Thanksgiving 2013: Beijing Americans' Reasons to Be Grateful
Bird bird bird, the bird is the word.
In case we hadn't made it abundantly clear, Thursday is American Thanksgiving. The holiday falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and harkens back to a celebration of European settlers' first successful harvest in the New World, aka what is now the United States.
We asked a smattering of Americans what they are thankful for as they sit down to dinner this year. Here's what they said:
"I'm thankful for the general good health of my family and the short term success of my brand in Beijing. It's one of the best cities in the world and to be able to do what I do on a daily basis here is a great source of pride for me. I'm surrounded by some of the most talented people I've ever met and I get to make alcohol for money. Couldn't ask for more." Carl Setzer, owner/brewmaster, Great Leap Brewing
"I am thankful for being an expat, my daughter Monique, my son Ty, my husband Q, and the richness of my life here in Beijing in health, experience, and friendships." Theresa Ahdieh, former Beijing Kids brand manager and "Beijing's Crazy Foreigner"
"I am grateful for the wonderful community I have, including friends from whom I give and get positive energy; clients, whom I inspire and by whom I am inspired to learn and grow; from family from whom I share and listen; and I'm very grateful for the love of my life, with whom I share a bond of mutual respect and admiration that I could have only dreamed possible." Emily Roblin, trainer, facilitator, and speaker, LEAP Training and Consulting Services China
"That I have a genuinely good life, an amazing family and have the good fortune to be surrounded by good people. Simply: that there's nothing at all to complain about." Kenn Bermel, proprietor, The Local
"I'm thankful for the people who believed in me when I needed it most." Zach Lewison, co-owner, The Irish Volunteer
"For me, I think what I'm most thankful for are my friends here and abroad. In their own way, many different people helped me get through a very difficult year." David Fundingsland, chief information officer, WildChina
"The privilege of pursuing a meaningful cause and the support of my family and community." Lu Ying-Ying, co-founder, Weipin
"Blue skies when we've got them." Josh Durham, printmaker
"My health and my friends here in Beijing." Jim Nobles, kindergarten teacher
"My family away from my family." Jane Rovins, Integrated Research on Disaster Risk
"That I'm going home for Christmas." Mitchell Pe Masilun, 1world1eye Productions and True Run Media staff photographer.
"Butter." Debra Bruno, contributor, The Wall Street Journal
Photo: Courtesy of The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
