Today is my day. No, really!
On most French calendars, you will find names printed in nearly every square. These Saints Days, or ‘name days’, are widely celebrated here, usually commemorated by cards and wine and sometimes cake. They really are a big deal; almost as much as one’s birthday.
It turns out that March 26th is St. Larissa’s Day. All week I’ve been receiving the good wishes of my students, who at the beginning of each class file into the room and individually come up to my desk to wish me a bonne fête! This morning when I woke up, my email inbox had accumulated several e-cards marking the occasion, and several teachers (some of whom I don’t even know!) have come up to me to wish me well.
Such festivity in the middle of an otherwise uneventful week! 
Above photo of the original St. Larissa taken from: antiochian.org
