So the last few weeks have been super crazy.
One H. Sanchez made plans to spend the night at my flat in Montargis before her flight from Paris on the 21st. Her flight was at 9 something... so she makes plans and travels to Montargis. She calls me when she leaves the station and I'm all "okay I'll start dinner!"
Twenty minutes later she called to tell me she had arrived, but when I went outside no one was there. I wandered around the neighborhood in my robe and slippers, only to discover that Heidy had, in fact, been dropped off at the ecole de Gendarmerie on the other side of Montargis. Thankfully the taxi man graciously agreed to go back and pick her up and bring her to me free of charge.
Then of course Heidy informs me that her train is at 530 in the morning. So we wake up at 430 and run to the train. I had stolen little Manuelitos bike so that I could ride back, but mister 5'3 apparently decided that he is 5'8 and raised the seat on me, so I could like barely reach the peddles. At one point I tried to stop and get off the bike and it all just went tumbling to the ground...I still have the giant ass bruise on my thigh. Anyways. I decided to skip class and stayed in bed until hmm 5 pm maybe, HA.
So everything passed uneventfully until I was at the airport and wandering around aimlessly and heard a voice go "Hey Liz, look a bit lost there." It was like, all of Union college at the airport in France, and by all of union college I mean 2 boys that I know and some girl I didn't. but anways.
retelling stories is getting boring. I probably should have updated. In other news I hung out with Jes yesterday. We saw Juno which was really good, but then I was feeling sick so she dropped me at home. I've been feeling very naus lately, I haven't decided yet if its all the nice food I've been eating or the fact that I haven't taken my pills since I've been home. OOPS.
getting my hair cut. doing nothing for new years. ummm.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
fucking bullshit
see, this is why I tried to take control of the whole situation.
Veronique "Mad Cow" Bouchard has made our schedules for the second half of the year, NOT waiting for us to consult as I had asked. So obviously who ended up with the shit end of the stick?
Oh wait, that would be me. I once again have a 930 to 230 break on thursdays, and have ONE class on Mondays from 230-330, you know those weird hours where there are no buses. Ysmay, obviously, has monday and fridays off... strange considering I have always asked to have mondays free. How come she once again gets three days off a week while I get four?
No its no fucking coincidence, its because Mad Cow hates me. UGH this is so annoying. My bags are already packed I just really want to go home like, yesterday
Veronique "Mad Cow" Bouchard has made our schedules for the second half of the year, NOT waiting for us to consult as I had asked. So obviously who ended up with the shit end of the stick?
Oh wait, that would be me. I once again have a 930 to 230 break on thursdays, and have ONE class on Mondays from 230-330, you know those weird hours where there are no buses. Ysmay, obviously, has monday and fridays off... strange considering I have always asked to have mondays free. How come she once again gets three days off a week while I get four?
No its no fucking coincidence, its because Mad Cow hates me. UGH this is so annoying. My bags are already packed I just really want to go home like, yesterday
Sunday, December 16, 2007
I've apparently gone into nesting mode. Too bad I'm not like, pregnant or a hybernating bear or any other thing that would explain WHY. Maybe it's just because its so icky out and my bed is oh so comfy.
No much has happened in the last few days..well really thats a giant lie but nothing too exciting has happened. I mean, its not like I've won the lottery or anything fun like that. Christophe is still trying to mettle in my non existant love life. After class on thursday he was like "Liz we have to have a serious talk." I was just like aaaw shit I"m not going to get to go to Ireland! NOPE. "Liz, I'm serious, Bayram is in love with you." And then I shat myself laughing. AKA not because Christophe does not know the little secret I know, aka Bayram no likie the girls. Then he decided he was going to "prove it" to me and so he ran to the teachers lounge to try to find him. Thankfully the little shit had already gone home, lol. Christophe kept insisting how Bayram is such a nice guy so I replied "Well if you love him so much why don't you go out with him?" Then just kind of walked off, cackling. MWA. HAHA.
But seriously these last few days have been spent mostly in bed, listening to music and reading books and such, and occasionally pulling the covers over my head and going "WHHYYYYYYYYY." Have been to lazy to go to the pool, for all that it is a two minute walk away. Saturday was spent hanging out with Olly and finally finishing my xmas shopping. I was a bit...errr...overzealous, lol. aka all my shopping is done but I'm kinda broke. OOPS. You know what that means, right? It means you need to give me more presents than usual!!!!!!
I have to say though, for all that my housing is rather cheap, france is REALLYFUCKINEXPENSIVE. I bought a new cd that has 11 tracks and a bonus music video on a dvd, and it cost me 23 EURO. thats almost 30 us dollars...and thats a NORMAL PRICE. WTF EUROPE. Apparently this is a "normal" price. No wonder the cool thing here is to have messy "bedhead" hair... they spend all their money on clothes and music that the poor fucks can't afford shampoo. thats my only explanation for it. Which is weird because like, I MAKE money and yet I don't go shopping..though I suppose all the traveling is what has eaten up all my money. Every trip to rennes or redon costs over 100 euro at the end of it all...too bad montargis is so small or I could take up prostitution or something. Am too impatient to tutor, LOL.
Am super excited to GO HOOOOOOOOOME. they have completely rearranged the kitchen/living room and now apparently we have a bathroom door that CLOSES. WHAT NOVEL CONCEPT. Need to organize cousins dinner, see friends, play with maggie, etc.
dammit why isn't it late enough to go to bed yeetttt?????
No much has happened in the last few days..well really thats a giant lie but nothing too exciting has happened. I mean, its not like I've won the lottery or anything fun like that. Christophe is still trying to mettle in my non existant love life. After class on thursday he was like "Liz we have to have a serious talk." I was just like aaaw shit I"m not going to get to go to Ireland! NOPE. "Liz, I'm serious, Bayram is in love with you." And then I shat myself laughing. AKA not because Christophe does not know the little secret I know, aka Bayram no likie the girls. Then he decided he was going to "prove it" to me and so he ran to the teachers lounge to try to find him. Thankfully the little shit had already gone home, lol. Christophe kept insisting how Bayram is such a nice guy so I replied "Well if you love him so much why don't you go out with him?" Then just kind of walked off, cackling. MWA. HAHA.
But seriously these last few days have been spent mostly in bed, listening to music and reading books and such, and occasionally pulling the covers over my head and going "WHHYYYYYYYYY." Have been to lazy to go to the pool, for all that it is a two minute walk away. Saturday was spent hanging out with Olly and finally finishing my xmas shopping. I was a bit...errr...overzealous, lol. aka all my shopping is done but I'm kinda broke. OOPS. You know what that means, right? It means you need to give me more presents than usual!!!!!!
I have to say though, for all that my housing is rather cheap, france is REALLYFUCKINEXPENSIVE. I bought a new cd that has 11 tracks and a bonus music video on a dvd, and it cost me 23 EURO. thats almost 30 us dollars...and thats a NORMAL PRICE. WTF EUROPE. Apparently this is a "normal" price. No wonder the cool thing here is to have messy "bedhead" hair... they spend all their money on clothes and music that the poor fucks can't afford shampoo. thats my only explanation for it. Which is weird because like, I MAKE money and yet I don't go shopping..though I suppose all the traveling is what has eaten up all my money. Every trip to rennes or redon costs over 100 euro at the end of it all...too bad montargis is so small or I could take up prostitution or something. Am too impatient to tutor, LOL.
Am super excited to GO HOOOOOOOOOME. they have completely rearranged the kitchen/living room and now apparently we have a bathroom door that CLOSES. WHAT NOVEL CONCEPT. Need to organize cousins dinner, see friends, play with maggie, etc.
dammit why isn't it late enough to go to bed yeetttt?????
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
mmmmmkay
Am currently listening to one of the greatest songs ever--Vienna by BJ.
Uuuhh yesterday I sat on my ass for hours, then went to the pool and got my assed kicked by 6 years who like, actually know how to swim. Not my fuckin' fault I failed 2nd level swimming twice. I'm afraid to put my face in the water--seeing Jaws too many times is probably to blame. DAMN YOURS STEPHEN SPEILBERGGGGGGGG.
Today was class. lots and lots of class. Nothing super exciting, it was quite a boring day actually, until none of my students could figure out how many states there are in the USA. I was literally on my ass laughing to death. Dumb french shits!! AKA I love them, HA.
I spoke to my little American girl and in true American fashion we made fun of all things french and british, and basically anything that isn't us. ITS THE AMERICAN WAY. I did some food shopping, then came home and almost MURDERED.
Okay heres the deal. I am applying for grad school, so I need to request transcripts. I call campus safety because really what else are they good for except to forward my calls? Two million people later I get a message, so I say fuck it and dial 0 to get a real person, and by real person I mean FUCKING MORON. Dear Union College, how will you ever be an Ivy League if you can't accept transcript requests online or by phone? And do your employees even have to take IQ tests?!?!
Liz: Is there any other way to submit a transcript request except by mail?
Lady: Did you listen to the message?
Liz: Well yes I did but the thing is I am living in France
Lady: Oh. Well that's a problem.
Liz: Yes, yes I guess it is.
Lady: Well you will just have to mail in your request with the payment. We won't process your request until we get paid.
Liz: Yes, but I am living in France, I have no american money.
Lady: Do you have a checking account or something?
Liz: Uh, yes.
Lady: So write a check or something.
Liz: Uh, what did we not understand? I AM IN FRANCE. Why would I have my US checkbook with me? ARE YOU SLOW?!
Lady: Oh.
Liz: Yes.
I mean come on, I told her a million times I had no US money and she was like "oh well you can fax us the request but you will still need to send us money." WTF MATE OMG. So now I have to email mom so she can write stupid Union college a stupid check for $12 just because union won't let me give them my fucking credit card number because they wouldn't know what to do with it if it was stuck up there ass and sealed up with wax. OMG MURDER. Dear Registrars office, you are a WASTE of LIFE.
okay deep breaths.
I shall listen to some lovey billy and calm. calm. calm.
ps wheres my mail, bitches?
Uuuhh yesterday I sat on my ass for hours, then went to the pool and got my assed kicked by 6 years who like, actually know how to swim. Not my fuckin' fault I failed 2nd level swimming twice. I'm afraid to put my face in the water--seeing Jaws too many times is probably to blame. DAMN YOURS STEPHEN SPEILBERGGGGGGGG.
Today was class. lots and lots of class. Nothing super exciting, it was quite a boring day actually, until none of my students could figure out how many states there are in the USA. I was literally on my ass laughing to death. Dumb french shits!! AKA I love them, HA.
I spoke to my little American girl and in true American fashion we made fun of all things french and british, and basically anything that isn't us. ITS THE AMERICAN WAY. I did some food shopping, then came home and almost MURDERED.
Okay heres the deal. I am applying for grad school, so I need to request transcripts. I call campus safety because really what else are they good for except to forward my calls? Two million people later I get a message, so I say fuck it and dial 0 to get a real person, and by real person I mean FUCKING MORON. Dear Union College, how will you ever be an Ivy League if you can't accept transcript requests online or by phone? And do your employees even have to take IQ tests?!?!
Liz: Is there any other way to submit a transcript request except by mail?
Lady: Did you listen to the message?
Liz: Well yes I did but the thing is I am living in France
Lady: Oh. Well that's a problem.
Liz: Yes, yes I guess it is.
Lady: Well you will just have to mail in your request with the payment. We won't process your request until we get paid.
Liz: Yes, but I am living in France, I have no american money.
Lady: Do you have a checking account or something?
Liz: Uh, yes.
Lady: So write a check or something.
Liz: Uh, what did we not understand? I AM IN FRANCE. Why would I have my US checkbook with me? ARE YOU SLOW?!
Lady: Oh.
Liz: Yes.
I mean come on, I told her a million times I had no US money and she was like "oh well you can fax us the request but you will still need to send us money." WTF MATE OMG. So now I have to email mom so she can write stupid Union college a stupid check for $12 just because union won't let me give them my fucking credit card number because they wouldn't know what to do with it if it was stuck up there ass and sealed up with wax. OMG MURDER. Dear Registrars office, you are a WASTE of LIFE.
okay deep breaths.
I shall listen to some lovey billy and calm. calm. calm.
ps wheres my mail, bitches?
Monday, December 10, 2007
well then!
the last week has been super crazy with all sorts of stuff going on.
Wednesday we had another meeting in Orleans to talk about how everything is going and discuss any problems we were having. It was useful, but soooooo boring. So I skipped out on the second half, lol, and went shopping with another assistant named Oly. We just walked around Orleans and then had a cup of coffee. MMMM coffee.
Thursday was all sorts of drama. My champions on the english department told me I really had to talk to the headmaster about the problems I'm having with E.Pernez, so thats what I did. He seemed annoyed, but I think more at EP than at me. I was then instructed by Christophe to avoid EP at all cost, so I spend the last period hiding out in his class, HA. Friday went really well, for all that I hate EP his students are great. He saw me and acted like nothing happened, and when I saw the headmaster later he was all "Oh he said you guys had already decided to do your own thing." I can't wait to tell Christophe that one.
Saturday was Paris!! For a little bit at least, lol. I met up with the dear A Valenti and we tried to shop but it was pouring rain out. So we took the train back to MOntargis where it was super windy and my umbrella broke a billion times. We stopped by a patisserie and bought dessert, then ate baked ziti and drank half a bottle of wine. MM. We watched Degrassi, then went to bed.
In the morning we walked around and went to this super awesome chocolate shop, then back to the flat to eat breakfast. We got to the train station with literally i think a minute to spare. Then I took a long nap and spent the day reading
Today there is a bunch of shit I'm supposed to get done but its so icky out. I will definately go to the pool later, and we're almost out of milk but I feel like I'm the only one who has bought milk in a very long time.
Sorry for no witty-ness. Does anyone know how to turn this stupid automatic spellcheck off?? all this red underlines makes me want to murder someone. REDRUM. REDRUM.
Wednesday we had another meeting in Orleans to talk about how everything is going and discuss any problems we were having. It was useful, but soooooo boring. So I skipped out on the second half, lol, and went shopping with another assistant named Oly. We just walked around Orleans and then had a cup of coffee. MMMM coffee.
Thursday was all sorts of drama. My champions on the english department told me I really had to talk to the headmaster about the problems I'm having with E.Pernez, so thats what I did. He seemed annoyed, but I think more at EP than at me. I was then instructed by Christophe to avoid EP at all cost, so I spend the last period hiding out in his class, HA. Friday went really well, for all that I hate EP his students are great. He saw me and acted like nothing happened, and when I saw the headmaster later he was all "Oh he said you guys had already decided to do your own thing." I can't wait to tell Christophe that one.
Saturday was Paris!! For a little bit at least, lol. I met up with the dear A Valenti and we tried to shop but it was pouring rain out. So we took the train back to MOntargis where it was super windy and my umbrella broke a billion times. We stopped by a patisserie and bought dessert, then ate baked ziti and drank half a bottle of wine. MM. We watched Degrassi, then went to bed.
In the morning we walked around and went to this super awesome chocolate shop, then back to the flat to eat breakfast. We got to the train station with literally i think a minute to spare. Then I took a long nap and spent the day reading
Today there is a bunch of shit I'm supposed to get done but its so icky out. I will definately go to the pool later, and we're almost out of milk but I feel like I'm the only one who has bought milk in a very long time.
Sorry for no witty-ness. Does anyone know how to turn this stupid automatic spellcheck off?? all this red underlines makes me want to murder someone. REDRUM. REDRUM.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
going to the doctor in france is super weird, yo!
First of all, there is no such thing as exclusivity. You need a doctor? Just call anyone up and go. I called some random office nearby yesterday morning and actually got an appointment for yesterday... qt 630 at night! I made it there on time and it was like something out of Silent Hill. There was no receptionist and NO ONE in the waiting room. I had no idea what doctor I was seeing.
The main part of the exam room was actually the doctors office. He asked me a few questions then brought me to his teeny tiny exam room and jammed his thumbs into my eye sockets and asked "Does this hurt?" NO SHIT IT DOES. But in any case two seconds later I was thrust out the door with a prescription for several things including ibuprofen, which in france you cannot get without a doctors note. crazy french fucks.
So I hoofed it to the pharmacie only to find out that they didn't have two of the things I needed, aka OBVIOUSLY one of the two was the antibiotic. Life can't be perfect after all.
So today I ran around like a mofo to the pharmacie (where they did not tell me what to do with the dman pills) then I went off to the prefecture to take care of the paperwork that will, you know, like, allow me back into the country, HA. Then some creepy guy tried to pick me up at the bus stop, and obviously if you're smoking in my face I'm going to say no. GOD I am american after all. Smoking is for loooosersss.
So now I'm here at school early to take care of more paperwork (because I was absent) and get some photocopying and such done.
First of all, there is no such thing as exclusivity. You need a doctor? Just call anyone up and go. I called some random office nearby yesterday morning and actually got an appointment for yesterday... qt 630 at night! I made it there on time and it was like something out of Silent Hill. There was no receptionist and NO ONE in the waiting room. I had no idea what doctor I was seeing.
The main part of the exam room was actually the doctors office. He asked me a few questions then brought me to his teeny tiny exam room and jammed his thumbs into my eye sockets and asked "Does this hurt?" NO SHIT IT DOES. But in any case two seconds later I was thrust out the door with a prescription for several things including ibuprofen, which in france you cannot get without a doctors note. crazy french fucks.
So I hoofed it to the pharmacie only to find out that they didn't have two of the things I needed, aka OBVIOUSLY one of the two was the antibiotic. Life can't be perfect after all.
So today I ran around like a mofo to the pharmacie (where they did not tell me what to do with the dman pills) then I went off to the prefecture to take care of the paperwork that will, you know, like, allow me back into the country, HA. Then some creepy guy tried to pick me up at the bus stop, and obviously if you're smoking in my face I'm going to say no. GOD I am american after all. Smoking is for loooosersss.
So now I'm here at school early to take care of more paperwork (because I was absent) and get some photocopying and such done.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
What was that you said? "What have you been up to, Liz?"
Oh nothing much, nothing much besides DYING. I don't remember the last time I wrote in this thing, since my last few days have been a bit of a blur. I went to school on Thursday not feeling well, so after my first class I hoofed it home. I thought I was just coming down with a really bad head cold, but it seems to be much worse. WebMD has confirmed my fears that it is indeed a sinus infection, and you know what a sinus infection means--DOCTORS.
I had really been trying to avoid going to a doctor. a) because I was in denial (but 5 days of no change really says something to a sick girl) and b) I don't know how to say "sinus infection" in french and c) I don't know how to GO to the doctor in France.
Thankfully Andy answered Michelles cell phone tonight so I got to speak to her about it. Apparently all I have to do is call and they'll see me within 24 hours, then I get reimbursed by my french insurance. Except that I don't know how to FIND a french doctor. Thankfully one of my professors, Claire, used to live around here and so I left a message on her phone asking her what to do.
So as much as I hate doctors I will figure this out and go, seeing as I won't get any better if I don't, and i would like to get back to swimming and swearing without all the pain in my face... and then I'll stop feeling so sorry for myself and eating all the chocolate. Though that doesn't matter because I did finish it already, but a girl can DREAM, CAN'T SHE. ?!?!?!
In other news I would like to give Heidy Sanchez a great big middle finger because I am now hooked on Avatar. At least being sick in bed all day means I can watch TV shows in bed all day!!!!!!
Oh nothing much, nothing much besides DYING. I don't remember the last time I wrote in this thing, since my last few days have been a bit of a blur. I went to school on Thursday not feeling well, so after my first class I hoofed it home. I thought I was just coming down with a really bad head cold, but it seems to be much worse. WebMD has confirmed my fears that it is indeed a sinus infection, and you know what a sinus infection means--DOCTORS.
I had really been trying to avoid going to a doctor. a) because I was in denial (but 5 days of no change really says something to a sick girl) and b) I don't know how to say "sinus infection" in french and c) I don't know how to GO to the doctor in France.
Thankfully Andy answered Michelles cell phone tonight so I got to speak to her about it. Apparently all I have to do is call and they'll see me within 24 hours, then I get reimbursed by my french insurance. Except that I don't know how to FIND a french doctor. Thankfully one of my professors, Claire, used to live around here and so I left a message on her phone asking her what to do.
So as much as I hate doctors I will figure this out and go, seeing as I won't get any better if I don't, and i would like to get back to swimming and swearing without all the pain in my face... and then I'll stop feeling so sorry for myself and eating all the chocolate. Though that doesn't matter because I did finish it already, but a girl can DREAM, CAN'T SHE. ?!?!?!
In other news I would like to give Heidy Sanchez a great big middle finger because I am now hooked on Avatar. At least being sick in bed all day means I can watch TV shows in bed all day!!!!!!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
hello from toulouse
well I made it to thanksgiving dinner!!!! I am very glad I did, because it was so much fun, and I think I would have been more upset than I originally thought if I had missed it. My heart goes out to you, Alex, because her trains were delayed so much she missed her connection and couldn't make it. But hopefully we will see each other Wednesday!!
It was so great to see everyone, and I like how the ex-Union group seemed to enjoy themselves more than the current students. Afterwards we went out for a drink (I didn't want to go out clubbing, and even Kaitlyn offering to flash me did not change my situation. She probably doesn't realize I've seen them already, HA.) I'm not a going out kind of girl. So Heidy and Emily and I came back to Redon and DAMN their flat is nice. Like a million times nicer than mine and THEY DONT PAY.
So I called mom and then got really homesick and upset so I talked to Heidy for a while, then slept for HOURS. Once Heidy's out of the shower we're going to walk around a bit, then work : ( Its kind of crappy out, but what can you do? Its so good to be with friends and people who have known me for a long time and just understand me and my quirks, and with who I really feel I can be my blunt, swearing self.
It was so great to see everyone, and I like how the ex-Union group seemed to enjoy themselves more than the current students. Afterwards we went out for a drink (I didn't want to go out clubbing, and even Kaitlyn offering to flash me did not change my situation. She probably doesn't realize I've seen them already, HA.) I'm not a going out kind of girl. So Heidy and Emily and I came back to Redon and DAMN their flat is nice. Like a million times nicer than mine and THEY DONT PAY.
So I called mom and then got really homesick and upset so I talked to Heidy for a while, then slept for HOURS. Once Heidy's out of the shower we're going to walk around a bit, then work : ( Its kind of crappy out, but what can you do? Its so good to be with friends and people who have known me for a long time and just understand me and my quirks, and with who I really feel I can be my blunt, swearing self.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
happy thanksgiving you assholes. I am very upset because my thanksgiving dinner is being threatened. As you may or may not know there is a huge train strike in france that has been going on for over a week. This means that whereas there are 10 trains a day into Paris, tomorrow when I need them there are only 2--one at 6 am and one at 6 pm. Which is ok, except for the fact that I need to cross paris to get from one train station to the other, and the paris metro is the MOST effected by the strike--only about 20 percent of the trains are running aka there are only 1 or 2 trains an hour.
In other news I am still going to the pool and even though necessity makes it so I hate going in the morning. in the morning we are the only females there under the age of 40 and all the middle aged men with goggles are there. I have a tankini and I've started tucking the top into the bottom because the middle aged men have been heard discussing us more than once. with creepy pedo looks on their faces.
Things for Ireland seem to be working themselves out well enough.
UMM I'm freaking starving but have to wait another half hour to leave. My 330 class doesnt let out in time to let me make the 435 train, so I have to wait for the 540. Then take a 20 minute walk home, so instead I'm waiting for Bayram until 6 so that he can just give me a ride home. Then I will have a mini quiche and a yummy croque monsieur, then mmmm pudding.
I've had a headache all day long, probably because I've been sad and stressed. BUT GOOD NEWS Christophe has agreed to write me a grad school rec and seemed rather pleased that I asked, AND he promised not to say bad things about me in it. WOO
In other news I am still going to the pool and even though necessity makes it so I hate going in the morning. in the morning we are the only females there under the age of 40 and all the middle aged men with goggles are there. I have a tankini and I've started tucking the top into the bottom because the middle aged men have been heard discussing us more than once. with creepy pedo looks on their faces.
Things for Ireland seem to be working themselves out well enough.
UMM I'm freaking starving but have to wait another half hour to leave. My 330 class doesnt let out in time to let me make the 435 train, so I have to wait for the 540. Then take a 20 minute walk home, so instead I'm waiting for Bayram until 6 so that he can just give me a ride home. Then I will have a mini quiche and a yummy croque monsieur, then mmmm pudding.
I've had a headache all day long, probably because I've been sad and stressed. BUT GOOD NEWS Christophe has agreed to write me a grad school rec and seemed rather pleased that I asked, AND he promised not to say bad things about me in it. WOO
Friday, November 16, 2007
I'm really mad because theres some big important soccer game on tv tonight meaning they're NOT SHOWING Star Academy--aka the only thing I do on Friday nights.
Thursday was the same as usual, though I almost peed my pants in one of my classes. Two of my students think they are real funny (though in truth they are) and it just got out of control. The class was in groups of 6 and they had to write a report card for a fake student. Their student was a girl named Gin anTonic. She was a horrible student but was real good looking, so they two boys insisted the teachers should pass her because she was gorgeous and could always become a model. The geography teacher said "but she can't even read a map!" and Ohan (one of the boys) replies "It is okay, she does not need to know where Brazilia is." They'd been going for a while, so I replied "Oh? Please, tell me where Brazilia is." Then burst out laughing. Once Christophe informed Ohan that there was "no such place as Brazilia" the rest of the class burst out laughing, though probably more at the fact that I was pretty much rolling on the floor with tears pouring out of my eyes.
Though it was funny, class was very intimidating! There were 6 students in each group, and I had to take half of them to correct them and grade them! So I had to take notes and then tell them what they did wrong, it was scary!! I know I missed things, and maybe there were a few things that are proper in British English but not in American English or vice versa that I corrected, but Christophe seemed fine with it. My notes are kind of sloppy, so I am going to organize them a bit more this weekend.
Speaking of, our weekend plans got kind of shot but I'm really very fine with it. First we were supposed to go on an expedition to Chartres to see the cathedral and all that, but we would have to be in Chartres at 10 and we couldn't possible make it there before 2. Then Ysmay said, well why don't we just go to Orleans? I was fine with the idea for a while, but next weekend I'm headed to Rennes and the week after that we are going to Paris, and my bank account cannot support a trip to Orleans at the moment. I know if I went I would just be miserable. Besides I have something like 45 hand turkeys to make.
So tomorrow I am just going to relax--take a nice bath, use the hair mask I bought, make tons of hand turkeys, organize my notes, and maybe go for a walk. My skin is getting real gross from all the swimming I've been doing, as is my hair. I am seriously contemplating buying a swim cap if it will help my hair at all.
I leave you with an image--taking my first steps into the mediterranean. obvi I got splashed major about two seconds later. photo taken in nice.
Thursday was the same as usual, though I almost peed my pants in one of my classes. Two of my students think they are real funny (though in truth they are) and it just got out of control. The class was in groups of 6 and they had to write a report card for a fake student. Their student was a girl named Gin anTonic. She was a horrible student but was real good looking, so they two boys insisted the teachers should pass her because she was gorgeous and could always become a model. The geography teacher said "but she can't even read a map!" and Ohan (one of the boys) replies "It is okay, she does not need to know where Brazilia is." They'd been going for a while, so I replied "Oh? Please, tell me where Brazilia is." Then burst out laughing. Once Christophe informed Ohan that there was "no such place as Brazilia" the rest of the class burst out laughing, though probably more at the fact that I was pretty much rolling on the floor with tears pouring out of my eyes.
Though it was funny, class was very intimidating! There were 6 students in each group, and I had to take half of them to correct them and grade them! So I had to take notes and then tell them what they did wrong, it was scary!! I know I missed things, and maybe there were a few things that are proper in British English but not in American English or vice versa that I corrected, but Christophe seemed fine with it. My notes are kind of sloppy, so I am going to organize them a bit more this weekend.
Speaking of, our weekend plans got kind of shot but I'm really very fine with it. First we were supposed to go on an expedition to Chartres to see the cathedral and all that, but we would have to be in Chartres at 10 and we couldn't possible make it there before 2. Then Ysmay said, well why don't we just go to Orleans? I was fine with the idea for a while, but next weekend I'm headed to Rennes and the week after that we are going to Paris, and my bank account cannot support a trip to Orleans at the moment. I know if I went I would just be miserable. Besides I have something like 45 hand turkeys to make.
So tomorrow I am just going to relax--take a nice bath, use the hair mask I bought, make tons of hand turkeys, organize my notes, and maybe go for a walk. My skin is getting real gross from all the swimming I've been doing, as is my hair. I am seriously contemplating buying a swim cap if it will help my hair at all.
I leave you with an image--taking my first steps into the mediterranean. obvi I got splashed major about two seconds later. photo taken in nice.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
grrr arrggghh
so the rest of last night passed uneventfully, and by uneventfully I mean that I slept very fitfully and had many dreams about peeing my pants, or rather peeing on my pajama pants, rinsing them out in the sink, and then putting them back on. Thats what I get for being lazy and not getting up to go to the bathroom when I really have to pee.
I got up at the asscrack of dawn (8 am) and headed for the bus stop, you know, same old same old. Chatted with Tinette (the german ta who lives in another flat) and made swim plans for later. Made my thanksgiving lesson (though I need to find a place that sells LOTS of construction paper so that we can make hand turkeys), then headed off to class. I accidentaly went the long way and as I was walking Christophe goes "Oh Liz didn't they tell you, you don't have class today I have a meeting" OHMYFUCKINGWHODIDIT. Christophe is my only class today, yo! And I'm sad because I really like that class and now I won't see them until after Christmas (they are going on internships). WAAH. Not to mention the fact that IDIDNTHAVETOWAKEUP this morning!!!!!! !!!
!!!!!
Apparently Christophe even told them to leave me a note yesterday and let me tell you NO ONE did. Some one is getting cut bad, yo.
So now I'm just killing time until the next bus shows, since I am still bikeless and just a tad too lazy to walk (plus it might rain and damn if I'm letting my shoes get hurt).
I need to spend an assload and buy a converter for my mac so that my students dont have to huddle around my teeny tiny macbook to watch a tv show for class. Apple decided to be clever and charge $19 for it on the american site, and freakin frackin €19 for it on the french site (aka almost 1.5 times the price) but after shipping and such, and getting it here on time, I'm just going to have to spend the extra money. boooooo
I'm trying to decide what tv show to show my students. It has to be good, yet easy to understand, and preferably one they haven't seen. I'm thinking old school might be a little better, but not too old school. Maybe I'll show an episode of full house! OOOO but what episode to show? Maybe the episode where the twins were born during Michelle's birthday party. Thats a classic and full of information. OOOOO no I know what I'll do!!! The disneyland eps were a two parter, right? We'll watch the first one, answer some questions, then they have to guess what happened in the second one. OOOOOOOOO I'm a genius.
ps send me mail.
I got up at the asscrack of dawn (8 am) and headed for the bus stop, you know, same old same old. Chatted with Tinette (the german ta who lives in another flat) and made swim plans for later. Made my thanksgiving lesson (though I need to find a place that sells LOTS of construction paper so that we can make hand turkeys), then headed off to class. I accidentaly went the long way and as I was walking Christophe goes "Oh Liz didn't they tell you, you don't have class today I have a meeting" OHMYFUCKINGWHODIDIT. Christophe is my only class today, yo! And I'm sad because I really like that class and now I won't see them until after Christmas (they are going on internships). WAAH. Not to mention the fact that IDIDNTHAVETOWAKEUP this morning!!!!!! !!!
!!!!!
Apparently Christophe even told them to leave me a note yesterday and let me tell you NO ONE did. Some one is getting cut bad, yo.
So now I'm just killing time until the next bus shows, since I am still bikeless and just a tad too lazy to walk (plus it might rain and damn if I'm letting my shoes get hurt).
I need to spend an assload and buy a converter for my mac so that my students dont have to huddle around my teeny tiny macbook to watch a tv show for class. Apple decided to be clever and charge $19 for it on the american site, and freakin frackin €19 for it on the french site (aka almost 1.5 times the price) but after shipping and such, and getting it here on time, I'm just going to have to spend the extra money. boooooo
I'm trying to decide what tv show to show my students. It has to be good, yet easy to understand, and preferably one they haven't seen. I'm thinking old school might be a little better, but not too old school. Maybe I'll show an episode of full house! OOOO but what episode to show? Maybe the episode where the twins were born during Michelle's birthday party. Thats a classic and full of information. OOOOO no I know what I'll do!!! The disneyland eps were a two parter, right? We'll watch the first one, answer some questions, then they have to guess what happened in the second one. OOOOOOOOO I'm a genius.
ps send me mail.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
poke me with a fork and call me done, yo. I am sooo freaking tired. I didn't sleep well last night (I ended up taking one of my sleepy time pills) and between my first and second classes today I have a 5FREAKING hour break. Not to mention the fact that when I got here the hot chocolate machine wasn't working (though thankfully it is now or I would murder you. immediately). My first class was quite dull and the students were quite dumb. They were supposed to be researching Angela Davis and Malcom X and when I quizzed them all they could tell me is when they were born and who their parents were, even after I told them what kind of information is important and what isn't. They also got pissed because I kicked them all of wikipedia. Dumb shits can't use a search engine. You know, once upon a time I had to find all my information in books. BOOKS. I doubt these kids know how to use an index. Damn if I wouldn't like to index their dumb butts.
so I've been waiting waiting waiting and I still have an hour and a half to go. SOFREAKINGBORED. All my work is done for the week, and I just have one lesson to plan for next week.
Last night I went to the pool and saw everyone and their mother, and by that I mean this lady I really don't like (and not just because she's cross eyed.) I timed my laps so we wouldn't be at an end together, but she caught up to me when I was leaving and I wanted to twitch. Of course then I had to walk into the changing room and see NAKEDFRENCHLADY. AHHHEEEEWWWWPUUUUKE. I proceeded to slit my wrists.
After I was resurrected I went back to the flat and ate dinner then did nothing for a very long time. I am in a funk. ANd you know what would bring me out of it? MAIL YOU JERKS. You know that thing that NO ONE HAS SENT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Sure I get bills, but they really don't cheer you up much, you know? I will repeat one more time my address
Elizabeth Favorito
Logement des fonctions
Ecole Jean Moulin
Rue Jean Moulin
45200 Montargis
France
I have been here for over a month and the only thing I have received is ONE piece of mail, packages from my mom. No letters, no postcards, nothing. I think everyone in France must think I have no friends/family. So WORK ON IT.
I like how everyone I hate here is really unfortunate looking, as are their spouses. HAHAHA I AM SO MEEEEAAAANN.
uummm what else is there to say? I'm kind of annoyed because I feel like I do all of the talking for the flat and I'm a bit sick of it. We are kind of confused about how we pay our rent, they supposedly take it right out of our account but then we got a bill yesterday telling us to go and pay. So obviously someone has to go and take care of it. I didn't go yesterday because there was no guarantee that town hall was open. Ysmay finished around noon today and has no class tomorrow, but refuses to go. WTF. I don't see the difference between going by yourself and going with other people who aren't going to talk. I can't go today because I have class all day long. I won't get back from school until 1 tomorrow, town hall is closed until 2, and I am going to the pool at 4. Tomorrow afternoon is the only day I have to plan my thanksgiving lesson, which is going to be a dandy. I also need to go foodshopping. So I really don't know when I have the time to go. I'm in school all day thursday, and we really should have the problem solved by friday. Honestly I am just going to refuse to go, and if no one goes I will go on my own time then refuse to share my information. Welcome to the real world, people, where we often have to do things we don't want to.
grrrr arggghhh bitch bitch bitch. now I have a head ache and 3 hours of classes to go. SPEEEEEWWWWWWWW
so I've been waiting waiting waiting and I still have an hour and a half to go. SOFREAKINGBORED. All my work is done for the week, and I just have one lesson to plan for next week.
Last night I went to the pool and saw everyone and their mother, and by that I mean this lady I really don't like (and not just because she's cross eyed.) I timed my laps so we wouldn't be at an end together, but she caught up to me when I was leaving and I wanted to twitch. Of course then I had to walk into the changing room and see NAKEDFRENCHLADY. AHHHEEEEWWWWPUUUUKE. I proceeded to slit my wrists.
After I was resurrected I went back to the flat and ate dinner then did nothing for a very long time. I am in a funk. ANd you know what would bring me out of it? MAIL YOU JERKS. You know that thing that NO ONE HAS SENT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Sure I get bills, but they really don't cheer you up much, you know? I will repeat one more time my address
Elizabeth Favorito
Logement des fonctions
Ecole Jean Moulin
Rue Jean Moulin
45200 Montargis
France
I have been here for over a month and the only thing I have received is ONE piece of mail, packages from my mom. No letters, no postcards, nothing. I think everyone in France must think I have no friends/family. So WORK ON IT.
I like how everyone I hate here is really unfortunate looking, as are their spouses. HAHAHA I AM SO MEEEEAAAANN.
uummm what else is there to say? I'm kind of annoyed because I feel like I do all of the talking for the flat and I'm a bit sick of it. We are kind of confused about how we pay our rent, they supposedly take it right out of our account but then we got a bill yesterday telling us to go and pay. So obviously someone has to go and take care of it. I didn't go yesterday because there was no guarantee that town hall was open. Ysmay finished around noon today and has no class tomorrow, but refuses to go. WTF. I don't see the difference between going by yourself and going with other people who aren't going to talk. I can't go today because I have class all day long. I won't get back from school until 1 tomorrow, town hall is closed until 2, and I am going to the pool at 4. Tomorrow afternoon is the only day I have to plan my thanksgiving lesson, which is going to be a dandy. I also need to go foodshopping. So I really don't know when I have the time to go. I'm in school all day thursday, and we really should have the problem solved by friday. Honestly I am just going to refuse to go, and if no one goes I will go on my own time then refuse to share my information. Welcome to the real world, people, where we often have to do things we don't want to.
grrrr arggghhh bitch bitch bitch. now I have a head ache and 3 hours of classes to go. SPEEEEEWWWWWWWW
Sunday, November 11, 2007
aaahhh the weekend.
well these past few days back at school have been fun. It was nice seeing all my students again, and I had my first classes with Bayram, which were HILARIOUS. Bayram is very giggly and sarcastic in real life, but Teacher Bayram is scary mean!! He's very strict with his students, it got to the point where even I was nervous!!
Anyways. Friday Ysmay and I ran errands in town and had yummy baguettes from our favorite patisserie, then Friday night we went to the local pool (conveniently located across the street) and swam laps until swim lessons, then had a yummy dinner.
Saturday was cleaning day. Last year there were three boys and one girl in the appartment, and they NEVER cleaned. The building is also rather old. We bought a mop and such on Friday so that we could give the flat a good scrub. We cleaned every surface in the appartment, we even took the rugs outside and beat them. Manual was in charge of the bathroom and the toilet, and I have never seen our tub looking so beautiful!! Before it had all sorts of rust and calcium stains all over it, and it's so clean now it looks brand new!!
We took a rest after cleaning, then I texted Bayram because he was supposed to come over for a film. Turns out he forgot it was his best friends birthday, so instead we went out to dinner with him and his friend Stephan and his girlfriend Lucille. We went out for mexican, then went to Stephans place. His family is....quirky, but hilarious. Stephans niece Maeva was there, and she was so cute. We watched a film, but Ysmay and I were so tired we still don't quite understand what happened in the end, haha. But it was really fun to go out and do stuff, and Stephan has already offered to bring us to all sorts of places (mm like versailles!!).
So today I slept until like, noon, then spent a bit of time filling in my agenda. I still have a lesson to plan for tuesday, and I should probably like, get dressed or something, haha. My room is already messy again, so I guess I should also fix that up a bit.
Sooorrrryyyyyy this post is all boring, haha. I'm sure the next will be much more exciting. PROMISE.
well these past few days back at school have been fun. It was nice seeing all my students again, and I had my first classes with Bayram, which were HILARIOUS. Bayram is very giggly and sarcastic in real life, but Teacher Bayram is scary mean!! He's very strict with his students, it got to the point where even I was nervous!!
Anyways. Friday Ysmay and I ran errands in town and had yummy baguettes from our favorite patisserie, then Friday night we went to the local pool (conveniently located across the street) and swam laps until swim lessons, then had a yummy dinner.
Saturday was cleaning day. Last year there were three boys and one girl in the appartment, and they NEVER cleaned. The building is also rather old. We bought a mop and such on Friday so that we could give the flat a good scrub. We cleaned every surface in the appartment, we even took the rugs outside and beat them. Manual was in charge of the bathroom and the toilet, and I have never seen our tub looking so beautiful!! Before it had all sorts of rust and calcium stains all over it, and it's so clean now it looks brand new!!
We took a rest after cleaning, then I texted Bayram because he was supposed to come over for a film. Turns out he forgot it was his best friends birthday, so instead we went out to dinner with him and his friend Stephan and his girlfriend Lucille. We went out for mexican, then went to Stephans place. His family is....quirky, but hilarious. Stephans niece Maeva was there, and she was so cute. We watched a film, but Ysmay and I were so tired we still don't quite understand what happened in the end, haha. But it was really fun to go out and do stuff, and Stephan has already offered to bring us to all sorts of places (mm like versailles!!).
So today I slept until like, noon, then spent a bit of time filling in my agenda. I still have a lesson to plan for tuesday, and I should probably like, get dressed or something, haha. My room is already messy again, so I guess I should also fix that up a bit.
Sooorrrryyyyyy this post is all boring, haha. I'm sure the next will be much more exciting. PROMISE.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
I really hate when things are over
Woweee a whole week without posting, thats crazzzeeeeee.
The rest of the vacation was fun. We spent three days in Marseille, checking out churches and museums and the like. The weather at least was a bit nicer than in Toulouse. The best, obviously, was Nice. Originally we were spending one night at our first hotel and two nights at the second, but Hotel Felix was so fab. The guy there was so hilarious and so freaking nice. I think he is originally turkish or lebanese, because neither french nor english was his first language. He gave us a more expensive room at a cheaper price because he had originally but us on the fourth floor (which we in the states call the fifth) but he could tell we were freaking exhausted. Then when we told him we decided to stay there the next two nights he let us stay in the room for the cheaper price. He was super cute. When he left he told us we better come back next time with our boyfriends, lol.
Nice was so freaking pretty, and so nice out! Our first afternoon there we just explored a bit, did some shopping, and I put my feet in the mediterranean!! The next day we headed off to Monaco, where we got really lost but saw some great things. We saw a huge collection of old cars and bikes, and I saw Grace Kelly's tomb. Obviously, we went to Montecarlo, where I took a super illegal video of the toilets. Yes, the toilets, because they are the greatest toilets. I will not tell you about it though, because I plan on using that video to become the next internet superstar. Thats right kids, I've already planned what I'm going to say on Jay Leno. HA> Seriously though once I have batteries for my camera I will upload it all.
Montecarlo was super classy, but tiny!! There really was only four rooms--two rooms with slots, and two with tables. Of course it was super chic. We were there in the afternoon, so it was only like serious old men gamblers. I only became semiaddicted to blackjack. But dude, these rich guys were just tossing out thousands of dollars in roulette. I've never seen that much money in my life!!! Heidy and I were like..instead of throwing the money away gambling, just give it to us!! We obviously tried to get old men to buy us drinks, but even my low cut shirt didn't work. DAMN THE MAN. At one point we though this guy was going to... We were going to get some coffee, but in the casino it was 5 euro and I was trying to convince Heidy to get it anyways. I was like "Come on, then we can tell people we've had coffee at montecarlo!" And some guy was like "screw the coffee get champagne!" AND WE TOTALLY SHOULD HAVE MACKED ON THAT. but obviously we didn't....we just went somewhere else and paid 4 euro for coffee instead, lol. Thats the one thing about the south of france. its really freakin frackin fuckin EXPENSIVE. I probably ended spending about 20 euro (thats almost 30 US) a night on dinner and such.
Our last day in Nice we went to the Henri Matisse museum and walked around a bit, then I sat around while Heidy climbed a shitload of steps to see some dumb view. I HATE STAIRS. aka the elevator was broken, haha, and I refused to climb all those stairs.
Since then I've just been lounging around. Literally. I haven't really left my bed since I got back on Monday night, lol. I did some food shopping, thats about it. Manuel got back yesterday, and we discovered today that our hot water has turned a lovely shade of brown. MMMMM. I called around, and Gardenia said its because there is lots of.. Calcium? (I don't know the translation) in our hot water tank, and since we went almost two weeks without using the water, it built up etc. etc. AKA our water bill is going to be high this month because we had to completely empty the water tank. DAMN YOU BILLS. DAMN you also Sylvie gouchet for lying to meeeee. I was so stressed out about money, and it turns out we got paid a week earlier than we were expecting. AKA I had 800 euros when I thought i had nooooooooooooooooooone. CURSE YOU MR MAGOO
I have to like, work, tomorrow and I haven't planned all my lessons, HAHA. Bayram my Turkish Lover (aka one of our friends here) Invited himself over this weekend, haha, but at least it means we have a social life!! Really though, he is a first year teacher at the lycee, so he is super young, so we all hang out at the lycee. This weekend we're going to go to the movies and he's going to buy me and Ysmay lots of yummy pastrys. MMM GLUTTONY
I think perhaps I will work my way through the seven deadly sins while I am here in France. You know, give myself something to do besides corrupt minors.
The rest of the vacation was fun. We spent three days in Marseille, checking out churches and museums and the like. The weather at least was a bit nicer than in Toulouse. The best, obviously, was Nice. Originally we were spending one night at our first hotel and two nights at the second, but Hotel Felix was so fab. The guy there was so hilarious and so freaking nice. I think he is originally turkish or lebanese, because neither french nor english was his first language. He gave us a more expensive room at a cheaper price because he had originally but us on the fourth floor (which we in the states call the fifth) but he could tell we were freaking exhausted. Then when we told him we decided to stay there the next two nights he let us stay in the room for the cheaper price. He was super cute. When he left he told us we better come back next time with our boyfriends, lol.
Nice was so freaking pretty, and so nice out! Our first afternoon there we just explored a bit, did some shopping, and I put my feet in the mediterranean!! The next day we headed off to Monaco, where we got really lost but saw some great things. We saw a huge collection of old cars and bikes, and I saw Grace Kelly's tomb. Obviously, we went to Montecarlo, where I took a super illegal video of the toilets. Yes, the toilets, because they are the greatest toilets. I will not tell you about it though, because I plan on using that video to become the next internet superstar. Thats right kids, I've already planned what I'm going to say on Jay Leno. HA> Seriously though once I have batteries for my camera I will upload it all.
Montecarlo was super classy, but tiny!! There really was only four rooms--two rooms with slots, and two with tables. Of course it was super chic. We were there in the afternoon, so it was only like serious old men gamblers. I only became semiaddicted to blackjack. But dude, these rich guys were just tossing out thousands of dollars in roulette. I've never seen that much money in my life!!! Heidy and I were like..instead of throwing the money away gambling, just give it to us!! We obviously tried to get old men to buy us drinks, but even my low cut shirt didn't work. DAMN THE MAN. At one point we though this guy was going to... We were going to get some coffee, but in the casino it was 5 euro and I was trying to convince Heidy to get it anyways. I was like "Come on, then we can tell people we've had coffee at montecarlo!" And some guy was like "screw the coffee get champagne!" AND WE TOTALLY SHOULD HAVE MACKED ON THAT. but obviously we didn't....we just went somewhere else and paid 4 euro for coffee instead, lol. Thats the one thing about the south of france. its really freakin frackin fuckin EXPENSIVE. I probably ended spending about 20 euro (thats almost 30 US) a night on dinner and such.
Our last day in Nice we went to the Henri Matisse museum and walked around a bit, then I sat around while Heidy climbed a shitload of steps to see some dumb view. I HATE STAIRS. aka the elevator was broken, haha, and I refused to climb all those stairs.
Since then I've just been lounging around. Literally. I haven't really left my bed since I got back on Monday night, lol. I did some food shopping, thats about it. Manuel got back yesterday, and we discovered today that our hot water has turned a lovely shade of brown. MMMMM. I called around, and Gardenia said its because there is lots of.. Calcium? (I don't know the translation) in our hot water tank, and since we went almost two weeks without using the water, it built up etc. etc. AKA our water bill is going to be high this month because we had to completely empty the water tank. DAMN YOU BILLS. DAMN you also Sylvie gouchet for lying to meeeee. I was so stressed out about money, and it turns out we got paid a week earlier than we were expecting. AKA I had 800 euros when I thought i had nooooooooooooooooooone. CURSE YOU MR MAGOO
I have to like, work, tomorrow and I haven't planned all my lessons, HAHA. Bayram my Turkish Lover (aka one of our friends here) Invited himself over this weekend, haha, but at least it means we have a social life!! Really though, he is a first year teacher at the lycee, so he is super young, so we all hang out at the lycee. This weekend we're going to go to the movies and he's going to buy me and Ysmay lots of yummy pastrys. MMM GLUTTONY
I think perhaps I will work my way through the seven deadly sins while I am here in France. You know, give myself something to do besides corrupt minors.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
vacation part one
hey everyone!! I am writing to you from an internet cafe in toulouse. heidy and I are finishing up the first leg of our journey, now we are just killing time until our train later on today.
toulouse has been a lot of fun, thought it was a lot smaller than I was expecting it to be. Heidy haq a friend here, so when we got here saturday we went to the hotel, walked around a bit, ate, then went out to a bar/club with benji and some of his friends. It was fun, but I was completely exhausted since I had to get up at 5:45 am in order to make all my trains on time. Thankfull around 1 am I convinced Heidy to leave, lol. Sunday we went to the Basilique St Sernin where there was this super huge marche, and inside there were all these holy relics from the middle ages. it was cool, because there was also a statue of st rocco! I forgot that he was from around this area. We checked out the capital building, took naps, and then went out to dinner.
Yesterday we hit up a museum and a church where we saw the tomb of Thomas of Aquinas, then went shopppiiiiiiing. We are planning on going to Monte Carlo, but there is a very strict dress code and all I have with me are jeans, so I bought a cute dress at Etam and found some super cute earrings at Agatha. We had a very cas. dinner and then benji came over for a chat. Around quarter to 11 there was this huge banging on our door and some old guy was like "I paid money to sleep, not to listen to you!" then slammed his door shut. HOW RUDE. AND on top of that he and his wife got up at 7 this morning and were so freaking loud it was ridiculous!!
the weather has been nice so far, though a bit chilly and rainy. We are still a bit inland, though, so hopefully once we get to Marseille it will be fab. I totally brought my bathing suit with me. I am determined to go in the Mediterranean even if it kills me (though not really, but you get the idea).
GO RED SOX. I kept calling home at ungodly hours to find out the game scores. Yesterday I think I called home at 8am east coast time. I believe the conversation went a little like this
Dad: Hello?
Liz: DID WE WIN?
Dad: What?
Liz: Did we win last night? The Red Sox?
Dad: Huh, oh, yeah, we won
Liz: WOOOOOOOO k thanks bye
/end conversation
A classic, if I do say so myself.
I shall bid you all adieu for the moment, hopefully in marseille we will hop on the net at some point and i can keep you updated.
xoxoxo
toulouse has been a lot of fun, thought it was a lot smaller than I was expecting it to be. Heidy haq a friend here, so when we got here saturday we went to the hotel, walked around a bit, ate, then went out to a bar/club with benji and some of his friends. It was fun, but I was completely exhausted since I had to get up at 5:45 am in order to make all my trains on time. Thankfull around 1 am I convinced Heidy to leave, lol. Sunday we went to the Basilique St Sernin where there was this super huge marche, and inside there were all these holy relics from the middle ages. it was cool, because there was also a statue of st rocco! I forgot that he was from around this area. We checked out the capital building, took naps, and then went out to dinner.
Yesterday we hit up a museum and a church where we saw the tomb of Thomas of Aquinas, then went shopppiiiiiiing. We are planning on going to Monte Carlo, but there is a very strict dress code and all I have with me are jeans, so I bought a cute dress at Etam and found some super cute earrings at Agatha. We had a very cas. dinner and then benji came over for a chat. Around quarter to 11 there was this huge banging on our door and some old guy was like "I paid money to sleep, not to listen to you!" then slammed his door shut. HOW RUDE. AND on top of that he and his wife got up at 7 this morning and were so freaking loud it was ridiculous!!
the weather has been nice so far, though a bit chilly and rainy. We are still a bit inland, though, so hopefully once we get to Marseille it will be fab. I totally brought my bathing suit with me. I am determined to go in the Mediterranean even if it kills me (though not really, but you get the idea).
GO RED SOX. I kept calling home at ungodly hours to find out the game scores. Yesterday I think I called home at 8am east coast time. I believe the conversation went a little like this
Dad: Hello?
Liz: DID WE WIN?
Dad: What?
Liz: Did we win last night? The Red Sox?
Dad: Huh, oh, yeah, we won
Liz: WOOOOOOOO k thanks bye
/end conversation
A classic, if I do say so myself.
I shall bid you all adieu for the moment, hopefully in marseille we will hop on the net at some point and i can keep you updated.
xoxoxo
Friday, October 26, 2007
gone for a while
there is much to update you all about, especially about my free trip to ireland (woooo!!!) but I really need to get to bad. heidy (my bf from college who is also in france) and I are leaving tomorrow for our vacation--we will spend 3 days in toulouse, 3 days in marseille, and 4 in nice with a potential side trip to Monaco. Hope everyone has fun working or studying or whatever it is you people have to do, I'll tell George Clooney ya'll say hi when I see him *WINK*
Thursday, October 25, 2007
wo0t!
So they last two days have been super good. Yesterday I took the bus in to school and worked a bit on my lessons for after the vacation, then it was off to class. Class with Christophe is always fun, and he told me he is going to try to keep me for the rest of the year (we make new schedules in mid January). I very much like that because I learn a lot from him, and I really like my NRC class. He lets me grade the students, lol, and I think I'm getting much better at it (the french grading system is much different--it is out of 20, where 10 is average and 15 is really good).
So I tried to catch the bus home at 11:37 but obviously I missed it seeing as I don't get out of class until 11:35 and the bus waits for no one. So I went back and finished up some of my lessons, then went out to wait for the bus. One of my students warned me about how if you don't make it on the bus before it gets full, they leave you behind...and there is no other bus for 2 hours. I made it on and stood with two of my other students (I dont know their names, lol, but one of them was the girl who likes dirty dancing) and talked to them about the differences between school in france and school in the US. I was asking a question about the bus route when someone behind me asked "Liz, you are going near the SuperU? Follow me" so Some Girl (I have no idea who she is!!) showed me how to switch buses and showed me the bus stop a 3 minute walk from my flat (instead of 20 minutes)!!! She was super nice, apparently lives right around the corner from me.
Yesterday was a nap, obviously, because it was freaking freezing out (not even that cold, just super freezing). Ysmay and I watched "Bride and Prejudice" and then went to bed. I had weird dreams about not getting my laundry done and other general pre-vacation jitters.
Today I got up at the asscrack of dawn (aka 6:30) and headed off to school. It was still pitch black when I got on the bus at 8:00. Thats how depressing mornings are in France. Apparently I made a social nono at the bus stop, because I sat on the bench where all the *gasp* BLACK students sit. All the white kids gave me funny looks, but everyone at the bench was very nice to me. Dumb racist fucks.
My lesson today went very well. Probably because I gave them all candy, lol, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I let them choose what we are going to do for the next lesson, since vacation ends on a wednesday so we just have thursday and friday, then the weekend, and I like to have a theme for each weeks lessons. We are going to play a getting to know you game, talk about our favorite vacation, then they are going to bring some french music for me, and I'm bringing some american music for them. In the second class (where I have a different group every other week) I'll just substitute talking about vacation into a writing exercise and give them pictures and make them imagine a little story around it. Then I have almost everything done for the lessons after that, I just have to make a word search (which I have no idea how to do on the computer, so I shall do it by hand)
So really I'm on a roll. From now on I'll be doing some of my lessons in class with Claire, but thats fine with me because they were giving me such problems.
I don't have class until 1:30 so I am off to work on my lessons a bit more.
So I tried to catch the bus home at 11:37 but obviously I missed it seeing as I don't get out of class until 11:35 and the bus waits for no one. So I went back and finished up some of my lessons, then went out to wait for the bus. One of my students warned me about how if you don't make it on the bus before it gets full, they leave you behind...and there is no other bus for 2 hours. I made it on and stood with two of my other students (I dont know their names, lol, but one of them was the girl who likes dirty dancing) and talked to them about the differences between school in france and school in the US. I was asking a question about the bus route when someone behind me asked "Liz, you are going near the SuperU? Follow me" so Some Girl (I have no idea who she is!!) showed me how to switch buses and showed me the bus stop a 3 minute walk from my flat (instead of 20 minutes)!!! She was super nice, apparently lives right around the corner from me.
Yesterday was a nap, obviously, because it was freaking freezing out (not even that cold, just super freezing). Ysmay and I watched "Bride and Prejudice" and then went to bed. I had weird dreams about not getting my laundry done and other general pre-vacation jitters.
Today I got up at the asscrack of dawn (aka 6:30) and headed off to school. It was still pitch black when I got on the bus at 8:00. Thats how depressing mornings are in France. Apparently I made a social nono at the bus stop, because I sat on the bench where all the *gasp* BLACK students sit. All the white kids gave me funny looks, but everyone at the bench was very nice to me. Dumb racist fucks.
My lesson today went very well. Probably because I gave them all candy, lol, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I let them choose what we are going to do for the next lesson, since vacation ends on a wednesday so we just have thursday and friday, then the weekend, and I like to have a theme for each weeks lessons. We are going to play a getting to know you game, talk about our favorite vacation, then they are going to bring some french music for me, and I'm bringing some american music for them. In the second class (where I have a different group every other week) I'll just substitute talking about vacation into a writing exercise and give them pictures and make them imagine a little story around it. Then I have almost everything done for the lessons after that, I just have to make a word search (which I have no idea how to do on the computer, so I shall do it by hand)
So really I'm on a roll. From now on I'll be doing some of my lessons in class with Claire, but thats fine with me because they were giving me such problems.
I don't have class until 1:30 so I am off to work on my lessons a bit more.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
theres nothing like a fire to make class interesting
Because you know you can't get enough of me
So class today was interesting. Its the same group that gave me much trouble last week aka makes me wish I drank during the day. So I was talking and no one was paying attention, you know it was all going nicely. I made them try to write mini ghost stories. So I'm standing there talking to one student and we hear this loud POP and I look back and there was SMOKE COMING OUT OF ONE OF THE COMPUTERS. Etienne, one of the students, was playing with the wires, and SETTHEFUCKINGCOMPUTERONFIRE. Or rather I think he blew a chip. But still. SMOKE. And the french apparently don't believe in fire, because if we have a smoke detector in our flat damned if I know where it is. So obviously i told Claire, their professor, and from now on we're keeping the class together.
I love all my other students, though. I saw my NRC class (they're kids who have already graduated high school but aren't going to University, so they are studying to go into sales, etc) today in the halls and they were all excited to say hi, and one of the girls told me she thought I looked like Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing which was cool because it's her favorite movie. LOVESTHEKIDS. Its just nice to know that some of my students like me, lol.
In other news I emailed Sylvie Gouchet, who is in charge of all the english language assistants in my region, and told her what was going on with Veronique, and just asked her if anyone said anything to her could she please mention that I had previously spoken to her about it or to let me know who I could write a letter to. She told me she would call Veronique and see what is going on, so hopefully everything will straighten itself out.
I would like to dedicate this post to KMOY because I totally missed her phonecall because my phone hates me (aka I had probably left it on vibrate), but it also doesn't tell me when I have a voicemail. I think by the end of this experience I will have become a major conspiracy theorist person thing.
So class today was interesting. Its the same group that gave me much trouble last week aka makes me wish I drank during the day. So I was talking and no one was paying attention, you know it was all going nicely. I made them try to write mini ghost stories. So I'm standing there talking to one student and we hear this loud POP and I look back and there was SMOKE COMING OUT OF ONE OF THE COMPUTERS. Etienne, one of the students, was playing with the wires, and SETTHEFUCKINGCOMPUTERONFIRE. Or rather I think he blew a chip. But still. SMOKE. And the french apparently don't believe in fire, because if we have a smoke detector in our flat damned if I know where it is. So obviously i told Claire, their professor, and from now on we're keeping the class together.
I love all my other students, though. I saw my NRC class (they're kids who have already graduated high school but aren't going to University, so they are studying to go into sales, etc) today in the halls and they were all excited to say hi, and one of the girls told me she thought I looked like Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing which was cool because it's her favorite movie. LOVESTHEKIDS. Its just nice to know that some of my students like me, lol.
In other news I emailed Sylvie Gouchet, who is in charge of all the english language assistants in my region, and told her what was going on with Veronique, and just asked her if anyone said anything to her could she please mention that I had previously spoken to her about it or to let me know who I could write a letter to. She told me she would call Veronique and see what is going on, so hopefully everything will straighten itself out.
I would like to dedicate this post to KMOY because I totally missed her phonecall because my phone hates me (aka I had probably left it on vibrate), but it also doesn't tell me when I have a voicemail. I think by the end of this experience I will have become a major conspiracy theorist person thing.
its a giant conspiracy
I tried to right in this early but the computer here at the lycee wouldn't let me open the right page. Its obviously a french conspiracy to prevent me from revealing the TRUTH about the land of the frog.
I don't really have much to say except to add a bit of gossip about the ongoing drama that is Veronique Brouchard. Claire (one of my professors), being the doll that she is, picked me up today for school and in the car she asked me if I knew that someone wanted to sue some of the Spanish teachers. Guess who! THATS right its Veronique, who has accussed Anne of KIDNAPPING me and breaking all sorts of school policies. She and her husband threatened to call the inspecteur and the syndicat (the education bosses) and tell them everything that happened, and then take legal action. HAHAHAHAHA why, so she can be yelled at for neglect? What the hell would they sue for? These french people are freakin crazy man.
In other news my villagers are duing well (I've been playing virtual villagers, a fantastically crappy sim game), though last night they bred like rabbits. Only 4 have died so far, and all were over 60 years old, which is a good sign. I need to figure out what the puzzle I missed was so I can get them all done before too long. I really want to download seasons 7 and 8 of SVU from itunes because I can't get the NBC website to work. Obviously there is not enough sex (crimes) in my life. At least I have Degrassi, and by the time I get back from vacation maybe I will have gotten my first paycheck. YAAAY MONEY.
Speaking of, I need to book the tickets for the second leg of my journey. ooops?
I don't really have much to say except to add a bit of gossip about the ongoing drama that is Veronique Brouchard. Claire (one of my professors), being the doll that she is, picked me up today for school and in the car she asked me if I knew that someone wanted to sue some of the Spanish teachers. Guess who! THATS right its Veronique, who has accussed Anne of KIDNAPPING me and breaking all sorts of school policies. She and her husband threatened to call the inspecteur and the syndicat (the education bosses) and tell them everything that happened, and then take legal action. HAHAHAHAHA why, so she can be yelled at for neglect? What the hell would they sue for? These french people are freakin crazy man.
In other news my villagers are duing well (I've been playing virtual villagers, a fantastically crappy sim game), though last night they bred like rabbits. Only 4 have died so far, and all were over 60 years old, which is a good sign. I need to figure out what the puzzle I missed was so I can get them all done before too long. I really want to download seasons 7 and 8 of SVU from itunes because I can't get the NBC website to work. Obviously there is not enough sex (crimes) in my life. At least I have Degrassi, and by the time I get back from vacation maybe I will have gotten my first paycheck. YAAAY MONEY.
Speaking of, I need to book the tickets for the second leg of my journey. ooops?
Monday, October 22, 2007
flyball
So obviously it being my room, my room attracts all manner of living things, none of which I particularly wish to share my room with. I was just getting ready to go to bed (because yes I am that cool kid who goes to bed at 1030) when this giant mutherfucking submarine of a fly starts buzzing around my room. Obviously I called upon Manuel, my personal Spanish Fly Killer, to come to my aid. He tries but has no luck, so he leaves and comes back with a giant plastic bottle. "Baseball!" he declares in his limited english. While I hide in the hallway Manuel gets to work, then declares that it is dead. Yes, but dead SOMEWHERE INMYROOM. We go to look for it and think we can't find it anywhere, then I move my blanket and a GIANTMOTHERFUCKINGKILLERFLYISINMYBED. Obviously I did what any sensible girl my age would do--I shrieked like a little girl, broke into Ysmays room, and jumped into bed with her, in hysterics. The giant mutatofly has been removed from my room but I fear I will have nightmares tonight. I guess its a good thing I plan on doing laundry soon, since it INFECTEDMYTHINGS with its CORPSE.
lazy monday
Hello world, I am super excited because my packages from home came just in time!!! I am starting my lessons on halloween TOMORROW and without all the super awesome stuff mom has sent me, what would I do??? I was going to do laundry today but I have yet to buy detergent, and its monday so nothing is open until this afternoon, so I will wait.
This weekend was crazy!! We woke up and headed off to the weekly marche. This week is a kind of gourmand week in montargis, so on saturday there was a huge market all up and down the main shopping street. I bought some gorgeous brioche and freshly pressed apple juice. they had the giant machine there and you could watch them do it, it was super cool. I also went to the bookstore and bought the next two books in the series I'm reading.
We just chilled for the day, probably I took a nap or soemthing. NO WAIT. OK this is what we did. We went to the store to figure out why the internet wasn't working, and they told us all we had to do now was to install the cd and it would work. So after much fussing it worked--on everyones computer but mine. WTF. So I got super depressed, so Ysmay walked back to the store with me, where I fought on the phone with some stupid tech guy. He told me the problem was with my computer so for a simple 49 euro (about $75 us) a tech guy could come out in 2 weeks in fix it. BITCH WHAT?? I said no fucking way, then left.
So back home I manage to get the internet to work when its plugged in, but the wifi refused to work. so I looked up the number for mac support in france and called. 10 minutes later my wifi worked. BITCHINFUCKYOUORANGE. So obviously since then I have been online as much as possible.
Yesterday I installed skype and spoke to Mike for a bit, which was beyond fab. He's in China for the year. Then last night after dinner Ysmay and I watched the last three hours of Pride and Prejudice, and now we both have Mr Darcy wallpapers, lol.
Today my packages from home are here, so I need to pick them up at 3. I just got off of Skype with Heidy, arranging things for vacation. We leave this weekend, I'm super excited!! Sanchez is really good at finding cheap accomodations, so its going to be fun. We may do a day trip into Monaco if we have the time for it so we can feel really guilty for being really poor, haha.
If you're reading this Joe and/or Mary, tell the 'rents I say hi and let them know that the packages got here. Hope ya'll are having fun in Florida!!!!
This weekend was crazy!! We woke up and headed off to the weekly marche. This week is a kind of gourmand week in montargis, so on saturday there was a huge market all up and down the main shopping street. I bought some gorgeous brioche and freshly pressed apple juice. they had the giant machine there and you could watch them do it, it was super cool. I also went to the bookstore and bought the next two books in the series I'm reading.
We just chilled for the day, probably I took a nap or soemthing. NO WAIT. OK this is what we did. We went to the store to figure out why the internet wasn't working, and they told us all we had to do now was to install the cd and it would work. So after much fussing it worked--on everyones computer but mine. WTF. So I got super depressed, so Ysmay walked back to the store with me, where I fought on the phone with some stupid tech guy. He told me the problem was with my computer so for a simple 49 euro (about $75 us) a tech guy could come out in 2 weeks in fix it. BITCH WHAT?? I said no fucking way, then left.
So back home I manage to get the internet to work when its plugged in, but the wifi refused to work. so I looked up the number for mac support in france and called. 10 minutes later my wifi worked. BITCHINFUCKYOUORANGE. So obviously since then I have been online as much as possible.
Yesterday I installed skype and spoke to Mike for a bit, which was beyond fab. He's in China for the year. Then last night after dinner Ysmay and I watched the last three hours of Pride and Prejudice, and now we both have Mr Darcy wallpapers, lol.
Today my packages from home are here, so I need to pick them up at 3. I just got off of Skype with Heidy, arranging things for vacation. We leave this weekend, I'm super excited!! Sanchez is really good at finding cheap accomodations, so its going to be fun. We may do a day trip into Monaco if we have the time for it so we can feel really guilty for being really poor, haha.
If you're reading this Joe and/or Mary, tell the 'rents I say hi and let them know that the packages got here. Hope ya'll are having fun in Florida!!!!
Friday, October 19, 2007
you all suck
dear friends and family. everyone in the flat is getting mail except for MEEEEEEE. It makes me sad, because mail is way cool. So here is my address, and if you don't go and write to me right now I will send you lots of bad karma. LOTS.
Elizabeth Favorito
Logement de fonctions
Ecole Jean Moulin
Rue Jean Moulin
45200 Montargis
France
In other news I've had a killer headache so I went to bed super early last night. it was yum. I only had one class today which is a pain in the butt, and I'm sad because my ride home has gone MIA. WTF JeanDo.
Hurrah for the weekend!! Hopefully all of our travel plans will get worked out soon. I think I'm going to have to feed Heidy my credit card numbers over the phone to get it all done, but maybe a miracle will occur and we will have internet this afternoon.
Yay my ride is here now so peace out bitches
Elizabeth Favorito
Logement de fonctions
Ecole Jean Moulin
Rue Jean Moulin
45200 Montargis
France
In other news I've had a killer headache so I went to bed super early last night. it was yum. I only had one class today which is a pain in the butt, and I'm sad because my ride home has gone MIA. WTF JeanDo.
Hurrah for the weekend!! Hopefully all of our travel plans will get worked out soon. I think I'm going to have to feed Heidy my credit card numbers over the phone to get it all done, but maybe a miracle will occur and we will have internet this afternoon.
Yay my ride is here now so peace out bitches
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
because I'm cold and bored
My last class was hilarious. It is with Christophe Bureau, and with him I just stay in the class and help out. This class is a Bac+2, which means all the students (and by students I mean hot boys) are around my age and are all studying to go into sales. So today we got to role play and I was pretending to by a car. They all failed horribly, except for Antonio (who is a whizz at english). They all got flustered and when I would try to help them out, they would be like "Yes, yes, that is so" without having any idea what I was saying. Oh silly children.
I bumped into my chere Gardenia, who yelled at me for not dressing warm enough. It was freaking gorgeous out yesterday, who knew it was going to rain today?? I will have to treat weather here like weather in New England--aka be prepared for anything at anytime.
I am currently sitting waiting to get picked up in an hour, because like I said it is raining and I don't yet have a bike, though considering yesterdays disaster I dont know if I want one. Lets just paint this picture--in France, bikes drive on the streets with the cars, as a member of traffic. Picture me, stopped at a red light, cars behind me, and a shoe thats a bit too big. YEAH EXACTLY theres nothing like stopping traffic so you can pick up your shoe to start a day off beautifully. Not to mention I couldnt figure out how to use the speeds so it was impossible going uphill. I may have been the talk of the town yesterday. "hey theres that crazy american on the bike who lost her shoe....is she having a heart attack? should we stop? oh wait thats right, we are french so we stop for no one. Lets go smoke".
let me also apologize for any future strange spelling mistakes and lack of punctuation. the french use an azerty keyboard, and most punctuation (apostrophes and such) are located in the number row aka its a pain in the ass to use them. As it is you have to SHIFT to get a freaking PERIOD. Thats right my friends, the french decided that the colon was more important than the freaking period, which is exactly the reason why I hate french literature.
I bumped into my chere Gardenia, who yelled at me for not dressing warm enough. It was freaking gorgeous out yesterday, who knew it was going to rain today?? I will have to treat weather here like weather in New England--aka be prepared for anything at anytime.
I am currently sitting waiting to get picked up in an hour, because like I said it is raining and I don't yet have a bike, though considering yesterdays disaster I dont know if I want one. Lets just paint this picture--in France, bikes drive on the streets with the cars, as a member of traffic. Picture me, stopped at a red light, cars behind me, and a shoe thats a bit too big. YEAH EXACTLY theres nothing like stopping traffic so you can pick up your shoe to start a day off beautifully. Not to mention I couldnt figure out how to use the speeds so it was impossible going uphill. I may have been the talk of the town yesterday. "hey theres that crazy american on the bike who lost her shoe....is she having a heart attack? should we stop? oh wait thats right, we are french so we stop for no one. Lets go smoke".
let me also apologize for any future strange spelling mistakes and lack of punctuation. the french use an azerty keyboard, and most punctuation (apostrophes and such) are located in the number row aka its a pain in the ass to use them. As it is you have to SHIFT to get a freaking PERIOD. Thats right my friends, the french decided that the colon was more important than the freaking period, which is exactly the reason why I hate french literature.
part two
So lets talk about my flat, and how its a piece of shit, lol. No, not really, but its owned by town hall and they're tearing it down in may so they didnt find the need to fix it up at all for us, plus the assistants last year totally trashed it. The wallpaper is falling down and there are water stains on the wall, but its large and super cheap. Between all of our bills for rent, heat, electricity, insurance, internet, etc I'm still paying less than 200 euro a month (about 300 us) so WHATEVS lol.
The other assistants:
Manuel is a quiet little heavy metal spanish boy. He is very nice and cleans up, but has random little quirks which drive me crazy. He smokes, and when he uses the frying pan he puts like an inch of oil in it, then leaves the oil there to use the next day. I'm sorry but I don't use no ones dirty oil. He was also into that weird euro thing where at night you follow the yellow mellow rule (for those of you not familiar with it, it regards the toilet. if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down) but I'm totally not cool with that because our toilet is this tiny little room with no ventilation, so it reaks like piss. Thankfully he has caught on about that one
Tinette is sitting right next to me, lol. No, she is super nice. SHe is german but speaks english very well, so I try to refuse to speak english with her, haha. She is a bit older than the rest of us, so she now lives in her own flat.
Ysmay is my dearest. We were facebook friends over the summer, so it was nice to already now her. Bitch is 6'1. Shes super clean, which I love, though hopefully she will soon learn to stop leaving the lights on in her room, lol. Electricity is expensive in france, yo. She's very much a mother hen, which is nice because then I dont have to take on that role all the time.
Last week we just observed classes, and as much as I love the sound of my own voice I'm sick of telling everyone that I'm 22 and single, lol. Last weekend we went to the local marche and then Anne took us out touristing. We also met the coolest man ever, JeanDo. He is an economics teacher we bumped into one day in the staff room. He told us how he never meets the assistants, and then offered us a ride home. We've been bff ever since. We saw him at the marche, and we see him all the time now. He calls us "les jolies filles" (the pretty girls) and even sent us a postcard from his minivacation this weekend. He's going to take me and Ysmay out for a daytrip to some local vineyards, woooo.
This past weekend I went to Rennes. It was a looooong stressful journey. Its a half hour walk to the train station, an hour to Paris, then two trains to get to the right train station, then two plus hours to Rennes. All in all it takes about 6 hours. And considering the fact that I forgot my cell, it was 6 hours of stress. All in all it was a fun weekend, even though moronuglyface Heidy wasnt there. I spent Sunday/Sunday night with my host family, which was the best thing ever. I stuffed my face like no ones business. It was so strange to be back there, because everything was the same even though at the same time it wasnt.
Yesterday was my first day teaching, and it was hell. Ehran wouldnt stop talking and wouldnt pay attention, so I spent half the time yelling at him. The students all seemed bored and wouldnt stop chatting. By the time it came to play the game I told Ehran that he had to sit out because I wasnt there to discipline him, I was there to teach. I got home and called mom and cried, lol, but I feel a lot better now. I think I need to expect a little more out of my students, even though every one told us that pretty much none of them could speak english.
Next week will be good though, because I'm just going to spend the whole week talking about halloween, lol. Hopefully my package full of halloween goodies will arrive before then!!!
The other assistants:
Manuel is a quiet little heavy metal spanish boy. He is very nice and cleans up, but has random little quirks which drive me crazy. He smokes, and when he uses the frying pan he puts like an inch of oil in it, then leaves the oil there to use the next day. I'm sorry but I don't use no ones dirty oil. He was also into that weird euro thing where at night you follow the yellow mellow rule (for those of you not familiar with it, it regards the toilet. if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down) but I'm totally not cool with that because our toilet is this tiny little room with no ventilation, so it reaks like piss. Thankfully he has caught on about that one
Tinette is sitting right next to me, lol. No, she is super nice. SHe is german but speaks english very well, so I try to refuse to speak english with her, haha. She is a bit older than the rest of us, so she now lives in her own flat.
Ysmay is my dearest. We were facebook friends over the summer, so it was nice to already now her. Bitch is 6'1. Shes super clean, which I love, though hopefully she will soon learn to stop leaving the lights on in her room, lol. Electricity is expensive in france, yo. She's very much a mother hen, which is nice because then I dont have to take on that role all the time.
Last week we just observed classes, and as much as I love the sound of my own voice I'm sick of telling everyone that I'm 22 and single, lol. Last weekend we went to the local marche and then Anne took us out touristing. We also met the coolest man ever, JeanDo. He is an economics teacher we bumped into one day in the staff room. He told us how he never meets the assistants, and then offered us a ride home. We've been bff ever since. We saw him at the marche, and we see him all the time now. He calls us "les jolies filles" (the pretty girls) and even sent us a postcard from his minivacation this weekend. He's going to take me and Ysmay out for a daytrip to some local vineyards, woooo.
This past weekend I went to Rennes. It was a looooong stressful journey. Its a half hour walk to the train station, an hour to Paris, then two trains to get to the right train station, then two plus hours to Rennes. All in all it takes about 6 hours. And considering the fact that I forgot my cell, it was 6 hours of stress. All in all it was a fun weekend, even though moronuglyface Heidy wasnt there. I spent Sunday/Sunday night with my host family, which was the best thing ever. I stuffed my face like no ones business. It was so strange to be back there, because everything was the same even though at the same time it wasnt.
Yesterday was my first day teaching, and it was hell. Ehran wouldnt stop talking and wouldnt pay attention, so I spent half the time yelling at him. The students all seemed bored and wouldnt stop chatting. By the time it came to play the game I told Ehran that he had to sit out because I wasnt there to discipline him, I was there to teach. I got home and called mom and cried, lol, but I feel a lot better now. I think I need to expect a little more out of my students, even though every one told us that pretty much none of them could speak english.
Next week will be good though, because I'm just going to spend the whole week talking about halloween, lol. Hopefully my package full of halloween goodies will arrive before then!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
wow so here we go
this is going to be one long mo-fo of a post, just a warning mes petites.
I will start at the beginning of my life in france, so sit back and relax, maybe take a pee break, because this is probably going to take a while.
Mom and dad dropped me off at the airport, and it was all good. I felt a little lonely, seeing as I forgot to pack a bear, so I went to a giftshop and bought myself a teddy bear wearing a boston tshirt. His name was Bruno, but after I met a man named Bruno who I really didnt like, I changed his name to BoBo. Waiting was boring, as usual, but randomly enough I knew someone on my flight to Iceland!! His name is Tim and we trained and worked together at the BandN in Braintree.
It was a typical flight, layover in Iceland, yadda yadda.
I arrived in Montargis on Monday and was picked up by the head of the English Department, Chantal Levy. She brought me to the lycee (french for high school), showed me around a bit, then brought me to a room. I was living in the teachers dorm. On the fourth floor. By myself. In a mostly empty building. I KNOW I said the same thing. I ate at the dining hall and it felt like the first day of high school all over again, but worse because there was only like 150 kids there.
Tuesday I met my contact, Veronique, who is very disappointing (and not only because she is quite ugly). She gave me a list of the things that needed to get done--open a bank account, sign my contract at town hall, go to the prefecture, and buy insurance for the flat. She assured me it would take less than two hours, then she drove me to town hall....and kicked me out the door. So I tried to take care of housing but they told me I needed a bank account. So I went to the bank and they told me I needed proof of housing, so I made an appointment, walked the forty minutes back to school, and cried. HA. I called Vero that night for help, but she was no good. I at least had a cell phone though, ha!
Wednesday I took care of my bank account and insurance and all that, and around dinner time I bumped into Manuel the spanish assistant and his contact, Anne. Anne asked me what I had been doing and I told her how I did it all by myself and was eating by myself and all that. She gave me her phone number.
On thursday I had a meeting with Vero to move into the flat, but Anne called me in the morning to tell me it wouldnt be ready until friday. I said ok then asked her where I could buy toiletries and such, so she came and picked me up and I spent a few hours with her and Manuel. SHe showed us around and such. We got back to school and everyone was like "oh you're the missing american we thought you were dead!! they broke into your room to make sure you weren't sick" UH ok. The headmaster laughed about it, But Chantal Levy ripped Anne a new one while everyone was looking. I felt really guilty--Here I was, a new person in a new country leaving a horrible impression on all my colleagues. Anne noticed and said "its okay, you're coming to eat at my house and we'll find you a place to sleep" So it was off to Annes, which was awesome because she lives in an old school farm house. Another Spanish proff, Gardenia, came over for dinner;
So then the drama begins. Anne called Veronique to say she was sorry she took me out when we had a meeting, but that she figured since the appartment wasnt ready there was no reason to get together. Vero acted all cool, then called me all pissed off. "I was so worried, blahblahblah" When I asked her why she didnt call my cell she told me she didnt have my number, which was a HORRIBLE LIE. So then she asked me where I was, and since everyone was already mad at Anne I told her I was at Gardenias. She then insisted to talk to Gardenia.
In the car on the way to Gardenias (where I was spending the night) my cell didnt stop ringing, but I refused to answer it. Once we got to her house she made me a hot cocoa, and then the phone rang. It was Bruno, Veros HUSBAND wondering why we had upset her and just screaming at Gar. It turned into world world 3. Then I checked my voice mail and it was Vero sobbing and saying who knows what. So then Vero calls and yells at Gardenia about how inappropriate it was that i was at her house and all this other stupid stuff.
The next day Vero refused to look at me, then lectured me in the car about how shes so busy and shes not a bad person no matter what Anne may say.
well I'm actually headed off to lunch now , not that anyone cares because no one has the link for this, HA; oh shit I also have class in an hour, so I'ma peace out.
I will start at the beginning of my life in france, so sit back and relax, maybe take a pee break, because this is probably going to take a while.
Mom and dad dropped me off at the airport, and it was all good. I felt a little lonely, seeing as I forgot to pack a bear, so I went to a giftshop and bought myself a teddy bear wearing a boston tshirt. His name was Bruno, but after I met a man named Bruno who I really didnt like, I changed his name to BoBo. Waiting was boring, as usual, but randomly enough I knew someone on my flight to Iceland!! His name is Tim and we trained and worked together at the BandN in Braintree.
It was a typical flight, layover in Iceland, yadda yadda.
I arrived in Montargis on Monday and was picked up by the head of the English Department, Chantal Levy. She brought me to the lycee (french for high school), showed me around a bit, then brought me to a room. I was living in the teachers dorm. On the fourth floor. By myself. In a mostly empty building. I KNOW I said the same thing. I ate at the dining hall and it felt like the first day of high school all over again, but worse because there was only like 150 kids there.
Tuesday I met my contact, Veronique, who is very disappointing (and not only because she is quite ugly). She gave me a list of the things that needed to get done--open a bank account, sign my contract at town hall, go to the prefecture, and buy insurance for the flat. She assured me it would take less than two hours, then she drove me to town hall....and kicked me out the door. So I tried to take care of housing but they told me I needed a bank account. So I went to the bank and they told me I needed proof of housing, so I made an appointment, walked the forty minutes back to school, and cried. HA. I called Vero that night for help, but she was no good. I at least had a cell phone though, ha!
Wednesday I took care of my bank account and insurance and all that, and around dinner time I bumped into Manuel the spanish assistant and his contact, Anne. Anne asked me what I had been doing and I told her how I did it all by myself and was eating by myself and all that. She gave me her phone number.
On thursday I had a meeting with Vero to move into the flat, but Anne called me in the morning to tell me it wouldnt be ready until friday. I said ok then asked her where I could buy toiletries and such, so she came and picked me up and I spent a few hours with her and Manuel. SHe showed us around and such. We got back to school and everyone was like "oh you're the missing american we thought you were dead!! they broke into your room to make sure you weren't sick" UH ok. The headmaster laughed about it, But Chantal Levy ripped Anne a new one while everyone was looking. I felt really guilty--Here I was, a new person in a new country leaving a horrible impression on all my colleagues. Anne noticed and said "its okay, you're coming to eat at my house and we'll find you a place to sleep" So it was off to Annes, which was awesome because she lives in an old school farm house. Another Spanish proff, Gardenia, came over for dinner;
So then the drama begins. Anne called Veronique to say she was sorry she took me out when we had a meeting, but that she figured since the appartment wasnt ready there was no reason to get together. Vero acted all cool, then called me all pissed off. "I was so worried, blahblahblah" When I asked her why she didnt call my cell she told me she didnt have my number, which was a HORRIBLE LIE. So then she asked me where I was, and since everyone was already mad at Anne I told her I was at Gardenias. She then insisted to talk to Gardenia.
In the car on the way to Gardenias (where I was spending the night) my cell didnt stop ringing, but I refused to answer it. Once we got to her house she made me a hot cocoa, and then the phone rang. It was Bruno, Veros HUSBAND wondering why we had upset her and just screaming at Gar. It turned into world world 3. Then I checked my voice mail and it was Vero sobbing and saying who knows what. So then Vero calls and yells at Gardenia about how inappropriate it was that i was at her house and all this other stupid stuff.
The next day Vero refused to look at me, then lectured me in the car about how shes so busy and shes not a bad person no matter what Anne may say.
well I'm actually headed off to lunch now , not that anyone cares because no one has the link for this, HA; oh shit I also have class in an hour, so I'ma peace out.
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