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Well, I happy to inform you all that am set for my first return back to the good ol' U.S.ofA. Just in time for Thanksgiving. My stomach growls as I write this thinking of all the dishes that Thanksgiving brings (this being the most important part of the holiday);

• turkey
• cranberry sauce
• stuffing
• dressing
• honey-baked ham
• devilled eggs
• sweet potato soufflé
• sweet tea
• pecan pie

Naturally the list goes on and on. But I will leave it there for now as you get the idea. Second in importance to fulfillng my appetite is seeing my family and friends again. It will have been almost 4 months since I last saw my family and I am looking forward to seeing them all again. As far as where I will be on Thanksgiving, I will be spending it this year with my folks in Charlotte, NC. I'm sure my older sister and brother will be there too with their respective families, which seem to just be getting bigger with each year. This will be my first Thanksgiving with my new niece Rebecca (my older brother's daughter). I will be traversing the southern states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia between November 20 through December 5. I will be coming to your beloved towns of Charlotte, Athens, and Atlanta.

I am also looking forward to seeing my long-time, and one of my closest friends, Jesse Alexander get hitched in the country-side of the great state of New York on the second Sunday of November. In time for the spectacular fall colors. This will sure to be a historical event! ...followed by a great party!! If you're going to be in NYC between Halloween and November 14 look me up. I will be staying in Williamsburg.

In addition to these trips and perhaps against better economic judgement, seeing as I am living on a fixed income, I have booked myself a ticket out to Portland to visit my brother Sid and many friends I still have out there. So, all you peeps out in Stumptown get ready for my return coming November 14 through November 20. I'll be bringing you that delicious Finnish chocolate you so desire, and that salty licorice you love (salmiakki). I will be drinking up the wonderful beers of the northwest (Finnish beer sucks) and hording fresh pounds of Stumptown coffee to take back with me. Until then, take care and...

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