A Maine-ly Lovely Thanksgiving

My thanksgiving break actually started off in Arizona. Alyssa, her sister Jenna, and Jenna's twin boys drove down to Arizona where I spent about 2.5 days there before flying out to Maine to spend a week with dad. We didn't do a whole lot while I was in AZ, but we did go to a foot reflexology place which was great. Unfortunately, we didn't take many pictures... yeah basically this one was taken on the drive to the airport when I left for Maine.

It was fun to be in Maine, it had been 3 years but really not much has changed. A couple of new buildings here and there but still good old Bangor Maine. In true Tang fashion, our holiday revolved a lot around food, food, food, and movies. I did go to the dentist after 3 years and my teeth felt amazing afterwards. And no cavities! Dad and I had Thanksgiving dinner at the Strong's then later that week, Annie came out from Michigan for a few days!

On Saturday the 29th, we had a memorial service for mom. It was nice to see many of the people in Maine that I haven't seen for a while. It was a lovely service, where Annie and I were privileged to speak along with 4 other people in the ward.

Instead of having flowers at the service, dad decided it would be more mom like to display some of her favorite books, which included the scriptures, church books, cooking books, nutrition books, childrens books, health books, and Chinese books. We also displayed her picture and the book that Michelle made.

Right after the service, there were refreshments and visiting and then we got right to work and helped with the upcoming annual creche exhibit. I'm pretty sure people thought we were crazy, or that it was typical of us to stay... "of course the Tangs' would be helping right after they had their memorial service!"

Here's dad and Tony Bernatche "working" so hard. Haha, ok fine, they just finished painting those black things.

And they actually did some manual labour (but only after they realized I was snapping photos! haha)

Annie ironed many many large pieces of fabric while music was playing out of her bum (no, Jason, not THAT kind of music... she had her iPhone playing some tunes in her back pocket!) And me, well I helped Sis. Rand organize all these papers, and then I helped Annie iron... sorta.

Sunday night we made sushi. YUM! Dad the master teaches Annie the art of sushi making. We had a few kinds of fillings... lobster, imitation crab, carrots, avocado, egg, bbq pork.

Yup, they turned out amazing and delicious. And very pretty with the asparagus and carrots dad cooked up. OOOOO. AHHHH.

Because Maine is so primitive and still a little behind on things, we have to use outside toilets.

Uh right, using modern toilets sitting on a driveway. Hahaha. Dad got a new toilet back just before Jason and Heather visited and the old toilet is still waiting to be hauled away. In the meantime, it makes for funny pictures.

Annie left on Monday afternoon but not before she and I saw the movie 'Twilight'. Yeah, we were 2 of 3 people in the theatre. Probably because it was the first showing on a Monday morning. I can't even believe we went and saw it. It was laughable, but I wasn't expecting much so at least I didn't come away totally disappointed.

By the way, this VitaMix machine is incredible. Dad and I had a breakfast drink from it each morning and a few nights, we also enjoyed a delicious smoothie.

I definitely need to get one... well um, if we get more economic stimulus money. Or when I make more than... well more than I make now.

Well, as all good things must come to an end, I did have to leave eventually, although I did tell dad multiple times that I could stay... He still sent me off though.

Up above the clouds I left, back to Utah...