I'm finally on time with the post! I mean, it's not as if there are any rules dictating when I write these posts but the therapeutic sound of typing is usually best reserved for Sunday nights...at least that is my opinion. This week marked a very important time of the year; it was a time for eating way too much and going consumer crazy. It marked the beginning of Christmas break for my DU friends and it was the much needed break for many of those who will return to school until Christmas.
Side note: The fact that many of you are returning to school is proof that the quarter system > your
system. Go to DU...now. Actually, don't because they need to have room for me to live when
I get back. Stay at home.
It is also a time of year that the Brits really don't 'give a bit' about. So, tonight I am going to share my happenings in the form of a Thanksgiving feast...it will be my way of forcing myself in on all of your celebrations.
The Turkey:
Oh the iconic bird that is the spokesman for this wonderful holiday. The turkey is never ready when you think it will be, yet for some reason it is at the very core of Thanksgiving and yet we don't care how long it takes...we will eat it and Macy's parade will always have a giant balloon turkey. I love it (except for some of my Kulp cousins who always insist on ham) and because of its iconic status I will share how I spent my Thanksgiving celebration under this heading.
As many of you know, I am an intern here at the Directory of Social Change which is a charity organisation that provides publications and training to voluntary sector professionals (marketing skills in action). DSC held its annual Social Change Awards on Thursday which honored many voluntary organisations for the work they do for others. It was an amazing night. The conference room was transformed into a beautiful venue with lights, decorations, and warm hearts. This was surprisingly and ironic and perfect way to spend my Thanksgiving. There were so many people in the room that have done great things for people and being able to hear what the non-profit sector is doing here, made me very thankful for all of those working to make this world a better place. I was also able to reflect upon my time at El Pomar Foundation and realize how lucky I am to be able to work in this sector in two different countries. The evening ended with snacks and wine in the dining room and wine and good conversation in the cloak room. It was a very good event and I am so thankful for being able to be a part of it.
Wait..the stuffing! For some, this is the usually the most underwhelming part of the feast, but not for me and my dad...it is our favorite part! The evening ended with me crashing my own family's feast! I caught the Lobato's right after their own dinner. Alexa, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Jesse, Jordan, Nicholas, Sarah, Anna, Stephen, Daniel, Aunty Kathy, Aunty Barbara, Uncle Ed, Uncle Frank, Uncle Michael, and Lisyuri all took turns saying hello. I loved it and I love all of you! Thank you for being the stuffing in my Turkey and letting me get a little bit of each of you on my first Thanksgiving away from home.
Mashed Potatoes and G-g-g-gravy:
A true staple! Mashed Potatoes are as consistent and vital to this feast as the Tube station is to London! Oh boy and let me tell you how much I love both of these things! A LOT! Ladies and gentlemen, I have gotten so good at the Tube that I no longer just choose a carriage on either end becasue there are less people there. Oh no no no! I now choose which end to ride based upon where the exist is to leave the next station or where the closest tunnel is to change to my next train. What do I mean by this? Let me explain... ... ... When I go to school in the morning I take the Northern Line to Bank Station. I then change to the Central Line and exit at Oxford Circus. Well, when I get on the Northern Line I always get in a carriage on the left side because when I get to Bank, the entrance to the Central line is closest to the left side. I just realized this probably makes no sense to many of you who are not here in London. Just think of it as the equivalent of strategically picking the shortest and quickest line in the grocery store EVERY TIME! Oh yes, I am now that good.
Now for the gravy! I found the best line on the Tube. Waterloo and City (light green on the map) goes directly from Waterloo station to Bank. It basically bypasses a crap ton of stops and zips right on to the best places. Want to see the London Eye but get back to the Gherki asap? No problem! Waterloo and City will do just that! Because I save so much time by choosing the awesome light green line and the correct side of the train, I can now (skip this part Vince) find the cutest and most polite British boy, follow him onto the Tube, and look at him for the entire journey. Now that's gravy.
Cranberry Jelly: I'll be honest, I don't know how I feel about this stuff. It's in a can and not a jar. It looks like it's radioactive. It has a weird texture. Well folks, let me tell you about the Hayward Gallery.
For my Art and Society class, we went to this gallery to see some contemporary Chinese art. It was something. I'll break it down:
Room 1: Room covered with pictures of man squeezing meat. Pillar of mirrors with actual meat sitting on top.
Room 2: Ping-pong table with huge slits coming out of the bottom = unwinnable See here.
Room 3: Pillar of human fat...spread on like butter. I'm not kidding. See for yourself.
Room 4: Live silk worms weaving silk over large wooden frames and gigantic chains, REAL PERSON falling backwards, always wet wall of paint that will mark you forever if you touch it (oh yes, we touched it), room with woman singing coming at you between trees handing you a piece of paper, large walled box with random objects being thrown out the top, and a room with people laying on shelves with one person standing with their head coming out the top through a hole in the shelf.
I don't mean to make these pieces of art less meaningful. I'll be honest, when you understand what they are supposed to mean it really does give you a different perspective. However, it was too much all at once. I've had to reflect a lot in order for me to really appreciate it as art and I apologize to those who find it more serious than I make it seem. It just wasn't for me. I also apologize for those who like cranberry jelly. It's still weird.
Pies:
This is pretty straight forward. Pies are pies and I made two; a pumpkin and a pecan. I had a little trouble finding pre-made crust in a round tin. Actually, let me clarify and say that I could not find crust in a round tin so my pies were rectangles. But, I took them to work and made the Brits celebrate with me. They were a hit so I guess my crappy gas oven did it's job! The two other Americans at work also gave me a thumbs up, so it was nice sharing a little bit of home with all of them.
Green Bean Casserole:
Ah the traditional dish that gives strange character to every thanksgiving dish. It's warm and cozy as well as surprise tater tots in random bites. I finally made it down to Brick lane with the ever awesome (and always present in this blog) Desiree and Margaux. It was great walking around the cozy atmosphere and seeing all of the vintage stalls, trying on crazy hats, and smelling the amazing food. It was a great time with surprises around every corner. Since it was my first time there, the girls showed me their favorite music store and some of the gems of all that is Brick Lane. It is part of the grittiness that is unique to London and the tater-tots that give the city character. It is one of those places that is all I love about London; the surprises and the diversity. It's that traditional dish that makes me want to pick through until I have all the tater-tots that I can eat.
Secret Sauce (aka Ketchup):
Prior to some relatives' belief, this does not belong at the Thanksgiving table... ...that's why we pass it under the table! It's not so much the ketchup that I enjoy, it's the inside joke. For me, the Breakfast Club is that inside joke. There is always a queue which means that it's definitely not secret, but it is just so great. Breakfast here is always guaranteed to make you groan with fullness and groan with content. It is basically that Thanksgiving feeling located right down the street. I mean heaven forbid it's in my blog almost as much as my ridiculous jokes...that's saying something! I love it and it's great, and if you've visited me then you've probably been there with me. Secret sauce that isn't so secret but it's still that vital to a good feast.
Oatmeal Rolls:
I don't know if these were present at the table this year, but they are THE BEST! Thank you 4-H cookbook! I will never go hungry nor will I go to jail because of you. It's a statistic, ask my dad. When I go to Christmas markets here, it feels as if I'm stuck inside one of these rolls; it's warm and soft and smells amazing! Christmas markets are full of mulled wine and sweets that just seep warmth and fluffy feelings. If I were in a roll/when I am at Christmas markets this is what I feel like : IT"S SO FLUFFY! I have been to two markets this weekend, one under the watchful London Eye and the other tonight at Hyde Park. I have many more to visit in these next few weeks!
Leftovers:
Probably the real reason Thanksgiving exists...to do the whole thing over again! I love leftovers and Thanksgiving is a meal that I will never tire of. I have the same feeling for London at night. Desiree and I walked around and saw the sights. We walked down the Thames and were seduced by the warm glow that seems to never end. So much life all of the time! It is really indescribable to feel so insignificant. We both talked about missing the stars and that is another kind of insignificant. The city just holds so many people and so much is going on that I feel dwarfed and that I can't really be seen. I like it. When I'm under the stars I feel so overwhelmed by nature and how powerless I am in the universe. I also like it.
I will also never tire of the pubs here in London. After seeing the city, Desire and I found a cute little pub called The Princess of Shoreditch. It was cute and not as loud as the other crazy places. There were lots of locals and the bartenders were nice. We sat, had a drink, and drank in all that is a good pub. People, drinks, and laughter. Night though is really where both of these experiences come to full bloom. There is nothing like a lot of lights (little or big) shining in a black sky, and a good pub that make you realize just how much you should enjoy the moment and to feel as much as you can because there's not really anything that important that can't wait until the next round of leftovers.
Nap/Fullness:
Nothing sums up Thanksgiving like a good nap when you feel like your stomach is going to pop. I have so much work to do before I leave that I just want to take a nap! But, like every good Thanksgiving the fact that I'm full because of an amazing meal is the only thought that keeps me treckin' along.
I got an A on my first paper!!! Whoo hoo!! I know that my grades will be fine, and I've been able to think about how much I have learned on this trip. I am so stuffed with information and sights, and sounds, and smells, and experiences that I feel like I'm going to pop! However, it's all worth it because I know that it tasted amazing. So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your week was as good as mine whether you celebrate the holiday or not! Have a good one and until you visit again,
Cheers,
Taylor
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