The Week (or 2) in Review, Vol. 13

Thanksgiving and Advent, old friends and new...so much to celebrate!

We had Thanksgiving dinner with these awesome friends.  It's possible to find imported turkeys here, but we decided to have roast chicken instead.

Our favorite chicken vendors at the market asked incredulously, "Are you sure you want two whole chickens?!"

Yes.  Definitely.  :)

The weather was in the 90s for Thanksgiving...

...and seemed to change overnight.  Hello winter!

We started our Advent celebrations a couple of weeks ago.  

Christmas in Taiwan has always felt very different from Christmas in the US.  No snow, no big family gatherings, no vacation time (yes, December 25 is a normal working day here!)  However, every year we notice more Christmas decor, music, and events around the city.  My homesick heart appreciates all these festive touches, even though they're primarily due to Western commercialization.

This year we discovered a "Christmas Village" set up not too far from where we live.  (Taipei friends--if you want to go, check out details here.)

"Oooo!  Lights!" Keira was enthralled.

This week we also got to see some good old friends, who came back to Taiwan for a music award.  

We've missed these guys.  Check out their music online.

As always, we're persevering in Chinese study and started a new semester with some new classmates.  I'm so thankful for this season of learning.

In closing, here's an Advent prayer*:

Merciful God,

who sent Your messengers the prophets to

preach repentance

and prepare the way for our salvation:

Give us grace to heed their warnings

and forsake our sins,

that we may greet with joy

the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer;

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Have a wonderful weekend.  

--Kayt

*1979 Book of Common Prayer