Holidays in the States

Well, I would post pictures of me carving a pumpkin for Halloween, but someone who shall remain anonymous - yes I am looking at a curly head, don't scoled at me over your glasses - has not yet let me put them on my laptop let alone lay eyes on them. Let me tell you that I very much enjoyed it.
But what I can do, is share my Thanksgiving with you.

It basically started a day early, because we - the awesome Clark family and I - went to see the latest Harry Potter installment, which was a very well interpretation of the book. A much more detailed review/critique shall be found in my journal, which is only available to myself. Muhaha

We came home around one in the morning. I knocked myself out with Nyquil - got a cold - just to be woken at 8:30 am to stuff the turkey. See below.

The one in the white shirt is me, NOT the turkey. Don't mind the hair, it was early and before my morning toilet. I liked the stuffing and the basting. I won't allow inappropriate comments of any kind!!

Then we went shopping, because I don't like crowds so shopping on Black Friday tomorrow will happen on my terms and only mine. Anyways. The fist K Mart didn't have my camcorder and caera as they were advertised. The second one had them, but for some reason my credit card got declined. Have I mentioned, that it's -17 degree Celcius (appr. -5 Fahrenheit) and I don't own a car and this is the freaking States. Going places is not easy. Now I have to go back there next week because I got the stuff on lay away, hoping that my credit card problems will be solved by then. It is not my fault; I do own money...

When we got back and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, baked pumpkin pie and apple pie and had dinner at some point. It was delicious; the gravy and he mashed poatos were my favorite part of the meal. Weird huh?

Now the family watches Muppet Christmas Carols and I enjoy it. And tomorrow? Shopping!

Time

It is painful to know that time is limited. Not just time on earth as a living and feeling human being, but the smaller portions of time spend with incredible people. You know that none of you have the same starting point. Your grandma can not be your age so the amount of her time that overlaps with yours is restricted by her time which is unfortunately not infinite. Short: Her time is up. But you'll miss her for the rest of yours. Terribly.

Not just difference in age limits time for people, but geography. Your best friend from elementary school moves away and because you don' know better you lose touch. In college you still remember her name but cannot find her on the various social networks. Is she just not part of the virtual world or might she have left the real world? You'll never know.

Your mom lives three hours away from you. You see her four times a year because train tickets are expensive. Your sister- one and a half hours in the opposite direction- has not much in common so contact with her is scarce to say the least.

You decide to leave the country because you always wanted to. You know when you'll be back “home” and everything works according to your plan. But you miscalculated and people were not part of your equation. Three months in and you know your departure will be hell. This time you can't comfort your aching heart with a mantra: you'll see 'hem again. Because you won't see them. Maybe the oh so helpful social networks keep you updated about their lives, but you won't be a part of it. Never again.

Time is limited. Yours … and the time you spend with others. Make it count.