Thanks and Hugs

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Well, today makes two special days, Thanksgiving in America and Hug A Norwegian Day. Thanksgiving is generally a time where Americans gather with family, eat a large meal and give thanks for everything they appreciate in their lives. It's really a great concept and such a shame Black Friday (the day where it's socially acceptable for people to forget all they're thankful for, trample one another in stores and shop and shop and shop mostly for things they don't need) follows after. I could so go on and on about Black Friday. I'm not a big fan, but this post isn't about my near-hate of Black Friday. :-)

Anyways, since I'm not in America, I'm celebrating the best way I can here in Norway. I tried to make a very tiny meal for both of us, but I failed at that, though the chocolate cheesecake I make turned out good! I actually managed to mess up my mother's recipe for cheesy hashbrown casserole because I forgot to boil the potatoes before baking. No surprise there.That only made me sad and really missing my mom and being with family on Thanksgiving, so my husband and I went to my favorite restaurant in Skien which is a tiny place called Bobben. Afterwards, I went to a friend's for Pinterest/crafts night and made Christmas decorations.

Our wonderful Thanksgiving meal: nachos and cheese for him
pasta with diced ham for me. 

Today is the day of thanks (and hugs) and I'm thankful for a lot of things.

I'm thankful for the complaints I have. I don't think I complain a lot, but I sometimes have this pang of guilt when I do catch myself complaining because I think to myself, "Wow, I should be grateful I have this to complain about. How hard can life really be when I have this to complain about?" Like me complaining over still not knowing what to do with my life. Do I want to go to graduate school or do I want to start having children soon? Soon meaning 2-3 years. I am thankful I have the opportunity to complain about not having enough education after having higher education or having the ability to plan my family. I catch myself complaining about Norway like the weather or not finding some of the same products I can find in America or complaining about homesickness. I'm thankful for being lucky enough to have 2 places I call home and I'm thankful for knowing I always have food, heat, electricity and running water in both American and Norwegian homes, a great experience trying new things in Norway and loving family and friends in both places.

I'm thankful for having all the people I love and who love me in return. I'm thankful for all the new people I've met since my big move and the family and friends back in America who support me emotionally through it all.  I'm thankful for having an amazingly adorable little sister who I miss like crazy. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband and best friend and the really great and healthy relationship we have. Okay, so we're still considered newlyweds. :-) I'm thankful for now having two families, my own birth family and the family I married into. I'm so thankful to have all these people in my life. I am thankful for being in good health and for no longer having the worry what will happen if I get sick or injured because of not having coverage for healthcare. I'm of course very thankful for having my American cat, Stella here with me. My day always brightens a little more when I come home and she's sitting by the door waiting for me. I'm thankful for all the traveling and experiencing new things I have had the opportunity to do this year. I would have never even thought I'd ever see some of the places I have this year, but it has been possible and for that I'm grateful.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, enjoys their time with family and gives many thanks for all you appreciate in life and spread some love and hugs to your Norwegian friends.If you can't find a Norwegian or someone of Norwegian decent where you live, any tall, blonde person wearing wool will do. :-) And for those of you working on Thanksgiving, it's very unfortunate you have to be pulled away from your family in order to do your job, but thank you for being there continuing your service to the community. Whether you're with your family or wishing you were with your family, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

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