A Potluck with Friends

One of my favorite things to do with my friends is have them over for dinner. With a busy schedule, it can be hard to find activities that work with everyone’s time and interests. But a good dinner party is always the answer.

This last Wednesday, my roommate and I hosted our very own spring potluck. We invited our abroad friends who we had been especially missing. 

I went abroad this past winter to Siena, Italy. There I studied sustainability, viniculture, and my favorite part: cooking. Every other week we had a cooking class where we learned how to make fresh pasta, sauces, and Italian desserts. I learned how to become a better chef and I am forever grateful for my time there.

However, above the cooking, one of the best things about going abroad was the people. I went with 25 other University of Oregon students, most of whom I did not know prior. We spent 10 weeks together learning, traveling, cooking, and getting to know each other. We grew very close and knew we wanted to continue our friendship when the program ended. 

Since we’ve been back we’ve made our best efforts to see everyone in Eugene, but it’s been hard to coordinate with everyone’s schedules. When someone asked if anyone could host a dinner soon, my roommate and I jumped at the opportunity. 

We quickly decided to make one of my favorites, vodka pasta. We told our friends to bring whatever they wanted and that they did. On the menu: chips with salsa and nacho cheese dip, rosemary garlic bread, quinoa salad, sangria, and our pasta. 

Our night was full of retelling old stories and catching up on new ones. Although the food was a mix of different flavors, somehow it worked and everyone left happy and full. 

We ended the night with homemade chocolate chip cookies. It was nice to see everyone and share a meal together. Dinner is a part of everyone’s day and it’s even better when you spend it with good company. So, next time you’re thinking of what to do with your friends, the answer is simple: a potluck dinner!