1. I woke up today and ate breakfast. This is important because I've been having a hard time doing it recently. However, it's not a total WIN! because I got out of bed an hour after my alarm and breakfast in France is mostly chocolate. I really should add in some OJ.
2. I went to centre ville to do laundry, buy some cards, do some massive (and expensive!!!) photocopying, buy a very expensive umbrella that I'm debating whether I will and even if I am allowed to return, and some post office busy-ness.
3. I asked the laundry lady here at the high school how often I'm allowed to trade in my dirty sheets for clean sheets. Normalement, once a month but for me, every two weeks. Aww, thanks! I'm not going to do that though...I really don't like people going out of their way for me. I also asked if there was anything available at the high school linen office that would make my bed less Flinestone-y. No. Hmmm. Ikea?
4. I. Did. A TON OF WORK. Today. Yay!!! My evaluations and review packets are done. The next four class days are done. The last two class days of the marking period will be (shhh) Christmas and winter in New York and the US.
5. I cleaned some of the kitchen. This is also a symptom of Stage 2 of culture shock. You develop a heightened sense of cleanliness and are easily annoyed. Add this to my fairly inflexible attitude and the fact that I'm really fatigued of sharing my living space with others. But it's not my roommates' fault. They're fine. I'm just going slightly crazy.
Yes. France is so silly that it's making me silly. Cannot WAIT for this weekend - I have a bottle of Cotes de Rhone and a TV program waiting for me on Friday night. I am amazing.
Also, I love my boyfriend. I'm proud to be his girlfriend. Who else can make me smile that much with just his voice. I miss him and can't wait to see him. He doesn't read this blog often, but he knows. :) Silly Andy.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I like lists. They're easier to read.
1. I woke up at a decent time today and ate breakfast.
2. I did a lot of really good work before my classes.
3. The photocopier at School Three was en panne; basically there was a paper jam that they couldn't figure out. The teachers there don't really know how to deal with my presence and I can't figure out how to approach them, so I couldn't tell them that un-jamming photocopiers was basically my summer job. So I couldn't use that photocopier. Not bad, just possibly...embettant. I don't know what the translation would be.
4. My classes ROCKED. School Three's fourth graders did awesome on their letters. F* didn't participate as usual, and when the class ended, he handed me a piece of paper with "SALU" (it's supposed to be salut) saying "Can you send this?" No, F*, you chose not to pay attention or participate. I gave you lines to copy and you didn't do that either. No. E* was really spacey today and I took away a point, which I gave back when he decided to focus on the work. It worked!! I'm starting to like these kids despite them.
5. Lunch at the cantine was nice. I sat with Blandine and Karine, the English teachers, and Marie, the substitute English teacher. Blandine invited me and Rocio to her house and to Christmas Eve Mass with her family!!! How sweet!! Now I have to find something to bring for them. Eek! Some brainstorming also created a little Réunion-Mexico-US soirée at our apartment next week for the high school language teachers and ourselves. Someone help me think of something uniquely American to make that does not require an oven. Oooh I have orange Jello?
6. School Two's three classes did awesome. I was so proud of them. I love when they work well, when they pay attention, and when they're not little devils.
7. I. Did. So. Much. Work. Tonight. Dinner was nice with all of the roomies and Marie.
8. It's trying desperately to snow here but it's just not sticking. I miss snow!
2. I did a lot of really good work before my classes.
3. The photocopier at School Three was en panne; basically there was a paper jam that they couldn't figure out. The teachers there don't really know how to deal with my presence and I can't figure out how to approach them, so I couldn't tell them that un-jamming photocopiers was basically my summer job. So I couldn't use that photocopier. Not bad, just possibly...embettant. I don't know what the translation would be.
4. My classes ROCKED. School Three's fourth graders did awesome on their letters. F* didn't participate as usual, and when the class ended, he handed me a piece of paper with "SALU" (it's supposed to be salut) saying "Can you send this?" No, F*, you chose not to pay attention or participate. I gave you lines to copy and you didn't do that either. No. E* was really spacey today and I took away a point, which I gave back when he decided to focus on the work. It worked!! I'm starting to like these kids despite them.
5. Lunch at the cantine was nice. I sat with Blandine and Karine, the English teachers, and Marie, the substitute English teacher. Blandine invited me and Rocio to her house and to Christmas Eve Mass with her family!!! How sweet!! Now I have to find something to bring for them. Eek! Some brainstorming also created a little Réunion-Mexico-US soirée at our apartment next week for the high school language teachers and ourselves. Someone help me think of something uniquely American to make that does not require an oven. Oooh I have orange Jello?
6. School Two's three classes did awesome. I was so proud of them. I love when they work well, when they pay attention, and when they're not little devils.
7. I. Did. So. Much. Work. Tonight. Dinner was nice with all of the roomies and Marie.
8. It's trying desperately to snow here but it's just not sticking. I miss snow!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Oy.
So today was...hey let's do the point system!
+2: I woke up at a good time and ate breakfast.
-1: I got out of bed an hour after my alarm.
+2: I got a lot of good work done this morning.
+1: I finally wrote thank you emails.
+1: Dad was able to email my unofficial transcripts to UMinn because I don't know why, but Yahoo(!) mail was getting lost in the transfer.
+1: I bought ~65€ worth of train tickets for Christmas vacation.
+1: They were serving chicken!!! for lunch today at the cantine (high school cafeteria). Finally a meat I recognize and enjoy! (I'm really tired of pork.)
-5: School One's fourth graders suck it. They do not listen and they waste time. I totally blew up at them, after which I promptly broke into tears in the bathroom.
+5: I got a package from Mom and Dad!! Full of Christmas presents wrapped in Christmas paper!! With a cute little note attached!! That totally made my day. I could have been deported today and I would have still smiled.
+1: Monsieur Modeste, the directeur (principal) of School One totally has my back about the fourth graders.
+1: Catherine, the teacher of said fourth graders, is equally sympathetic about the situation but she can't do much except warn them sternly beforehand and scream at them afterward (which she did) because she's up in maternelle (preschool) during their English lesson.
+1: School One's third graders LOVED Maggie's students' letters. They were so impressed that they were able to understand parts of them! Awww...just...raise your hand if you have a question?
+1: School Two's crazy fourth graders did well despite talking way too much. I'm starting to like them despite them. M* is still a brat, B* is still clueless, C* is still a crybaby, A* and S* are still my favorites, and F* and M* need to give it a rest until high school.
+1: I'm still in France.
Today's total is: +12! Ok good. If it was negative, I'd have to leave or something.
+2: I woke up at a good time and ate breakfast.
-1: I got out of bed an hour after my alarm.
+2: I got a lot of good work done this morning.
+1: I finally wrote thank you emails.
+1: Dad was able to email my unofficial transcripts to UMinn because I don't know why, but Yahoo(!) mail was getting lost in the transfer.
+1: I bought ~65€ worth of train tickets for Christmas vacation.
+1: They were serving chicken!!! for lunch today at the cantine (high school cafeteria). Finally a meat I recognize and enjoy! (I'm really tired of pork.)
-5: School One's fourth graders suck it. They do not listen and they waste time. I totally blew up at them, after which I promptly broke into tears in the bathroom.
+5: I got a package from Mom and Dad!! Full of Christmas presents wrapped in Christmas paper!! With a cute little note attached!! That totally made my day. I could have been deported today and I would have still smiled.
+1: Monsieur Modeste, the directeur (principal) of School One totally has my back about the fourth graders.
+1: Catherine, the teacher of said fourth graders, is equally sympathetic about the situation but she can't do much except warn them sternly beforehand and scream at them afterward (which she did) because she's up in maternelle (preschool) during their English lesson.
+1: School One's third graders LOVED Maggie's students' letters. They were so impressed that they were able to understand parts of them! Awww...just...raise your hand if you have a question?
+1: School Two's crazy fourth graders did well despite talking way too much. I'm starting to like them despite them. M* is still a brat, B* is still clueless, C* is still a crybaby, A* and S* are still my favorites, and F* and M* need to give it a rest until high school.
+1: I'm still in France.
Today's total is: +12! Ok good. If it was negative, I'd have to leave or something.
Musings about France.
This is so typical of culture shock.
Things that would never work in France:
1. Atkins Diet,low-/no-carb diets
2. Non-smoking restaurants and bars (it's supposed to be law as of January 2008; yeeeah right)
3. credit cards (what, no prélevement automatique?)
4. universally privatized higher education
5. "Work more to earn more". Sorry Sarko.
6. SUVs. (Mom, your Suburban would just not work although I have seen some Hyundais and even a Jeep.)
7. taking responsibility for your own actions, independence, modesty, humility
I am very tired of disgustingly vulgar French youth with no respect for my (very American) personal space, of being able to smell people even if it's a good smell, of public transport, and of living with people.
Oh my goodness I'm here until the first week of July??
Vacation...
Things that would never work in France:
1. Atkins Diet,low-/no-carb diets
2. Non-smoking restaurants and bars (it's supposed to be law as of January 2008; yeeeah right)
3. credit cards (what, no prélevement automatique?)
4. universally privatized higher education
5. "Work more to earn more". Sorry Sarko.
6. SUVs. (Mom, your Suburban would just not work although I have seen some Hyundais and even a Jeep.)
7. taking responsibility for your own actions, independence, modesty, humility
I am very tired of disgustingly vulgar French youth with no respect for my (very American) personal space, of being able to smell people even if it's a good smell, of public transport, and of living with people.
Oh my goodness I'm here until the first week of July??
Vacation...
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Day 75. Is anyone counting the other way?
Things that have happened recently:
1. I have two weeks of school left before vacation.
2. Vacation plans are being finalized. A train strike starting December 13 may or may not affect these plans, and as such no train tickets have been purchased. *#&%#)%!! railroad workers.
3. School on Friday went all right. Luckily it ended.
4. Françoise, the high school accounting office lady who I stayed with for my first two days in Ussel and who has helped me through a number of things, is very sympathetic to my France Orange internet troubles. After discussing my difficulties, she will call Tech Support and see what's up. Although it's working fine today. There was, however, about a six hour gap on Thursday where it wasn't.
5. I went grocery shopping.
6. I cleaned the apartment. I burned candles which I am convinced also burn evil nasty smells of apartments where people don't clean. Where is this dust coming from? So confusing.
7. I bought some Christmas presents.
8. I should start some more graduate applications.
9. I should write some emails.
10. I should write some Christmas cards.
11. I should do some schoolwork.
12. I am going to...a tiny village outside of Brive tomorrow with Courtney, Sashi, and Madame Renson. There is a Christmas market.
13. I need new slippers. The ones I bought here are already disgusting. Ew.
14. How pathetic is it that I'm bored? I'm in friggin EUROPE and I'm bored out of my skull.
Life in small-town France is realllly quiet.
1. I have two weeks of school left before vacation.
2. Vacation plans are being finalized. A train strike starting December 13 may or may not affect these plans, and as such no train tickets have been purchased. *#&%#)%!! railroad workers.
3. School on Friday went all right. Luckily it ended.
4. Françoise, the high school accounting office lady who I stayed with for my first two days in Ussel and who has helped me through a number of things, is very sympathetic to my France Orange internet troubles. After discussing my difficulties, she will call Tech Support and see what's up. Although it's working fine today. There was, however, about a six hour gap on Thursday where it wasn't.
5. I went grocery shopping.
6. I cleaned the apartment. I burned candles which I am convinced also burn evil nasty smells of apartments where people don't clean. Where is this dust coming from? So confusing.
7. I bought some Christmas presents.
8. I should start some more graduate applications.
9. I should write some emails.
10. I should write some Christmas cards.
11. I should do some schoolwork.
12. I am going to...a tiny village outside of Brive tomorrow with Courtney, Sashi, and Madame Renson. There is a Christmas market.
13. I need new slippers. The ones I bought here are already disgusting. Ew.
14. How pathetic is it that I'm bored? I'm in friggin EUROPE and I'm bored out of my skull.
Life in small-town France is realllly quiet.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Whiney homesick lonely post about Day 74 in silly France.
Sometimes I really question the wiseness of hiring foreigners to teach mandatory parts of the curriculum. I was hired, supposedly, because I'm a native [American!] English speaker, I have a background in education, and I speak French. But as is so painfully obvious among the Americans hired, a background in education and ability to speak French aren't necessarily requirements. But while I speak French, I don't necessarily understand French culture. The French education system is much more complex than what I remember reading in my French civilization textbook. I spend way too much time speaking French in my classes. When I speak English, they don't listen or they laugh at me. Both of those things make me feel awful. I'm coming to terms with my limited French. Just because I've studied it for ten years and spent five months in France doesn't make me fluent or even remotely proficient. I can do what I need and that's about it. I screw up in French all the time. And my students call me on it. It's very disheartening. I know I shouldn't take what they say to heart, that it's not about me; but this trip was supposed to be about me, right? Why have a newbie teacher speak bad French to students to teach them English? I'm just really frustrated today...my lessons didn't go well and I still can't sleep or wake up in the morning. I set two alarms today in hopes that the idea of a "snooze button" may bring me back to my old routines at home. I just don't feel like I'm culturally or linguistically qualified for this job. I don't use the textbooks because they're so confusing. They're written for people who can't speak a word of English to teach English to elementary school students: basic vocabulary, lots of audio supports, lots of pointing and circular vocabulary. But I have to use them because that's what is expected of the students.
Ugh I'm going to stop whining. I'm just not feeling good today. Add to this the number of people who have asked me if I'm going home for Christmas. No. Thanks for asking.
Ugh I'm going to stop whining. I'm just not feeling good today. Add to this the number of people who have asked me if I'm going home for Christmas. No. Thanks for asking.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Exciting news from the silly world of France.
Sometimes I forget that I'm on a different continent. There's a lot of physical and mental separation between Europe and North America. Sometimes I wonder how much of it I actually comprehend and realize, and how much of it I just let slide.
I have come to the conclusion that I love love love the SNCF (when they aren't on strike for having to retire when everyone else does). I love my Carte 12-25 that gets me usually 50% off any ticket. I love how efficient it is. I do not like, however, that I live in a teeny tiny town that is only served by three regional train lines, but whatever. At least I can get out if need be. Which I did! Today! I went to Tulle! To pick up my...*dun dun dun* CARTE DE SEJOUR! (And temporary work authorization card but not as cool as the infamous CdS.) This is my official residency card that makes me legal of for the length of my stay here in France. Not that I wasn't before, but my visa and receipt of filling out my carte de séjour were just temporary until this magic pretty laminated card came. It expires the same date that my contract does, June 30, 2008. I will be coming home ASAP after that date. I no longer have a contract past then so I can't be paid so I'm not working. Oh heck no. But the reason this paragraph started with my conclusion regarding the French state-subsidized nationwide public transportation system is because I took a bus to and from Tulle. I enjoy buses more than trains. You see more towns, you see more countryside, you can buy your ticket right from the driver, the driver is really friendly, and it's generally more pleasant. Also French bus drivers are crazy.
I did massive loads of work when I got home at lunch, and hopefully tomorrow's lessons won't suck terribly. I just hope I have enough for the entire class periods!
I would still like to know if and when I'm ever receiving my social security card. But no bother.
I have come to the conclusion that I love love love the SNCF (when they aren't on strike for having to retire when everyone else does). I love my Carte 12-25 that gets me usually 50% off any ticket. I love how efficient it is. I do not like, however, that I live in a teeny tiny town that is only served by three regional train lines, but whatever. At least I can get out if need be. Which I did! Today! I went to Tulle! To pick up my...*dun dun dun* CARTE DE SEJOUR! (And temporary work authorization card but not as cool as the infamous CdS.) This is my official residency card that makes me legal of for the length of my stay here in France. Not that I wasn't before, but my visa and receipt of filling out my carte de séjour were just temporary until this magic pretty laminated card came. It expires the same date that my contract does, June 30, 2008. I will be coming home ASAP after that date. I no longer have a contract past then so I can't be paid so I'm not working. Oh heck no. But the reason this paragraph started with my conclusion regarding the French state-subsidized nationwide public transportation system is because I took a bus to and from Tulle. I enjoy buses more than trains. You see more towns, you see more countryside, you can buy your ticket right from the driver, the driver is really friendly, and it's generally more pleasant. Also French bus drivers are crazy.
I did massive loads of work when I got home at lunch, and hopefully tomorrow's lessons won't suck terribly. I just hope I have enough for the entire class periods!
I would still like to know if and when I'm ever receiving my social security card. But no bother.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Wowww.
So making noise in class, not listening, getting my attention by snapping your fingers and saying "Eh, eh, Rose!", talking during directions, and basically being idiots is translating nicely into notebook grades for the most ridiculous fourth grade class at School Two. They don't pay attention, and when we do notebook work, they obviously weren't paying attention. This marking period evaluation is going to be rough for them, and I don't feel bad. I'm glad I have these notebooks done now so I can speak to Marie-Pierre about them. My goodness they're just awful.
A question for France
Why is there no authentic Italian cheese available? You share a border with Italy, yet you cover your pizzas with Emmental (which tastes like Swiss), and your pasta and sauce get no cheese (unless it's Emmental again). It's disappointing, what with me being from an Italian background. I know you're very proud of your 300+ varieties of cheese. I've tried quite a few and I agree, they're very good. However, perhaps your cheese pride has left you a bit arrogant. You're so close to Italy and with the CEE, wouldn't importing real Italian cheeses be lucrative? Try it. Try some mozzarella on the pizza. Try some parmigiano on the spaghetti. It's good, really. The Italians have been doing it for years.
Oh and while you're at it, put some damn basil and oregano in your pasta sauces.
Oh and while you're at it, put some damn basil and oregano in your pasta sauces.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Mondays are NOT fun.
Ugh. So I think I may have a hypothesis as to why I can't fall asleep at night and why I have a hard time waking up in the morning. My government-issued high school living quarters mattress is way too hard. Normally I like a firmer mattress, but this one is just painful. I realized this last night. Hm. I could buy one at the Wal-Mart for about 100€. Or I could investigate other ways to be more comfortable at night, like finding some rocks.
(I am super duper stoked that I finally found how to make the euro symbol.)
Today was ok, other than still not being able to wake up and get crap done at a decent hour. I only had two of my three scheduled classes because my School One third graders were on a field trip to the cinema or theater or something like that. They didn't really know. But School One's and School Two's fourth graders did awful in their notebook check. The object of this lesson was to check to make sure they had the right pages in their notebooks and that the pages were filled out completely. I collected them all (baaad idea - those suckers are heavy!) and am correcting them. But both of these classes just WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Oh my goodness. But I enjoy correcting their notebooks. Hopefully they will study and do well on the evaluations.
Today I confirmed hotel reservations for the Christmas vacations. I will be spending New Year's Eve in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France and the third-largest city, with a fellow assistant named Shannon. She's stationed in way northern France teaching high school students, and we've been talking online through Facebook and the assistants' forum. She's excited and seems to be of a similar mind when it comes to traveling. So I'm excited :) Yay for new friends!
Despite not doing anything remotely productive this morning besides finding unblocked season seven of Scrubs on YouTube (which has been promptly shut down as of this evening), I managed to get quite a bit done tonight. I'm dong working though because I'm tired, it's late, and I have people to chat with.
The best way to beat homesickness is to keep busy. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Peace out :)
(I am super duper stoked that I finally found how to make the euro symbol.)
Today was ok, other than still not being able to wake up and get crap done at a decent hour. I only had two of my three scheduled classes because my School One third graders were on a field trip to the cinema or theater or something like that. They didn't really know. But School One's and School Two's fourth graders did awful in their notebook check. The object of this lesson was to check to make sure they had the right pages in their notebooks and that the pages were filled out completely. I collected them all (baaad idea - those suckers are heavy!) and am correcting them. But both of these classes just WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Oh my goodness. But I enjoy correcting their notebooks. Hopefully they will study and do well on the evaluations.
Today I confirmed hotel reservations for the Christmas vacations. I will be spending New Year's Eve in Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France and the third-largest city, with a fellow assistant named Shannon. She's stationed in way northern France teaching high school students, and we've been talking online through Facebook and the assistants' forum. She's excited and seems to be of a similar mind when it comes to traveling. So I'm excited :) Yay for new friends!
Despite not doing anything remotely productive this morning besides finding unblocked season seven of Scrubs on YouTube (which has been promptly shut down as of this evening), I managed to get quite a bit done tonight. I'm dong working though because I'm tired, it's late, and I have people to chat with.
The best way to beat homesickness is to keep busy. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Peace out :)
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