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Published: December 6th 2009
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Place Jean Jaures
I get to walk by this every day :) Bonjour a tous!! I hope you are all healthy and happy as always.
Things have been crazy around here the past few weeks. I can honestly say, that since my move, I have been the happiest I have ever been throughout my stay here in france. I walk around with a smile on my face all the time and have completely adapted to life and everyone here.
I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I confess that I was sort of dreading the holiday. It was my first time away from home and the fact that Thanksgiving doesn’t exist over here made it even worse. Well, let me tell you…I have never been so surprised or touched. The morning of Thanksgiving was just as normal as every other Thursday has been. I woke up, had some breakfast, went to the post office, had lunch with Clara and her friends, and worked on some things for Brigitte and Fabienne. Around 4:30, Mathias came up to my room with a tray of goodies. On this tray was a bowl of cereal, milk, cookies in the shape of an “A,” chocolate, and mini cakes. He told me I had to
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Christmas Markets...they are closed but when thery are open you can't see a thing! stay upstairs and this snack would hopefully hold me over until dinner. Up until this point I had no idea they were going to do something for Thanksgiving, but I started to wonder a little bit after I ate my oh so healthy and filling snack! At 7:30 Mathias called me downstairs and told me to close my eyes as he led me into the kitchen. When I opened my eyes, I saw the table covered in china and little trinkets from Mathias, wine, candles, and American folk music playing in the background. We even ate turkey. I was so touched that they would go out of their way to make that night so special for me. To top it all off, I was able to speak to everyone on my mom’s side of the family via Skype who was over for Thanksgiving dinner. I truly couldn’t have asked for anything more. 😱
The next day, my friend Loic came to visit! Boy does he know how to have a good night. I was out with him and his friends until
7am the next morning!! Good thing I had nothing planned for Saturday morning and afternoon seeing as I
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This way to Santa's Mailbox!! slept until 5:30 pm!!!! I basically woke up, went to a concert with some professors from the lycee, ate dinner, watched the Sound of Music with the family, and went to bed! ! It was definitely a lot of fun!
I forgot to mention….
THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS OPENED!!!!!!!! I almost wet my pants when I saw the markets being set up! I had no idea there would be one in the center of Tours and I have visited many many times since it has opened! There are so many neat things there, I wish I had room in my suitcase for everything! There are handmade crafts that I have never in my life seen before, jewelry, children’s games and objects, chocolate bark (had to walk by fast and repeat to myself that I already ripped a pair of jeans I cannot rip another), mulled wine, crepes (couldn’t resist..oops,) sausages which unfortunately smelled like wet dogs, and chestuuuuttsss roasting on an open fiiireeee. The chestnut man has become my new friend…he asked me where I came from with my cute little accent! Haha I took a picture of him after that! Along with the market, there is a Christmas tree in
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My new Friend! the main square in the center of town and Christmas music playing in the streets everywhere. It’s magical. Once again, I teared up when I experienced this for the first time. I just kept thinking…my goodness…I’m in France during this time of year and I am completely in love with everything. I was in such a good mood that day I even gave a begger 10 Euros. Yes, I know she may go and buy something useless or maybe even alcohol…but in my mind, I like to believe she will use it to feed her hungry family! 😱
So news from the high school. I am completely and utterly attached to my students. I knew it would happen, but I didn’t think the feeling would be this strong. I guess I should know myself by now…this always happens. It’s gotten to the point where I cry thinking about leaving them….I’m dreading next Monday when I have to say goodbye. Here is a cute story…I went with another teacher on Friday to meet her students. They spent the class period preparing questions for me so they could practice their English. One of the questions was “ What is one cultural
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CHEEEEEEEESTTTTTTTNUUUUUUTSSSSSSSS ROOOOAAAAAAAAASSTIIIIIIINGGGGGGG....... difference between the US and France?” Right away I said the kisses. We don’t greet each other with two kisses like they do. I said that’s my absolute favorite part about being in France…I love the hello and goodbye kisses. Well what do you know at the end of the class a lined formed and
all of the students came and gave me kisses goodbye. I was completely taken back and gave me yet another reason to completely love the French. It was the cutest thing in the world. I will never forget that moment. 😱
Because I absolutely adore all the students, I decided to write personal cards to them all. It’s taking a bit of time since I have over 80 in the high school, but I’m so happy to do it. I have to stay in touch with these people, and hopefully we will be able to.
Well, time is winding down. I can’t believe I will be home in less than 2 weeks. I’m so excited to see everyone and be home for Christmas, but I am so devastated to leave my home and everyone here. It’ll definitely be bitter sweet. 😊 😞
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Santa's Mailbox :) Take care everyone…I’ll write once more 😊
Bisous!
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Dad
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Best Blog Yet!!!
I loved this one Sweetheart. Everyone loves you there just like at home. No surprise there!!! Enjoy every day to the fullest, and remember, you will be able to visit hopefully many times again in the future. What a great experience. I am truly so proud of you. Love you P.