I'm not sure if it's the lack of snow, decorations, and Christmas music that I'm used to in the States or if it's just that I'm far from home, but it certainly does not feel like Christmas to me. Even though I've been teaching lessons about Christmas and other winter celebrations for the last 2 weeks, it's just not the same. I guess it's to be expected, but it's a new experience none the less.
Although for some reason when I woke up today, I walked into our bathroom, looked at the pile of toilet paper rolls that has accumulated over the past 3 months, and I was struck by Christmas inspiration. My roommate found me coloring them green, asked what I was doing, and quickly joined in. We put on Christmas music and went to work. I went to shower and when I came back, she had even made adorable angels made of champagne corks. Yes... we made a toilet paper roll Christmas tree.
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| Those are empty pizza and cereal boxes we wrapped with grocery ads... they're empty. |
While we were being oh so festive, our doorbell rang and it was Christophe inviting us to join him and his family for Christmas dinner tonight. I guess he had seen our light on, so he knew we were home and he didn't want us to have to be alone for the holidays. It was very nice of him and dinner was delicious. He even gave Anna and I copies of the classic French comic, Asterix.
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| This is the one that I got! |
We were also invited to have some light snacks at our neighbors tomorrow afternoon with her family, which we more than willingly accepted! We had dinner there last week and the company, discussions, and food were all fantastic, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with them! One of my teachers also invited me to join her family tomorrow if I needed somewhere to go. It's just so nice to see how welcoming and understanding people here can be. The French have a reputation of being cold and distant, but I'm finding quite the opposite during my time here. That's what the holidays are all about, right?
So, tomorrow I'm going to relax and enjoy my day. I'm going to get to speak some French and meet new people. I'm going to skype with my family and watch them open presents (and wish I was there with them). It's strange being away for Christmas, but I feel such a strong and powerful love and connection to my family and being away has, if anything, made it exponentially stronger. I don't know where I'm going to end up in my life, but I know they will always be there somehow. Awwww.
I'm leaving on Thursday to travel around Europe (Ireland, London, and Normandy) for a week or so, but I'll update as soon as I can when I get back!
Happy holidays everyone and a happy New Year as well!
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