Les Vacances de Toussaint

Well, after 2 weeks of working, it is clearly time for a 2week vacation. Yay France and their love of time off! It's true, they do enjoy their breaks and really make sure they have time to relax. The only unfortunate thing about having a break this early is that I haven't been paid, so it's hard to go on any big trips. I'll mostly probably be just jetting around the area and doing some day trips in France (like Paris). I went to Dreux for a dinner party with some other assistants this weekend, and it was really nice to see another little town and experience another part of France.

My second week of teaching was pretty good. The kids are still really cute, and seem to enjoy English class. They always volunteer and usually listen to me, at least most of them. Hopefully, that trend'll continue after break!

Bonnes vacances a tout le monde!

Ca y est!

Well, survived my first days of classes still intact. Teaching is exhausting! I have 8 classes, with 3 different levels. The kids are pretty cute, and for the most part, well-behaved. There's only a couple classes where the kids talked and whispered and moved around, but luckily, those are the classes where the teachers are very involved in disciplining the kids.

I have tomorrow off, which means I can lesson plan for the next couple of days. If you have any helpful hints for fun games to learn basic English, pass them on!


Also, this past weekend, the other assistant and I went to Paris! It was fabulous, of course. We spent most of the time in and around Montmartre, which is by far my favorite part of Paris. There's so many good restaurants, bakeries and things to do. It was the Fete des Vendanges, which is a throwback to when Montmartre was a big vineyard and wine-making area. It was a really cool street fair with different booths for the many wine regions of France as well as traditional foods from those regions. There was also a parade and fireworks! It was fun to see the city so alive and full of people.

"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!