrims and Indians in cooperation |
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| Feast! |
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| Angela and Vickie |
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| Mayra, Vickie, Courtney, Angela, me |
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| I made a bonnet and Courtney had to try it out. |
I was the transport nurse, meaning that I bring patients from the emergency room to our unit and then upstairs when we've done what we need to. So, I got the privilege of hearing all sorts of comments about my hat. My favorite was a doctor saying in a John Wayne-like way, "Howdy pilgrim." Also, a lot of people looked at me like I was crazy and I'm sure they were thinking, "Why is that girl wearing a paper hat? Isn't she supposed to be a professional?" A few people said, "My kid made a hat just like that is preschool (or kindergarten)!" I then made the bonnet and wore that, getting comments like, "The Puritans are here," and "That just looks like a nurse's hat."
After the bonnet got way too hot to wear, I braided my hair and stuck a feather in it. I went to the ER and a visitor asked me, in all sincerity, "Why do you have that in your hair?" "Really?!?" I thought to myself. On previous occasions when I wear braids I get all sorts of comments like "Hey Pippi Longstocking," or "Hey Pocahontas." My friend Rex calls them my "squaw braids." So it was really weird, on Thanksgiving, for someone to not know I was an Indian. After I told her it was Thanksgiving and that I was an Indian, she said, "Oh, that's so cute!" Made me laugh all the way back to the unit.
So, for being away from my family, I think I had a great Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for the Fullers for letting me come over, and for some of the best people to work with that night!
