Thanksblogging

So I was super sad this year because I couldn’t go home for Thanksgiving. This was my first Thanksgiving not spent with my family, and I missed out on the traditional card game playing, hymn singing, disc-golfing, movie-watching, home-made food eating, dictionary reading extravaganza that takes place at my house every year.  Most of my dad’s family shows up for Thanksgiving and for some, that’s the only time I get to see them the whole year. So I really value that time. Still, my friend SchraggyPants was visiting from the great state of New York, and Nicky and Eric were flying in separately from Kansas.  So that brightened my mood about the whole thing.

Nicky. Nuf said.

It turns out, the best kind of celebrations, are the ones that last for a least a whole week, which this one was. The celebration started on Saturday night when Nicky came to DC and became our entertainment for the night.  She told stories, sang songs (many were Nicky originals) and even showed off her acrobatic skillz.  

Yeah, there are no apologizes for this picture. Or for the other 50 that spammed your facebook. 

Then, at work on Wednesday, my school had a Thanksgiving celebration, which included a very accurate Thanksgiving play. I was a Native American. I taught Pilgrims how to hunt.  It was awesome.  Then of course, we feasted and had a mix of traditional Thanksgiving food with more cultural food. It was also awesome. This lady who no one knew (because she was one of the student’s friends) got up and just started dancing, she even got at least 20 other people to dance with her. It really was awesome. I didn’t dance though, I just watched and clapped. Lee Anne Womack would be so disappointed.

True meaning of Thanksgiving right here folks. 

Anyhousen, a million zwebach, multiple casseroles, mashed potatoes, two turkeys, and two more Bethel friends later (we didn’t make the Bethel friends, they just showed up) we were ready to eat our thanksgiving meal.  

Cookin!

Wishbonin. 

laughin

youtubin how to cut a turkey

Preparin

Smilin

Digestin

. Yeah, it doesn't get much cheerier than this. 

Oh yeah.... then Nicky entertained us some more. It really was non-stop entertainment from this girl. 

Tourism Time!

Most people want to see the sites while they are in D.C.  There are plenty of sites, and museums, and cemetaries. But I wanted to take my guests to a place that they couldn't go to in Kansas.... R.E.I.

Proof we bought stuff at R.E.I.
Also I like signs with teeter-totters on them. 

On Saturday, Nicky left us... for Kansas. So we got rid of our sorrows by visiting Obama's house. He didn't even invite us inside... rude.

White house Baby!

Jumping photo, baby!

All of us jumping photo, Baby!

Protesters baby!

Blindfolded protesters baby! 

Mirmir showed us where she works, and then promptly started workin.
Workaholic much?

Mirmir outside of her job!

Ok, so then we went to the library to print out Schraggypant's ticket home, and I freaked out and took a million pictures of 3d printers. I mean, I'd heard of them before, but I had never seen one, nor had I ever seen a product of one. 

Our future ladies and gentlemen.

In the making. This took about 33 minutes to make. 

Ahhhh! How does it... it folds... what... ahhhhh!!! Future!

Of course it's strong enough to support a full grown man standing on it.
I wouldn't expect anything less from a 3d printer product. 

Now for fun facts about 3d printers. The plastic is a non-toxic (and therefore edible) plant-based, tapioca-like plastic. (At least that's what the nice librarian told me.). The plastic is biodegradable and is also cradle-to-cradle recyclable which means you can bring it back to it's basic material. The printer melts the plastic filaments and builds the shape up layer by layer.   

Alright ya'll... until next time. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Happy Hollidays and whatnot!

Peace

Mariah