When people think of Thanksgiving, certain traditions come tomind -- turkey, football and family, just to name a few. But forsome University of Memphis students and staff, Thanksgiving isn'talways so traditional.
John Evans, a computer technician in the College of Education,spends time with his extended family over the holiday. Whilespending time with relatives is a fairly common Thanksgivingoccurrence, the Evans family goes for practical rather thantraditional when it comes to the Thanksgiving meal.
"We eat out. We don't attempt to cook," Evans said. "That way,the women don't have to spend all that time preparing a meal."
Junior advertising major Jessica Fulcher, who said Thanksgivingis her favorite holiday, spends every Thanksgiving in Nashvillewith her family.
"It's my favorite holiday because I get to see my family, and Iget to eat a lot," Fulcher said. "I'm going to eat lots of turkeyand dressing."
When she's not busy with the Thanksgiving cuisine, Fulcher findstime to interact with her younger cousins in what has become anamusing tradition.
"My three little cousins and I play Pay Day (a board game) everyyear," she said. "I used to cheat so I would win, but now they allstarted cheating."
For some students not from the Memphis area, it is difficult tomake go home for Thanksgiving. Long travel times combined withunforgiving class schedules that keep them in Memphis throughWednesday night make it difficult, if not impossible, to gethome.
Amber Murphy, a third year student at Cecil C. Humphreys Schoolof Law, hasn't had a traditional Thanksgiving since coming to The Uof M three years ago. Each year, she studies alone -- an importantlaw school tradition.
"If I treat it like any other day, it isn't so bad," Murphysaid. "If I treat it like Thanksgiving, I know I'll miss myfamily."
Murphy does allow for a touch of Thanksgiving, however.
"I love to cook, so I usually make a few things," she said."Last year, I made four or five vegetables, so it's not sobad."
Aarthi Manepalli, a graduate student in science and businessadministration, has no way of getting home to India. Last year, sheand other international students celebrated together.
This year, she and another student, Ratnakar Vemula, will spendThanksgiving with Joe Prescott and his family. Most years,Prescott, a computer technician on campus, enjoys a traditionalThanksgiving meal with his family, but the additions of Manepalliand Vemula will give Thanksgiving dinner an added flair. Turkey anddressing will be supplemented by one of Manepalli's nativedishes.
"I'm cooking rice and chicken," Manepalli said, "because Joesaid he loves my cooking so much."
Even with the extra company, Prescott said the most importantguest remains the same every year.
"Tom the Turkey will be coming," Prescott said. "He's the guestof honor."
