Happy Holidays!!!

It's almost Christmas, and I feel a little guilty because I've been neglecting my blog. I'm very sorry! So to save on postage, and to update you all, I've decided to write about what's happened in the last month and a half since I got back from Paris right here. No post cards required...even if they are more fun.

Well, good news! School has been going great since my last update. I got an awesome report card in the mail. I even got better grades then the French students. (in more then just english class too!)

Academics aside, I've also gotten involved in the senior theater production. I heard about an audition for extras, and decided to go and check it out. Well, I wasn't at all expecting to read for the lead part of Alice (as in Alice in wonderland), but I did. One callback audition later, I found out that the senior class was interested in having me as Alice. I still don't quite believe it. But it shows that really anything is possible, even for the english speaking exchange student. (apparently my accent adds to the role...)

Well, I'm on holidays now, but the last week of school wasn't very challenging either in terms of actual school work. The students here in France spent the week protesting and demonstrating in the streets of Nancy, against a new proposed law that would change the high school system here pretty dramatically. At one point, I couldn't even get in (or out) of the school because of the crowd. It was something I've never seen before, and probably won't see again outside of France.

So, because the students were in the streets and not in class, a lot of teachers gave up on working and resorted to movies and cancelling classes in order to pass the week. I definitely enjoyed and benefitted from the protests (that involved more then 6000 high school students) and, I learnt that striking and protesting are two things the French excel at, along with cheese/wine/etc.

To kick off the festivities, and get into the christmas spirit, I went to the christmas capital of the world (after the North Pole), Strasbourg, with all the other exchange students. I also celebrated a super holiday, that should be celebrated in Canada.

Saint Nicolas is basically an early christmas, that involves Saint Nicolas (The Childrens Saint, because he saved three kids from being baked in a pie and eaten by a butcher)instead of Santa. The night of December 5th, Saint Nicolas comes by and delivers candy and a toy to all the wise kids, and his evil counter part Père Fouettard (Fouette means whip in French) comes to scare all the not-so-wise kids.

There is a big parade and lots of fireworks to celebrate the holiday. I don't know if I was good or not, because I got some Chanel N°5 under the tree from the jolly Saint himself, but Père Foutterd chose to scare me during the parade the day after. (I wasn't so happy to see him, I actually screamed a little when he ran at me). Luckily, I had a small child to hide behind for the rest of the parade.

After celebrating my very first Saint Nicolas,but definitely not my last, however I'm leaving Père Fouettard here in France. I was off to Strasbourg. It took us an hour in the train to get there, and we had all day to stroll around and take in the town and sights.

I know I said Nancy was a who-ville look alike, but I'm not kidding when I say that Strasbourg made Nancy look like a christmas-hating Grinch in comparisson. The town was covered from roof to sidewalk in lights, garlands, santas. The streets were packed with people and little vendors that sold everything from teddy bears to multi-flavoured hot chocolates (sooooo good! I had a dark chocolate mint one!) I even saw some kirkland Cranberry juice at a "Canadian Specialties" stand, imported direct from Costco, and priced at 10 euros a bottle. I just laughed, and no one understood why.

But by far, the best part of Strasbourg was the outdoor skating rink. We spent at least an hour and a half listening to christmas music and dodging little kids on skates, but it was the so much fun. It was perfectly placed in the middle of the town, next to a gorgeous cathedral, and among the litttle stands. I seriously wish I could do it again.

Well, tommorow is Christmas, but I get all my presents tonight because that's the way my host family celebrates. There is a big Christmas dinner tonight with all of the family, and I have a feeling that escargot will be on the menu. I'll be sure to let you know how that goes over.

Joyeux Noel a tous! (Merry Christmas to all!)

Until Next time,

miss you all! I'll be thinking of you all on christmas, wishing you could be here.

xoxoxoxxo

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