Last Monday in France...

This weekend was spectacular. I got to spend time with friends and I worked on homework in between packing. The weather has gotten brrrrr cold. Thankfully the sun is out though. Don't think I would be as happy with gray skies and 30 degree temperatures...
Yesterday, I finished my last paper and that was such a liberating feeling. I rewarded myself with watching the most recent episode of "The Office" and that successfully put me in the Christmas mood and not in the academic mood. Backfire.
Today held exams. I can truly say that it was a Monday. We get our grades back on Wednesday, so I'll live in suspense for a while, but I hear that builds character. In the meantime, I'll work on packing (still), homework for January, or hang out with friends because the last week seems to be the time to cram in all the social time possible. Especially because I might never see some of these people again. It's a sobering thought. I have always had that reassurance that I would be back to Taylor or back home, so I've never thought about leaving people for good. I mean, I thought about that a little during senior year at high school, but I basically sprinted with my diploma out of there, so I think this situation is a little different.
On Sunday, I went on a walk around Tours and I think running into a marching band and a show on a street corner created a special place in my heart for this town. I've always enjoyed my life here, but seeing families out and enjoying festivities brought a smile to my face. When one of the bands stopped playing, the members jumped on the bike-carriage things and the trumpet player started playing a little ditty which I heard as I walked down the main cobblestone street and it made my heart sing. The "bonheur" of the town has been the most holiday-like experience I've had in a while... well, since last Christmas. My host parents don't decorate for Christmas because they spend that holiday at their country house, so I've been missing some of that holiday cheer... It's nice to know that I could spend the last few days in France freezing outside with a smile on my pink face.
I love France and I know that I will miss it greatly when I return home.