Thanksgiving Madness!

**FOR THOSE OF YOU SENT HERE BY YAHOO LOOKING FOR ACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT THANKSGIVING,I HAVE JUST (22 November 2005) DECIDED TO INCLUDE A SPECIAL LINK TO MY LESSON PLAN TEACHING ABOUT THANKSGIVING, AS THAT HAS ACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING IN IT. DO NOTE THAT MOST OF THAT INFORMATION COMES FROM THE THANKSGIVING STORY, AMONG OTHER SOURCES, A WEBSITE I WOULD RECOMMEND.**

Well, I know this might be old news to those of you who have been checking out my photoblog (Fun Fotos for wHeNeVeR), but to those who were concerned that I wouldn’t be able to find things to do for Thanksgiving here in Omaha, China (ok, Kunming, China but I think I’ve figured out the city in the US that is most comparable to Kunming: Omaha, Nebraska…or at least that’s my new theory), you may assuage your fears. I was actually able to celebrate it two nights in a row, which is probably actually more than those of you in the US can say—and it was generally sunny and mild on both days. Take that Mr. 9-inches-of-snow-in-Chicago-stuck-in-the-airport-for-hours-upon-hours!

On Thanksgiving Day itself it was off to another American friend’s apartment to celebrate. There were thirty odd people there (okay, only like 20 were odd, the other 10 or so were fairly normal—myself not included of course) which made for a good time although I don’t know that we would have fit had it not been for her huge balcony. But surprisingly enough, I digress. It was really quite a fun evening with Thanksgiving à la “Nueva Latina” (not that such a cuisine exists…except maybe in California). The hostess, who is actually from Cali, had her parents visiting for the week, and they helped out quite a bit. Her father quite enjoys cooking and recently came from a cooking class somewhere in the Yucatan Peninsula which meant that we had some wild stuffing. I really can’t complain—I think it was the first time I’ve eaten turkey in I think four years or so, and it was a wonderfully good way to start.

I, as I have wont to do, decided to go against the trend of “Latin” food and brought a HUGE plate of veggie sushi. I cannot begin to tell you how spectacular this plate of sushi was. It was really a work of art to the extent I don’t think I’ve managed in food preparation before (and that is saying somewhat a lot I think). One roll was actually three tiny rolls stuffed inside a bigger one. It looked a little bit like a panda I was told. That being the point, I was pleased. Now I realize that the Japanese are still much more jozu (or skilled) at the sushi making than I am, but it was definitely my best sushi effort to date. I also made a pumpkin pie as practice, for I said I would make some for the following evening as well and I hadn’t ever really made them myself. Not to mention the fact that I always screw up crusts. It actually turned out halfway decent, which I wasn’t expecting since I had burnt the pumpkin while boiling it (it’s a long story, and I blame it entirely upon Whoopi Goldberg). It was a bit heavy on the cloves (it was masking the burnt), but at least cloves don’t taste bad!

Besides the food, the party itself was also quite enjoyable. All the other English teachers from the compound were there as well as various other friends from around town. We talked, we danced, and of course, we shared what we were thankful for. By that point I was slightly inebriated which made for, well, an interesting speech.

T-day Numero Dos was celebrated at the brand-spanking-new apartment of my Chinese teacher and her husband. I’ve actually known this woman for quite some time as she was also my Chinese teacher at Whitman. Her husband, Hong Kongese by birth, has lived in the US (L.A. and Walla Walla) for the last thirty some years and just retired with his new wife to China at the beginning of this summer. Let me just say that retiring to China is a good plan—your money really goes a lot further here! Their apartment is super-posh and I was really excited to see it. It’s in the suburbs a bit, so it’s kind of far away, but it’s well worth the long bus or taxi ride. Their complex is brand new and simply astonishing. The apartment itself is a two-story penthouse with patio roof access. There is a view of another development with a wonderful fountain, garden, swimming pool (!), and tennis courts—most of which are rarities in China (it was actually the first pool I’d seen in the mainland). Originally a six bedroom apartment, it now (only) has four and is quite well decorated. The TV in the living room is actually a big screen projector that comes down from the ceiling!

The party itself was not bad. The guest list mainly included people from Yunnan University that were somehow associated with Whitman, two Whitties who came down from Beijing for the occasion, a family from Wazu (which they were happy to remind us is now officially called Washington State University), the husband’s son (who had his 50th birthday on Thanksgiving but actually looks 27) and some of his friends. The food was good (though more Chinese than the previous night) and best of all we had actual French wine. I won some hearts with some homemade biscuits (originally the Chinese planners of the event were not planning any bread type things so I had to step in), though my friend Aaliyah, who is another teacher here really deserves the credit for a great recipe. A Bordeaux to be specific. The craziest part was the desserts, for I had brought two pumpkin pies, the Whitties from Beijing had made 4 apple pies, AND the Chinese had bought a birthday cake. I really do think that I’m not going to be able to fit out the door the way these holidays are going!

Saturday the same group from the night before took a van the two hours out to visit the Stone Forest. It hasn’t changed much in the last two years (shock, surprise, amazement), but it was cool to see again. I’m sure though that it won’t be my last. Sunday I spent showing the parents of the Thursday night hostess around Kunming with another friend, which was actually quite enjoyable. I particularly liked watching them argue at the flower market. Made me miss home :o).

Anyway, this is a terribly long entry, so I shall end it here with a few fun facts (I mean, could I really start my new Fun Facts blog without them?). Once again, I wish you all a most wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy December (aaack! Time marches on!).

• www.knezzy.com- The web address of my new website!


• 2- The number of times that the carving of the words “Stone Forest” was carved into the rocks there after the first carving was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution…obviously it was much to offensive of propaganda for the Commie’s tastes.


• 8 & 11- The story that each of the penthouse apartments were on. I’ll tell you what though, 8 flights is a lot to climb, especially when you’re carrying 25kilos (about 50 lbs) of coal. Don’t ask.


• 1936- The year there was a great earthquake at the Stone Forest that made several stones fall down. One is now wedged precariously in between two stones making a somewhat dangerous arch. Legend has it that as long as you haven’t committed any sins recently it wont fall on you as you’re walking underneath.


• 16- The number of yuan (about $2) it cost for me to by Windows XP Professional SP2, Microsoft Office XP SP3, Microsoft SQL, Adobe Illustrator CS11, and Adobe Photoshop CS8.01 at my local DVD store. Of course they’re in Chinese, but these countries wonder why their not making any money here…


• PS: Look closer at that Mao print (originally done by Andy Warhol of course). :o)