Chanukah Dinner

December 12, 2009 - 11:41 PM

Tonight was the second night in my life that I celebrated Chanukah. Last year, my dad's girlfriend Carol hosted the dinner for her family as usual, but we were invited too, and this year, we were invited again.

It was really exciting to come home from Eugene and settle in for a home cooked dinner with a family. It might not be my family, but it is as close as I get for now. And that really means a lot to me.

The family members exchanged gifts and even Carol's brother and his wife gave me a wallet. We all sat around the table chatting and laughing and watching each other open gifts.

After dessert, and after the candle lighting ceremony, everyone left but my dad and me, and we finished the dishes for Carol, which is the part she hates most about entertaining.

Even though I am a shicksa, it feels great to become more familiar with Jewish traditions. I don't think that many people have the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures within our society, which is really too bad because it has enriched my life in the last few years.

At Oregon, I have met people of all sorts of different cultures,and it is always delightful to learn more about them. If I have learned only a few things in college, one of them would definitely be to ask if you are curious. Generally, people will be glad that you wish not to be ignorant any longer.