Happy Thanksgiving!

There are many things to be thankful for this year! Having the opportunity to be an exchange student, for one. I am thankful to have two loving families, both in America and Thailand. I am thankful there is no snow in Thailand (I am currently wearing boxers and a T-shirt and sitting next to the front door, which is open to allow a refreshing evening breeze to come in the house. My brother is taking a shower and my mom, dad, and sister are watching a Thai soap opera. My mom is knitting too, which is a surprisingly popular passtime. My friends knit at school too.). I am thankful... for everything! It's hard to pick just a few things to write about,  so let's just suffice to say I am a very happy camper who is not unthankful.

As for what I did today... Not much. I wrote this post! However, tomorrow I think I'll celebrate a bit by feeding my neighbor's turkeys. They will get food instead of being food - how's that for a new tradition? I told my family that today is "wan kawb khun", or Thanksgiving Day. I told them how everyone eats turkey but didn't insist that they eat too. (In fact, I told them it makes me happier to see live turkeys today, as I am all days.) My dad knew about Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, which I totally forgot about. He reminded me by asking about the big Spiderman balloon in New York. How he knew about this I don't know, but it was nice to be reminded.

Thanksgiving officially kicks off "the Holidays" as far as I know, which is exciting. Especially since the holidays also include my birthday! My sister's birthday too. She was born on December 3, and there has been talk of having a joint birthday party on December 9 since that is right in between our big days when we both turn 18. Finally 18! Exciting indeed!

Comments

[Martha Fitzgerald]

Happy Thanksgiving to you my sweet. We had a big dinner at Aunt Betsy's house with 33 people. It was a mad house but everything was very nice. How exciting to have a joint birthday party, sorry I won't be there.. A box is on its way with a few party supplies. I hope it gets there by the 9th. I miss you every day. Love, Mommy

[Julie Harbecke]

Hi Kelly! So fun to read up on what you have been doing and seeing and learning. Sounds like you are having a great experience! So glad. I have been paying attention to the natural disasters there but was not sure where you were exactly after you moved. Glad your area is safe. I was totally hooked on the Chilean miners as they were being rescued. All my classes had the pleasure (?) of watching at least one man being pulled out:)
Have a great birthday! Miss H:)

[Matt]

Hey Kelly. I regret to inform you that my letter never made it to the mail. I kept reading it and finally decided that I did not like it. (I think it sounded whiney). Anyways I'll definitely have a letter sent by the end of the week. Maybe I'll express mail it since its so late.

[Elizabeth Meyer]

Hi Kelly! I love reading your blog and imagining all the things you are doing and learning. We all miss you very much and talk about you all the time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I cannot believe that my sweet niece will be 18! I sent you a long letter recently and really hope that you receive it this time. Please keep writing and posting pictures. I am sure you are saving lots of momentos for a huge scrapbook about your adventures! Love, Aunt Betsy (Mother's side, older, blood relative)

[Matt]

Ok. So my mom is sending you a card. I have yet to send your letter BUT I will be express mailing it.

[Bjornbwart]

Kelly darling, I am so thankful that you have reached a level of balance in your new home. Tell me (us) if the turkey's might have names; or at least, how do you say "turkey" in the local dialect.? .........please don't say "turkey". That would make me feel so much like a turkey (slang in local McHenry County dialect). All bad jokes aside, I am so thankful that we can still communicate and it is fantastic to see your peop's chiming in on your blog. Keep it up peop's. And as far as mailing, I think that regular mail will work just the same ads priority or express mail. Please let everyone know if your receive their letters. We got one envelope back that was sent to your old address.
Love, hugs and kisses, Dad.

[Julie Harbecke]

Thanks for the letter and pics, Kelly! And I love stamps from other countries. Don't get many anymore with e-mail. I shared the pics with your former teachers in the office:) They all wish you well:) I have a Christmas party tonight here for 50 people and once again expecting a 'wintry mix" which basically means we all slide down the sidewalk even after I use salt:) Then one more week of school and I host the 70 people family Christmas. Yikes! Lots of cleaning and cooking here. And now shoveling too. Hope you are well and enjoying school and culture and friends:) Miss H.

[Tmtessler]

Hi Kelly. My daughter, Saige will be coming to Thailand in April for a year. I LOVED reading your blog. Thank you for taking the time to paint such a comprehensive picture of your experience there. It helps us a great deal! If you are available to answer any questions, or give advice, please write me at [email protected], or on facebook- Tracy Tessler. Your blog was a pleasure to read- the content, the writing, and your wonderful outlook on the experience. Thank you so much! Tracy.

[Martha Fitzgerald]

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY KELLY! ENJOY YOUR DAY, WE ARE SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND MOST PROUD. LOVE, MOM

[Daria Beird]

Hi Kelly, Happy 18th Birthday!
It was so nice getting the letter and photos from you, it sounds like you are having a phenominal experience there! We definitely miss you here, especially during our girl scout events, but we think of you all the time and wish we could be so lucky to see and learn all they things you are seeing and learning. Can't wait to see your scrapbook when you get back. But in the meantime, have a fantastic day today!

[Dpfitz9]

Kelly, love your blog. I'm sorry I don't read it more often, its like having you in the room. Your Thia experience sounds like its going spendidly. The visit to Bankok sounds like a dream come true. I've always wanted to go there myself. So you have much to be thankful for and I know you know. Your mom sending you candy on your birthday reminds me of when you and Bryan would send me some of your trick or treat candy for my birthday,that was always one of my favorite things. Christmas should be nice for you, as I may have mentioned, we make our oun traditions and they change from year to year. Enjoy the moment. It's not unusuall to feed a little nastalgic at this time of year, don't let it get you doun. Think about all the people that love you and all the people you love. I'm very proud to hear you are writing and speaking Thia. That is a big accomplishment. Thia has a very difficult reputation. We've been on the look out for vegan resteraunts in Tampa and there are more than a few places here. As well as lots of vegan food at our local markets. You'll be in good order here. Our weather has been lovely, some cool days but, generally Beautiful. Nothing like in Chicago at this time. David Ezell and I have a tradition of visiting his family in Atlanta at Christmas and so we'll be off for there soon. I've begun a new painting, a garden scape as usuall. Cant wait to talk to you again soon, love Uncle Dave, Fla