Have you ever had a tofurkey before?

Thanksgiving at the Bhatia household is anything but normal. As preparations for cooking are finalized, we are just about to take our makeshift "turkey" out of the oven. Since the majority of my family is vegetarian, the Internet was very useful in conjuring up a tofu turkey recipe for us.

My mom and I rush out to the Asian market to find the biggest slab of tofu available. We continue to make little holes in it, and shape it like an actual Thanksgiving turkey.

When it comes out of the oven, I must say, the resemblance is quite uncanny. When tasting a tofurkey though, I would advise caution. It tends to be a little bit rubbery. Next to the ornamentally prepared green bean casserole and mashed potatoes on the table, we also place a bowl of rice, because, apparently, rice can go with anything.

With the table set, and thanks to family, friends, love, and support completed, we dig in. Literally. Forks are stuffed into our tofurkey, spoons are rushed into the rice, and plates are passed, as 20 pairs of hands are careful not to spill the sparkling apple cider and wine glasses.

With dinner complete, and the moaning of full stomachs, we clean. And I mean, everyone cleans. The entire family rushes between the table and the kitchen as a large mass of people, while my aunts and mother argue about who gets to do the dishes. Why washing the dishes is such an amazing experience is something I continue to fail to understand. Finally, everything is spic and span, and the family migrates to the living room.

With Bollywood songs playing in the background and an old movie on, we continue our Thanksgiving tradition with a game. Teen pati, or "three cards," causes my uncles and my father to laugh loud and proud, , as cards fall and decks are held. Unfortunately, every year I attempt to learn the rules; and every year, I am denied the privilege and content myself with the Bollywood songs and the old movie.

As the males of the house make their way upstairs for bed, the ladies know that their adventure is just beginning. Sales papers, Internet printouts and coupons are scattered all over our floor.

It's about 9:30 at night and we begin planning for tomorrow's extravagant venture. The plan has been laid out, systematically and meticulously. Rise at 7. Breakfast at 7:30. And out the door by 8. We must stick to the schedule or lose the prospect of getting the best bargains and deals.

This military-like operation is the preparation for one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday. With Mapquest in hand, we plan out our route. First Sears, then Kohl's, then the mall (maybe a lunch break if we have time). A trip to Best Buy may yield a new television, which, (as it did one year), upon further inspection must be hauled back to the store and exchanged in due time.

Despite the troublesome returns and exchanges, Black Friday does prove to be an extreme shopping experience, and is also a very good lesson to everyone in the importance of planning and organization. For example, make sure to read the fine print on sales coupons so you do not end up returning a bag full of clothes while at the cashier counter.

With lessons learned, Thanksgiving is one of the most atypical holidays for me. But it does bring out my favorite memories. Crazy food experiments, insanity while shopping, and my constant struggle to learn teen pati will forever stand out in my mind. I would thus like to give thanks. Thank you, tofurkey. Thank you, Best Buy bargains. And thank you, family.

Rohini Bhatia is a senior at Mount Hebron High School. She may be reached via email at mphelan@theviewnewspapers.com.

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