15 years later Thanksgiving memories

A Memorable Thanksgiving in 2003

My first Thanksgiving in the United States was an unforgettable experience, though not without its challenges. It was 2003, just a couple of months after I had joined the University of Washington (UW) as a postdoctoral researcher in October. Being new to the U.S., many cultural events like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were entirely unfamiliar to me.

The first cultural event I encountered was Halloween, celebrated at the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) department in one of the classrooms. A few faculty members and students participated, some dressed in fascinating costumes. One of the highlights was pumpkin carving—a tradition I was experiencing for the first time. However, I didn't learn about the popular "trick-or-treat" aspect of Halloween until the following year.

Then came Thanksgiving—or what I assumed to be a Thanksgiving dinner (it might have been a holiday dinner party). Our principal investigator (PI), Dr. Zhang, graciously invited all lab members to his home. It was a gathering of most of the graduate students and myself, the only postdoc. Dr. Zhang's family had prepared a feast, mainly consisting of meat dishes, accompanied by red wine.

Having spent a few years in Korea before coming to the U.S., I was accustomed to East Asian cuisines, so I wasn’t particularly picky about the food. However, wine was a new experience for me. My time in Korea had exposed me to stronger liquors, so I underestimated the effects of wine due to its lower alcohol concentration. Unfortunately, I ended up drinking far more than I should have.

The consequences were disastrous. After the party, I rode back to my apartment with one of the graduate students, Mr. Sun. During the ride, I became ill and threw up in his car. It was an embarrassing and regrettable incident. Once home, I cleaned myself up, went to bed, and felt normal the next day.

The next morning, I went to the lab and apologized for the previous night's mishap. However, in hindsight, I realize I could have taken full responsibility for the situation by cleaning Mr. Sun’s car and covering any expenses myself. Mr. Sun was incredibly kind and humble, but I regret that I didn’t do more to make amends at the time.

A couple of days later, some lab members who hadn’t attended the party joked indirectly about the incident. Someone quipped, “Imagine getting drunk at the advisor’s house and then throwing up in a friend’s car...” Though said in jest, it hit me hard. I felt deeply embarrassed, but it was also a valuable lesson.

Looking back, this experience taught me a great deal about cultural nuances, responsibility, and handling situations with grace. It remains one of those moments that shaped my understanding of life in a new country, and for that, I am grateful—even if it came with a side of embarrassment.