Holidays - Pt. 1

I won't lie, the holidays are hard when you are far away from home.

It hit me today, as I participated in some new holiday traditions, just how much I am missing the traditions from home.  Here are some things I miss.

Ebony

1. Making turkey cookies with Mom.
2. Frosting the turkey cookies - each feather a different color of course!
3. Thanksgiving with the Greve family
4. American stuffing (British stuffing has sausage and other meat in it)
5. Pumpkin Pie
6. Pumpkin cookies
7. really just all pumpkiny desserts!
8. Christmas Cantata at church
9. Visiting my Grammy (I LOVE YOU GRAMMY! *muah*)
10. Christmas Road trip with the family
11. My kitty Ebony
12. My bed
13. Being able to text silly things to my friends
14. Megan's wedding in January
15. Being able to get in my car and drive wherever, and whenever I want to

Pumpkin Pie

I don't really miss the snow, like at all.  It's been around 50F most days here, sometimes rainy, usually grey skies.  But I love it!  While everyone around me wishes for snow, I'm hoping it never comes.

Now, before you think I'm having a little pity party, there are plenty of things that I love about this new place I call home.  Stay tuned for part 2 to find out :)

Merry Christmas everyone!

~Lina

Peace

I am completely at peace right now.

It has been a very hectic week, and it will continue to be hectic tomorrow.  But right now, this very minute, I am at peace.

Because I am working in a private school this year, my Christmas break starts on Thursday (Don't hate me).  But this means that while Advent only started 2 weeks ago, we are celebrating Christmas in full swing.

In the past week I have:

Helped with the all-school Advent service
Attended the Nursery & Reception Nativity Play (called a Crib service here)
Planned Chapel (with help of course)
Planned Jr. School Assembly with Katrina
Attended and helped lead the aforementioned assembly
Attended and helped lead the aforementioned chapel - twice
Helped with Jr. School Carol Service Rehearsal
Attended Jr. School carol service
Finished all my Christmas shopping
Wrapped all the presents
Started my January Newsletter

I was completely exhausted.  I loved every minute of it, but I was exhausted.  I woke up this morning and just felt completely happy. I was absolutely giddy!  So giddy, in fact, that Katrina asked me what I had been up to today.  She was completely suspicious of my good mood!

Today, was GAP secret Santa day.  Now, I know that presents aren't the meaning of Christmas, but I wasn't just excited about getting a present.  I was excited to spend an evening with 3 of the other GAPs watching movies and just enjoying each other's presence.  We spent most of our time together laughing and teasing each other while watching "Frozen"!

I left Earls Down (a boarding house) and went straight up to my room and tuned into the live stream of the St. Olaf College Christmas Festival.

The music I'm currently listening to is the icing on this happy cupcake of a day!  [Currently listening to Chapel Choir's "Gaudete" conducted by Mark Stover.  So in love!]

I don't think I prayed out loud for recharging, but that's the great thing about God.  He knows exactly what I need without me saying anything.  In fact, I don't think I knew what I needed until I received it. So now, I'm going to finish this post, curl up on the sofa, listen to the Christmas Story told by the wonderful choirs of St. Olaf College and bask in the glory and love of Jesus.

Happy Christmas!!

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)!