Pretend

I lay in my bed last night at eleven, wishing my lungs would just explode and get it over with already. Suddenly I remembered I hadn't posted a blog for the day. Damn. So technically I failed at NaBloPoMo, but I have decided to keep on posting each day this month continuing with my theme as if this never happened.

If I had posted yesterday I would have posted about Christmas music. It's coming on Christmas (they're cuttin' down trees, puttin' up reindeer, sing songs of joy and peace...) in Paris just like the rest of the world*, and the lights are being strung in the streets of cities all over France. Despite the fact that I may have broken into tears at the Starbucks when 'Baby It's Cold Outside' came on**, Christmas time always puts an extra beat in my step and a little smile in my heart.

Lie: Christmas didn't always warm my heart. For a lot of years it was nothing but stress for me, because I spent so much energy trying to find the perfect gifts and have the best decorations and go to perfect parties. Last year, though, finally, I succeeded in having a season that I really enjoyed. I put on an amazing carolling party, I decorated my apartment just the way I liked it and I listened to Christmas records every single day. I celebrated with my friends and then my family and the festivities carried me joyfully into the new year.

I am struggling with this a little bit now - I don't know if I am going home for Christmas and I want it more than a Hippopotomus - but since these posts are about GOOD THINGS I wont't go on about that.

Instead I will continue my search for a production of The Nutcracker in Paris, and showings of White Christmas. Because being in a foriegn country is a silly reason to miss out on my favorite Christmas things.

Now if I could only score some eggnog and snow...

*Er....Excepting the countries that don't celebrate Christmas...
** If this is going to continue happening, maybe it's prudent for me to stay away from Starbucks for the season!