Thanksgiving

Living outside of the United States during the major holidays that we celebrate is strange and yet wonderful. Last week as we anticipated Thanksgiving, everything around us said nothing that the holiday was quickly approaching. We were still filled with anticipation and expectation as we thought about enjoying a few days off school, sharing a traditional Thanksgiving meal with friends and putting up our Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving Day was spent resting and putting up our Christmas Tree. Sadly, Todd was sick and slept most of the day. While the kids and I decorated our tiny tree, Todd laid on the couch and watched.



Later in the day, we whipped up some homemade noodles and had chicken and noodles for dinner and finished our day by snuggling up on the couch and watching Elf.

Friday, Todd was still not feeling well so he stayed home to rest and the kids and I headed to our friends Scott and Dionne's home for a sleepover. It was a perfect evening for fellowship, wine and food with these precious friends--we just missed Darlin.

Saturday was our planned Thanksgiving Feast with our friends here in Korea. The day was perfect. Thirty friends gathered for delicious food, games, laughter and fun! For many, it was their first Thanksgiving away from family and friends but this day with all the familiar things of turkey and stuffing, that distance did not seem as great. It's incredibly beautiful when you bring 30 different people, from 30 different families, with 30 different histories and stories together.



We finished our night by making our trek home. It was another Korean adventure! It went something like this:
1. Wait 15 minutes for local city bus #2.
2. Bus #2 to the E-Mart in Gwangju.
3. Bus driver takes 15 minute break, while we sit on the bus.
4. Claire negotiates our release and the bus is running again.
5. We reach our bus stop and thankfully find our next connection, the 660 to Jukjeon.
6. 45 minute bus ride to Jukjeon
7. Arrived to Jukjeon. Ten minute wait for the 810 to Dongbaek.
8. 810 to Dongbaek.
9. 10 minute walk from bus stop to apartment.

We arrived home at 11:45, tired, happy, full and thankful!