In Australia, where I’m from, we don’t usually celebrate Thanksgiving, however, I like that idea behind the holiday and I use this time of year to really reflect on the many things in life I am thankful for. When I first think of things I am thankful for, obviously I think of family and holistic health. One thing I am especially thankful for is where I grew up and where I am from. Being from Australia and playing hockey has allowed me to travel the world and see many beautiful places as well as experience some incredible cultures. Despite all this, I truly believe there is no place like home. I am fortunate enough to live very close to the beach in Australia and get to wake up every morning and eat breakfast looking out over the Pacific Ocean. This is one of many reasons I am thankful for the beautiful coastline of Australia and everything my parents have done for me over the years to give me everything I could ever ask for.
I am also thankful for the people around me while I am over 10,000 miles away from home. I am extremely thankful for my friends around America that I have met over the years and continue to keep in touch with. As an international hockey player, when I come to America I live with a family who volunteers to bring me into their home and include me as if I am one of their family members. I live with these families for 6-8 months and we become very close over that time period. I now have “American families” in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
These families allow me to have a true American experience of life and this is all made so much better by my teammates over the years. I have made many close friends and bonds that will last a lifetime over the past 4 years of coming to America to play hockey. I am especially thankful for the guys on my Naz men’s ice hockey team both last year and this year. These guys have become my brothers and I am lucky enough to get to spend time with them every single day I am at school or on the road! As a student of Nazareth I am also genuinely appreciative our of beautiful campus and facilities here at Naz. I could make a giant list, but I will just name a few. The tunnels, first and foremost. I love everything about the snow, but an 8am class on the 4th floor of the Golisano Academic Center is a perfect situation to use the warm and cozy tunnels. I get to enjoy the murals on the walls and talk to my friends as we make our way to class. Not only do I use the tunnels to go to class, but they also link up with the dining hall, Shults Center, and the library, which Is where I spend a ton of my time. Some days I take the tunnels, other days I like to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty our campus has to offer.
I am also very grateful and excited for the new Golisano Training Center that is scheduled to open Fall of 2019. This will give me and many other students the opportunity to enjoy sports and workout in a great indoor facility. This time of year is a great time to reach out to your loved ones and appreciate the privileges and indulgences we are lucky enough to have here in Rochester NY. I wish everyone a happy and healthy thanksgiving filled with memories and laughs, I hope everyone is able to enjoy some turkey with cranberry sauce and some mashed sweet potatoes with pecans (my personal favourite!)