So I have purposely put-off giving you fine folks a Thanksgiving recap. For those of you who received my previous email updates, you know that my camera pulled a Houdini during my first month in China. This Thanksgiving was instead documented by several of my guests whom I have yet to receive photos from (you know who you are) so I have hesitated to put up a post without the Norman Rockwell-esq turkey-carving money shot.
Photographic evidence be damned. It’s well past due for an update post so put on your creative caps and let your mind paint the picture.
I woke up the morning of fake turkey day (Sunday) ready for the big event-my first Thanksgiving as a host. I didn’t think that this day would come till at least 10 years and two kids later but here we are. After promptly locking myself out of my apartment, I raced to my roommate’s school to pick up her keys. On the way back, I hit up grocery store #1 and picked up the cleaning lady. After dropping off both food and maid, I rushed out again for food run #2. Somewhere in all the excitement the sensor on my fridge broke and the temperature went haywire, reaching a balmy 66 degrees in the fridge (which we didn’t notice until after the meal).
I managed to catch a cab just before rush hour to pick up the pre-cooked turkey (I highly suggest that you try this at your next
Thanksgiving), beating the crazy Chinese traffic. The lovely KFC delivery boy (yes, KFC delivers in China) beat me home with a piping hot bag of dinner rolls. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to dump them in a bowl and pass them off as my own as I still had one more item to get before the guests arrived.
My visitors arrived bearing gifts of green beans and mashed potatoes in tinfoil and Corningware bowls, much like I imagine the Native Americans would have on the first Thanksgiving had they access to a Sam’s Club. We went around the table and listed things that we were thankful for and said grace for the meal. Thanksgiving favorites like marshmallows & sweet potatoes received rave reviews from the two non-Americans at the table. All of us dined on turkey and sides with chopsticks (when in Rome...). Even with the gravy, the mashed potatoes stood the chopstick test. After dinner, someone brought out a guitar and a round of Christmas carols (along with a sultry rendition of Mmmbop) ensued. It was a great Thanksgiving filled with singing and laughter that I am sure my neighbors enjoyed hearing on a Sunday night.
My fridge/freezer is still broken but I shoved the tin foiled turkey in the icebox after the meal. I am craving a turkey sandwich but I am hesitant to eat leftovers with the freezer on the fritz. Hurry up repair man!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Much to Be Thankful For
My first blog post.
I have been living in southern China for a little over two months now and have outgrown the email chain I have been using to keep in touch with friends and family. A blog is a much happier medium as I can post massive amounts of pictures and data without ‘exceeding my attachment limit’ (take that Yahoo). After much thought, I settled on the name, ‘The Real World’ as it describes my life pretty perfectly right now. Post-college life is often referred to as ‘the real world.’ What more fitting of a title could I name my blog than ‘The Real World’ as I am experiencing the real world in the most literal sense of the phrase?
It is appropriate that I begin this blog on the day after Thanksgiving, as I have a lot to be thankful for this year- even if it doesn’t always feel like it. I have a challenging, (albeit often frustrating) job in a new and different country, an amazing group of friends and family who have supported my big move (even when they, or for that matter myself, didn’t quite understand it), new friends in China, my somewhat-decent health, and much more.
When I was taking post-graduate classes in Australia, I experienced my first holiday abroad. Living in a western country, I easily managed to find a public venue that re-created the holiday experience for myself and other area expats.
Thanksgiving in China is a different story. For a country whose standard method of cooking involves a wok and a stove, finding the ingredients and means (read: oven) to cook a traditional thanksgiving dinner has proved a challenge. That is not to say that it is impossible.
Life is definitely busy in China so finding time to celebrate Turkey Day amongst 6 days of work and 7 days of lesson planning was also a challenge. This Sunday however, I am inviting several friends over to celebrate the holiday. After networking to find the proverbial holiday fowl (turkeys are quite elusive here), I found a hotel that was willing to sell and cook me an 8 kilogram turkey. Since ovens are few and far between, Thanksgiving rolls are provided courtesy my wallet and the local KFC. Additional dishes are being made via toaster ovens and stovetops by those attending the feast and I am filling in the gaps.
An update to come after dinner on Sunday. I smartly scheduled a cleaning lady on “Thanksgiving” so things could get a little bit hectic. I hope she finishes before dinner and if not… I hope she likes turkey.
I have been living in southern China for a little over two months now and have outgrown the email chain I have been using to keep in touch with friends and family. A blog is a much happier medium as I can post massive amounts of pictures and data without ‘exceeding my attachment limit’ (take that Yahoo). After much thought, I settled on the name, ‘The Real World’ as it describes my life pretty perfectly right now. Post-college life is often referred to as ‘the real world.’ What more fitting of a title could I name my blog than ‘The Real World’ as I am experiencing the real world in the most literal sense of the phrase?
It is appropriate that I begin this blog on the day after Thanksgiving, as I have a lot to be thankful for this year- even if it doesn’t always feel like it. I have a challenging, (albeit often frustrating) job in a new and different country, an amazing group of friends and family who have supported my big move (even when they, or for that matter myself, didn’t quite understand it), new friends in China, my somewhat-decent health, and much more.
When I was taking post-graduate classes in Australia, I experienced my first holiday abroad. Living in a western country, I easily managed to find a public venue that re-created the holiday experience for myself and other area expats.
Thanksgiving in China is a different story. For a country whose standard method of cooking involves a wok and a stove, finding the ingredients and means (read: oven) to cook a traditional thanksgiving dinner has proved a challenge. That is not to say that it is impossible.
Life is definitely busy in China so finding time to celebrate Turkey Day amongst 6 days of work and 7 days of lesson planning was also a challenge. This Sunday however, I am inviting several friends over to celebrate the holiday. After networking to find the proverbial holiday fowl (turkeys are quite elusive here), I found a hotel that was willing to sell and cook me an 8 kilogram turkey. Since ovens are few and far between, Thanksgiving rolls are provided courtesy my wallet and the local KFC. Additional dishes are being made via toaster ovens and stovetops by those attending the feast and I am filling in the gaps.
An update to come after dinner on Sunday. I smartly scheduled a cleaning lady on “Thanksgiving” so things could get a little bit hectic. I hope she finishes before dinner and if not… I hope she likes turkey.
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