Turkey Day!!!

It's again Thanksgiving weekend! woohooo!
When I first came to US, I was never aware of this holiday. I even went to the office one day before the thanksgiving day (which is the Thursday of the week) and just found myself alone in the whole building. It turned out, people in my client usually take vacation leave the whole week of Thanksgiving. From then on, I've promised myself that I will celebrate this holiday just like what other Americans do... what the heck, hindi naman ako nakakapagcelebrate ng Philippine Independence Day so why not join them in their festivity!

So last 2007 we just went shopping @ midnight. 2008 - my husband and I just had a nice dinner and went shopping early morning the next day. For this year, we'll be having dinner/videoke/movie night with friends at home. We were supposed to travel again on this holiday since it's 4 days of vacation...but then plans changed and just decided to stay intact in Chicago and save our travel mojos in December. I didn't go to Boston for this week because of the expected overflow of travellers in the airports. I don't want to get stuck in the middle of the holiday...oh my gas!

For everyone's curiosity, here's the origin of Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks wiki!

Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without the Shopping. This is the holiday where people are going gaga with the crazy deals of almost all stores (online and in-store). After the weekend, there's also what they call "Cyber Monday" where online stores also put their stocks on sale (on top of the sale percentages that they gave on Black Friday). I actually started my shopping last weekend because I already found good deals that would only last that whole weekend. But then for today and Friday, I've been seeing more and more deals. So, here are the shops that we plan to visit:
- Frys (not for the sale items...but I just need a new memory card reader)
- Banana Republic Factory Store (everything is 50% off! Last weekend, I was able to save 45% for a coat. All outerwear were 30% off and I got this personal day sale coupon for 15%.)
- Saks 5th (up to 60% off on top of already "on sale" items)
- Ann Taylor (up to 60% - however for this one, there's only one particular branch I plan to visit. All other branches in my opinion don't have enough good stocks.)
- Walmart/Target (haha! Looking for cheap gift finds!)

(All of the above are clothing stores, you might be wondering. It's because I'm still looking for my "pamasko". This is one thing that I will never ever outgrow. I don't want to forget the feeling of excitement whenever I wear new clothes (kahit galing lang sa palengke ng Binan) on Christmas day.)

Here are some shopping online links that you might want to consider, too:
http://www.blackfriday.info
http://bfads.net

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are the things I'm very much thankful to God for:
- Keeping me and my husband together despite the trials that came our way this year
- Keeping our families and loved ones back in Pinas safe and healthy, despite the catastrophes that Philippines have suffered
- For all my friends who are there for us
- For all the blessings, the food, the travels, and all our necessities despite the economic downturn and all its effects
- For my job which has become stable all the years (This year, I'm everyday thankful for this.)
- and lastly, for the trials that tested my faith and made me stronger

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, everyone!!!
(I woke up late, I wasn't able to witness the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade...this has been a tradition for me and Randy. Haayyy)