Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It doesn't actually feel like Thanksgiving here as I have a regular day of work and don't even know if I'll be doing anything particularly Thanksgivingy (yes, that is now an adjective) with my 2 American friends but c'est la vie. I'm missing family a bit just because I know that people are getting together over there in the States and even in Paris but Dijon is seriously lacking in Thanksgiving spirit. Quelle surprise? The weather here is also pretty gross, cool and rainy so that is not really putting anyone in a very good mood. It also makes it harder to run, which is not good because I need an outlet for my sadness about not being at home and with family. On a bright note: I really enjoyed my race on Sunday in Beaune! I ran with this other girl, Angeline, who I met and it was really fun and relaxed (and they really do give you a bottle of wine when you are done!). There were close to 4000 people running and it was full of costumed escargot and caterpillars. It was really cool. I felt like I had a runners' high like Dad always says except that was impossible because I felt it before I started running; I think it was because I was with people, doing something I enjoy and it was just an overall good experience. The whole weekend was really great actually. Saturday night, I spent with people from "le fac" to celebrate my friend Corinne's birthday. Sunday I cleaned up my apartment (since it was being used as a lab last week) and Anna, Bettina and Katie came over to eat and watch sex and the city. It was a really fun way to spend part of Sunday (it made me feel more at home).

In general, most of the strikes are wrapping up with the exception of the train strike which is still a bit of inconvenience. Pretty much everyone was on strike on Tuesday (2 of every 3 schools and many hospital employees just to mention a few groups) so that was interesting. The humanities faculty voted against a continuation of their blockade and classes have recommenced. However, there are still signs everywhere telling the students "good luck with your studies, sell your-self well" (a rough translation) and such so that is really great. As many of you know, the train strikes are still continuing so I hope that they clear up by next week. This weekend I will take a breather and stay in Dijon but the next weekend I am meeting my friend Sasah in Lyon and then going to Paris to meet up with Lindsey. She will visit for almost 2 weeks and just in time for Channukah!!! We will probably spend most of the time here and maybe travel a bit. Then the next weekend I'm heading to Strausbourg because some of my friends are driving there and its supposed to have a really cool Christmas fair thing. Then for Christmas.....I'm going to the Alps for 10 days!!!!! Yeah!!!! I'm so excited. Marion and Kevin will be meeting me there just before New Years' Eve so I won't even be alone the whole time.

So I better return to working. I am teaching a new English course today so I don't have all day to putter around in my office. I will try to enjoy my thanksgiving despite the rain. I hope that everyone else has a great Thanksgiving and eat some good food for me!!!

Ciao,
Sarah