A Chinese Thanksgiving - Part 2

Wednesday: The day before Thanksgiving

1:00 pm

My friend stops by my room to deliver the oven.


I am not surprised to learn that it dates from 1970 and has not been used since 1996.

4:00 pm

I am at the store looking for milk. The dairy section is dominated by yogurt, but I eventually find these thin canisters.


The only butter I am able to find is in tiny packet form, like the kind that restaurants throw in the basket with the complimentary pre-dinner rolls.


7:00 pm

I've started making the pumpkin pie, but the "oven" appears to have a smoking problem. I open the windows and start fanning frantically, hoping the fire alarm doesn't go off.

7:15 pm

I am partially relieved, partially disconcerted to learn that one of the Pakistanis in my dorm has conducted informal tests of the smoke detectors over the past three years, and concluded that they are for show only.

9:00 pm

The pumpkin pie is complete. The filling looks perfect, but the crust is burnt to an ashy crisp. I guess the oven is stronger than I thought.

Thursday: Thanksgiving Day

1:00 pm

I've put in half a day of work, eaten lunch and am ready to begin cooking. Some friends have already arrived. I put them straight to work opening butter packets,


peeling potatoes,


and chopping onions.


3:00 pm

The apple crisp is ready to go in the oven. Everyone is very excited.


3:15 pm

The oven appears to have died. We take turns trying to fix it.

3:30 pm

It's official: the oven is broken. Apparently the cooking action last night was a mere swan song. The apple crisp is slightly warm, but still raw.

5:00 pm

My friends have begun to arrive, bearing chopsticks and small metal bowls reminiscent of a World War II mess hall. Snacks are opened and eagerly devoured.

6:00 pm

The real eating begins. The mashed potatoes disappear instantly, and are eaten with chopsticks, as is the majority of the meal.


The pumpkin pie is popular as well, although at my urging, the crust is left untouched.


The uncooked apple crisp is received with a lukewarm reception, although everyone wants their picture taken with it.


Things get exciting when my friend reveals that she brought a bottle of brandy.


A rousing game of charades ensues.


10:30 pm

The students have curfew, so our little party must disband. There is fighting over leftovers, and a frantic last-minute cleaning effort.

Overall, an nontraditional meal, but a resounding success nonetheless.


Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!