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.