Thanksgiving the Dalian way

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It is still weird that y'all are just starting your Thanksgiving day and I am calling it a night. I just skyped with my family and they are all watching the Macy's day parade. Today I spent the day conferencing with parents, which normally would have been a drag. I am shocked to say that EVERY single one of my parents showed up, most of them with both parents attending. I was in awe, in the States I would schedule 24 conferences and maybe meet with 10 students' parents. Not here...just another reason the students are so successful, their parents value their child's education.

I left for Dalian at 4 to go to Rick and Sue's before our Thanksgiving Buffet at the New World Hotel. I went with a family that has kids that go to DAIS. It was so much fun to ride in with them and their kids. There is something about being with kids on holidays, they are so excited it makes me get even more excited. I was singing songs with them the whole way in the car. There were 30 people going to dinner so we all hung out at Rick's for an hour or so and then walked to the restaurant. The food was amazing. I can honestly say I have never had sushi with my Thanksgiving meal, but it was really good. The hotel did a great job, they had turkey, mashed potatoes(not nearly as good as yours Katie), gravy, stuffing, and of course pumpkin pie. I really enjoyed the lamb and the greek salad. For dessert they had a chocolate fountain that I hung out by (with all the kids) and ice cream!!! I even got sprinkles on my ice cream. It's the little things in life. I'm sorry to report I skipped on the chicken head and tongue. Chicken tongue is as delicacy here, but I couldn't bring myself to try it. Maybe I'll try it for Chinese Thanksgiving...wait do they have one? :)



Being away from friends and family was actually not that bad as I was expecting it to be because I have my new friends and "family" here. I feel like we are all so close because we are in the same boat. I connect with people here very easily...maybe because we are all jealous of our families gathering around a table to share amazing home cooking or maybe just because we have helped each other on this path of our lives. This Thanksgiving I feel blessed with the opportunity to expand my world. I am thankful for my friends, family, and students. I am thankful for God never leaving my side, and His abounding grace when I never deserve it. I'm thankful for chocolate fountains and wasabi. A roof over my head and my health are things I am thankful for. I'm thankful for technology and facebook (yes I went there)....and oh so much more, but I don't want to bore you!

So Thanksgiving isn't just an American holiday...tonight I saw people from all over the world celebrating and counting their blessings together. Take time to thank God for all He has given you this year, even the smallest things, because let's face it they make the big things better.

xoxo
Meg