The American Thanksgiving Day has become an annual tradition since 1863, and become a federal holiday since 1941. Presently celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, it was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God for helping the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony survive the brutal winter.
This year, the American Thanksgiving fell on 26 November. An American friend of mine invited me and some other friends to have the traditional Thanksgiving meal together. Because we were still having our midterm exams on the real Thanksgiving day, the celebration was postponed until Saturday. Her uncle is actually running a restaurant in Beijing, and he would like to invite us to his place to have the authentic traditional Thanksgiving meal together. I have never had any Thanksgiving meal before, so yup.. why not?? :D
So, this afternoon, I had my first Thanksgiving celebration. Based on the tradition, thanksgiving celebration would be started with a grace/prayer, which exactly what we did as well. Then the meal starts with the appetizer: garden salad and turkey-based soup. After that then the main course came; roast turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potato, vegetable, sweet potato, and cranberry sauce. It taste yummy!!! loving it!! I like the stuffing inside the turkey. and the cranberry sauce too! nice nice.


The Turkey Meal
(clockwise) mashed potato, turkey with fillings, cranberry sauce, sweet potato, vegetable
Of course, it was then time for dessert! Pumpkin pie with whipped cream, the Thanksgiving special. nyum nyum nyum. :) :) :)
the pumpkin pie
During the dessert time as well that everyone was asked to mention what we are thankful this year. For me, this year.. I am THANKFUL to have the opportunity to be in Beijing now, meeting many new friends and having new experiences. I am thankful that I got my degree this year. I am THANKFUL of my family, my friends, and everybody around me. I am THANKFUL, simply, of being alive and having whatever I have right now.. Give THANKS! :)
"Thanks Jennifer for inviting us! :)"
me - Jennifer -- Martina
Btw, i had a friend's belated bday dinner last night. We went to a place, called the
Bookworm, in Sanlitun area. The place has a unique concept of bookish cafe along with bar and live band. You could actually feel the very western atmosphere the second you step into the place. A lot of books (english books), divided into categories like fiction, travel, hobby, self-help, philosophy, history, etc, are neatly arranged in the bookshelf found on every surface of the wall. You could take your time and read any books there. Yeah.. It offers the cozy and fun library-like atmosphere. Well, it's cozy library-like atmosphere full of people enjoyably chatting or reading book accompanied by coffee or cocktails though, not stressed students mugging around with notes. :P

our meals
Cocktails time!
(left-right) capriasca, mango-margarita, long island, mojito
"祝你生日快乐 Stephanie!"
P.S Most photos are taken with the bday girl's camera. More photos are to be shared soon.. so stay tuned! :D