Last week for class I taught my students about Thanksgiving. We went over the Thanksgiving story, Thanksgiving food and discussed things we were thankful for. The majority of my students chose “family” or “parents” as the thing they were most thankful for. Most students don’t [can’t] have any siblings, but the students that do truly cherish their brother or sister. It’s really sweet to hear them speak of family. Talking about the food and showing pictures of what we eat for this holiday made me homesick! I think I made all my classes hungry too! I taught them a little about cooking a turkey which was interesting for them because they don’t eat turkey here, nor do they have ovens (besides bakeries) to cook something like that in. The pumpkin pie picture I showed was a real killer, yum!
We decided to have a big get-together with all the foreigners. It was potluck style so everyone brought a dish. There were 30+ people from: America, China, India, Africa, England, Scotland, Spain, France, Texas and Jamaica there, so we had quite an assortment of food! Doug and I ordered 40 rolls from a bakery here on campus, they taste just like western bread which is pretty rare so they were perfect for a Thanksgiving meal. It was so fun sharing an American holiday with so many nationalities. It was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember.
Dishes are hard to come by with most of the foreigners since we typically eat out. In the photo below notice Jason’s (second from right) big metal mixing bowl he had to use instead of a plate!
Eating Dove chocolate for dessert! No pumpkin pie this year :)
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10 responses to “Happy Thanksgiving!”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Looks like you had a great time. My favorite was your birthday cake. lol!
We were really missing you guys over thanksgiving. Its just not the same with out you two here. Chris and I drove back to boise yesterday and it took us 8 hours! There was a HUGE snow storm and the roads were horrible! It was scary but we are safe and back to work :)
ps- I LOVE your hair! the middle part is so cute and its getting so long!!
WHOA! 8 hours? You’ve got to be kidding! I bet Chris loved that, haha. Glad you made it back ok. We missed you guys so much! We can’t wait to get home and see everyone, just too bad we’re missing all the good holidays. I don’t get home sick until I do a lesson about a holiday and I’m like man, we have some really sweet holidays in America with weird/awesome traditions! Maybe you guys can visit for Valentines Day? Haha. I had to have Doug give me a haircut because I was getting bad split ends and I don’t trust them here to cut my hair…glad you thought it turned out ok! I was a little nervous
Alyson I totally challenge you to laser tag when you come home. I am way good too. so we will have to see who is the grand master champion of them all muhhahaaaaaa
IT’S ON!
WHAT!!! Doug cut your hair??? That is awesome- brady is never coming close to my hair-ha! So I have a funny story…the other night anni & kate made a “Spa” up in kate’s room for me. They were painting my nails and giving me a back rub…anyway Jack came up and wanted to be our waiter. So I asked him,” what’s your name?” He said, “China” – um ok. So he starts speaking “china” to us and telling us he’s getting us milkshakes. No joke-for the next two days he is still “China” and speaking “China” to us! I think he misses you guys-ha! I’m glad you had a good birthday-when you get home we will really celebrate with a Dairy Queen cake and presents! We love and miss you!
I KNOW! I’m crazy for letting him cut it because I’m really picky about who touches my hair, but that just goes to show how much I didn’t trust anyone at a Chinese salon! Who knows what would’ve happened. Doug actually did a good job though, I think I scared him pretty bad about messing up before-hand and I only let him cut off like a quarter-inch. Haha. I love Jack! Or should I say “China”? That kid kills me. We watched Date Night last night and it really made us miss you! “That’s really funny, but I’m going to go home and wash my arms.” Can’t wait to see you next month! Dairy Queen cake is making my mouth water…. :) PS- please record Jack speaking “China” so we can see it. Oh and tell the girls that I expect a “spa” night when I get home too!
It hurts that you’re SO surprised, Mandy.
Although, that probably didn’t hurt me quite as much as the weekend you just had. Keep us updated, we want to hear how you’re doing.
One Thanksgiving Dinner coming right up in January at our house–complete with pumpkin pie and double chocolate cake. See you soon!!
Wow, that sounds so amazing Marlena! That meal and Milo is all I will need to transition back to life in the States.
It’s hard to believe we’re practically on our way back. It seems like we just got here. Maybe next time Aly and I come to China will be to visit you and Wes?