"Is England in Europe?"

"NON!"...at least according the instincts of the class I observed yesterday. Luckily, the teacher quickly corrected them and they all grew that much smarter. Anyhow, the observations went well, and I even passed by my school today when they were letting out, and the students recognized me and said "hello!" What cute little kids...

In other news, I've had a lot of time to walk around Nogent and see what it has to offer. The weather has been beautiful...at least after 12:00, once the sun comes out and warms up. In the mornings, it's so cold you almost need a winter coat and gloves, and then after lunch, you could wear shorts and a t-shirt and be quite comfortable.

Tomorrow is the big day of training, or "la formation". I will go to Chartres on Thurs. then Orleans of Friday to see what exactly I'm supposed to be doing here.

J'arrive!

Well, here I am. I made it to Nogent le Rotrou without any problems. So far, it’s been pretty great. It’s a really small town of about 5,000 people and rather spread out, at least compared to Montpellier. My contact person has been really helpful in picking me up at the train station, showing me around the town, and letting me use her mother-in-law’s bike to get around! I’ve already found a place to go running-not that I’ve actually been running yet- but it’s a nice path around a lake, le basin de loisirs. I have to bike to it, but it is really nice. I went there today and there were tons of people fishing and camping by the lake. I didn’t even know French people did that kind of stuff!

I’m currently living at a foyer des jeunes travailleurs, which is exactly like a dorm but for French workers who move to Nogent. I have my own room, but there’s a hall bathroom. They provide meals during the week, and then on weekends I can cook. The foyer is run by a super nice and welcoming couple who really try to make it like a home instead of foyer. They’re also really great about helping with questions about France.

I start observing classes at the elementary school on Monday afternoon, so I will get to meet the students and teachers I will be working with then.

Good-bye, USA.

You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.

-Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth

Today's the day I leave! I'll be flying from RDU to JFK then to Paris, then taking the train to Nogent le Rotrou. I hope everything goes according to plan!

The countdown begins...

Less than a month (19 days!) before I leave for France on the 23rd of September. I'm super pumped about going, especially as I now have housing, provided by my school, and a schedule for the first week of orientation and training. Now I just have to wait for my visa to arrive so that I can legally work and live in France.

I will be teaching English at an elementary school in Nogent le Rotrou, which is about an hour west of Paris (I think). Any suggestions on teaching, fun English songs/games/activities or things to do while in France will be much appreciated. Also, I love to write post cards, so if I have your address you just might get one!