My Thanksgiving Day

Lots more thoughts on this Thanksgiving season in a different post, but today I wanted to write about what actually happened on my Thursday. 

It started at 12:02, right after midnight. Wednesday nights are our stay up late/hangout/baking nights, and it made me sad not to be doing that. So instead, I cleaned my house and was brushing my teeth. My phone buzzed with my normal messaging friend, and I had a quick chat, before realizing he was still at the office, after 6pm on the Wednesday! I switched to our company Teams, and had a nice conversation on technical things, Thanksgiving things and more. It was the perfect calming conversation to make me feel way less homesick. 

The morning was like anything else, getting ready, going to work. I was shocked at how many coworkers took the time to go out of their way and wish me a Happy Thanksgiving. It was a kind gesture, as so many remembered and wanted to wish me. 

Midi-morning, one of the research directors walked over and offered me a "Thanksgiving Gift". She indicated that she had heard I didn't have one of these sprinklers, so had brought it from our research campus in the USA. It was a beautiful giant sprinkler, a very unique and special one that I've wanted for a while and it absolutely made my day to have that. I think she was really shocked at my overjoyed reaction, and how happy it made me. I told her I'd put the sprinkler where I could look at it all day, and it actually sparked many visitors to my desk to inquire more. 

Post-lunch, a colleague graciously offered to drive me to an expat shopping store nearby. There, I was able to find my coveted cans of pumpkin. It was interesting to see the different types of food there- Frank's hot sauce, Kraft mac and cheese, Karo corn syrup- all with incredibly inflated prices! I knew I didn't have the oomph to cook my own pumpkin this year, and was considering ditching the pumpkin pie entirely, but luckily the canned pumpkin saved me. 

Mid-afternoon the slump hit hard, and I found myself trying not to cry at my desk. However, a gracious colleague- friend invited me to join her at the Christmas market and it was the perfect distraction. T and F and I were going to a dinner in the evening, and F graciously allowed me to leave my things in his car. T and I walked to two different markets, and enjoyed a warm cup of gluhwein and Jen's photo asks before heading to dinner. 

Dinner was planned over the summer. F asked if I had ever had raclette, and promised it was a cold weather food. He was uncertain if it was OK to plan on Thanksgiving night, but I assured him the point of Thanksgiving was sharing food with friends, so it was the perfect embodiment. The restaurant was a Swiss-styled chalet, and was decorated in very cute decor. I let my friends order, and they got a raclette as well as a French fondue for us to share. Apart from the cheese, we got some charcuterie and a delightful fresh salad. 

The fondue was delightful. It was a small cast iron pot of melted cheese over a tiny flame. We got a bucket of bread cubes, that we speared on a long handled fork, and dipped into the cheese. You do a little twirl to cleanly break the cheese before eating. If you drop the bread into the fondue, apparently you get a penalty, but luckily I didn't drop anything in. 

The raclette was a small warming device. Each of us received a tiny tray and scraper (actually what is called the raclette). A larger tray came with an assortment of cheese slices. You put a single slice of cheese into your tiny tray, and it goes into the warmer. When the cheese is melted and bubbling, you scrape it onto the boiled potato waiting on your plate. It was delightful! 

After the cheesy dinner, we discussed dessert. I was wavering on an ice cream, but F looked over and said it's Thanksgiving Jen, you have to get dessert. I selected a chocolate ice cream, and it was some of the best I've ever had! 

To end the evening, F and T insisted that I was their guest, and didn't allow me to contribute to the bill at all. And provided me with a ride home. I'm so grateful for their kindness and generosity. They certainly made my first Thanksgiving away from home memorable and wonderful and I will be forever grateful to them.