Christmas Presents!

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I sure did! This year, it was a quiet one for us. We didn't go anywhere at all, besides to the movie theatre for a Christmas Eve showing of It's a Wonderful Life and the midnight mass service.

I did, however, find some nice presents waiting for me on Christmas.

From Santa, I received a white headband and a candy cane:

Unbeknownst to me, Maman and Papa had sent over a package a few weeks ago. It was surprising to see a package from them, as they haven't sent me anything in quite awhile.

Inside, I found a red vest, a white long-sleeved tee, and black stretch leggings. I'm particularly excited about the vest because I've been wanting one for a few years. I managed to miss out on the one in Nicki's Ski outfit, and this one is almost just as good. I love the fact that it's red, since red looks so good with my dark hair and eyes.

In another package, I found a cute pair of tan Uggs from Juliette, my twin sister. I LOVE these! Laura has an identical pair in her size, and they are all she wears. I'm sure these will be all I wear, too.

What did you receive for Christmas and/or Hanukkah?

Sophie

Visiting Manhattan with Inky!

On Thursday, November 18th, Inky had to go into Manhattan for a Nutcracker rehearsal, and I decided to go with her. While she was rehearsing, I walked around Central Park a bit, taking in the sights and sounds of Manhattan - the crazy cab drivers, the adorable little dogs on leashes, the hustle and bustle of the approaching holiday season.

We planned on meeting on the steps of the Koch Theatre - where the NYC Ballet performs - and there we settled to talk about our day. Inky told me about her ballet rehearsal and how excited she is about being a polichinelle in the upcoming Nutcracker performance. Hearing her talk excitedly about ballet made me long for dear Maman and my twin sister Juliette.

Maman was an esteemed ballerina who performed many times at the Opéra de Paris (now the Palais Garnier) and even at the Lincoln Center here in New York. When she met Papa, Maman started teaching ballet at a private school in Paris. Of course, Juliette lives for ballet just as Maman does, and while I literally cannot dance a step, I've come to appreciate it myself. I guess I take after Papa!

So I was very thrilled to see the Lincoln Center and stand in the same place that Maman did in her youth. I had Inky take a few pictures of me, so perhaps I will send a few copies to Maman and Juliette in my next letter home? I'm sure they'd love that!

I was also thrilled when Inky lent me her fabulous Liberty Jane outfit for the day. Isn't it lovely? It reminds me so much of the wardrobe I left back in Paris. I forgot what it was like to dress so classy, so élégant et à la mode.

Inky and I ended the afternoon in Manhattan at the New York Philharmonic. We wandered around a bit, hoping to spot someone famous (or perhaps a time machine to go back in the past and see Maman?) before heading home on the subway.

Pourquoi est-ce que j'ai une envie subite à danser? Pourquoi est-ce que je manque la vie métropolitaine maintenant? Pourquoi est-ce que je manque mes parents et ma soeur maintenant?

Why do I have a sudden urge to dance? Why do I miss the metropolitan life right now? Why do I miss my parents and my sister now?

New York, je t'aime, mais j'ai déjà la mal du pays parce que tu me rappelles de Paris...où ma famille habite.

New York, I love you, but I am already homesick because you remind me of Paris...where my family lives.

...c'est bizarre parce que je n'ai pas la mal du pays normalement! It's weird because I'm not normally homesick!

~Sophie