Only 36 or so hours left here in Avignon! Absolutely crazy to think about. I've been gone for so long, but it's been so short! It's getting to the point now where I am just so ready to be home, to be with my family and friends, that it's almost okay that I'm leaving this beautiful place. Almost.

But I didn't blog on Sunday because nothing happened that was worth reporting. I slept in, did a little homework, organized some things, and started packing. But that was all. Today was more eventful. It was my last day of classes, and it was pretty fun today. Everyone was in a good mood because it was the last day...even if everyone is dreading our final exams tomorrow. They really shouldn't be too bad, it's just that I don't feel much like studying. But that's what's on the agenda for tonight: studying and packing.

Anyhow, phonetics class today was especially fun. At the end of class we got Madame Sliwka to do some tongue twisters in English, since she had made us do a bunch in French. Things like "She sells seashells by the seashore" and "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood." Some she did really well, but some she really struggled with. But she's an actress and a great teacher, and probably only in her late thirties so she was a good sport and played along. And we gave her a round of applause for trying, anyhow. It really is funny to hear the French try to say English words, brand names especially. Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger become "Ahbearcrumbie ay Feesh" and "Tummy Illfigair." It must be similar to how we sound speaking French, if our accent's bad. We got a laugh out of Madame today by telling her how Americans pronounce things like "Merci beaucoup"--in French, it sounds like "mair-si boh-coo," but we told her Americans might say it like "mercy bo-cup." She thought that was pretty funny.

In between classes I was able to get a last bit of souvenir shopping in. I also bumped into some tourists--one Canadian couple near Palais des Papes, and a British couple at Amorino (this incredible Italian gelato place where I tried the almond and hazelnut flavors...so good). But there's a sense of solidarity with other English speakers when you're in a foreign country. I was walking along and I heard the Canadian couple talking about the best picture to take of the palace, so I backed up a few steps and asked if they wanted me to take a picture of them together. I've done this a few times and they always look surprised, like, what is an American doing here? But they always seem grateful to chat a little in their native tongue. It's nice.

Tonight Corine had a friend over for dinner, Mireille, who has visited before with her little dog, Kiki. Corine made lasagna, and it was sooooo goooooood. It had eggplant in it, so it was a little bit more of a mix between lasagna and Greek mouscaca. But it was quite yummy. Tomorrow will be my last dinner here, and that is truly strange to think about. I think I'll be in denial about it for awhile instead.

Miss and love all of you!
Natalie