It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Today was a lot of fun! I am mentoring an international student from China who is attending the university near me. This is her first holiday season in the US and she is full of questions about American traditions, customs, etc. Today I took her and her friend shopping. Of course they have shopping in China, but my mentee (Yan) is particularly curious about Black Friday shopping and  adores Christmas decorations. She and her friend (Ni) peppered me with questions about both today, and as I will be traveling out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, we hit the stores this weekend and still managed to find a few good deals.

We started in Target where Yan immediately found a pair of jeans that she fell in love with. I wish I could find something that quickly! I did come away with a fedora hat (which I am wearing as I type because it makes me feel  like a writer somehow) and a knit cap for when the temperatures do actually get cold here. Ni found some cute little Disney princess notebooks that she bought for friends' kids. 

Also, while in Target, we browsed around the Christmas decorations and I answered several questions about those. We took pictures in front of the Christmas trees (I don't have them, unfortunately) and admired the Christmas village houses. Both ladies were enthralled with those and were so excited by all of the lights and decorations, it really was like seeing the holiday through the eyes of a child. Sheer wonderment and joy...it was awesome!

After leaving Target we had an early lunch at Panera Bread, since I had overslept and didn't get a chance to eat breakfast. Rather, I had lunch, and Yan and Ni had tea since they had just eaten before we met up. We had a great time discussing different traditions in our respective countries, and both Yan and Ni got to see a new way to serve soup---in a bread bowl. Unheard of in China. I learned that the Chinese serve rice in watermelons, pumpkins, mangos, etc. They scoop the insides out and steam the rice inside the fruit, where it takes on the fruit's flavor. It sounds delicious and I would love to try it sometime!

After lunch, it was on to Old Navy, where Ni bought a shirt each for her father and her boyfriend. I never have much luck in that store, and no joy today, either, but not to worry. We continued on to Bed Bath & Beyond where I found a couple of squeaky toys for my dog. Then it was on to Ross where we all saw a lot that we wanted, but current finances dictated a more reserved purchase. Ni found a couple of shirts for her mom that I have no doubt will look stunning on her, and Yan decided not to get anything. As for me, I will get that little red dress yet! I am still losing weight and didn't want to buy it in a larger size, only to have to get it again later after I've lost the weight so I waited...for now...

After we finished at Ross we decided to call it a day. I took the girls back home and then headed home myself since my dog's kidneys were probably doing the backstroke by this point. Got home and received an extremely warm and happy welcome home from the pooch, took her for a walk, and then just crashed. Shopping can be soooo tiring!

That's about it for now!