For the past couple days I've been thinking about what thanksgiving really means to me. Now that I'm thinking about it, I realize it has a much deeper meaning than I ever thought it would have to me.

First of all, I was born and raised in Mexico City, and although it is surprising to some people, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving, generally. I mean, we know it's important in the United States but it really isn't our holiday. However, about three years ago, life choices took my mom, my sister and I to Colorado. Originally, that move was meant to last only one year, but I guess that fate had a different plan for us.

My first Thanksgiving was pretty exciting. It still had no real meaning to me, but it was a wonderful excuse to have a great meal with the most important people in my life. To be honest, it was a lot of fun too! We looked up American thanksgiving recipes and for the first time in my life I had the chance to have a hint of what American's experience every Thanksgiving.

The years to come in the United States were definitely unexpected and unpredictable but I learned a lot about myself and the world as well as my place in it. Thus, every holiday season was a time for me to realize how much I had learned and evolved, noticing that every year I was a different person than the previous year.

Throughout those three years in Colorado, I met a lot of people who came from very different backgrounds compared to mine. Which was shocking at first, but one of the most important things I learned from that is how incredibly lucky I am and that I should never take anything for granted. I acknowledged the extraordinary love I received every day from my family and the wonderful friends I've made throughout the years. Thanks to them I've had a beautiful life and grown to become who I am today.

This year, Thanksgiving represented a very special occasion to me since I am extra-grateful to everyone in my life for so many things, plus the fact that I got to experience the holiday away from my family. Even though, that brought up an opportunity to meet new people, as well as helped me to put the things I'm grateful for into perspective.

First of all, I'm grateful for my family, especially my parents. Thanks to them I am living a dream by studying my dream career in one of the best cities in the world, New York City. Secondly, I am thankful for the rest of my family and friends whose love and support live in my heart and motivate me to be the best person I can be every day. Also, I'm thankful for all the amazing people I've met at AMDA who have become my New York family. And last but not least, I am thankful for the opportunities life has given me, showing me in their own way how beautiful life can be if you take the time to see the simple and pretty things found all around you.

In summary, what I've learned from Thanksgiving is that regardless of what it means to you and where you come from, it's important to take some time - at least once in a while - to recognize the things you are thankful for and appreciate them.