Desperate to be Thankful

Since it's Thanksgiving week, I thought it might be appropriate to finally start this blog with things that I am truly thankful for. There's only one problem - well, several problems encompassed under one umbrella - I'm hating China right now. I know it seems a familiar theme to those of you who've listened to my various diatribes on how much I hate life in Asia. In truth, I don't always hate living here. There are many days that I find tolerable - enjoyable even! In that spirit, I am going to try to close my eyes (metaphorically, of course, so that I can still type without mistakes) and imagine myself in happier times. Perhaps my next entry I can fill you with all things "Sucky in Shanghai." Today, let's be thankful:

Morgan at school and with Miss Nancy

Morgan is enjoying her school. We have finally reached a point again where Morgan happily goes off to play with her friends and teachers while I casually slip out the door. This may seem like no mean feat to those of you without a toddler, but trust me - trying to convince a 20 month old that she needs to spend some time away from mommy can be one of my larger challenges during the day. One of my favorite moments yesterday was when Morgan clearly said "Hello" (ok, sounds more like hewwo) to Miss Nicole. What a lifesaver, that Nicole (and her assistant Miss Nancy). Unfazed my Morgan's screaming and crying for the past two months when I've dropped her off to play, Nicole is finally reaping the rewards of her hard work! Perhaps it's because Morgan is finally sleeping through the night again (another thing to be thankful for). Perhaps she's just getting older or her teeth are finally popping the surface of her gums so she's not in constant pain. Whatever the reason my lovely daughter finally loves her school, I am forever thankful!

One other major thing I should say is that I am extremely thankful for my many wonderful friends. I am sad that many of my Shanghai friends have left the city and are happily ensconced in their homes in the US. As expat life goes, new friends are always being made, but I still relish time spent with some of the "old timers" and "long termers." Others have made their way to various cities in the world - Singapore, Sydney, and a lucky few in Europe. And I do dearly miss my pre-expat friends from home - both Ohio and Michigan. Expat life would be hard without good friends both here and at home, so I thank all of you for the many happy memories we have created together!

A few of my new expat friends are coming over this Saturday for our first Leney family attempt at Thanksgiving. It isn't a holiday here, so everyone needs to work Thursday and Friday. Most people we know are having celebrations over the weekend. It would be much harder to host a dinner if we weren't fortunate to have many places in the city that deliver US (pre-cooked) turkeys. Asian ovens aren't usually meant for the large sized turkeys we usually consume during the holidays. This year Bob and I have ordered a smoked turkey from a local bar, Bubba's, that a transplanted Texan owns. We are looking forward to seeing how it tastes. Otherwise, we are being pretty traditional - mashed potatoes, hopefully gravy, Stove top stuffing, and Bob's special garlic roasted green beans will grace our table. (Don't turn up your nose at the Stove Top - authentic ingredients are often hard to come by in Shanghai and we pay dearly for these boxed alternative options!) If I am ambitious, I'll also be making a sweet potato casserole - sweet potatoes are always in abundance this time of year and you can always find roasted ones being cooked on street carts by locals.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving holidays!