T minus One Week till I'm back in the States!

Just a couple hours after finally procuring my visa, I received the sad news that my grandmother had passed away. She had been sick for a couple weeks/a month-ish, in and out of the hospital and staying at my aunt's house with everyone taking turns staying with her. It was hard to hear that news, being over here. I thought I would get to see her at least one more time. But the good thing is that I get to go home in one week and be with my family. And I did get to skype with her a couple weeks ago, which really was a blessing. I think (and my mom backs me up on this)that grandma got a kick out of using skype. I mean, she was over 90 years old! Can you believe that? I don't know if she could have ever imagined herself doing something like that!
That was a hard day, but Friday and Saturday have actually been pretty great. I think God knew I needed some pick-me-ups, and I am really blessed.

Friday I had class (for 5 hours). I debated not going and just sleeping all day but really I knew that wouldn't help me at all. So I went to class and interacted with people. It was good for me. Afternoon class is always better than morning class, and this was no exception. We had lively tangent debates about national identity and different experiences from our own countries. We talked and laughed and Adela (from Spain) made really large hand gestures and it was a great class. At the end, Tao got up and put on a Santa hat. He had just turned 25 and had brought a bunch of Chinese candies for everyone, which he distributed joyfully from a red stocking. And after dinner I talked with my parents and with my friend Tanya, and it really helped prop me up emotionally.

Today I slept in. Glorious sleep. I had breakfast, "hung out", ate lunch, and then went for a walk (AKA Christmas shopping trip) around the city. It was as if all of Rouen (and then some) was out and about today. Especially by the Vieux Marche, the Rue du Gros Horloge, and the Cathedral. There were lights everywhere, and the stores were packed. Then by the cathedral there was set up a little "Christmas village". It consisted of a bunch of little vendor stalls, where you could find anyting from belt buckles to russian dolls to fois gras to cider to high end jewelry. Of course, there were wooden deer and wreaths and lights and tons of yummy snacks! I had the most delicious Vin Chaud (hot mulled wine) and ate a churro (yes - they have churros. I got it from a fair-type giant food stand, selling cotton candy (which they call grandpa's beard) and waffles and taffy and the like) while listening to Michael Buble Christmas music and watching kids wave at their families as they went by on the carousel.
My plan was to go back after dinner and take pictures of how beautiful it is at night, when all the lights are illuminated. But I came down for dinner and found out that it was just going to be me and the girls, and that I was babysitting tonight.
Oh well, another time.

Visa Mission Complete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After what seems like months of worrying I have FINALLY received my "titre du sejour" which means I am legally coming home for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I am just glad to have that whole thing over with. If you couldn't tell)

VISA update

here is the update:

So my visa is STILL NOT VALIDATED.

I went to get my chest x-ray (you have to strip waist up and stand against a big machine. its weird).
Anyway, it all took about 15 minutes and went really well.
Of course, France couldn't leave it at that.

I later went to my appointment at the OFII (immigration), waited around for 45 minutes, and had another doctor's check up. It was ok, not great or fun, but fine. And I "passed" so everything was in line. Then I waited another 45 minutes for my other meeting where I would present paperwork and finally get my "vignette" (the stamp I need).
I wait, only to find out that they do not yet have my stamp. Seriously? Haven't they done this before MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY DAY????
Needless to say, I am a bit worried. The lady knows what day I am leaving and said that I will get it by that date. But this is France. And that just worries me a little bit. Prayers and good thoughts for me and France's efficiency would be appreciated!
Love you all
Natalie

12 days of "Until I'm Home Again"

12:
Days until I am home again. And I CANNOT WAIT to see my family :)

11:
My number on the 1-10 scale of frustratedness about getting my visa finalized.

10:
Little wooden ornaments colored with the girls in the last few days.

9:
x2 is the number of pictures I took of Am the other day. She is just too darn cute. Examples:

8:
Is roughly the number of months I have left in France/of au pair-ing

7:
Homework assignments due next class on Friday. We are not even getting a grade or having a test in this class, so it is difficult to keep motivated. But I actually LIKE going now! Gasp! Because our new teacher is great (even if she does give us more work) and it is less boring and I am beginning to develop some serious rapport with the other students.

6:
Pictures from this weekend for you:

5:
Times I have recently (AKA today and last night) wished for my snuggie. My room is cold.

4:
x 10 = the cost of replacing my camera battery charger. In euros. Holy cow!

3:
Loaves of pumpkin I made for thanksgiving were delicious. And there still rests a tiny bit of the last one. I want to eat it.

2:
Chatty Cabbies. This weekend Mia and I went and visited Vaux le Vicomte and we had some very talkative taxi drivers. But in a nice way. They complimented our French and told us about the chateau/how it is the last currently inhabited chateau/how Tony Parker and Eva Longoria got married there/how Man in the Iron Mask was filmed there/to catch the train back at Voie 2.

1:
Prayer: That everything goes well at my appointment tomorrow and my visa will finally be complete, and that I can safely and legally fly home for Christmas.