Holiday Happenings

Dear Family and Friends,

It is hard to believe that it is already our third Holiday Season in France. While we have had our challenges and sacrifices, we feel very blessed to have had this time to get to know other cultures, see new places, learn a new language, and make so many friends from all around the world.

Lena and Instructor

A couple of weeks ago, Julie attended a Chinese calligraphy seminar in Manosque that was sponsored by The ITER Welcome Office. The course was taught by a professional calligrapher and attended by many of the Chinese spouses. Julie enjoyed visiting with her Chinese friends and eating some very artistic food. She also enjoyed learning an art form that is not as common in the younger generation.

Julie's friend Lena and her father showed Julie how to write her name in Chinese. The top symbol represents the sound "Ju" while the second symbol makes the sound "lie".

Last Saturday, Julie and her friend Jodi hosted a Christmas Carol Sing at our home. Having learned many lessons from last year's party, such as putting the words in PowerPoint and displaying them on the tv, this year's caroling was quite successful. In fact, Julie and Jodi were even able to start a few rounds to the tunes of "Il est ne" and "Good King Wenceslas".

Christmas Caroling

Oh Tannenbaum...



Evgeny, Ludmila, and Grandpa



Joe got to practice his Russian a little during the evening since our friends Evgeny and Nadia brought her father who is visiting from Russia and didn't speak English. Elyse even got to learn a few Russian words while playing with their daughter Ludmila. Whenever the baby stroller needed to be carried down the stairs, she would say "pomogi" (help me) to which Elyse would respond.

The Kids' Hideaway



All of the adults participated in the singing. However, to limit the chaos (and destruction), the kids watched Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in the bedroom. For the French, German, and English kids, this was the first time they had seen the show.

  

 

Finally, Elyse had her violin recital at the Foundation Carzou in Manosque at which she demonstrated some good progress in fiddling by playing "Cotton-eyed Joe" with a little help from Julie on the piano.

Bonne Semaine,

Joe, Julie, Nicolas, Elyse, and Nathaniel