Happy Thanksgiving, family and friends!
This year, I have even more reason to be thankful for: YOU. [And layering techniques - brrr!]
What a surreal experience it is to wake up Thanksgiving morning not in my bed in Dallas, not with a planner-full of things to get done for school, and with a regular day's agenda... it was weird to go to class and try to describe American Thanksgiving to international friends, who all deemed our holiday contradictory.
I guess it is in a way. They seem to see the paradox in celebrating what one has by using all [hypothetically] of your resources in order to consume a feast. However, if you look back throughout biblical feasts, weren't they held in celebration of what one already has - potentially making a sacrifice of time, effort, finances - in order to properly honor an occasion? For example: Paul describes how necessary it is for the church to host her Bridegroom in all that she can pour out... and as the song in the Prince of Egypt depicts, "When all you have is nothing, there is a lot to go around!" Thus, I don't truly see any irony.
I was fortunate enough to celebrate twice this year - first at church with 175 Americans, French, varying populations from Africa and Asia, all come together to eat and be merry... until that one woman decided the event was in need of an emcee, and further found a microphone and talked into it for the entire night. I mean, come on! She's one of those that thinks of her answer to her own question when she asks you one; she literally repeatedly chastised the room of 175 adults [and a few children] to stop chatting with friends so that we could properly hear her and the background music... saywhat?!
Yikes.
Sunday was a special Turkey Dinner, too. [Though, admittedly, we celebrated with chicken.] I have made some neat friends [all '09 grads of Pepperdine] who have an apartment in the 7th arrondisement, a neat part of town just across from le Tour Eiffel. So, a fun group of 3 Brits, the Pepperdine gals and their boyfriends, and I, got down on some chicken, stuffing, mac'n'cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, ratatouille, and creamed corn... and my wine and chocolate contribution, too. : )
These next two weeks should be interesting ones; the grandparents are visiting until Dec. 10. What this means: I may have some shifts cut short, and therefore have more free time! And, since Manfred, the grandfather [actually, Opa] is a retired professional chef, this also means I will be eatin' good in the neighborhood... and then, *drumroll* IT'S TIME TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
It's the best of both worlds - the lights and decorations for Christmas have already started to go up here; the markets and festivals are in full swing, and the cafes have spiced blends in for the season! Then, I get to come visit good ole' Texas - where I won't get frostbite on my nose in the morning, and I can have some true southern comfort food, family and friends!
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