I am fortunate to have a diverse group of friends who share their cultures with me in many ways.

EAT - My friends, and even better their mothers, whip up flavorful and authentic home cooked meals, including Indian, Japanese, Cuban, Indonesian, Spanish, Korean, Jewish, Puerto Rican and Chinese. Through them I discovered how to eat certain foods with my hands and improved my chopstick skills. When they prepare dishes, I ask a lot of questions to learn about nutritional value, native spices and sometimes “secret” recipes.

CELEBRATE - My friendships included invitations to special religious events such as a Jewish Passover dinner and a Shabbat service. In addition, I attended various weddings that incorporated traditions from Ghana, Australia, Puerto Rico and Cuba. This fall I look forward to my friend’s wedding that will include Indian customs.

CONVERSE - With my Latino friends, I practice Spanish and learn new terms. Other friends teach me greetings in their native language and a few words I would never use around my mother.  (Sorry, Mom!)

DANCE - As a youth, I learned an Indian stick dance that is very entertaining and easy to do once you learn the basic steps. Also, my passion for Latin music definitely came from my Puerto Rican friends in college who spent countless hours teaching me how to dance salsa and merengue. Thanks to them, the rhythm of the music feels natural, and I am never intimidated by these dances.

All in all, when my friends share their culture and traditions, I am able to experience the world up close and personal. Through these friendships, my life is enriched, and for that, I am truly grateful.