The First Thanksgiving

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!