This weekend is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Everyone who has known me for a long time knows that Diwali is my favorite holiday. For the first eighteen years of my life, I spent every Diwali at home with my parents and extended family. From lighting up diyas all over the house, to setting up the rotunda for the puja, to running around the neighborhood delivering boxes of mithai to neighbors, to helping my mom cook a massive feast for dinner, to the puja itself, I love every aspect of this holiday.

Last year marked the first year I was not at home for Diwali. I spent Diwali in Cleveland with my brother, Nikhyl. We ordered in Indian food and, after we FaceTimed our parents, watched The Chef’s Table on Netflix. Even though it wasn’t the traditional Diwali that I was used to, I was still with Nikhyl, and that was enough.

This year is different. I’m thousands of miles away from my parents in New York and my brother in Cleveland. Even though I’ll be spending the day in London with my cousin Shefali, who I’m extremely close to, things won’t be the same.

I haven’t been homesick up until this point, and to be honest, I’m not even sure if I can even call this homesickness. I guess this is more just missing my family back home, as well as missing the traditions I grew up with. It’s bittersweet – I’m so happy that it’s Diwali, but at the same time, I’m sad I’m not at home.

—————-

At the same time, however, Diwali is not just about the pujas and the food and the candles – Diwali is the New Year, and it’s a celebration of happiness, love, friendship, and looking forward to the year ahead.

I am unbelievably grateful for my amazing parents, who have willingly sent their only daughter thousands of miles away to study at the best university in the world for a full year. For the longest time, I didn’t believe that I could get into the University of Oxford to study for a full year. My parents and my brother believed in me at a time when I didn’t believe in myself, and I hope I’m making them all proud.

Beyond just my parents and brother, I am lucky that I have an amazing extended family – from all of my cousins to my many aunts and uncles, they have been so supportive of me.

My high school friends, from both Edgemont and debate, who somehow still love me all these years later and talk to me regularly despite time zones being unbelievably annoying.

My Case Western friends are amazing. To my sorority sisters, I’m so proud to be a part of an inspirational group of women, and I’m especially proud of my incredible sorority family. To my MUN family, I miss you all more than words can say, and I know you all are going to have an absolutely incredible year. Good luck at everyone at NCSC!

And last but certainly not least, to the new friends I’ve made here at Oxford. In the past month that I’ve been here, I’ve met friends from all over the world – beyond just the obvious majority of people being from the UK, I’ve met people from my own hometown (I’m not kidding – there’s someone here from Westchester County), from Ireland, from Germany, even from as far away as Indonesia. There is so much I could say about each and every one of them, but I simply don’t have the space for it. The most important thing I have to say to them is thank you – thank you for including me and accepting me, with my “weird” American accent and all. It means the world to me. I’m so excited for the next year of adventures with all of them.

The past year has been unbelievably wonderful, and I’m looking forward to what this next year will bring me.

Happy Diwali, everyone.

With much love,

Tasha