the time has come, the walrus said

It's that time of year again... care package time!

Ever since my Freshman year of college (a whole six years ago. Oh god, how did I get to be so old?), my mother has always taken the time to send along a holiday package, generally one for each holiday excluding St. Patrick's Day (I guess she didn't want to encourage underage drinking?). I assumed the packages would stop once I graduated, but as I found out, the way to ensure that they don't is to move abroad!

Last year, the packages were like little pieces of home considering I would get American candy and things in English (I think it was the English I appreciated the most). Not to mention, China celebrates none of the same holidays as America. At least France is a little more up to date in the Christmas department. Halloween, not so much, though.

Yesterday I got home, though, to a note from the post office (with a very illegible address written on it) saying they had a package waiting for me. I couldn't go get it because it was too late by the time I even got the note. However, the knowledge that it was there was probably what kept me from digitally slapping this annoying person online. It's been a very annoying couple of days, none of which has to do with France or teaching.

Yesterday was my first official day teaching, and it went okay for the most part. I had prepared a few things but nothing extensive. I attempted to explain Halloween (in French because their English level is certainly not that high). I didn't go to work on Tuesday due to the many greves taking place, and I was supposed to make it up today, but my referente said not to bother since the teacher's couldn't fit me into the schedule. Oh well. Looks like the vacance is starting already and I have nothing to do.

I'll just enjoy my care package and dream of things like Chipotle. Oh god, don't let me do that. I started doing that in China like the 2nd month in and I had to endure 10 months of dreaming about it.

This care package includes a plush pumpkin (I swear I've collected enough of these plushes from the care packages to have my own display for every holiday), orange pop rocks, candy necklace, nerds, orange hot chocolate, a card, and the most adorable owl key chain (press his wing and his eyes become a flashlight and he hoots). He will be my NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) buddy. I've just got to name him now.

I love my mother. She always makes things better.