Giving thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!  It's Thanksgiving Day here, but not really.  This is the second time in 30 years that I've been in a foreign place on Thanksgiving, and I've spent the 4th of July overseas several times, so I've developed a resistance to the urge to run around and ask people "Why are you working??? It's a holiday!" I'm Probably not doing anything special, since I'm working today and tomorrow, and I celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend.  I'll probably start watching Christmas movies tonight, probably A Christmas Story.  Because it's tradition, and I know Randy.  It's getting chilly here, so it feels like Fall.  My former OHS students will remember that in my old room, the heater was broken, and most mornings it was 90 degrees when the heat was on.  Now I'm in a classroom that isn't heated.  At all.  Funny how things change so quickly.

    But I'm still thankful, and wanted to post some thoughts on the subject.  So here goes.

I'm thankful for God's timing.  I'm still not sure why Taiwan, why now, but I know that every time my life has been upended, I learned later it was exactly where I needed to be exactly when I needed to be there. So it'll be a surprise later when I find out.

I'm thankful for the amazing support, both from my family and friends at home, and here in Taiwan.  Especially those who got texts the first few days that I was here, and patiently waited while I ranted and raved.

I'm thankful for technology.  I know it sounds shallow, but it has kept me connected and safe.  I'm thankful that I can share pictures and experiences with everyone, and keep in touch when there's trouble.  Last month, without social media, it would have taken two weeks to get a letter to Ohio and let them know that everything was fine.  I'm Skyping with my family tomorrow, it makes the world a little smaller when we can see and hear each other.

I'm thankful for my placement.  I've heard stories about terrible experiences, especially with the sixth-graders, and I'm glad to say I have incredible, well-behaved students, and fantastic co-teachers.  Tongxiao is small, but I like the fact that I live in a safe, quiet little village.  I can still get back to "civilization" if I need to, but the small town atmosphere is nice.

So enjoy your turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie, I'll be eating dumplings and watching Christmas movies.  And probably missing Dad's deep fried turkey :)