I am now eating all the chocolate in my Halloween package I finally received from my mom. The apartment is empty I don't know where everyone is. Probably somewhere laughing at how much Americans enjoy Thanksgiving and secretly jealous that France doesn't have an equally cool holiday. So I am in my pajamas ravaging for chocolate on my bed alone while watching episode after episode of Gilmore Girls.

The holidays are just better at home.

It's ok though just one more day and I'm off to Amsterdam! ... I guess I'll just try to forget about all the performances at the Macy's Day Parade.. and the floats.. and trying to predict who will be the first baton girl to drop her baton .. It's only one day, can't be that hard, right?

Right.

I think I'm gonna need more chocolate.

It's the night before Thanksgiving and although I have a lot to be thankful for, I am not thankful to be spending tomorrow in Paris. Do you know they have no idea what stuffing is? No idea! I tried to explain, but it's really difficult to explain in French. I never realized it, but why would we ever need to explain stuffing to each other, of course everyone knows what that is! This is the first time ever I'll have to go to class on Thanksgiving day. Weird. I feel like the French don't understand what a big deal thanksgiving is. They must not if they wont give the Americans the day off. Silly frenchies.

Visited the Rodin museum today. It was a good choice. How lame would I be if I went to bed before 9pm? On a scale from 1-10? You know what, just forget I even said anything. I'm going to see what tv or movies I can find online now.

Thanksgiving? Hell no- it's Christmas time ya'll!

The holidays are here, and it is making me so happy! The trees that line Les Champs-Elysées are lit and the first half of the Avenue starting at the Place de la Concorde is littered with little shops where you can buy an assortment of things like scarfs and hats and jewelry and things and of course crepes! I now know that warm wine or "vin chaud" really isn't my thing, though it may sound nice and christmas-y. And when it spills all over your hands it's damn sticky. I think I'm almost over missing an American thanksgiving. I will be having an American style Thanksgiving with people at IES and I'm looking forward to that. But I want to cook damn it!

In other news I'm really excited to be leaving for Amsterdam the day after Thanksgiving, so I won't be caught up in a post - thanksgiving slum and another up side- there's no black Friday in France! No hibernating for a day as to avoid the incredible amount of crazies out on the road. Not that I drive at all in France. But there are those insane motorcyclists who will come up on the side walk, so I guess my life would still be in danger.

On a completely seperate note, I am worried that my laundry will never be washed again. I think it's been about two weeks since my host mom asked me if I had any wash and I'm definitely going to need to either make a visit to the Monoprix for some underwear or the laundry mat to take matters into my own hands. But I don't want to spend more money when I shouldn't have to. I blew enough money this weekend as it is. When push comes to shove, I guess I'd rather have clean underwear than a couple extra Euros in my pocket. . . I'm gonna see how long I can last this one out. Wish me luck.

Future unemployment = creative thinking

It gets so dark here by 5 pm, it's really depressing. I was tempted to go crazy and jet off somewhere this weekend, but then I regained my common sense and realized I have two ten page papers I need to write in French along with final exams in a week, so really I need all the time I can get considering I'm already going to be gone for two weekends. Looks like I'm fresh out of jet setting for the remainder of my time here. Oh well.

my book of the moment: The Kite Runner, it's perfect for the metro ride to and from school
Album I'm listening to as I wait for Beyonce's new album to drop: Kings of Leon

I've been thinking about after college (since I'll be jobless and pennyless, but thanks to my parents not homeless) making a weekly cooking show starring of course me and produced by Erica. She doesn't know about this yet. Of course we'd have to get some guests on there in order to compete with Rachel Ray and the likes. This is going to be big. I mean big, we might even need an actual cam corder, this is bigger than digi cam video mode bull shit, you'll see...

Now I'm back, from outerspace!

Midterms complete (check)
Fall break complete (check)
increase in softness around the belly (check)
Season of Gilmore Girls on dvd so i don't have to download episodes off Sidereel.com in order to watch television (check)

Mom and a sister came to visit for my fall break! I showed them around gay Pair-ee and then we hopped a train to Reims, where all the champagne comes from. It was just ok, I would have liked to see the vineyards instead. Then we hopped a train to Brussels and Bruge. We saw a marionette show in french, and an episode of family guy in flemmish, which I don't know if you know this- is really hilarious even when you have no idea what they're saying. I of course managed to eat my weight in chocolate and beer and went home happy! I was sad to see my mom and sister go, skype just isn't the same as face to face. I hope everyone else realizes that in 30 years when we interact only by avatars. (yikes)

Now I have to do homework. That is if I want to pass my classes. At least I only have a month left of class. But that also means only a month left of Paris! What will I do when I can't walk down the street for a demi baguette or a 2 Euro bottle of wine? Some how I'll have to manage. I think being able to order delivery pizza will make up for it. And being able to cook full meals in my kitchen. And watching television in english.

And not having to use my french alias- Jacquline Roucher

And drying my clothes in the dryer.

... and not getting asked for directions by other people in french and then frowning when I don't know where the street is and replying.. je ne sais pas, desolee...

At least they thought I was French.

Came back from Milan, not with a cool leather jacket but with a stupid head cold. And I'm possibly a few pounds heavier. It was definitely worth it. The gelato was fantastic. So was the Duomo. And the hostel wasn't even sketchy, except for the guy with the scary cough that sounded like he was dying. One more midterm and I am free as a bird for fall break! Yay!