Thanksgiving in China

Thanksgiving. 

Around September the cravings start to hit and they last all the way until November. 

Turkey. Casserole. Dinner rolls. Pie. 

Sitting around talking about what you're thankful for. 

Watching the parade. 

Watching the dog show. 

Watching other people pass out. 

Etc, etc, etc.

 

Last year at this time I wasn't thinking, "Hey, I probably won't be here for this next year." But Thanksgiving rolled around again and I'm in China. Weird. 

As you probably already guessed, they don't really do Thanksgiving in China. So what is the protocol for being a foreign teacher in China on Thanksgiving?

First, you dance to the Cotton Eyed Joe in the office while wearing something ridiculous. 

Second, you make hand turkeys with your classes. 

Third, you make fifty million pumpkin cookies. Oops.

Fourth, you go to Beijing for the weekend to meet up with other people who celebrate Thanksgiving. 

 Fifth, YOU EAT. A LOT.

Fifth and 1/2, you feel sick after that. But it's worth it.

Sixth, you sing Christmas carols, play Canasta, and watch girly movies like Little Women. 

And take pictures around people who fall asleep. *coughcoughMesheacough*

 

You also might try to skype your family on Thanksgiving Day, get kicked off by the internet, wave your hands around in frustration, and cry. But that passes, and you remember that more Thanksgivings will happen and that there will be other opportunities to spend holidays with the people you love. There may not, however, be other opportunities to play Canasta after stuffing your face with somebody else's apple pie. 

In China.