Northern Ireland Confidential

why'd they leave again?

We're in England for Thanksgiving and frankly, we're a bit puzzled as to why our forefathers wanted to get out of here. So far we've enjoyed the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, the Underground, the Buckingham Palace Guard and Tate Modern.

Well, I went to Tate Modern while EMH went to Tower of London, and each of us got to see some of her favorite things: for EMH, the Crown Jewels; for me, giant Mark Rothko paintings.

I enjoy a big city, especially a big city with hundreds of plaques and statues. So I have been in Ye Olde Heaven.

come, ye thankful people, come

And so they came for an early Thanksgiving dinner with me at a pub on the Ormeau Road. I love Thanksgiving and this year was no exception, celebrating with new friends for a traditional meal (kind of**).

Being here (and away from family) for Christmas never worried me the way that being here for Thanksgiving did. I think I've written about this at least a dozen times: it's my favorite holiday and always over too soon. And I have even more than usual to give thanks for this year, so I couldn't let the day pass without gathering special local friends.

It's hard to imagine that everyone who celebrated was a stranger to me a year ago -- a testament to the friendliness of Northern Ireland and how rapidly life changes.

It's always a little intimidating to mix all the people of your life in one place (other than Facebook) but I was very, very proud of my friends for mingling, meeting others, and wearing that much-feared party item: the name tag badge. They were handmade! Now I know why I carted all my office supplies across the ocean.

When's the last time you took time out of your busy schedule to concentrate, even for a few minutes, on all the good things in your life? You don't need a big meal to do it. I encourage you to celebrate your own Thanksgiving this week.
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** I've never had sausages with my turkey and stuffing, but the sausages here are lovely, so I'm not complaining! And yes, we had champ as well as roasted potatoes. What would a meal be in NI without at least two styles of potatoes?

home front

I keep meaning to finish all my half-written entries, culled from scraps of paper and the back of receipts from Geneva. There is so much to write but even more work! I need a writing vacation.

History has been made since I last wrote, and I would say the first week of November was my first bout of true homesickness. It was hard to be away during the election -- but I'm so glad I had an opportunity to vote.

Then on Saturday the 8th, two of the three nephews celebrated their birthday, and dutifully took my phone call. "Are you coming all the way across the ocean to have dinner with us?" the 6-year-old asked. Sadly, no, I said.

Perhaps strangest of all, I missed the U.S. of A. on Veterans' Day. While there were many lovely rituals here, and stirring remembrances, I missed the Stars and Stripes and our own familiar traditions.

Lest you think I'm having any pangs of regret, let me be clear: I'm not. I love it here. In fact, I hope I'm still here when Obama is re-elected for the second term!