boring Xmas party in the world was what I experienced yesterday. Instead of going to a pub and getting drunk my new lab celebrated Xmas by staying in the lab and standing around eating food that was made by different people of the lab. We did have heaps of food especially cakes and cheese and that was really nice but the whole atmosphere was rather boring and except for a glass of champagne and a glass of wine no one got drunk and made a fool out of themselves. So after 1.5 hr of eating we cleaned up and went back to work, yes LAME.
Tours is totally into the Xmas spirit (me, not so much although I do like the lights and the crappy carols) and even has a Xmas market, although market is giving it a little too much credit. There are about 10 stalls all selling very overpriced crap and then there is the Vin Chaud stall. Warm red wine with spices, it is the best and it is where Elsa and I spent most of our time. A big cup of wine is only 2 euro’s and the smell of it is unbelievable and way to good to resist. Luckily they also sell bottles so I am definitely bringing one or two on the train back to Holland.
I really hate the cold with a passion and to top it off; tomorrow there will be snow! I had totally forgotten how much I hate European winters and am wishing I was back in Sydney enjoying the beach instead. Since the disappointing outcome of the Fellowship and the trouble in replicating my initial success in my experiments here I am definitely looking into going back to, what I now realise is home for me, Sydney. For now though I am still waiting on the definite email which is supposed to come some time in December and I have to admit that deep down I am still hoping for a miracle.. 1700 people pulled out, there is suddenly 10 times the amount of money in the budget; they make a mistake and give me the fellowship anyway.. you know any one of these very likely scenarios.
Looking very much forward to going home for a few days and spending time with family and friends. J my best friend who got pregnant when I just got back from Sydney and therefore ‘ruined’ all the party plans we had, just had her son. It was a bit of a surprise since he was not due until Jan but luckily for me I get to see Luke when I get back since I was a bit worried that she would go into labour after I returned to Tours.
And now I am going to get ready for the snow by wearing even more layers and checking that my shoes are waterproof.