When I walked into the commissary today, I was greeted with this brand new front of store display.
Look! Cans & cans of…pumpkin?…Could it be?…
Could it possibly be pumpkin?! Did they finally get their act together & import some stinkin’ canned pumpkin?!
[holding a hopeful breath]
You mean there’ll be pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving? Pumpkin bread for breakfast? Pumpkin Harvest cookies for a mid-afternoon snack?
Yes…yes…look! It’s orange…all those lovely cans of orange – it MUST be pumpkin!!!!
Crap.
Are you kidding me?!…It’s November 8th & there’s still not a single can of canned pumpkin in the whole of South Korea?
Who’s responsible for ordering our imported food? I want their name right now!
Am I seriously going to have to order canned pumpkin ONLINE?!
Yes, yes…I know – I’m sure there are some of you out there saying…
[high-pitched sing-song voice]
 ’Why not just make a sweet potato pie? It’s the same difference’…or ‘Can’t you do something with those yams?’….or my favorite, ‘Isn’t there a Korean equivalent?’
YOU EAT THE KOREAN EQUIVALENT! NO, PUMPKIN PIE ON THANKSGIVING?
[jumping up & down]
IT’S NOT THE SAME, I TELL YOUÂ AND YOU CAN’T MAKE ME EAT IT!
[deep breath in, deep breath out - narrowing eyes, focused stare]
No pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. No Cowboy game to watch. No family & friends to catch-up with. No Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to watch.
Fine – Have it your way.
[continuing on...pushing the cart through the commissary]
Yes, we’re far from home. Yes, we’ve been betrayed by those DECA employees we entrusted to import a simple staple of American Thanksgiving, but we will not submit.
Poison us. Strangle us. Break our bones. Make us eat yams.
We will not submit.
{{{{{ screeching halt }}}}}
Damn you DECA employees! Why must you taunt me so?
29°F
Poor Jennifer! I am so sorry. I was in the same boat as you a couple of weeks ago. We live in the pumpkin growing capital of the USA and couldn’t find a can of the precious pulp. And I agree with you; there is no substitute for the real thing. Someone tried to tell me that squash would do the trick. I’ve tasted squash pie; are ya kiddin’ me? Then, I found the mother load of pumpkin in the discount food store. I can’t believe they put pumpkin pie ‘spice’ in the there with no pumpkin. I didn’t know anyone even made ‘sweet potato pie’ filling. Must be from the south!
I can see how this is effecting your emotional health and I hope someone does something about it soon:)
Debbie
OK…ok, I know I’m the one to blame for the korean pumpkin equivalant. But I do find this really funny. I had a friend who was once in Okinawa. Her commisary had run out of pumpkins at Halloween. She hollowed out a big watermelon and carved it with her kids. I had never heard of such a thing! So, my idea came from her inspiration. I bet you, there will be pumpkin in just the nick of time. If I see any, I will pick up an extra can for you. I’m going to be in Yong San in a couple of days, so I will look for some. I’m glad your feeling good enough to go grocery shopping.
Hey – sorry I’ve been on the down low for the past week – Ethan and I have both been deathly ill. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Just so you know, I mailed your birthday presents on Saturday, and included in there are 4 – count em – 4 cans of pumpkin! Now you can have a real pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving! Call me when you can – I promise I won’t be passed out on the couch this time.
Can I send you some or is that illegal??? If you want the pumpkin, you have to let me know. (Blackmailing you just to get to hear from you!! TEE-HEE) When I declare the contents, can I call it a souvenir from the States??? I can’t help what you do with your souvenir!!
I have a feeling you’re going to have plenty of pumpkin. Among other things.
Love You