Monica has done such a wonderful job telling everyone about Thanksgiving and Do Nothing Monday. I would like to make a quick post as a meaning and thank you to others.

I know many of our readers are in many countries besides America, and some of you may not understand the depth behind the holiday. We have had the privilege to befriend many non-Americans here in China and when we asked them about Thanksgiving, the general knowledge is it that it’s just a holiday for Americans to eat a TON of food. I’m not going to lie, the food is…magnanimous. A feast in every way. Corn, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, cheeses, dips, crackers, vegetable trays, fruit trays, cookies, pies, olives, hors d’oeuvres, assorted casseroles, dressing, gravy, and turkey: each one in it’s own dish, just waiting to be served. But, have you ever heard the phrase “That’s what you do, not what you are”? On Thanksgiving we DO eat enough food for two days, but that is not what the holiday IS.

Briefly, the history of Thanksgiving is the very beginning of American culture. The first year after landing, the Pilgrims had such a hard time that most of them died. The Indians offered their help to the dying men and women from England. Indians taught them how to plant and hunt in the New World. The English were so thankful to God and to the Indians that they set aside an entire day to give Him and the Indians thanks. The tradition was kept up on different days of autumn for the next two hundred years by different colonies and states. It was not until Lincoln’s presidency, and in the midst of the American Civil War, that a steady “day” was set. The official Thanksgiving day is the fourth Thursday of every November.

This holiday is a holiday that brings people together. Family especially, and also friends will gather together to celebrate. Thanksgiving in my home usually meant going to my grandparent’s house. Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and my grandparents (from both sides) all gathered in one house. Some years, there were not as many of us as others (they spent the holiday with their spouses family), and twice the holiday was spent without my grandparents. Try to picture, though, a room full of noise. Laughing, clanking cutlery, pots of something boiling, children happy screaming, small dogs barking, and TALKING. This holiday almost physically embodies the words warmth, love, and joy.

Our first year spending the holiday away from loved ones was, strange. Since we had our good friend Reese over for dinner and since we found a place that cooked and sold American turkeys especially for the holiday, this Thanksgiving still held the same sentiment. All of us knew the feeling of wanting to be with our families, but shared the joy of having someone to celebrate with. It was not just a meaningless reason to eat more expensive food. We could be thankful together, and celebrate America together. We still had a feast, lively conversation, and holiday music.

God has truly been good to us this year (as He always is). He has allowed us to come on this wonderful adventure, allowed us to grow in numerous ways, allowed trials to make us stronger and teach us valuable life lessons. He let us experience a new culture, and life on our own. He allowed us to meet the most wonderful people and include those people as our friends. We may complain and loose sight of our goals sometimes, but every day has been a blessing and an opportunity. He has also blessed us with His wonderful mercy and saving grace. Thank you, Good Lord, for all You’ve done for us. We are undeserving and thankful.

Go. Go. Go!

“So, um, Briney. Could you, on Wednesday, Coco’s friend who works with the Guangzhou TV needs a foreigner.”

“I’m sorry, What?”

“Um, Coco’s friend is filming something on Wednesday and could you…pusht….pusht… you know?”

“Nnnooo?”

“Wait a minute.” a couple minutes later. “She needs you to walk in the scene, you know?”

“Oh! She needs me to be an extra in a scene?”

“Yes.”

“Sure thing. Sounds like fun.”

And that is how I ended up in a taxi on my way to film a TV show on Wednesday afternoon. I was dropped off at a building I couldn’t read at a metro stop I had never been to, and I was waiting for a Chinese person to find me… Well, at least I am easy to find in a crowd here. About thirty minutes passed, and I was getting a bit nervous think she couldn’t find me. Suddenly, two people came into my line of sight, and they were making a beeline toward me. “Are you Breet Chappell?” “Yes, sir. I’m Britt Chappell.” After the initial greetings and standard formalities, I was told that the gentleman who had accompanied the director to pick me up would be my guide for the day. We walked a couple hundred feet up the street to an open area where people were selling artsy things on the ground. Upon our arrival to the filming location, I was told what I was doing. I was not an extra. I was acting. o.o Well, that was unexpected. I had even packed a book in my bag so I wouldn’t be bored on set, but… apparently, something important had been lost during translation.

The director explained that the filming that day was for a documentary on my guide’s life. He had been an art seller on this street and one of his first clients had been an American woman. She had given him a pamphlet to an auction in New Kensington and bought some jade. So, guess what I had to do? Yep, reenactment. I had to peruse the trinkets being sold, select a piece of jade, pay, and hand him the pamphlet. I was told, “stand here” and my cue to start the scene was “Go. Go. Go!” in rapid sequence. “Walk slowly.” “Hold the coins closer.” “You buy a piece of jade.” At the end, my guide gifted me with the jade that I used in the shot; a lovely pendant for a necklace. The director and my guide seemed to like me, and everything went quite smoothly.

The whole time I was just giggling to myself. I love watching documentaries, but I always laugh at the cheesy actors who do the reenactment segments…now, now I am a cheesy actor. Oh goodness. The filming drew quite a crowd and a couple takes had to be re-done because of bystanders standing, crowding, or walking through the shot.  It took about forty-five minutes for my filming segment to be over and I could leave. Surprisingly, for an introvert, I was not nervous in front of the camera. Maybe, because I get watched nearly every moment of my life here, the camera was no big deal. Who knows? But, let me just say, I had fun. My hands were freezing and my hair was a wind-whipped mess, but I and my fellow cheesy actor were laughing together and my guide and the director were so kind. Truly, one of the most off-the-wall experiences of my life. I think it even outranks private yoga classes at work. (more on that subject later.) Have a stupendous day, everyone!

Abracadabra: they vanished!

As I was saying earlier… Once we were back from Hong Kong, we took a much needed rest, from our vacation. haha. oh boy. The next two days were spent sleeping in, reading, talking, playing Blackjack with M&M’s, and wandering the streets of Guangzhou. Then the fish bit. No. Literally. They did.

I don’t know why, but when Monica and I saw that there were tiny fish that would eat the dead skin off your feet we thought it would be something fun to try. In the seven-ish months that we’ve been here we never got around to it, that is until last week. We were walking through an underground mall when we passed a skin eating fish stand. This is what it looked like: three large tanks full of fish, each tank is divided by glass long ways down the middle, there are two chairs on each side of the tank facing each other. My grandpa, when he saw this set up, stopped and said “that looks interesting.” When we walked back by after dinner, we said why not?! We paid $3.00 a piece for twenty minutes in the fish tank. After our feet had been sprayed with alcohol, the nerves kicked in. Papa had no issue, he put his feet in and relaxed. We women, on the other hand…were in great distress. It feels exactly how you think it does, and then some. They get between your toes. They get the underside of your foot. They get your leg. Tears. So. Many. Tears. Laughing and crying. Twitching and shivering. Twenty minuets stretched on for, what seemed like, an hour. We were the entertainment for all the Chinese sitting by and passing by us. Papa, however, was completely relaxed and enjoying himself. That was…something else.

Their second to last night was a little extra special. All of our close friends (our China family) came to the apartment for dinner. Casandra, Tianne, Reese, and Sam all came and ate with us. All of the stories we’d been telling them finally had faces and personalities. Our friends here are unbelievably animated, waving their arms in huge circles, laughing loudly, talking, talking, talking… We love them so much and it was such a pleasure to see them interact with my family so well. Such a blessing!

The last two days of their stay here, I unfortunately had work. They did, however, get to come to my office and see where I work. We had lunch together both days, and on their last night here, they took Monica and I to a nice Italian dinner. Then, GBDay. 4:30A.M. saw the three of us standing in the street, flagging down a taxi. By 5:45 they were checked in and I had said goodbye. I won’t lie, there were more tears. My poor cab driver must have been uncomfortable. Their whole visit went by way to quickly. As if someone said “poof!” they were already gone. Every day they were here, Monica and I were so spoiled. They paid for every meal out, bought our groceries, and brought us delicious American treats. I can’t believer it went by so fast, but I am incredibly grateful that they were able to experience my life here for a moment. They saw my commute on a busy train, they were stared at and approached by complete strangers, they experience first hand the frustration of not speaking the language, and so much more. Thank you, Mama and Papa for taking the time and spending the money to come all the way to the other side of the world for a visit. It meant so much to me (and Monica.) I love you guys. I miss you guys, and I can’t wait to see everyone again!