Last Thursday we celebrated our second American Thanksgiving in Suzhou. We actually have more Canadian teachers on staff so it would make more sense to celebrate in October but last year and this we have had American volunteers to organize the event and as a result, the celebration has been held in November. Not that we Smiths are complaining, we have always celebrated both.
So the cafeteria at school was transformed with white table cloths and floral arrangements. Our usual stations of pizza, chinese food and sandwiches served mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin and apple pie and of course turkey!
This is Eileen and one of her three daughters Ava enjoying the dinner. Some friends of ours from Peterborough, Ontario. Eileen is the elementary school librarian and her husband Andrew is the college counselor.
Ava is very entertaining to say the least.
Here's Abby writing what she is thankful for to go on the big poster the school has up to help people from other cultures understand what Thanksgiving is all about.
Here's Abby writing what she is thankful for to go on the big poster the school has up to help people from other cultures understand what Thanksgiving is all about.It was a nice evening. Unfortunately James missed it. He was in Shanghai at a cross country meet. His last one of the season. He ran really well in the 4k event and was happy to end the season on a high note.
So, as is tradition in America, we officially started the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving. We pulled out the little table top tree we bought from the German superstore last year and hung a few of our favourite ornaments that we brought over with us.
On Sunday I was finally ready to send off Christmas presents so we headed to the post office. I actually got away with putting wrapped presents in the mail this year. I bought some really nice paper at the Christmas bazaar and wanted to wrap the gifts but wasn't sure how it was going to fly with the post office employees. I had heard stories about people having to unwrap before they were allowed to send things off. Luckily that didn't happen. The lady at the post office gave me a form to fill out in french! I guess to her there is no difference so I was a little stressed that I was writing the addresses in the wrong place, hopefully everything arrives where it is supposed to. This is me struggling to remember my high school french!
The biggest news of the week was of course from the other side of the world. The arrival of Lauchlan Jacobs! So we are sending hugs, kisses and congratulations to Laura, Richard and Ryker and can't wait to meet Lauchlan this summer in person.
Have a great week everyone, hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
So, as is tradition in America, we officially started the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving. We pulled out the little table top tree we bought from the German superstore last year and hung a few of our favourite ornaments that we brought over with us.
On Sunday I was finally ready to send off Christmas presents so we headed to the post office. I actually got away with putting wrapped presents in the mail this year. I bought some really nice paper at the Christmas bazaar and wanted to wrap the gifts but wasn't sure how it was going to fly with the post office employees. I had heard stories about people having to unwrap before they were allowed to send things off. Luckily that didn't happen. The lady at the post office gave me a form to fill out in french! I guess to her there is no difference so I was a little stressed that I was writing the addresses in the wrong place, hopefully everything arrives where it is supposed to. This is me struggling to remember my high school french!
The biggest news of the week was of course from the other side of the world. The arrival of Lauchlan Jacobs! So we are sending hugs, kisses and congratulations to Laura, Richard and Ryker and can't wait to meet Lauchlan this summer in person.
Have a great week everyone, hope you are enjoying the holiday season!
