GTKY/Thanksgiving Poll

[Deleted]

What's your favourite room in your house?

Your favourite Disney classic movie?

How did you meet your H/SO?

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... 

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?

What's your favourite local dessert?

Coffee or tea?

What are you listening to?

Favourite movie quote?

Thing you're most proud of?

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?

What are you thankful for?

[Deleted]

Sorry for the post and run. Thought it would be fun to have a poll!

[dorothyinAus]

What's your favourite room in your house? -- bedroom

Your favourite Disney classic movie? -- Sleeping Beauty (animated) or The Parent Trap (live action)

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... -- for a sport-mad country, I find it interesting that they have very little time for baseball or American football

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? -- not really strange, but alligator jerky

What's your favourite local dessert? -- pavlova or caramel slice (depending on the weather)

Coffee or tea? -- Tea, especially iced, and I drink way too much to be living in such a coffee town

What are you listening to? -- Men with Brooms, I have the movie playing while I'm prepping dinner

Favourite movie quote? -- "to bend but not to break; to yield but not capitulate; to have pride but also humility..." Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell) The Trouble with Angels

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? -- Caribbean cruise booked for January 2015, but nothing really before that

What are you thankful for? -- friends who understand I live a world away but still want to be an integral part of their lives; family; and as silly as it is, a truly understanding landlord -- I am loving the A/C in the back of the house!

[jennybee1018]

What's your favourite room in your house? The Kitchen - I spend a lot of time there!

Your favourite Disney classic movie? Aladdin maybe?

How did you meet your H/SO? We met at a party through a mutual friend. I had a BF at the time, but broke it off with him after meeting DH!

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that. The Qataris are a minority in their own country, and are actually outnumbered by the ex-pats. You have be born a Qatari (or be married to one), so that is why their population is so tiny. And if your mom is Qatari, but your dad is not, you are not Qatari. It's pretty crazy.

Do you have any pets? What are their names? Yes, two cats! Pumpkin and Snowflake - ironically, 2 things you'll never find in the Middle East.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? Octopus carpaccio. It was delicious!

What's your favourite local dessert? Umm Ali! It's kind of like a warm rice pudding. It's delicious!

Coffee or tea? Both! I drink coffee more often these days, but I've always loved tea.

What are you listening to? Nothing at the moment, about to turn on some music! I usually listen to local radio stations online while I'm at work.

Favourite movie quote? Not sure....

Thing you're most proud of? Earning my Master's degree, while still working full time.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? Yes! Christmas market cruise from Cologne to Basel on the 15th of December! So so excited. After that, nothing planned. Maybe a Dubai weekend in January.

What are you thankful for? I'm very thankful for my awesome DH, my amazing local friends (called the Doha Urban family), and family back home. I'm also thankful for our health, and just general content with our life right now.

[crimsonandclover]

What's your favourite room in your house? I love how we've divided our new living room into an "adult" section (furniture, empty floors) and a "kids" section (toys, carpet) so I don't feel like I'm being overrun by toys and books when I sit down to relax in the evening (my back is to the mess). 

Your favourite Disney classic movie? Probably Aladdin despite all the racism and sexism. The songs are just plain awesome.

How did you meet your H/SO? A Christian group here in Germany. We met first at a semester break Bible study and then played volleyball together with some others from the group.

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... The Germans are really weird about wishing you a happy birthday before the actual day. They just won't do it, even if you have them over the evening before your birthday.

Do you have any pets? What are their names? Nope. I used to consider my parents' pets still partly mine because I grew up with them, but they all died in the last several years and my parents have new ones that don't feel like mine anymore.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? I'm not much of an exotic food eater. Nothing is coming to mind, actually.

What's your favourite local dessert? Apple Strudel.

Coffee or tea? Tea

What are you listening to? The silence while DH plays with the girls downstairs

Favourite movie quote? Nothing springs to mind.

Thing you're most proud of? Speaking German almost like a native even though I didn't start learning it until I was 18.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? Nope.

What are you thankful for? Our family, being done with my dissertation, that everything with our house worked out, that DD2 has finally started sleeping better (!!!!!), and many other little things.

[irish]

What's your favourite room in your house?
Living room. We have it split into adult/kids ends too and we have an open fire at our end.

Your favourite Disney classic movie?
Snow White.

How did you meet your H/SO?
At a large house party in the house I was sharing with 4 others. He was a friend of the other girl's boyfriend.

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... 
We don't have leprechauns...

Do you have any pets? What are their names?
No.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Snails?

What's your favourite local dessert?
Apple crumble with custard.

Coffee or tea?
Tea. And it needs to be decaf these days due to migraine...

What are you listening to?
The radio - Moloko's Bring It Back is on now.

Thing you're most proud of?
My 2 little girls.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?
No. But hope to have some kind of break before I go back to work in April/May

What are you thankful for?
My family. A good job that helps provide a good home for our girls. My husband.

[Wanderista]

What's your favourite room in your house?
Not really sure, maybe the living room.

Your favourite Disney classic movie?
Sleeping Beauty

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... I'll answer this about places that I've been. I love the great friends I've made who are in various places around the world. I know a lot of very smart and worldly people.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?
I have a medium hair tuxedo cat named Audrey. She reminds me a little bit of Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast At Tiffany's, hence the name. My mom has some cats and dogs that feel like mine as well. She has two aged dogs, a Westie and a Corgi, that I am quite attached to.

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Goat on pizza, I think.

What's your favourite local dessert?
True of probably anywhere is a good ice cream or similar.

Coffee or tea?
Tea. I like it in two different ways now. I like it "British-style", which is piping hot, typically Earl Grey or similar, with a lot of milk and sugar. I've also discovered a fondness for Eastern European-style tea. That's with lemon and honey. My favorite Eastern tea is made from rosehips and is red. With lemon and honey, it is amazing.

What are you listening to?
One Republic "Counting Stars"

Favourite movie quote?
Not sure that I have one. One of my favorite movies is the original Dr. Zhivago though. I can't think of a specific quote, but yeah, haunting movie and great sound track. 

Thing you're most proud of?
Some of my life experiences. I'm fairly good at putting a positive spin on adversity. Haha, come to think of it, that's what Dr. Zhivago is about. I'm generally a very positive person.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?
Not sure yet.

What are you thankful for?
So many things.

[GilliC]

What's your favourite room in your house?
I don't know yet. I haven't really finished moving in, so I don't have everything the way I want it. In my last flat, my favorite was my living room.


Your favourite Disney classic movie?
Aladdin


How did you meet your H/SO?
I was teaching an internal workshop for work, and he was one of the attendees from his office.


What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that...
Almost nothing is open on Sundays, even though the majority of the population is atheist. It's the day you're supposed to spend with your family, typically enjoying nature. There's a common word that you learn in beginner's Norwegian that means "Sunday hike."


Do you have any pets? What are their names?
Two cats. Mimsy (short for Mimosa) and Maia


What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Depends on your definition of strange. A sheep head, jellyfish, mealworms, dried cod that's been soaked in lye... Maybe fried bumblebees dipped in honey?


What's your favourite local dessert?
Waffles. They're dessert here.


Coffee or tea?
Both, but coffee more often.


What are you listening to?
The door to the office open and close. But since you asked, now I'm listening to "Come Back (Light Therapy)" by Josh Rouse. Besides the fact that it's a great song, it's perfect for mørketid! And how many songs manage to fit "Vitamin D pills" into the lyrics?!


Favourite movie quote?
 Too many. Let's see; a few off the top of my head:
"I love you." "I know."
"You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
"Your tauntaun will freeze before you reach the first marker!" "Then I'll see you in Hell!"
"What's [the money] doing in Atlantic City?" "Recirculating."
"What are you doing?" "I'm taking over a TV network." "Well finish up, honey, and get some sleep."
"What were you doing there?
" "Communicating.
" "Communicating. Keeping up foreign relations. You know, giving him the bird!"


Thing you're most proud of?
Being an awesome programmer


Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?
Cape Verde for Christmas. A weekend at my SO's in Stavanger in January. And we're joining my family for a cruise around California next fall, which is when my SO will finally meet my parents. A friend and I are also considering doing a 10-day camping trip in Kenya and Tanzania in February.


What are you thankful for?
My SO, my new apartment, and the chance to see the world.

[dulcemariamar]

Nov 27, 2013 16:31:03 GMT -5 @jewelseternal said:

What's your favourite room in your house? I dont have a fave room but I love my dishwasher and dryer. I never had them in Spain.

Your favourite Disney classic movie? Beauty and the Beast and Mulan

How did you meet your H/SO? Language exchange

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... That it doesnt really exist.

Do you have any pets? What are their names? No DH is allergic to everything under the sun

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? Nothing. I am too picky.

What's your favourite local dessert? There is this vanilla almond cake that I love.

Coffee or tea? Tea. I hate the smell of coffee

What are you listening to? Christmas music 24/7 

Favourite movie quote? iDK

Thing you're most proud of? IDK 

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? I am going to visit the in- laws so nothing fun.

What are you thankful for? My DH. He is freaking great in that he is so supportive in everything that I want to do. My LO because she makes me a better person and my parents because they are really the best parents ever.

[mrsukyankee]

What's your favourite room in your house?
Our open-plan, living/dining/kitchen area. So comfy and great for entertainment.

Your favourite Disney classic movie?
Snow White

How did you meet your H/SO?
At a ceilidh (Scottish dance). Neither of us had a clue.

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that...

I live in London which really isn't England in a lot of ways.  What I love about it is that I can play field hockey, even as a 40+ year old.  I've known 80 yr olds who play.  So cool.

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

Barney, see below

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?

rattlesnake

What's your favourite local dessert?

sticky toffee pudding...so amazing!

Coffee or tea?

coffee, though I do love vanilla chai tea

What are you listening to?

80s - lots of 80s

Favourite movie quote?

(Princess Bride) Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word, I don't think you know what it means.

Thing you're most proud of?

I have moved on my own to a variety of places and made friends every single time.  (If you knew me in high school, you would get that this is a huge accomplishment)

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?

No.  Sigh.  Between not having a job and going back to school, we have no money. But at least my dad & stepmom are coming to visit after Christmas.

What are you thankful for?

My family (extended) is doing decently well and are healthy. Very thankful for my DH who has supported me with going back to school and leaving a bad job situation, even though it's made us cash poor (compared to what we were).

[echo]

Nov 27, 2013 16:31:03 GMT -5 @jewelseternal said:

What's your favourite room in your house?

bedroom

Your favourite Disney classic movie?

sword in the stone/robinhood

How did you meet your H/SO?

in a train station


What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that...

I find the applauding after the pilot lands the plane strange.......

Do you have any pets? What are their names?

at the moment we do not

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?

If I told,I would be expatriated from the international living board.......

What's your favourite local dessert?

gelato

Coffee or tea?

tea

What are you listening to?

Nate King Cole Christmas music

Favourite movie quote?

none

Thing you're most proud of?

That if I die tomorrow,I have made the most of the years I have had and have fulfilled my  most important dreams......

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?

We are visiting DH's home country over Christmas,and my sister and I are planning a trip to Paris in the spring.......

What are you thankful for?

my  health

[loira]

What's your favourite room in your house? Studio flat - so I guess the whole thing?

Your favourite Disney classic movie? Lady and the Tramp

How did you meet your H/SO? Grad school, in London

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... Can't think of any here - London is very cosmopolitan. When we lived in Korea we always thought the concept of fan death was hilarious (dying because your fan somehow sucked the air out of your room).

Do you have any pets? What are their names? I wish we had pets!

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? Silkworm larvae - I do not recommend it.

What's your favourite local dessert? Sticky toffee pudding

Coffee or tea? Both!

What are you listening to? Christmas music

Favourite movie quote? "It's not because I'm lonely and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? Minibreak to Canterbury

What are you thankful for? My husband and my awesome job.

[crimsonandclover]

Nov 28, 2013 10:48:13 GMT -5 GilliC said:

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Depends on your definition of strange. A sheep head, jellyfish, mealworms, dried cod that's been soaked in lye... Maybe fried bumblebees dipped in honey?

Is it just me or does anyone else find that last bit strangely perverse?

[dorothyinAus]

Nov 29, 2013 2:11:26 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Nov 28, 2013 10:48:13 GMT -5 GilliC said:

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Depends on your definition of strange. A sheep head, jellyfish, mealworms, dried cod that's been soaked in lye... Maybe fried bumblebees dipped in honey?

Is it just me or does anyone else find that last bit strangely perverse?

Yes.  Now than you mention it.
But then I was thinking, isn't dried cod soaked in lye a form of lutefisk?

[GilliC]

Nov 29, 2013 2:11:26 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Nov 28, 2013 10:48:13 GMT -5 GilliC said:

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Depends on your definition of strange. A sheep head, jellyfish, mealworms, dried cod that's been soaked in lye... Maybe fried bumblebees dipped in honey?

Is it just me or does anyone else find that last bit strangely perverse?

Not just you. The irony was not lost on me at the time!

Nov 29, 2013 2:59:04 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

But then I was thinking, isn't dried cod soaked in lye a form of lutefisk?

It is lutefisk. But I figured that not everyone would know what lutefisk is.

Or even they've heard of it, that it's actually old dried fish soaked in lye! (I'm pretty sure it was invented when some starving Norwegian fisherman looked in the pantry and said, "Well, we've got dried cod. And laundry detergent. Let's give it a go!")

[dorothyinAus]

Nov 29, 2013 3:17:16 GMT -5 GilliC said:

It is lutefisk. But I figured that not everyone would know what lutefisk is.

Or even they've heard of it, that it's actually old dried fish soaked in lye! (I'm pretty sure it was invented when some starving Norwegian fisherman looked in the pantry and said, "Well, we've got dried cod. And laundry detergent. Let's give it a go!")

I always assumed it was similar to hominy, which is corn soaked in lye -- then either cooked after being rinsed, or dried and ground into grits.  Many "Old South" people still call them hominy grits.  

I figured they were a related kind of preservation, like salting cod or pork -- just a preservation method.  Though I am not sure if the lutefisk came first or the hominy did.

Some pickles and even traditional pretzels use lye in the cooking process, perhaps the hominy and lutefisk grew out of those.

But I do know what you mean about wondering how the originators came up with the idea.

[GilliC]

dorothyinAus For lutefisk, the salting and drying is the preservation method. Bacalau can stay in its dried state for quite a while. In Brazil, they reconstitute it in water, letting it soak overnight. I have no idea where the lye comes in.

[aMrsin09]

What's your favourite room in your house? The newly done kitchen

Your favourite Disney classic movie? Cinderella

How did you meet your H/SO? Short version: He sailed down from France, I sailed down from DC and the marina in St Marten docked our boats next to each other.

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... This country invented WiFi, yet there are areas that can either only get dial up internet, or can't get internet at all ... in the CITY I live in.

Do you have any pets? What are their names? Delta and Diesel.  Delta is a Bull Mastiff/Rottweiller and Diesel is a Neo Mastiff/Great Dane

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? hmmmm ...

What's your favourite local dessert?  Don't really have one.  They pour custard all over EVERYTHING.  Learn how to bake people.  It doesn't have to be dry as sand.

Coffee or tea? Coffee

What are you listening to?  Classic Christmas Carols (with Duck Dynasty on TV in the back ground)

Favourite movie quote? "You can't ride two horses with one ass"

Thing you're most proud of?  Learning how to sail, racing, and sailing a 73 ft boat down an ocean, all within two sailing seasons.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? Brisbane in 17 days!

What are you thankful for? That living below the Equator has cured my allergies to the point that I can have the dogs.

Read more: pandce.proboards.com/thread/259191/gtky-thanksgiving-poll#ixzz2m2KlCYdA

[crimsonandclover]

Nov 29, 2013 5:38:36 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

Nov 29, 2013 3:17:16 GMT -5 GilliC said:

It is lutefisk. But I figured that not everyone would know what lutefisk is.

Or even they've heard of it, that it's actually old dried fish soaked in lye! (I'm pretty sure it was invented when some starving Norwegian fisherman looked in the pantry and said, "Well, we've got dried cod. And laundry detergent. Let's give it a go!")

I always assumed it was similar to hominy, which is corn soaked in lye -- then either cooked after being rinsed, or dried and ground into grits.  Many "Old South" people still call them hominy grits.  

I figured they were a related kind of preservation, like salting cod or pork -- just a preservation method.  Though I am not sure if the lutefisk came first or the hominy did.

Some pickles and even traditional pretzels use lye in the cooking process, perhaps the hominy and lutefisk grew out of those.

But I do know what you mean about wondering how the originators came up with the idea.

Don't quote me on this, but I think German pretzels (the big soft kind) are still made with lye. I translated a document once that was very specific about them being lye-based products. I guess that's why I didn't really think anything of the fish soaked in lye

[GilliC]

Nov 29, 2013 8:24:21 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

Nov 29, 2013 5:38:36 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

I always assumed it was similar to hominy, which is corn soaked in lye -- then either cooked after being rinsed, or dried and ground into grits.  Many "Old South" people still call them hominy grits.  

I figured they were a related kind of preservation, like salting cod or pork -- just a preservation method.  Though I am not sure if the lutefisk came first or the hominy did.

Some pickles and even traditional pretzels use lye in the cooking process, perhaps the hominy and lutefisk grew out of those.

But I do know what you mean about wondering how the originators came up with the idea.

Don't quote me on this, but I think German pretzels (the big soft kind) are still made with lye. I translated a document once that was very specific about them being lye-based products. I guess that's why I didn't really think anything of the fish soaked in lye

Then I'll rephrase my lutefisk explanation to "gelatinous tasteless fish product" The rubbery Jello texture is the bad part about it. Otherwise it tastes more like the stuff you put on it. Especially if that stuff is bacon!

[klingklang77]

What's your favourite room in your house? The living room

Your favourite Disney classic movie? I don't have one. I haven't seen a lot of them. From what I hear, a lot of them are sad and I didn't watch a lot growing up.

How did you meet your H/SO? We were on a year long exchange in Germany. He's from Australia, and I'm American. We were in the same group of friends. And after a few months, we started hanging out. This happened ten years ago this February.

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that...  The Christmas markets? I'm drawing a blank right now...

Do you have any pets? What are their names? 2 cats- Phoebe and Holden

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten? Kangaroo? I don't know if that's that strange.

What's your favourite local dessert? Frankfurter Kranz

Coffee or tea? Tea

What are you listening to? Malcolm Middleton "Solemn Thirsty

Favourite movie quote? Well technically, a book, but from Trainspotting: “Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers... Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit crushing game shows, stuffing junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away in the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourself, choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that?”

Thing you're most proud of? That I've always been quite independent.

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned? Going to Munich for a weekend in December to scope out neighborhoods we like. We are moving there in February. Then going to NY for Xmas.

What are you thankful for? Family, friends.

[Deleted]

Nov 27, 2013 16:31:03 GMT -5 @jewelseternal said:

What's your favourite room in your house?
So far, the living room. I have great décor expectations for it. 

Your favourite Disney classic movie?
The Little Mermaid and Aladdin

How did you meet your H/SO?
At a night club where a friend of mine was having her birthday. 

What's something funny or interesting about your host country? Could be a tradition or custom or anything like that... 
The caging of dogs in one's home thing puzzles me. 

Do you have any pets? What are their names?
No pets yet

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
Raw food, especially raw lasagna. 

What's your favourite local dessert?
Raw tiramisù!

Coffee or tea?
Tea. All kinds. 

What are you listening to?
I Capuleti e i Montecchi. 

Favourite movie quote?
Too many...
Come September:
1) Spencer: I can tell you I've had some problems: those sisters of mine. Well, I had the deuce of a job persuading them that it was the accepted thing nowadays for an Englishman to marry a foreigner.
Lisa: Here in Italy, I am not the foreigner; you and your sisters are the foreigners!
2) Robert Talbot: Lisa, you aren't making any sense!
Lisa: I don't HAVE to make sense! I'm ITALIAN!

Forrest Gump:
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get

The Devil Wears Prada:
Don't be ridiculous Andrea, EVERYONE wants to be us

Gone With the Wind:
Rhett: No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.

Thing you're most proud of?
My goals. Family-wise, career-wise, all of them. Whether they've been attainted already or not. 

Do you have any upcoming trips or vacations planned?
Yes, a romantic holiday trip to Italy just a few days away.

What are you thankful for?
The tireless support I get from my H and my parents.