International Thanksgiving Dinner

Last Thursday was the American Thanksgiving.  It was strange for yet another year to spend one of the largest holidays of the year working.  Korean thanksgiving falls during the harvest moon at the end of October.  For that there was a full week holiday here.  Most Koreans either leave the country or go back to their family's house.  The day is celebrated much like we know thanksgiving--- food, family and R&R.  The other nice tradition is to visit the grave sites of their ancestors. 

Thursdays nights have turned into a tradition of having a large homemade dinner at my officetel.  It is a great opportunity for people to come together, eat, drink and just relax.  Last Thursday, though, we just had a quite night talking and before we knew it Thanksgiving had past. 

BUT--- it really was just the beginning.  In the grand tradition started at 1822 in DC we had an International Thanksgiving Dinner.  Sunday all of our Korean and foreigner friends came over to share the delights of their traditional background.  It was an awesome mix of food and people.

MacKenzie and I cooked the main stuff such as chicken, stuffing, mac n cheese, salad etc... Julia made the mashed potatoes, Dave and Maria brought the pumpkin pie.  Then we had a great mix of "international" flare.  Sylvia brought some Korean treats, our wonjanim brought Pizza Hut pizza and kim chi, Ruby brought wine, Peter brought sangria and Aviam brought a delicious tabouli salad not to mention the rivaling hummus' (MacKenzie's more garlic; Dave's more tahini--- tough call).  We made spring rolls with cilantro sauce, mango salsa and of course sweet potato poppers!

It was quite a feast that happened in rounds--- first the Korean teachers and BR English friends and then the forgeiner friend/EarthStar crowd.  The second round of folks enjoyed a rowdy game of charades (sadly no mafia) and a beautiful walk in Lake Park on the pleasantly mild evening.  The lucky ones got to stay for the joys of the Officetel Party Bed!  If your thought sleeping on bluefoam was great--- well this is a huge step up!  Its all about the heated floors!

At the end of the day it was such a joy to get everyone together for this great tradition of giving thanks to those around you and all that we have.  My favorite part of the night was going around the table and each person saying the things that they were thankful for!  It was a wonderful moment!  I realized in that moment that I was far from my family but I was thankful for the place I was and people that made that moment special. 

 I am thankful for you

   me and the journey that

            brought us to be.

I am always thankful but today is the day to manifest our appreciation and gratitude outward. To our blessings! Happy belated American Thanksgiving I am thinking about you! Peace, Rose