Christmas Surprises

Salut mes amis!

Joyeux Noël!  Merry Christmas! Hodel and I had a fabulous holiday together. On Christmas Eve, we decided to write letters to Père Noël asking for donations to charities instead of toys. Per usual, Hodel asked for a donation to an animal rescue. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to ask for in my letter, eventually deciding on donations for needy children in France.

When we finished our letters, we cuddled with our Uglydolls underneath the sapin de Noël and looked for a Christmas movie to watch.

We were able to watch the first of many A Christmas Story viewings on TNT - hooray! Somehow it doesn't quite seem like Christmas unless you share it with Ralphie.

Hodel's parents made us go to bed when the movie finished, but shhh! We actually ended up giggling for hours. I don't think we got much sleep at all. We were much too excited about the day ahead of us!

Sleep or no sleep, we still managed to wake up early on Christmas morning. We showered and dressed quickly, anxious to open our presents. Even though we'd asked Santa not to give us presents, Hodel's parents had given us a few things to open.

Don't we look nice? We tried to look pretty and cool, considering it was 60 degrees outside! I think Hodel was smart not to wear stockings.

Since Hodel and I got all of the same presents, we decided to unwrap everything at the same time. What did we get?

We received mystery Playmobil figurines (I got a cute old lady, while Hodel got a smart-looking flight attendant) and Disney squinkies . . .

. . . but our favorite presents by far were the baby dinosaur toys nestled in plastic eggs! We pretended to be world-famous paleontologists for hours! In a few days, we are going to see The Good Dinosaur, which we are both so excited for.

Did you have a nice holiday season? What did you do? Who did you celebrate with? What presents did you receive?

Ton amie,
Sophie 

Sophie: Live from Cincinnati!

Salut mes amis!

I'm sorry that it has been so long since my last update. There's really no good excuse. Lately, depression and anxiety have hit me hard, and between that and keeping up with my schoolwork, I've neglected my blog. There have been many days where I've not wanted to get dressed, let alone go out for adventures.

In early December, things started looking up. My classes were finishing for the semester, and who isn't thrilled about that? I'd also received an email from my friend Hodel, asking me if I'd like to visit. Hodel and I have been pen-pals for a long time, but we've never formally met! She was actually the last traveling guest my old school in America hosted, but I was out on travel adventures of my own at the time. So, of course, I said YES! I would be happy to visit. It didn't take me long to pack a few belongings in my bag and reserve a plane ticket. I think Juliette was a little sad that I was leaving again, especially since it meant that we wouldn't be celebrating our special Polish-French Christmas together. However, I was itching to be rid of this foggy, depressive stupor I'd been in for the past few months, so I really couldn't consider my sister's feelings at the moment. I had to take care of myself. I had to go see the world, meet new people, and have an adventure . . . because that is what Sophie does best!

My anxiety kicked in on the plane ride and wouldn't go away even as I was knocking on my friend's front door. I hadn't traveled solo since 2011, when I went on a cruise to Alaska with my friend Marsali. Four years have passed, and a lot has happened. When I got home from Alaska, I wasn't sure I wanted to travel ever again. I certainly didn't want to travel for two years without coming home in between. That was fun while it lasted, but was way too much hassle in the process. But as I heard the familiar scuffling of feet rushing to open the door, all of my anxiety turned into excitement! I was finally going to meet another long-time friend, and what could be scary about that?

The door opened, and Hodel stood before me. "Salut!" I waved excitedly. Stepping inside of the house, I immediately ran up and gave my friend a hug. If I was nervous before, I certainly wasn't now!

We sat down and talked about some of our favorite things and pastimes. We talked about Hodel's love of acting and all of our favorite shows. I'm no actress, but I love watching a good performance! Hodel also loves anthropology, dinosaurs, and most importantly, traveling! She had just gotten home from a trip to Disney World, so of course I had to ask if she'd gotten to meet Queen Elsa and Princess Anna!

Since Hodel is Jewish, I wanted to bring her a little gift for Hanukkah. Unfortunately, I arrived after Hanukkah was over, but it's the thought that counts . . . right?

I think she liked what I picked out for her. I helped her name the little duck "Fransisco", a name we found too funny not to laugh at! I also gave her two of my favorite card games: UNO and Apples to Apples. Hodel saw these and dared to ask whether I'd played Cards Against Humanity. I blushed, but admitted that I hadn't! I have, however, played Fantastic Storytelling, a new game along the lines of Cards Against Humanity. I suggest you check it out if you like that sort of thing. Mike Jeavons will thank you. It's fun, addicting, and you get to create unique laugh-out-loud stories!

Anyway, it's late . . . and already Christmas Eve! I better get to bed. Although Hodel is Jewish, her family is interfaith, meaning that they will make an extra effort to celebrate Christmas with me this year. So . . . we have a lot of plans, which I can't wait to share with you! Stay tuned!

If I don't write an entry beforehand, Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas! What are your plans for Christmas this year? If you don't celebrate Christmas, what do you celebrate instead?

Ton amie,
Sophie

French, Forensics . . . and FedEx?!

Salut mes amis,

Do you like my costume? Zee name is Sophie, and I am a classic Frenchie stereotype. Oui, comme Grace Thomas, la fille américaine pour cette année 2015. Yes, I am trying to parody (ahem, "emulate") Grace Thomas, the new Girl of the Year doll who visits Paris in her story. Do you recognize the sweater and scarf that I got for Christmas? 

And yet even though I'm dressed so stereotypically, I can't help but think how cute I look. Then again, I've always been fond of berets. And, before you say that "every Parisian loves berets," they don't. My sister Juliette can't stand them, but she also likes to style her hair. I don't. I like being able to put on a hat and calling it a day.

The real reason for this post is that I was sent a package - a HUGE package all the way from America! It was so huge that I had to push it into my room with the help of both of my parents. Lifting it was definitely out of the question.

It was from my best friends, the Valdez Quintuplets! Sora, Violet, Chickadee, Zipporah, and Lorikeet had sent me a whole science lab in a box for Christmas. Well, pretty much! They sent everything from test tubes and beakers to a fire extinguisher! There were file folders, a glass thermometer, a study lamp, dinosaur models to assemble, textbooks, and storage containers to keep everything safe. They had even printed a whole stack of vintage French diagrams (of the human body, plants, the Periodic Table, etc) for my benefit; I absolutely LOVED these! 

I was so touched by such generous gifts, but not really all that surprised - these girls always go to the greatest lengths to impress me when it comes to sending gifts! They know me so well. Merci beaucoup, Violet, Zipporah, Chickadee, Sora, and Lorikeet! Thank you so much! These items will definitely help me as I pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a forensic scientist . . .

Here is a close-up photo of some of the items I was given. There are three plastic storage bins, a vintage science poster, two textbooks, a fire extinguisher (can never be too careful!), a stack of file folders, and a floral scarf . . .

There are six dinosaur models to assemble. Six! I can open my own natural history museum now.

There are two plastic storage drawers, perfect for storing the test tubes, beakers, and test tube stands. There's a wire rack, a study lamp, a glass thermometer, and then you can see some of the vintage French science diagrams . . .

My favorite gift by far was this Frozen wall hanging. I absolutely adore everything about this movie and cannot wait to add this little piece of Anna and Elsa to my room. It reads, "Only an act of true love will thaw a frozen heart," which makes me laugh. If my heart was ever frozen, it's certainly not anymore. This whole Christmas package is quite the "act of true love"! 

What's your favorite school subject? Do you like science as much as me? 

Ton amie,
Sophie  
 

Opening Christmas Presents!

Salut mes amis, 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was time to open the rest of the presents! We started with our stockings filled by Père Noël, Father Christmas. I hugged my furry blue stocking with anticipation over the goodies that I'd soon find inside.

First, I handed Juliette her own pink stocking. It's always nice to be considerate of others before thinking of yourself, after all.

Reaching deep into the depths of her stocking, Juliette first pulled out a can of lemon-lime soda. Laughing hard, we both knew that this soda can was the inside joke of our own Oncle Bernard - only our Uncle Bernard would stick a can of soda in a stocking!

Next, she pulled out a pretty pink hair clip . . .

. . . and then even more hair clips tumbled out! Juliette will have fun accessorizing her hair this year.

Finally, Juliette pulled out a cross bracelet made with the loveliest of lavender beads. This will be perfect to wear to church!

Then it was my turn. Not surprisingly, I pulled out a can of grape soda first. This time, I managed to keep a straight face . . . at least for a minute anyway! I opened the can, took a swig, and immediately burst out laughing, soda bursting out my nostrils all the while.

After recovering myself, I reached in and pulled out this pair of hairbows in metallic silver. These will go great with outfits in my color scheme, oh yes!

I think Père Noël must know that we Moreau girls like to accessorize because the last thing I pulled out was a bag of jewelry. I now have a new pearl necklace . . .

. . . and a beaded heart charm bracelet perfect for Valentine's Day parties!

Next, we had two large gift bags to open from our parents.

Juliette reached into her bag and pulled out a grey sweatshirt with a genuine The Fault in Our Stars graphic on the front. "Cet sweat-shirt sera parfait à porter avec mes vêtements de danse!" Juliette was excited at finally finding the perfect sweatshirt to wear over her dance clothes.

What did nos parents find for me? I eagerly reached into my gift bag, pulling out . . .

. . . a grey and black-striped sweater, such a wardrobe staple! This will be perfect for school and Science Club meetings. I think my dad picked this one out; he has one just like it in his closet, haha!

Next, it was time to open presents sent to me by friends. This one, I was told, is from my friend Katherine.

Katherine sent me a red fleece poncho that she made herself. Merci beaucoup, Katherine! I love it. Red is certainly my color and one I definitely love to wear.

She also sent me a matching red fleece scarf, which is awesome! I'm so going to layer this over my winter coat this year.

My best friend Nathalie sent me this next one. Of course there's a bonhomme de neige, snowman, on the bag; Nathalie loves snow so much!

I can't believe my eyes! Nathalie sent me a my very own copy of my absolute favorite Harry Potter book - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! She must have seen my blog pal Charlie's post about getting her own Harry Potter book.

I can't wait to reread this treasure. Nathalie knows me so well!

Juliette handed me a silver gift box with a tag that said it was from my friend Sadie. Hmm, I didn't know Sadie was sending me a gift. Quelle surprise! 
 

Inside, I found a zodiac bracelet made for me by Sadie herself. It has all of the colors of the Leo spectrum in it; how pretty!

Here is a close-up of the bracelet. Thank you so much, Sadie! I absolutely love it and will think of you every time I wear it.

The last present was from my friend Susie! I was really reluctant to unwrap this one, not because I wasn't anticipating what was inside (because I was!). I just didn't want to tear up the wrapping paper - it had Princess Anna of Arendelle on it!

I very carefully unwrapped it, in order to save the special gift wrap for my scrapbook. Don't laugh; Frozen is the best movie ever! Queen Elsa is far superior to Princess Anna, though.

Susie sent me a holiday-themed activity book to amuse myself during these cold wintry months.

There are mazes and connect-the-dots, lots of things to keep me busy! Thank you, Susie! I will have fun with this for sure.

We received a lot of nice presents this year; I absolutely love everything! I think I'm going to go put on my new sweater, read some Harry Potter, and drink some grape soda now, hehe. Before I go, have a couple of shots of Juliette and me in front of our silvery Christmas tree.

I hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a nice one (or had a nice whatever it is you celebrate!). Thanks for letting us share our presents with you!

What was your favorite holiday gift this past year?

Ton amie,
Sophie