Christmas time in Paris

Mmm...Happy December. I've had a pretty good past few days here in Paris, despite the rainy and cold weather. Somehow, I've managed to not get too wet when walking outside. My "parapluie" (umbrella) is taking quite a beating, though, and I am beginning to wonder how many umbrellas Paris kills in a year. Anyway, after class Friday, my friend Kathryn and I decided to get together to try and work out a french presentation that we have on Tuesday. I went to her house and met her host "lady" Armelle (i think that's how it's spelled) and we did some work. Then Armelle was very adamant that we be out of the house at 7:30, so we left and went to the Monoprix to pick up some things because we were going to cook dinner at my house. We also bought some really good pastries and cider. We made pasta with sauce and mozzarella cheese and carrots with onions and garlic. It was really good. Then, because we didn't want to be losers and go to bed early on a friday night we headed to the Champs Elysees to check out the christmas decorations. It was all really beautiful. Then we hopped into the FNAC (a book/music/movie/video game store..like a huge barnes and noble) to check it out and ended up splitting the cost of a french CD, because to leave paris without at least one french artist would be a shame. I have actually become addicted to the cd and am happy with our decision. I also took a picture with Johnny Depp. Haha. Kidding. It was a life-size figure of him in Pirates of the Caribbean. I also wanted to get a picture with Shrek, but the security guard looked intimidating. After that, we went home. The next day got started early because we wanted to go to some christmas markets to do some christmas shopping. The first half of it went alright, and I bought some presents and got some ideas for other people's presents. We also bought roasted chestnuts, which neither of us had ever had, and if the vender (a jovial french man) hadn't have been singing, I don't think we would've bought them. They were really good and I recommend that we roast them for christmas this year! I think you all are going to really like the things that I have bought/am going to buy for you for christmas. If you have any idea (within reason..) of what you'd like, let me know! I am going for presents that are hard to find in the US and that are unique. Today, I am studying with my friend at her house because she made latkas and eggnog. That's all for now! Miss you all!