As fall winds down and finals season is just around the corner, many UW-Madison students are eagerly awaiting Thanksgiving break.
For many, Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the company of family, watch football or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, all the while savoring a delicious turkey feast. Many UW-Madison students spend their Thanksgiving the traditional way, but numerous influential figures around Madison spend their time a little differently.
Many UW-Madison students have seen the man on Library Mall who plays his piccolo dressed in blaze orange, but students may not know what his plans are this year for Thanksgiving. Ryan said he has no family living nearby so he plans to enjoy the day with a good friend while dining at Old Country Buffet. Although Ryan does not have all of the luxuries that many UW-Madison students enjoy, he said he still has a lot for which to be thankful.
\I am well, comfortable and most importantly, free. I am thankful for my job, its autonomy and the fact that it is not a normal job,"" Ryan said.
UW men's hockey junior goalie and Austria native Bernd Br??ckler is one of many international students on campus who are unable to fly home over Thanksgiving break. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, therefore Br??ckler was never exposed to Thanksgiving before he came to live in the United States three years ago.
""I just go with the flow and join some families for their Thanksgiving,"" Br??ckler said.
This year the UW hockey team will be on a road trip over break.
""We will most likely be eating hotel turkey,"" he said.
Although Br??ckler does not celebrate Thanksgiving in Austria, he said he still has a lot to be thankful for.
""I am thankful for the opportunity to play in the U.S. for such a great university and be a part of the special hockey program here at UW,"" Br??ckler said.
This year, UW-Madison Dean of Students Luoluo Hong said Thanksgiving is going to be extraordinary. Hong plans to spend her break in Hawaii, but she notes this is not the usual Thanksgiving for her. As someone who has always worked at a university, Hong normally uses this time to ""rest and reconnect, while spending time with family and having a good time."" Unlike many, Hong and her family enjoy roast duck and traditional Chinese dishes.
As always, Hong said she will use this time to give thanks.
""I am especially thankful for my health, my family and glad to have the opportunity to be [an] employee in a position where I can help others. I am thankful for things that it is easy for people to take for granted,"" Hong said.
Thanksgiving for Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is a quiet time to spend with family and eat his favorite meal of the year, Thanksgiving dinner.
Cieslewicz said he especially enjoys Thanksgiving because, ""It doesn't demand too much, unlike Christmas where there are weeks, even months of preparation."" Thursday Cieslewicz plans to watch football, carve turkey and probably end the day with a sink full of dishes to wash.
As mayor of Madison, ""I am thankful that Madison residents elected me as mayor. I am very thankful for having this job,"" Cieslewicz said.
