Yesterday the Portuguese celebrated Carnival (think Hallowe'en without the scary and ghoulish bits). Here in the UK it was National Pancake Day. As a foreigner I get to choose which to concentrate on (internally at least... I don't think people at the office would appreciate having me in a costume without good reason...). Being a foreigner means that you get to decide what to focus on. It can be where you came from, where you are or both (or none, but what's the fun in that?).
Usually I try to do both if possible (the more partying the better, right?), here, because I never was much of a Carnival kinda person (or maybe I just never had much opportunity to fully enjoy it), it was a no brainer - pancakes trump costumes! Since moving this was the easiest native celebratory day to open my heart to. I mean, what's not to love about a day dedicated to eating pancakes? Right? Yummy, delicious, savoury or sweet pancakes...
Anyhoot, in my experience celebrating with the natives makes it so much easier to feel integrated. By all means celebrate your native holidays and whatnot, but don't let that become a barrier into your new life. Remember, you chose this (or least so I like to believe). Embrace it. It doesn't mean you'll have to betray your roots or exchange one thing for another. It just means you can have a fuller calendar. And more reasons to celebrate. And that's always a win.
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