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  
 

Un paquet pour moi?

 Salut mes amis,

This afternoon started off like any other. When the final bell rang, Juliette and I gathered up our books, grabbed a quick snack over at The Copper Horse Pub & Eatery, and walked to our dorm room. Setting my books aside, I promptly settled onto my bed to eat my snack while simultaneously checking Facebook on my iPad.

Meanwhile, Juliette didn't have the time to relax. Quickly reorganizing her book-bag, she prepared herself for her first tutoring session that was slated to start in a few minutes. "À tout à l'heure, Sophie! Souhaite-moi bonne chance!" Juliette waved, picked up her bag, and proceeded out the door.

Before I could wish her luck, she reappeared in the doorframe with a large package in her arms. Evidently, today's mail had already been delivered! "Salut, Sophie? Tu as un paquet?" Juliette looked at me as if unsure what to do.

"Peux-tu m'apporter le paquet, s'il te plaît?" I asked, beckoning her over to me, "Et une paire de ciseaux aussi?" 

When I had the package on my lap and the scissors in my hand, Juliette turned to go. "Je dois aller! Peux-tu me montrer les matières du paquet quand je reviens?" She asked before leaving. She was curious about what was inside the package, but there was no way she could miss her first tutoring session.

I flipped the package over, examined its return address, and smiled. "Quelle surprise!" I said aloud, though to no one in particular as I was alone in the room. Once I'd cut the package open, I started to pull out . . .

. . . a familiar-looking box! I gasped aloud, "Surely this couldn't be . . . ?"





There was only one way to find out.




Tipping the whole package upside down, the box easily slid out, landing on my lap with a thud. I could see that it really was what I'd thought it was; it really was something I've long desired.

"Mon Dieu, c'est une poupée de fille américaine! C'est Cécile!" I exclaimed excitedly, throwing my hands up into the air for the effect, "I can't believe Inky and her Mama bought me an American Girl doll - and the very one that I wanted, too! How'd they know?!"



I'd been wanting Mademoiselle Cécile Amélie Rey since she was released because of her French background and the fact that we had a middle name in common! I wasn't sure my parents would consent to buying me an American Girl doll, however, and I definitely didn't expect to receive one as a gift from a friend like Inky. . .



I took a deep breath, then slowly lifted the lid of the box that lay before me . . .

. . . and there she was, the perfect doll! At least, the perfect doll, in my eyes. For several minutes, I just looked at her, too mesmerized by her beauty to do anything else.



Picking up the hardcover copy of Meet Cécile, I thumbed through the pages, scanned the illustrations, and read the summary on the book jacket. I knew at once that it would be the next book I'd read; I just hoped the library had the rest of the series!



Finally, I laid the book aside and carefully began to release the doll from her neck and leg restraints. Once she was free, I picked her up, noting how much I loved everything from the satiny feel of the vibrant blue dress to the perfect mass of dark curls on her head. I squealed with delight over her tiny black, button-up boots and her long, lacy pantalettes, then marveled over the wondrous smell of her vinyl skin.

I took her into my arms, cradling her as I would a newborn baby. Bending down so that my lips met her rosy cheeks, I gave her a quick kiss. "Bienvenue, Cécile," I said, "Welcome home! I shall take good care of you, and someday maybe I'll convince Maman and Papa to bring home your dear friend Marie - Grace for my sister, Juliette. I do hope you won't miss her too terribly in the meantime!" I hugged Cécile tightly and then turned back to my iPad, my new doll sitting on my lap.




Merci beaucoup, Inky! Thank you so much! Please thank your Mama for me as well! I will take good care of my lovely new Cécile!



Do you have an American Girl doll (or another doll)? When did you get her? Any special story behind getting a doll? Please do share! 




Ton amie,
Sophie