~Happy Turkey Day!~

Date: November 27, 2014

Mood: Thankful

Weather: Warm and Gorgeous

Listening to: Disco Blu (radio edit)

Reading: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Being that we live in China it was not technically a holiday for us, and we still had classes today just like any other day. Some of the students who have familiarized themselves with some of the US culture did, however, wish us Happy Thanksgiving so that was kind of nice. This was especially nice as this was our first Thanksgiving away from our family back home in the States. That being said, I can't really say today felt that much different from any other day though.

If I take the time to think about it being Thanksgiving I find myself feeling a little bummed at not being able to wake up this morning and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my girls or go to dinner and spend the afternoon with my mum and step-dad at their house. However, truthfully, because it didn't really feel like Thanksgiving it was easier to glaze quickly over the subtle pop of disappointment. I'd be lying if I didn't say that seeing friends' Facebook posts about food prep and holiday gatherings didn't make me a little homesick for my mommy and my step-dad though who we have almost always spent turkey day with back in Oklahoma. Funny thing is, right now it's going on midnight my time so lunch won't even be ready for another couple of hours there still.

I missed spending the day celebrating with my family, but this was actually the first ever Thanksgiving that hubby, the monkeygirls, and I have spent with his mom and sisters. Every year that we've been married, up until now, we've been in the States for all major holidays. In that regard, it was kind of nice to mix things up a bit this year. And even with working and errands to handle today, we made sure we carved out the whole evening for ourselves to do our own little family holiday celebration.

We ended up checking out a new Asian/Western fusion restaurant that's inside the new mall across town. I thought it was quite nice and the atmosphere was very upscale. (Hubby wasn't sold on it, and probably wouldn't request to go back again in the future because he thinks another restaurant on the other side of town has the same basic menu options but better food.) Three of us had rice covered with pork, pineapple, and red sauce with a side of broccoli. Two had spaghetti with red sauce and a side of broccoli. One had steak with black pepper sauce, rice, broccoli, and corn on the cob. And I had the “pretty meat plate” which consisted of black pepper sauce covered pork chops, chicken, steak, a hot dog, and rice with broccoli and corn on the cob on the side. It wasn't the traditional turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and veggie tray. It was, however, scrumptious!

In lieu of fresh baked pumpkin pie for dessert we tried the “Italy Ice Cream Expert” shop, also in the mall. They had Gelato, waffle cone sundaes, mixes, and snow tops. I got to taste my sister-in-law's cranberry gelato and omg, it was delicious! I had a mocha snow top which was like a frozen mocha with vanilla ice cream on top. Hubby had something that was like a Dairy Queen mix thing. Monkeygirl #1 had a chocolate dipped waffle cone bowl with chocolate dipped vanilla ice cream and strawberry glaze/sauce over the top. Monkeygirl #2 had a frozen cookies and cream thing with vanilla ice cream on top.

After dessert we took a quick peek around the mall and discovered the new cinema they just recently opened. They currently have the new Penguins of Madagascar movie playing and it's even in English!

I'm thinking Sunday afternoon we're gonna have to go for a drive back over to watch it. My sister-in-laws are really wanting to see this while it's in the theater, and I know the monkeygirls would really enjoy it too. We don't go to the movies much here because finding them in English here in China isn't always that easy, and while they play in English all the time in Hong Kong they are far more expensive. At this new cinema tickets are under $5 USD for adults, and both the monkeygirls are short enough that they get in for free. Booyah!

To close out our Thanksgiving Day fun we've got the younger sister-in-laws, from Hong Kong, to spend the night. Last week was such a hit that we decided to do it again. (Plus mil #2 and the kids are making a trip back to her hometown in the Philippines next week, and we won't get to see them for about 2.5 weeks. This way the kids get one last hurrah before they hit the road for a bit.) I'm gonna stay holed up here in my room for as long as possible while they run rampant throughout the rest of our flat. lol Send me luck and you have a very marvelous and happy Thanksgiving wherever you are.

***This year I am incredibly thankful for all my friends and family, both near and afar. To all my family and friends back home, I love and miss you like crazy. To all my friends and family locally, I don't miss you, but I love you. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you.***