Turkey Day Food Baby

*I am writing this post after changing into sweat pants because my jeans felt too tight.  Thanksgiving success.*

**I'm using surnames in the post because I know that some students have found this blog. Hi, Middle 5's!**

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Today was one of the best Thanksgivings of my life so far.

It started like any other day.  I woke up, slowly got ready and headed downstairs to ring the breakfast bell.

BUT, before I made it to the bottom of the stairs I had already been wished "Happy Thanksgiving".  I wasn't expecting that.  I am beyond lucky and blessed to be surrounded by a handful of Americans (both staff and boarders) who keep me from missing home too much.  Today though, my first Thanksgiving wish was from a Brit.  My last wish was from a girl from Hong Kong.  The people here are so caring, that they make sure they know when an American holiday is so they can wish me a happy one.

Sweet Potato Casserole - before the oven

Mrs. Campbell, an American teacher, hosted a Thanksgiving meal in Hillcroft (a boarding house) tonight.  The kitchen was amazing and made the turkey, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, cherry pie, and chocolate creme pie.  Mrs. Campbell made sweet corn pudding, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and American style stuffing.  I put the marshmallows on, and mixed the green bean sauce, as well as set 5 timers on my phone with labels to keep everything on time.

In the end, there were about 40 people in a Hillcroft Lounge celebrating Thanksgiving together.  The girls were so excited about the food and learning about the history of the holiday.  They LOVED the stuffing and corn pudding.  Most went back for seconds and somehow still had room for dessert.

Green Bean Casserole - before the topping

The joy in the room was palpable.  I enjoyed sharing this holiday with my new community and just relaxing (and stuffing food in my face) with friends.

My supervisor Rev. Dykes said, "I feel on the edge of uncomfortable."  I told her she had successfully completed Thanksgiving!






As I slowly trudged across campus with a full tummy, I reflected on my first 3 months here in the UK.  Below is a list of things for which I am thankful.

1. A caring House Mistress and Assistant House Mistress
2. A supervisor that appreciates laughter
3. Turkey & Stuffing
4. Primark - it's like Target, but cheaper
5. The Big Bang Theory on E4
6. A growing relationship with God
7. The opportunity to discover the world
8. My new friends
9. Shadow the dog :)
10. Luna the cat
11. My fellow YAGM UKers - we are partaking in an experience that few will understand.  You will always be in my heart
12. Toffee Sponge
13. Dr. Pepper
14. Clean drinking water

And so much more!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (or Thursday)!

(Extra) Ordinary

Extraordinary: beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established.

My first 2 and a half months here has definitely been extraordinary.  Different people, Different place. Different expectations.  The first familiar places I found were Starbucks and McDonald's.

Grande White Chocolate Mocha with Cream
Cheeseburger. No onions. Small Fries and a Coke.

These phrases just roll off my tongue. They are routine. Something that comes so easily to me.

Unlike exercise!

For those who know me, I have a major aversion to exercise.  Don't get me wrong, I can walk around the Magic Kingdom or Epcot all day and never complain, BUT put me on treadmill or tell me to walk around a lake and I will complain and find any excuse not to go.

The United States is built for cars.  Driving is the fastest way to get around as most of the U.S. apart from the trains in the metropoles.  Here in the UK everyone walks.  There are paths and pavement (sidewalks) everywhere.  Across the street from the entrance to school is a nature preserve that attracts butterflies in the Spring.

Every week on my day off, rain or shine, I walk into town.  The walk down the hill is wonderful and I love every second of it.  The walk up however? Dreadful! Especially when I'm carrying groceries.  Every time I started walking to town my calf muscles would instinctively start cramping - I'm pretty sure they have a mind of their own.  I hated it.  Some days I would be tempted to turn around or not go at all. But I kept going.  7 weeks. 1 or 2 times a week.

Then I went to Derbyshire on a retreat/class with my fellow YAGMs and everything changed.  Mycah, Maridith and Chelsi asked if I would like to join them on a walk. I accepted thinking it would be maybe 20 minutes.  Boy was I wrong!

Mycah was on a mission to get to the top of the cliffs.  Immediately my brain and body shut down.  It was too hard, too far.  I was too tired, too out of shape. As I trudged through pastures and came upon a very friendly horse that wanted to accompany us to the top, I thought of excuses I could use, but I never spoke them. I continued up the hill with a few breaks for photos (but really to catch my breath). We emerged from the pastures and had to go up a small muddy hill to get to the road.  It was slippery and I was brilliantly wearing a white coat.  I handed my coat up to Chelsi. I got halfway and started to panic about slipping and falling.  Maridith went up ahead and helped me up, but not before the stinging nettles attacked! In case you were wondering, nettles in your armpit hurts - beware the nettles!

We walked up the road to another path where I decided I could go no further.

"Guys, I think I'll just wait here for you.  I can't do it."
"I'll walk on the road with you."
"I don't think the road goes where you are going."

The side of the cliff.

"Yes it does. Come on."



We walked and found the entrance to the cliffs.  We walked around puddles and more nettles and reached the edge.  It was breathtaking.  I had no words.

I am so thankful that those girls wouldn't let me give up.

The conversation above was between me and Chelsi.  But it could easily be a conversation between me and Jesus.  Jesus walks with us everyday.  He stops when we stop. When we reach that moment where we just don't think we can go any farther, Jesus offers to walk on the road with us.  He reminds us that he loves us, and that he didn't die so that we would give up when life gets tough.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Two days after this climb to the top, I got a massive charlie horse trying to run to a less full train car, then had to stand for an hour.  Now I can walk into town, do my shopping, and walk back up the hill with no cramps in my calves.  What was once extraordinary is becoming ordinary.  

Ordinary: customary; usual; normal

The UK is slowly becoming home.

Sunset on the cliffs

~Lina