Thanksgiving

On Thursday night, Cissi and I went to Giti's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Giti is a VT faulty member and had involved a few others over, 2 other members of faculty, a Grad student, and a postdoc and his wife for a lovely dinner.
Her house is lovely and after meeting everyone and a glass of wine, Giti brought out the turkey. (The smell made me feel all Christmassy.)

On Thursday night, Cissi and I went to Giti's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Giti is a VT faulty member and had involved a few others over, 2 other members of faculty, a Grad student, and a postdoc and his wife for a lovely dinner.

Her house is lovely and after meeting everyone and a glass of wine, Giti brought out the turkey. (The smell made me feel all Christmassy.)

As well as the turkey, there was mash potato, some amazing stuffing, peas, beans, mushroom gravy and bed rolls. It was very tasty! We sat, eating and chatting about languages and history to one of the faculty members.

There was pumpkin pie for desert. Which I can't eat. But I could eat the ice cream. And there were some lovely chocolate coated strawberries, and my first taste of ice wine tea. Which is very nice though a little sweet. It was a lovely evening.

Thanksgiving sales actually started at 8pm in some stores on Thursday evening (partly because thanksgiving, which is the 4th thursday in November, is so late this year and people are desperate to get their xmas presents).

So Cissi and I decided to drop into Target. I needed to return a heater I had brought (and was smashed up when I got it home) so I returned it and then we went shopping. I got a sweater and a DVD in the sales but the rest of the stuff was just things I wanted like a christmas tree! The line to pay was amazingly long but it moved fast. (And I found a few things I needed grocery-wise on the way through the queue.) We did the rest of our shopping on Friday. Some fun stuff (we got a ton of DVDs each) and groceries. Which aren't as fun but are necessary. But I found a Terry's chocolate orange in Walmart! And I got the makings for a fresh gluten-free pizza which was very tasty!

I am going to put my tree up this weekend. It's a bit early but it will make the apartment nice and cheerful. I am very excited about putting my new tree up! And I have eggnog to drink while doing so, to stay in the USA mood. :-)

VT Ice Hockey

Friday night I went, with a couple of friends, to see the VT Ice Hockey team at the Roanoke Civic Centre. The tickets were only $5 each and with a VT staff card you get in free. (I didn't know this and didn't have mine with me but I will make sure next time.)   :-)

It wasn't very full (certainly not compared to the football) but I have a great time. They were playing Maryland and as usual the VT fans showed brilliant sportsmanship (not!).

Zamboni!!!

Some members of the VT team.

Maryland Terrapins

 In the first break period, they threw rubber ducks from the top balcony to the crowd. I have no idea why but next time, I want one! (I was too busy being puzzled to take photos.) In the second break, they gave out rubber pucks and people had to try to get them as close to the centre of the rink as possible.

Goalie warming up 

puck throw

Dancing the YMCA in the break

 The game was fun (though I was starting to get a little cold towards the end). There were the expected scuffles in the rink.

Starting

Start of the fight

falling 

"Oh oh" moment

Celebrating

But it was really fun. And VT won. :-)

End of game hand shake.