The One with All the Thanksgivings
Over the weekend, I went on a trip down memory lane (COVID-19 safe) and reminisced about the many special Thanksgivings I have celebrated throughout the years. I spent my childhood happily eating with my cozy Korean-American family. My fondest memories include sitting on the floor (Korean style) in front of a huge spread that included turkey, Korean BBQ and kimchi. It was truly the best of both worlds. Here are some of the more memorable ones…
The One with the Birth
I entered this world on Thanksgiving Day. My dad enjoyed hot dogs on this most momentous occasion. Every once in awhile, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving and it gives my family and friends more reason to celebrate…and eat.
The One in a Diner
My first Thanksgiving in New York City took place during my first semester at The Juilliard School. I hated the idea of traveling home for a few days during one of the most busiest travel days of the year. I decided to stay in New York City and enjoyed my first NYC Thanksgiving with two lovely friends. We went to the Metro Diner at W. 100th Street and Broadway and enjoyed a 3-course Thanksgiving menu. Afterwards, we went to Tower Records to rent DVDs - remember when we used to peruse the shelves to find movies to rent? That night was the first time I watched what became one of my favorite movies of all time, Before Sunrise.
The One with the Parade
I grew up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on television but only braved the parade crowds once in 2009. We watched from the West 70s and Central Park West before enjoying a warm Thanksgiving meal. I have over 30 photos of balloons — big surprise. Andrea Bocelli was one of the special guests that year. Lucky me.
I still have this scarf.
I am still looking for this hat.
The One with the Christmas Market
My first year abroad, we gathered approximately 20 people from the Semperoper Dresden for a huge potluck Thanksgiving dinner. One of the singers volunteered to bring the turkey. Because finding a turkey can be somewhat of a challenge in Germany, he ordered it from a farm. The poor animal was killed the day before and arrived at his place that morning with a few feathers. After enjoying a delicious meal, we went for a walk outside and walked directly to the Christmas Markets for some warm alcoholic beverages.
The One with the Earring
I was so excited to celebrate Thanksgiving on American soil in 2015 for the first time in 5 years. I was invited to my good friend/boss’s sister’s house in California where they had two turkeys including one deep fried turkey! I enjoyed way too much food that I thought I was going to be sick. I excused myself to go to the bathroom but was able to keep my food down. Instead, I ended up losing an earring in the toilet.
The One with all the Shoes
One of the largest Thanksgiving gatherings of my life took place one year in Berlin. I believe that 3 turkeys were involved in this huge potluck for basically anyone in Prenzlauer Berg. I could not fit all the shoes outside the door in this photo.
The One with the Two Thanksgivings
One year, I celebrated a lovely Thanksgiving in Berlin on a Saturday evening. On the way home the next day while I was still digesting my dinner, I got off the train in Dortmund and enjoyed another meal before returning home.
The One with the Nap
In 2017, I was able to celebrate Thanksgiving in America with my family in North Carolina. After an intense rehearsal period at San Francisco Opera, I took the red eye home, landed and then immediately fell asleep on the couch. My family decided to proceed with the festivities (!?!) and I apparently slept through the entire Thanksgiving brunch. It was not as if I was in a different part of the house — I was in the same room but they did not want to wake me up and I kept sleeping. I woke up a few hours later and found a birthday cake waiting for me.
The One with the Pandemic
(Socially distant) Lamb was the guest of honor and it was gooooood.
