When you add these international days and celebrations up, not many weeks go by when there isn't something on.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, in Australia we take a minute's silence for those who gave their lives in war and armed conflict.

Known as Remembrance Day, the moment of reflection and respect falls at the same time as European hostilities officially paused in 1918 after the German government accepted the terms of armistice given to them by the allied forces.

In China, the day takes on a completely different meaning. Singles' Day was chosen on this day for a simple reason – the date consists on four “ones.” The ones mean single people standing all by themselves.

Upon further investigation into this day I was told that it is for singles to celebrate their independence, or for singles to denounce their independence or for couples to mark their lack of independence, so basically, I figure, that Singles' Day is for everyone.

While singles' and nonsingles' parties apparently rage across university campuses and shiny discoball-laden night clubs host events in an attempt to matchmake attendees' singleness away, tradition has it than in line with the simplicity of choosing the date, so goes a local custom: eat four youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks, basically the Chinese version of Spanish/Mexican/Brazilian churros) and one baozi (steamed stuffed bun).

Very simply, the four youtiao represent the four number ones in the date and the baozi the dot in between. Apparently you do not have to eat them in that order i.e. two dough sticks, one baozi, two dough sticks, but it may change your fortune if you do.

Attempting my first youtiao I was pleasantly surprised with the crispy exterior and soft sweet dough inside, however after finishing the first one, there was absolutely no way that I could eat anything else and giving my leftovers to a friend nearby I marveled at how anyone could stomach more than one, let alone four, punctuated by an equally filling baozi in between.

With a bulging belly I began to think ahead to the next food fuelled celebration on the international calendar and while the US' National Pizza With The Works (except anchovies) Day, National Eat a Cranberry Day, National Baklava Day and National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day all loom ahead, it was definitely Thanksgiving that came to mind.

A day of pure indulgence, my first Thanksgiving was at a friend's house in Beijing four years ago. With deep-fried honey- glazed pineapple, added to a massive well-oiled roast turkey accompanied by sweet potatoes, sweet pumpkin pie, sweet cranberry sauce, sugar-glazed carrots, creamy corn pudding and easy cheesy corn bake, my antipodean appetite longed for some savory Vegemite on crackers, fresh fruit and steamed veggies.