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Hey!

A little life update from me — I just had my first and best Christmas vacation ever!

After a long month of intense work (and a bonus sick week), I finally got the long-awaited break I had been dreaming of. Let’s set aside the fact that my animation for that module is still a big WIP 🤣 and focus on what truly mattered: this beautiful vacation.

My best friend’s family invited me to spend Christmas with them, and honestly, I was so excited to meet everyone. We took the train together to her city, and the moment we reached her home, I was already in awe. The house was incredibly aesthetic — cozy, warm, and overflowing with Christmas vibes. A huge Christmas tree filled with adorable ornaments, thoughtful decorations everywhere… it felt straight out of a movie. And speaking of "Purrfection" — they have two cats. Absolute bundles of cuteness and silliness✨

From the very first day, her family welcomed me with so much warmth and kindness. They were gentle, caring, and made me feel so comfortable that within a day, I genuinely felt at home. That feeling touched my heart deeply.The days leading up to Christmas were filled with small joys — buying and wrapping gifts, going shopping (mostly window shopping), and playing our favorite game: "guess the price of random items". The city itself was beautiful, and since they live in a countryside area, every sunset was magical. Watching orange light spill over endless green fields was unbelievably peaceful.

I also met her other friend, and we had a hilarious karaoke night with her and her sister. They have this microphone that changes voices — high-pitched, low-pitched, chipmunk-style — and hearing us sing through it had her mom and her laughing uncontrollably. Some nights were slow and cozy: movies playing, me dozing off on the sofa, half-waking up to words like “internship” “LinkedIn” “networking” floating around. Apparently, my friend was discussing work with her mom during Christmas vacation while I was living my best chill life 🤣.To amplify the Christmas spirit, I binge-watched the "Home Alone" franchise — twice. I’m fairly certain I annoyed her and her siblings, but those movies scream Christmas, and I stand by that.

On Christmas Eve, we had a big dinner with her immediate and extended family. Everyone was incredibly kind and genuinely curious to get to know me. What truly melted my heart was that they even bought me Christmas gifts. I never expected her grandmothers — people who had never met or even heard of me before — to think of me. I was this close to crying happy tears.The dinner itself was slow and beautiful. We started with an apéro — drinks, starters, and snacks to ease into the evening. Then came the main course, followed by cheese, desserts especially the "Buche de Noel" and drinks. Afterward, we exchanged gifts, laughed, and captured those moments with the sweetest photos.

On Christmas morning, we stayed in our pajamas. Her mom’s friends and their family came over, and we had a lovely brunch. The rest of the day was spent playing Cluedo, watching movies, chatting, and simply relaxing together.The next day, we went to her aunt’s house for another Christmas celebration. Once again, I was overwhelmed by how thoughtful everyone was. They respected my dietary restrictions (I don’t eat pork or beef, only chicken) and made sure I had food made especially for me. That level of care meant so much.

Honestly, this was the best Christmas I have ever had.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to give their entire family the biggest thank you and the warmest hug🤗
Studying in France means I only visit India once a year. I miss many celebrations back home, and with them, moments of togetherness with my family and cousins. That absence stings sometimes. But I came here for my dreams, my future, and my life.This Christmas, through their kindness, I felt that sense of home again.

They did everything to make me feel comfortable — cooking extra chicken dishes just for me, switching to English so I could follow conversations, teaching me bits of French, watching movies I liked, including me in every discussion, translating things so I never felt left out. It was pure kindness. Just thinking about it still makes me emotional 🥹❤️

Things I Learned About French Homes & Celebrations

• Gifts are intentional

They are not about buying something you like, but about understanding what the other person truly enjoys or needs.

• Celebrations have no rigid timelines

They begin when everyone feels comfortable and end only when everyone is happily exhausted — even if that means 2 a.m.

• Hospitality is quiet and thoughtful

Care is expressed through small, deliberate actions rather than constant check-ins. You may not be repeatedly asked if you’re okay, but everything is subtly arranged so that you are.

• Personal space is deeply respected

Even within families, boundaries are clearly understood and honored. Time alone, emotional space, and individual preferences are treated as valid needs rather than something that requires explanation.

• Saying “no” is accepted without guilt or justification

A “no” is not interpreted as disrespect, rejection, or lack of gratitude. It just means no.



I’ll always be grateful to them for opening their home — and their hearts — to me. Je vous aime 💕

Love ❤️
Keerthi