I think I’ve found the best of both worlds: I’m finally experiencing the Christmas season in France, but still have the anticipation and excitement of knowing I’ll be home for the actual holiday. At this point, only 4 hours of teaching still separate me from my flight, and barring more New England ice storms and/or other weather-related disasters, I should be back in Boston around 5pm on Thursday. Vivement les vacances !

That said, Advent in France is a new and wonderful experience, and though mine was partly marred by the LSAT in Paris last weekend, I still caught the tail end of Lyon’s signature festival, la Fete des Lumieres. I’ve also been to a couple of Christmas markets, sipped a few delicious glasses of vin chaud and have been Christmas shopping up a storm, trying to en profiter as best I can.

Chez moi, the holiday season officially begins the night before Thanksgiving, and though I had the day off (French strikes to the rescue!) I still missed the ritual screening of “Miracle on 34th Street” with the cousins at Auntie Anne’s. Fortunately, there are enough wonderful expats in the Lyon area to offer not one but two Thanksgiving dinners, so although I missed being home, I still had an incredibly memorable holiday. But Christmas is another story, and I’m thrilled to be heading back, suitcases full of French goodies for everyone back home.

Joyeux Noël et bonne année à toutes et tous !