Wanderlust Wendy

Happy Turkey Day from Shanghai! Somehow, I thought Thanksgiving is NEXT week. As it turns out, the rule is the 4^th Thursday in November, and not the last Thursday. When I realize this a few days ago, I discovered I had booked my day solid full of non-America and non-turkey related activities. Thankfully, knowing this is my favorite meal, my family had put up a full Turkey Day spread for my going-away meal a few weeks ago.

But, as I walked home at 10:30pm, I was really craving a bit of America. So, I walked to the McDonald’s by the subway exit. Much to my sadness, Mickey D’s doesn’t operate 24 hours in Shanghai. I had to settle for Carl’s Jr., which thankfully opened til 23:00. I think this is some Hardee’s spin-off. I took a few bites into my spicy chicken sandwich, and realized it was the first time that I’ve had lettuce in nearly 4 weeks. I haven’t had this much appreciation for iceberg lettuce in a really long time.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. This year, there was a trend happening on Facebook where people were giving thanks to something everyday in November. I thought that was quite nice. This year, I am particularly thankful for my family who is ever so supportive of my globetrotting ways. I am thankful to have had so many opportunities to see the world, and to understand the people within it. It’s a rare privilege, and I hope I am making a good use by sharing what I discover.

I am thankful for technology, and the globalized world that makes moving to a new city so much easier now. I’ve been in Shanghai for only a few weeks, and already, a social circle is emerging, and a new life begins. Just as I was lamenting the lack of turkey and stuffing this year, a few text messages came through for dim sum brunch this weekend. You win some, you lose some!

Technology not only helps to create a new social circle, it also helps me to keep old ones. I am so thankful for Skype, Google Chat, Google Hangout, Whatsapp, Kik, Voxer, Facebook (Come on, friends, can’t we all just agree on one chat client?), and more! Sometimes, I don’t feel like I’ve moved across the world. It feels just as if I had moved to another city in the US, away from my loves.

Finally, I am thankful for readers who stumble upon my blog and leave kind messages. Your supportive words keep me writing and sharing. Twitter and blogosphere friends are also not to be forgotten!  You are an important piece in making my globetrotting journey that much more enriching!

I hope you are all sharing this day with friends and family, old and new. But most importantly, you are taking a moment to appreciate the present life and giving thanks to the little things. Happy Thanksgiving!