Thanksgiving

Yesterday was the fourth Thursday in November, and in America, that would be Thanksgiving Day. Because of my study abroad here in Japan, my Thanksgiving has been perhaps the most surreal, and not-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving ever.

First of all, it didnt even feel like a holiday at all. The Japanese day for giving thanks was on Tuesday, and while we had the day off from school, there was no celebration in sight. On the calendar day of Thanksgiving, I had school, and also no special food, no nothing. Even on facebook, you wouldnt have known the date by the status posts, because in America (or at least Hawaii), it was still Wednesday, November 24th. Today, when I signed onto facebook and saw all the "Happy Thanksgiving!" or (most enviable) "Home sweet Hilo!" statuses, I was like, No, that was yesterday. The only upside is that school was out today as well, to let the high schoolers take their entrance examinations.

But the most jarring was the fact that I was missing out on the whole holiday experience. Turkey and stuffing is hard to come by here in Japan; in fact, I heard from another HUSA that it's about 90 USD to buy a turkey in Korea (they substituted in a chicken). I remember what stuffing tastes like, and I havent had it in so long, Thanksgiving notwithstanding. And more importantly, I'm missing my family. I havent seen or spoken (verbally) with anyone who was related to me for about two and a half months, and I probably wont have a chance until next August. My family isnt as big as some people's, and I really enjoy having everyone together. This is the first Thanksgiving I havent seen any of them.

So how did I celebrate Thanksgiving in Japan? Another American and I went with a British and Finnish to a Japanese restuarant, and later went to an arcade. Really traditional, right? I dont even know where the other Americans went. And it's not even like we could make our own Thanksgiving type things. Only dorm residents are allowed in the building, so we couldnt have a party together. And like I said, it's so hard to track down the necessary ingredients here, so there really was no sense in even trying.

Dont get me wrong, I'm thankful for my parents for sending me here, and I'm thankful for all the friends and memories I've made up here. But I'm not going to lie, it's so hard not to be with my family. Isnt that what holidays are all about? I guess, then, I'm thankful that last year, I took a bunch of pictures to show my Japanese penpal about American Thanksgivings, so I have something to look at.


Oh JESUS it looks so good.

On the one hand, I'm not depressed and crying on my bed, missing my family. But on the other hand, something is missing from this vital time, and I cant replace it. Haha, Christmas is going to be FUN. (Memo to self: Be sure to plan something Christmas-y with the other Americans. Include tons of happiness and cheer [AT ANY COST])