Black Friday: an American tradition

Kelsey asked me to take her out for Black Friday. I agreed, but told her that I will be keeping my Black Friday tradition. 

K: what's that?

S: since I was young my dad would ask me to go with him. I go, but I reserve the right to complain. If that is an acceptable condition, then I will be up in the morning for Black Friday.

Kelsey agreed to my one condition as no one else was willing to participate. This photo is of us around 6am the morning after Thanksgiving.

For those who read this blog and are not familiar with the concept of Black Friday, let me explain.

In the United States, the day after Thanksgiving thousands of people (likely millions across the land) rise before the sun. Some dedicated individuals even camp out the night before or plan all night excursions for this annual event. What is it that has so many forgoing sleep? What could be so urgent a matter?

SHOPPING!!!

Black Friday traditionally marks the beginning of the Christmas season. To American's Christmas equals presents and presents equals shopping. Stores know that after consuming turkey our minds have already raced to the next thing we must do...and Christmas is on the horizon. Let the frenzy begin!

For us, the first stop was McD's for coffee and breakfast. I snapped this to document the event. The restaurant had been opened since 3am and it was buzzing by the time we got there.

My sister-in-law works in retail. She had to be at work by 4am that day. My brother said, "who needs to go shopping at 4am?" Apparently, there are many. Is this sane? Can someone, please, explain to me why we do this?

I have done it for years, when I am in country I am probably up before dawn for Black Friday (always reserving the right to complain). When living in Kansas I hit the shops around midnight with my friend Fiona. She wasn't originally from the US, but she caught on quickly. She came with organized lists, coupons and adverts. Fiona knew who did matching discounts and where the best deals on the hottest items would be. In my world she still holds the title of "Black Friday Queen." I stood in awe at both her organization and at our behavior...people will literally claw one another for a toy. Every year there is some sad story of someone being trampled to death when a store opens or when a desirable item is unveiled.

In case you didn't already know...in America we like our stuff, we like it a LOT.

Just Sheri, physically present but reserving the right to complain

Deck the Halls

I was wondering the other day if it is possible to enjoy Christmas and decorating for Christmas without the cold. When we were in Cambodia for Christmas and it was 95 degrees outside and I felt zero interest in decking the halls. I had packed two tubs of Christmas decorations and brought along small lighted trees, but had no Christmas spirit encouraging me to pull them out and put them up.

This year I am freezing and not loving it, but I feel the Christmas spirit. What do you think? Is it possible to enjoy Christmas and decorating for Christmas without the cold? If so, where? I'd like to live there.

Here are a few of the Christmas decorations in the home we are staying in this year.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Don we now our gay apparel,

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Follow me in merry measure,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

While I tell of Yule tide treasure,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Sing we joyous, all together,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Heedless of the wind and weather,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

 Just Sheri, decking the halls (in spite of the cold - or maybe because of it)

unemployment rates: reality check

In our short time in America I am realizing that the posted unemployment rate of under 10% seems to be an under representation of reality...or maybe it is just that those I know have drawn a bad hand? I don't think that is likely.

As a cross-section of society, representing the young and educated sector (early thirties to mid-forties) unemployment is common. More common than less than 10%.

When leaving a dinner party the other night I realized that of the five adults in the room...only one was employed. One. Now granted, Kenyon and I were two of those adults so that is an unfair statistic...but I share it to make a point. Unemployment is common. Period. That is a bit scary when we are trying to re-enter the job market after a cross-continent move.

But, it does have me thinking a bit about the unemployment rate. Is it possible it is higher than reported and that there are people like Kenyon who have now been unemployed for years, thus no longer qualifying for unemployment benefits and possibly are no longer counted in the statistic - though still very much unemployed?

What do you think? From your experience, does the unemployment rate seem to be accurate?

Just Sheri, wondering about the reliability of statistics

In the end only kindness matters

In the year of abounding kindness I was reminded of it's importance through a song from the artist Jewel...in the end, only kindness matters...and we are God's hands...



Jewel - "Hands"

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these

I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear...

Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing...


In the end only kindness matters...


I will get down on my knees, and I will pray...


My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken...

We are God's hands 

thank you cards

As part of our Thanksgiving celebration my friend had the brilliant idea of purchasing some thank you cards and having each person in the family write at least one to some body in their life that they are grateful for. 

I wrote more than one as there is no way I would be who I am today without the investment of many others.

Some of those who received them told me how much they meant. You don't have to wait for the Thanksgiving  holiday to roll around again before showing your gratitude to those who have given to you...I recommend you tell them immediately. Why later? Why not now?

Just Sheri, grateful...simply grateful