Jake and I are at Martha's Vineyard and while it's freezing here, I still feel the delight of being far away and relaxed. This is my fifth (or maybe sixth) Thanksgiving here with Jake and his family. Thanksgiving here is nothing like what American television depicts. Jake and his two brothers get along quite well with their parents. We spend most of the day in front of the fire (since it's always freezing cold this time of year) and we chit chat, read, and mostly doze off. Often, a bunch of them go for a walk on one of the beaches and then we lazy around for a while more till we all sit for dinner. No TV here (actually they don't have a TV in any house) so no football. Just good old fashioned family chats.

I remember these Thanksgivings always as calming and low key. Each time, I have an enormous amount of homework to do since Thanksgiving is about two weeks before finals time. Actually, last year, I remember thinking that one of the greatest things about working is that I didn't have any homework over thanksgiving. But, this year, I do. Next week Sunday is my Japanese exam and once that's over I'm all done for this semester. Pass or fail, I can take some time off and I must admit I need it.

I passed my Sign Language test! I'm on to level 7, except for they don't offer it on a day I can take it next semester so it might have to wait till Spring. I have already started looking at next semester's classes tho and I'm thrilled about this class on the human brain that NYU is offering. I'm so excited that such neat classes are offered and I can take them! I think I will prolly take the next level in Japanese too, but no more exams for a few more years.

Till then, I'm off to memorize those new words. I hope you have a most wonderful Thanksgiving and even if you're not American, take a moment to notice things that you would give thanks for. We often take things for granted so it's good to ponder for a moment or two.

Before?