T'is the season to be jolly

Thursday, 16h00 - perhaps even a few minutes earlier.  This is the moment when I realised  that my finals were done! Oh the relief. No joke, I spent the rest of the day bouncing. Technically it wasn't the last one, but Saturday's excuse for a final just didn't register as an exam. Well perhaps on the periphery, however it wasn't going to make me worry. My time to relax had finally arrived.  The sad thing is that I have no idea what I've done with myself since!I don't know what to do with myself. It's ever so slightly tragic.
Saturday, aside from the rédaction, for which I used the full 3 hours to write 506 words, was fairly entertaining. Hannah came up trumps by providing a corkscrew thus allowing me into the bottle of red wine that Victoria's parents had left. A group of us ended up joining Naiky in going to somebody's birthday party. Nicole stayed for a bit but left before the rest of us, so it was mostly me and some of the guy's discussing the art of draguer amongst other things. Oh it was fun. On the way back Mark plus friend were stood outside so I greeted them and stopped to chat. Chat mostly consisting of confusing the name Ishmael with smile and explaining to Mark that we call him rapist, what that means in French and why we call him that. It's not as harsh as it sounds I promise. On returning to my corridor I was beckoned to join Gaston and Florian who demanded to know why, if he's nicknamed rapist, I still talk to him. Ha.
On Sunday, Nicole and I decided to go shopping. I wanted to do something nice for the guys here because they've been so awesome but I didn't know what. In the end we put together little giftbags consisting of sweets and christmassy goodies. We attached ribbon and added their names as well as nicknames. I also bought christmas cards, just so I could add a personal message. We then set about distributing them and knocking on doors. Generally the responses were "awww that's so nice. Thanks!". Julian came out with "Why are you doing this? Nobody else is" Mate, we're being nice just be grateful! Bless him.

L-R: Me, P.E and Andrejean.

That evening was quite sad because I learnt that Andrejean and Pierre-Eduard were both leaving in the morning. So I hugged them plenty and helped them randomly with packing (and in Andrejean's case, drying of clothes). Victoria allowed me to see part of my Christmas present for the occasion. She's gotten everyone to write me a message in a little book. I was allowed to see theirs before they left. I had to try really hard not to cry. I was definitely teary-eyed. This was also the evening the girls put a bow on my head and presented me to the boys as a present. I'm sure I looked dashing. We also hung mistletoe in the kitchen but by last night that had been chopped off. No festive spirit!

The errr table

People are now leaving one by one. However, there were enough around last night to spark a random game of poker in the corridor. This may not have been so spontaneous for the boys but my involvement was. I can honestly say that they are some of the worst poker players I've ever seen and I don't claim to be a pro myself.
Most of the others also went to Siboire but returned on the last bus just after 12, which surprised me a little. Cup of tea in hand, I was roped into playing a game designed by the guys which involved answering all sorts of personal questions about yourself, from 'when was the last time you wet yourself?' to 'where do you see_____ in 10 years?' Entertainment a-plenty. I learnt that upon first impressions here I seemed uptight and very, very English. Nice.
I slept in late today and as a result was determined to get myself out of the residences. I went shopping and bought juice, butter and a flag for Victoria. It was our "Christmas" this evening. That is, we ate together and swapped presents. Following which we watched a Christmas film. Ahhh Christmas. I have only skim-read my little book so far and it is currently in Mark's possession so he can write something. I think I shall save it for the plane which may or may not be a good plan, depending on whether or not I end up bawling my eyes out.
I also discovered a boy from downstairs will be on the same flight as me to Paris. I don't know his name but he'll be on my flight! I'm hoping all of this ridiculous mess at European airports will be sorted when Friday swings by. If I have to spend any longer at Charles de Gaulle I will scream. Of course, that is not going to happen though. I shall get home without a hitch :D