The Ups and Downs of November

Today, I was searched by a security guard at a grocery store because he thought I made the alarm go off when I entered. Let me emphasize this: WHEN I ENTERED. He took my umbrella, waved it in the path of the censor, then my bag, then motioned for me to do the same. When no beep occurred, he then turned to my friend and asked her to do the same. I said she wasn't walking with me (which was a half-truth... because she didn't walk in the door with me, but try explaining that to a large black Frenchman), so he let her go. I explained to him that I didn't know what was going on and he reluctantly let me go. Do I look like a shoplifter who can steal things with my eyes and put them into my umbrella before I enter a store? I feel like that's an honest question.
On the other end, there have been a lot of good things that have happened since last week. For instance, midterms produced a three-day weekend, which was very much appreciated. I did nothing. Well, I found ways to be productive and go on walks, but I didn't really go anywhere or do anything academic and that was fantastic. I've been "munching" (more like nibbling) on my peanut butter and other goodies that were in the box from my wing at Taylor and that has been wonderful. Although, at this point, I think it might make me a little more homesick than I was before.
But, another perk is that midterms are done... and I didn't fail them. I didn't do well enough to advance, but that's fine. The good news is that I got a higher writing score than I have ever before. I was super excited about that. And I didn't do as badly on my oral as I thought... God is good. Now I need to fine tune things and we'll be good to go for the final at the end of the trimester. That's going to include a lot of time in the mediatheque (the library where all the media is) and less time speaking in English. I think I'll be ok with that because I can always type in English, right? ;)
My host mom is currently visiting her new grandson in Luxembourg, so it's just us students and the host dad. Yesterday was fun because my host dad left the classical music on all day (instead of just during meals) and he was playing with his iPhone at the table because he wanted to tell me what the temperature was in Colorado Springs and wanted to show me my house via "Googal Erts" (That's how he says it). I have a feeling that things will be very relaxed around here until she returns. As soon as she returns though, Alix leaves for her second internship in Paris... This makes me sad because I will be loosing a friend. That sounds dramatic, I know, but she kept me going during the weekends, with things to do and places to go... now I'll have to do those types of things alone... I doubt I'll be able to find someone who can replace her. Thanksgiving is coming up as well, which will be a new phenomenon for me- Going to class on Thanksgiving. And Thursdays are my least favorite days. Well, besides Monday and Tuesday ;) I don't think that holiday will feel quite the same.