Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I know I have a lot to be grateful for, and I’m thankful every day that I am so fortunate to be blessed with everything that I have in my life.
Last year, two of my friends and I celebrated Thanksgiving by going to an interesting Asian-Western restaurant (think of how Panda Express would be if it were an American fast food restaurant in China). All the other Western restaurants in the area were charging hundreds of kuai for lavish meals that none of us could afford, so we did what we could with this Asian-Western place. The most memorable part was when we ordered red wine and they served it to us chilled. When we tried to explain that red wine is never served chilled, they looked at us like we were the strangest people they had ever served.
My abroad program also organized a Thanksgiving dinner which involved Peking roast duck. While the roast duck was delicious (I do love the plum sauce it uses), it definitely was a pretty far stretch from a roast turkey.
This year, I am spending my Thanksgiving week in Indianapolis with my boyfriend and his family. It’s been wonderful so far; I don’t remember the last time I’ve had a week as nice as this one. I’m looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast we will have today! Everyone has pitched in and contributed a dish (or several), so I’m excited to taste all that will be on the table. My boyfriend and I baked a pecan pie (using a Jamie Oliver recipe that was featured on Anderson Cooper’s new talk show – really, is anyone surprised I chose a recipe that involved two men that I worship unconditionally?) to contribute for one of the many desserts.
I really can’t put into words how wonderful this week has been and how touched I am that I am able to spend it with a family that welcomed me with open arms. I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving has a wonderful time celebrating it and enjoys all the delicious foods like turkey, stuffing, veggie casseroles, and pumpkin pie. To those who don’t celebrate it, I hope you have a lovely day nonetheless!
Yay, happy thanksgiving to you too!
Thanksgiving abroad is always interesting. It was also very interesting the first year I did it away from home. And the first year I did it away from anyone’s home, in my own apartment… I should totally make an entry about all my Thanksgivings of yore.
Hope yours continued to be wonderful!