TOP (185) :: Teachers in China (15)
| Amanda Cooke
To everyone at Footprints,
I just wanted to forward a copy of the Thanksgiving email I sent to my family and friends back home. Lots to be thankful for this and every year. I'm sure you can all relate! Have a great holiday with your family and friends!
Amanda Cooke (Xian, China)
Hi everybody!
I didn't even realize that Thanksgiving was so close until I spoke to Jodi a few days ago. I am sad I won't get to see the usual family and friends at this time of year, but I hope that you all enjoy being together and really think about all you have to be thankful for. Following is a list of the top ten things I am thankful for in Canada, things I took for granted until I came here, and things I think you should all be grateful for back home.
1. Give thanks for your house and heat: At this time of year, it starts to get pretty cool at night, and usually there is snow by Halloween. Be grateful that you can turn on your furnace whenever you get a chill. People here often live in their dirty little shops, lining the alleys and there is no heat in Xian, and possibly the rest of China until November 15th.
2. Give thanks for the turkey you will eat: Though there is chicken and duck (which takes some getting used to) I haven't seen any signs of turkey here (SORRY I CAN"T TRY ANY OF THE TURKEY DINNER YOU COOK BUT HATE, BRAD). Maybe our local noodle house serves "imitation turkey fried rice".
3. Give thanks for the oven you cook your turkey in: Pie, turkey, Califoria rice, etc. etc, I won't see any of it for another year (I'm gonna miss your grape pie Gramma C., your cheesecake Auntie D., Gramma H's roast beef and ham and your bread Momma) Ovens in China are a luxury and I don't know anyone who has one.
4. Give thanks for your bathrooms and especially the toilets: I am thankful for the western style bathrooms in our apartment, the rest of China gets squatters, whether they are clean or so foul you opt to use the nearest alley. Most days we just don;t drink so we don't have to brave the WC(water closet).
5. Give thanks for carpet and rugs: as beautiful as the tile and lamenent can be, it's nice to be able to have something to walk on that doesn't show your footprints. On the same note, be thankful for vaccuum cleaners, I have never seen dust gather so quickly in my life as it does here. Sweeping and mopping are part of the daily routine here (you'd love it Rhiannon).
6. Give thanks for the air you breath and the stars at night: I saw some stars when I was in the country, but most nights the sky is "foggy". At least thats what the kids say. Today we can't see much furthur than 5-6 blocks because the smog is so thick, and apparently this is a huge improvment since three years ago.
7. Give thanks for your ability to communicate: whether you use body language (which at this point I am very thankful for, as charades has become the primary mode of communication for some of us), whether you read (I would love to see an english magazine on the newstand), or whether you speak (my chinese leaves something to be desired) be thankful that you can get your point across to whoever you need to. Communication here is challenging and at times, frustrating beyond beleif.
8.Give thanks for your family and friends: Although I've met some great people since I've been in China, none can replace all of you. Be thankful that you can all be together and talk about me!
9. Give thanks for your harvest: I had the opportunity to see how harvest is done in China. Be thankful for your tractors and combines etc. no matter how many times they break down (Daddy). Farmers in China do everything from plowing to seeding, to picking, by hand. The highways are covered in corn, which has been spread out to dry.
10. Give thanks for your freedom: I was able to come to this country on my own free will and I can leave when I wish. After speaking to a few native chinese, telling them they should visit Canada, I realized that these people can't just pick up and leave. They are born into a communist country and most of them will never have the opportunity to see Canada or any other country.
I am having an awesome time in China, and have a new adventure every day. I have been here just over a month and in that time I have realized just how much we have to be thankful for. There are many, many other things that we all take fore granted everyday at home. Things as simple as being able to run to the grocery store to pick up some milk. Here it's not even refrigerated and sitting on a shelf beside animal products that belong on Fear Factor. Needless to say, I never drink it. Anyways, I just wanted you all to know that I miss and appreciate you all (sniff, sniff). I am thankful for my Canadian roots and all that our country has. Have a Happy Thankgiving and eat some turkey for me. Love you all!
Your China Doll,
Mandi XOXO |
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