It's been a bit of time since my last post, so let me recap what the past few weeks have been like.
I started to hold conversation sessions with one of my students (a senior) who is applying for an au pair program in California for this coming Fall. She is very motivated to go to the States, and her level of spoken English is one of the best in her class. However, she'll be applying among older students who've already taken University English classes, and is insistent on improving her level in the next few weeks so she can realize her dream. She sought me out and we picked several days over the next few weeks to speak English for 45 minutes to an hour. It's not a paid gig, just something to help her practice speaking. She's the only student of mine who is seeking extra practice with her English, and to me that shows serious motivation. I'm hoping she gets accepted to the program. With her attitude and knowledge of the language, I don't have much doubt in my mind that she'll be accepted. She reminds me of myself a little when I was applying to study abroad in Besançon- seriously motivated but a less-than-perfect level of the target language. I told her that being in the country where the language is spoken is the best way to become fluent, and that this opportunity could definitely help her. She's even working on her own with a listening CD and book she got for Christmas from her grandmother. It's wonderful to see such drive in my students.
I bought my plane ticket home today, but I am waiting to see if the purchase goes through (I bought it with a student discount, and I'm not sure if my student status will be verified or not). Chances are it will, because other assistants have bought student-discounted airline tickets before after having graduated. If the deny it, it's their loss, right?
The weather here is so-so, no snow but very chilly. I went for a jog a few days ago and I regretted immediately not wearing more winter jogging gear (earmuffs and gloves to be exact), but it did feel great to get my blood flowing. I've been doing lots of sitting around my apartment, so the warmer the weather gets the happier Maddie will be. Amy and I went for a long walk this past Sunday to the hills/farmland outside of Aiguillon. It was really gorgeous where we went, and she took a few pictures (I will try and get them up here once she's uploaded them). I haven't been taking many pictures recently due to a certain power converter of mine that is currently en panne (broken). It's about time I get a working converter; I've been needing one for a while now.
I haven't been going to Sud Management to help Peter after the New Year; he may not need my assistance there anymore. Not sure if he's decided to work on other projects, or what, but now my Wednesday afternoons are wide open. I'll most likely go to Agen today to look for a converter and pass some time away in the bookstore.
Amy and I went and had dinner at her colleague's house with her son and his roommates, as we had done in the Fall last year. The same four students our age were there, minus one. Florian, Anne-Sophie, Jimmy and Leo all brought things to make a delicious dinner of potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, peppers, and spices (can't think of the specific name of the dish) but basically all the veggies and potatoes are chopped up and mixed together, and placed in aluminum foil which gets baked for 30 mins. or so. Starts with a P...I'll have to look it up. Anywho, the dinner was great and we were among good company. Amy and I are in the works of planning a trip to Mont-de-Marsan to visit the roommates and have them show us around- right now we're just trying to align our schedules a bit. The all go to an école du bois, which is like a wood engineering University, and are often out hiking in the woods and getting their boots muddy. They came to the dinner directly from one of their hikes, and it showed! They have the right idea, finding a profession where you are surrounded by nature half the time. Just reminds me that I need to get out more...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
(Insert witty subject line here)
Day 3 of my cold. I've been sick since Monday, on medication, and already missed the first two work days this week. Today, I went in (only have one class- the 3emes) knowing that it'd be an easy day, my other class for the day was canceled (I think the teacher is sick too). It went as any normal day in France teaching goes- waited for the teacher to come with the students in the hallway for about 5 minutes, realized she was late, took the whole class in and started a game with them. We ended up doing the game the whole hour- would've taken about twenty minutes if the kids actually followed instructions, but 1/4 of them were talking the whole period and about 1/4 of them just didn't write anything down at all. It was a super simple game, you write your name in the middle of the white board and circle it. You have 5 branches coming off of that circle with random things (I used my zip code, my age, my dog's name, my sister's name, and the city I'm from). The rest of the class has to guess what each word or number means by asking the appropriate question in English. Such as: "Is 48382 your postal code?" or "is Michelle your sister?" No matter how many times I had to correct them (they usually said things like "Michelle eez your sistehr?" they didn't seem to want to correct their mistakes (give or take two students who are probably the best in the class). I wanted to pull these two chatty girls out by their ears into the hallways and leave them there for the period, but something told me that might not be the best way to handle things. The funny thing about these students is, even though I announced loud and clear (in French) in the beginning of class that I just got over a bad cold and can't yell because it hurts my throat, they were just as loud as if I didn't say anything at all. It's times like this that I can't wait to try my hand at teaching University students just to know what it's like to have students that listen and care!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Getting Stuff Done Day
So, in a way, today was very productive. And in a way, it was useless.
It started with my heading to my 8:15 a.m. class, arriving early and getting my lesson for the day all written up on the board. Comme normal, I head upstairs to take half of the students away from my colleague's English class. When she arrives, she lets me know that the students have homework due that day, and that I wasn't needed. Well, I don't mind that much, because it's one of my favorite colleagues who I like and she usually doesn't forget to tell me when she doesn't need me for class. At least, she's forgotten a lot less than my other colleagues. So I shrug it off and go back to my apartment, call France Telecom (asking them why some stranger's address was on my account and explaining that that's probably the reason I hadn't received my phone yet), and explaining to them that, since we didn't have our modem until mid-December (when Orange sent us a confirmation that it would be delivered around mid-November) we shouldn't have to pay the first bill when we couldn't even access the service. The guy on the phone was understanding, but what added to the complications of my explaining the situation, was that I was calling from my cell phone- super expensive way to call customer service, because I have the pay-as-you-go plan and calls to Customer Service aren't free. So, knowing the call was about to be cut because of my credit expiring, I hastily told the representative that he'd have to call me back (I can talk on their dime as long as they call me. Instead of saying "okay, will do" he replied "C'est un mobile? On n'a pas le droit d'appeler aux mob-" and then of course, it cut off. (He was in the middle of telling me they aren't allowed to call cell phone numbers. What?) Frustrated, I threw my phone on my bed and was about to find my shoes to go back to the school for my next lesson when he called me back. "It's France Telecom", he said. Apparently they do have the "droit" to call one on their cell phone. He asked why, if I have a fixed line number, I didn't just call from that line instead, because it would have been free. Once again I explained that, because of their error, I don't have my phone, they had sent it to some random person's address. So, we finished up by my successfully (but not without some poor grammar mistakes thrown in) getting the first bill waived from our February bill. Phew, what a process.
Let's move now to the next lesson for the day. Repeat steps one and two. Lesson on board, go to get half the next class...but wait! My students are standing outside my door. They ask me where the teacher is. I look down the hall, and sure enough, her door is closed. I tell them I'll go down to Vie Scolaire with them to solve the puzzle. Sure enough, even though I looked on the missing profs sheet (twice) that same morning, the professor's name was freshly written under Thursday, January 7th. So, my students had a free hour. But that already makes two classes out of the day I didn't need to bother with.
Went back to the apartment, paid my internet bill through January, recharged my phone with credit so I can just lazily call to pay my bills in the future instead of writing a check and mailing it out. It was already late anyway, because it had been sitting in the school's mailbox waiting to be delivered to me all throughout break. Hopefully, I won't be smacked with a fee because of that.
The third class of the day (technically the first), I had the noisy 3emes. They couldn't seem to stop talking (even the girls, who are usually much quieter and more well-behaved). I was spending a large chunk of the hour just standing there trying my best to look stern, waiting for them to get the picture and calm down. Didn't work. I tried explaining that I can't yell (unlike the professor who has them normally) and that when they talk, I have to yell over them. Didn't work. I was running out of ideas and patience, so I just gave in and we played Scattergories for the last 20 minutes. The lesson was finished, and they ultimately felt like concentrating even more on the game we were playing. Guess it's games from here on out.
It started with my heading to my 8:15 a.m. class, arriving early and getting my lesson for the day all written up on the board. Comme normal, I head upstairs to take half of the students away from my colleague's English class. When she arrives, she lets me know that the students have homework due that day, and that I wasn't needed. Well, I don't mind that much, because it's one of my favorite colleagues who I like and she usually doesn't forget to tell me when she doesn't need me for class. At least, she's forgotten a lot less than my other colleagues. So I shrug it off and go back to my apartment, call France Telecom (asking them why some stranger's address was on my account and explaining that that's probably the reason I hadn't received my phone yet), and explaining to them that, since we didn't have our modem until mid-December (when Orange sent us a confirmation that it would be delivered around mid-November) we shouldn't have to pay the first bill when we couldn't even access the service. The guy on the phone was understanding, but what added to the complications of my explaining the situation, was that I was calling from my cell phone- super expensive way to call customer service, because I have the pay-as-you-go plan and calls to Customer Service aren't free. So, knowing the call was about to be cut because of my credit expiring, I hastily told the representative that he'd have to call me back (I can talk on their dime as long as they call me. Instead of saying "okay, will do" he replied "C'est un mobile? On n'a pas le droit d'appeler aux mob-" and then of course, it cut off. (He was in the middle of telling me they aren't allowed to call cell phone numbers. What?) Frustrated, I threw my phone on my bed and was about to find my shoes to go back to the school for my next lesson when he called me back. "It's France Telecom", he said. Apparently they do have the "droit" to call one on their cell phone. He asked why, if I have a fixed line number, I didn't just call from that line instead, because it would have been free. Once again I explained that, because of their error, I don't have my phone, they had sent it to some random person's address. So, we finished up by my successfully (but not without some poor grammar mistakes thrown in) getting the first bill waived from our February bill. Phew, what a process.
Let's move now to the next lesson for the day. Repeat steps one and two. Lesson on board, go to get half the next class...but wait! My students are standing outside my door. They ask me where the teacher is. I look down the hall, and sure enough, her door is closed. I tell them I'll go down to Vie Scolaire with them to solve the puzzle. Sure enough, even though I looked on the missing profs sheet (twice) that same morning, the professor's name was freshly written under Thursday, January 7th. So, my students had a free hour. But that already makes two classes out of the day I didn't need to bother with.
Went back to the apartment, paid my internet bill through January, recharged my phone with credit so I can just lazily call to pay my bills in the future instead of writing a check and mailing it out. It was already late anyway, because it had been sitting in the school's mailbox waiting to be delivered to me all throughout break. Hopefully, I won't be smacked with a fee because of that.
The third class of the day (technically the first), I had the noisy 3emes. They couldn't seem to stop talking (even the girls, who are usually much quieter and more well-behaved). I was spending a large chunk of the hour just standing there trying my best to look stern, waiting for them to get the picture and calm down. Didn't work. I tried explaining that I can't yell (unlike the professor who has them normally) and that when they talk, I have to yell over them. Didn't work. I was running out of ideas and patience, so I just gave in and we played Scattergories for the last 20 minutes. The lesson was finished, and they ultimately felt like concentrating even more on the game we were playing. Guess it's games from here on out.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Bonne Année/Happy New Year!
So, with the new year, I am pretty much required to update my blog again.
I went back to teaching yesterday. It was a nice, slow start as my first class on Monday didn't commence until 2:20 in the afternoon. Even then, it was cancelled- which left me with my one and only class of Terminales for the day at 3:25. It went well- the students were energetic, but only one of them refused to speak english, and no matter how much I prompted her she only replied in French- most often with attempted wit for every response. I didn't let her get to me (there's one in every class I have it seems) because I know when it comes time for her to study for the BAC, and she can't say a word, I'll just shrug my shoulders with the whole "not my fault" look on my face. I'm really mastering this whole French attitude.
One thing that brightened my day yesterday was getting the mail- and lots of it. Because everything that is sent to me is kept in the school (I can't check my mail over vacation), there were 2 weeks worth of stocked up letters/packages waiting for me upon my return. The packages were a lovely care box filled with an XL size jar of peanut butter/mixed dried fruits and nuts from my mother (love her so much), and my LIVEBOX. Yes, it came. Do I need it anymore? No. Thanks anyway, France Telecom. You haven't done 1 thing right yet since I've subscribed for your service.
The letters were a mix of Christmas cards, bills, letters about my Carte de Séjour (which basically just say they want more paperwork, even though I already sent in everything they required the first week I arrived in France). All they want is three pages photocopied out of my Passport. Did it really take 3 months to go through my envelope and tell me there is still stuff missing? Need I even bother getting my Carte de Séjour anymore, since I only have less than 4 months more in France and won't be traveling out of the country before then? If I have a harder time in the CDG airport without one, then fine. I'll make the copies. But hopefully the security by then will be a little loosened from the past attempted attack on Christmas Day (what is wrong with people)?
The Christmas market is outside, and I am more than tempted to buy a nice loaf of 6-grain bread for the next few days. One can only eat plain baguette so often before one begins to crave heartier things. Amy made the comment yesterday as we placed our items on the conveyor belt in the checkout line that I had "posh food choices", which could be true, if posh means healthy. One of my new year's resolutions was to eat healthier and get a little exercise in every day. So far, I've been eating very well, but the exercise thing hasn't kicked in yet. Maybe once I get my schedule organized I'll create a little time slot for a run. I do miss running, but the weather has kept me gathering the motivation. For the past few days, it's been as if you're walking through a cloud- misty and wet. I'm not complaining, though- CNN.com tells me the States have been hit with a nasty cold spell. I know I'd be much crankier if it were colder here. I'm going to miss this temperate weather in the winter, wherever I end up.
This weekend, Amy and I are planning on meeting two of the other assistants from Marmande somewhere to hang out. It's only during the assistant meetings we've had that we've actually chatted, so I sent them a text earlier this week asking if they'd be interested in doing something on Saturday. Should be fun- I'm going to get out more these next few months and really see what I can of France before I'm outta here.
I went back to teaching yesterday. It was a nice, slow start as my first class on Monday didn't commence until 2:20 in the afternoon. Even then, it was cancelled- which left me with my one and only class of Terminales for the day at 3:25. It went well- the students were energetic, but only one of them refused to speak english, and no matter how much I prompted her she only replied in French- most often with attempted wit for every response. I didn't let her get to me (there's one in every class I have it seems) because I know when it comes time for her to study for the BAC, and she can't say a word, I'll just shrug my shoulders with the whole "not my fault" look on my face. I'm really mastering this whole French attitude.
One thing that brightened my day yesterday was getting the mail- and lots of it. Because everything that is sent to me is kept in the school (I can't check my mail over vacation), there were 2 weeks worth of stocked up letters/packages waiting for me upon my return. The packages were a lovely care box filled with an XL size jar of peanut butter/mixed dried fruits and nuts from my mother (love her so much), and my LIVEBOX. Yes, it came. Do I need it anymore? No. Thanks anyway, France Telecom. You haven't done 1 thing right yet since I've subscribed for your service.
The letters were a mix of Christmas cards, bills, letters about my Carte de Séjour (which basically just say they want more paperwork, even though I already sent in everything they required the first week I arrived in France). All they want is three pages photocopied out of my Passport. Did it really take 3 months to go through my envelope and tell me there is still stuff missing? Need I even bother getting my Carte de Séjour anymore, since I only have less than 4 months more in France and won't be traveling out of the country before then? If I have a harder time in the CDG airport without one, then fine. I'll make the copies. But hopefully the security by then will be a little loosened from the past attempted attack on Christmas Day (what is wrong with people)?
The Christmas market is outside, and I am more than tempted to buy a nice loaf of 6-grain bread for the next few days. One can only eat plain baguette so often before one begins to crave heartier things. Amy made the comment yesterday as we placed our items on the conveyor belt in the checkout line that I had "posh food choices", which could be true, if posh means healthy. One of my new year's resolutions was to eat healthier and get a little exercise in every day. So far, I've been eating very well, but the exercise thing hasn't kicked in yet. Maybe once I get my schedule organized I'll create a little time slot for a run. I do miss running, but the weather has kept me gathering the motivation. For the past few days, it's been as if you're walking through a cloud- misty and wet. I'm not complaining, though- CNN.com tells me the States have been hit with a nasty cold spell. I know I'd be much crankier if it were colder here. I'm going to miss this temperate weather in the winter, wherever I end up.
This weekend, Amy and I are planning on meeting two of the other assistants from Marmande somewhere to hang out. It's only during the assistant meetings we've had that we've actually chatted, so I sent them a text earlier this week asking if they'd be interested in doing something on Saturday. Should be fun- I'm going to get out more these next few months and really see what I can of France before I'm outta here.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2009...in 22 photos.
Because 22 years is how old I turned this year, I decided to sum up my year in 22 special photos, in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. Kalamazoo, MI- An anniversary party was held chez 808 to remember our time studying abroad in Besancon.
2. Visits from Michelle were always "a treat" (forgive the horrible pun)
3. Going to Chicago with Kristina, Sarah and Andy and staying in a ritzy hotel for a few nights made us feel like celebrities!
4. St. Patrick's Day festivities at the campus bar were held immediately after class was done. They didn't stop there.
5. Moving out of the Kalamazoo house marked the end of a great year at WMU with amazing roommates.
6. Seeing friends play gigs at random bars in Kalamzoo was a frequent thing we did to get out of the house.
7. Sang in a choir on the side, called Accapazoo- there I met some wonderful, talented people who ended up becoming close friends.
8. Of course, getting the assistantship has to fit in here somewhere. Placed in the academy of Bordeaux (and a town a whole lot smaller than what I expected), I would begin my teaching career in France for 7months.
9. Seeing movies with friends before leaving for France was a summer hobby. (Jon and I at Emagine Novi)
10.Graduating from Western Michigan University left me a BA degree, a ticket to France, and lifelong friends. My last semester of undergraduate college, packed 21 credits full, left me with a lot of work and little time to do much else.
11. Pancakes and jazz playing make a very welcoming kitchen.
12. Trying new wines at the Wine Loft kept us sane during finals.
13. The choir reunion at Phil's house was a great time for those who once called the choir room their home.
14. Meeting Amy, my British roommate, provided plenty of entertainment, laughs and dinners spent together in France.
15.My sister coming to visit in December provided great company during the holidays.
16. I started eating meat upon my arrival in France, knowing that refusing meat in the country (especially when invited to dinner) is about as common as pigs flying. As a result, I tried some new dishes: foie gras, confit de canard, and numerous types of sausage. The list goes on, but as time passed I realized I still prefer fish over meat. I guess now you could call me a Pescetarian.
17. Went to my first circus:
18. Got to know my sister's fiance a little better:
19. Went to a peace rally in New York
20. I lived by my own means for the first time (!)
21. Spent most of the summer chez papa, working two retail jobs over the summer to save up for France
22. Taught for my first time in a foreign high school:
1. Kalamazoo, MI- An anniversary party was held chez 808 to remember our time studying abroad in Besancon.
2. Visits from Michelle were always "a treat" (forgive the horrible pun)
3. Going to Chicago with Kristina, Sarah and Andy and staying in a ritzy hotel for a few nights made us feel like celebrities!
4. St. Patrick's Day festivities at the campus bar were held immediately after class was done. They didn't stop there.
5. Moving out of the Kalamazoo house marked the end of a great year at WMU with amazing roommates.
6. Seeing friends play gigs at random bars in Kalamzoo was a frequent thing we did to get out of the house.
7. Sang in a choir on the side, called Accapazoo- there I met some wonderful, talented people who ended up becoming close friends.
8. Of course, getting the assistantship has to fit in here somewhere. Placed in the academy of Bordeaux (and a town a whole lot smaller than what I expected), I would begin my teaching career in France for 7months.
9. Seeing movies with friends before leaving for France was a summer hobby. (Jon and I at Emagine Novi)
10.Graduating from Western Michigan University left me a BA degree, a ticket to France, and lifelong friends. My last semester of undergraduate college, packed 21 credits full, left me with a lot of work and little time to do much else.
11. Pancakes and jazz playing make a very welcoming kitchen.
12. Trying new wines at the Wine Loft kept us sane during finals.
13. The choir reunion at Phil's house was a great time for those who once called the choir room their home.
14. Meeting Amy, my British roommate, provided plenty of entertainment, laughs and dinners spent together in France.
15.My sister coming to visit in December provided great company during the holidays.
16. I started eating meat upon my arrival in France, knowing that refusing meat in the country (especially when invited to dinner) is about as common as pigs flying. As a result, I tried some new dishes: foie gras, confit de canard, and numerous types of sausage. The list goes on, but as time passed I realized I still prefer fish over meat. I guess now you could call me a Pescetarian.
17. Went to my first circus:
18. Got to know my sister's fiance a little better:
19. Went to a peace rally in New York
20. I lived by my own means for the first time (!)
21. Spent most of the summer chez papa, working two retail jobs over the summer to save up for France
22. Taught for my first time in a foreign high school:
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Avignon, Christmas markets, and delayed trains.
It's high time I update this thing again, especially now that I've visited a new city: Avignon. My sister and I chose Provence for our winter vacation because we'd both never been to the southeast region of France, and we both had a general interest in the city. After only about 20 minutes, I knew I was going to love the area. Not only is Avignon known for its annual theatre festival, the city is close enough to see the Pyrenees in the distance which provides for a great background, and the Palais des Papes (Pope Palace) is one of the sites the city is best known for. Outside of the Palais, you can walk around after climbing a dizzying amount of stairs (had to pause several times on the way up) but the view is absolutely worth it. There is a little grotto-like place with a waterfall and a stone cliff that you can climb to get the best view all around. We felt similar to a mountain goat trying to balance on the stony, steep steps. Feeling the wind blowing your hair and breathing the fresh air from the heights was something I haven't felt in a long time (and can't really get in the flatlands in Aiguillon). It was exhilarating and enough to get me to want to come back and experience it again.
The first few nights were spent shopping and walking around the city, familiarizing ourselves with the area. As it is a few days from Christmas, we were welcomed with the beautiful icicle lights that hang from the trees and the other Christmas decor throughout centre ville. The Place d'Horloges is adorned with the Christmas market, and it's hard to walk past the man roasting chestnuts without wanting to taste some. I acutally had my first taste tonight, and I can finally make sense of the lyric 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire'... and appreciate the nutty wonder that seems to be everywhere at this time of the season. I also was tempted to indulge myself in a bit of vin chaud, which would have accompanied a nutella crêpe quite well, but as I was short on change the first couple days I decided against it.
I was pleasantly surprised when my paycheck came in a few days early- I had been worried because I was getting low again, and didn't know if we were going to get paid before Christmas or not. This relieved many worries (and I was able to get some more Christmas shopping done, even mailed out some presents the same day). I have a few more that might have to wait until I get home to deliver though, because of the weight it might be too expensive to ship. Anyway, I finally found some good gloves and other things that have long been on my list at H & M, so I gave myself a little Christmas present this morning while Michelle was at the hotel writing e-mails.
Our hotel, in Centre Ville, was a great place to spend the few days in Avignon. We opted out of breakfast (6 Euro every day) and decided it'd be much cheaper to just buy a pain 'o' chocolat and a coffee in Centre Ville (which is exactly what we did). We found a Carrefour where we bought things for dinner, and brought the food back to the hotel to eat. The three nights were spent walking around in the rain with our umbrellas (thankfully during the day it wasn't consistently raining) but we didn't stay too long outside because a dry, cozy hotel room seemed much more appealing to us.
We took the bus today to Villeneuve-Lez-Avignon, which was a smaller town across the Rhône (river) and about a 5-10 minute bus ride from Avignon. We had a good walk this morning as we took the bus to the last stop and walked all the way back down towards the Office du Tourisme, and by that time we were ready to head back. We still hadn't seen the Palais at that point (the highlight of our day) and we wanted to get there before it closed. The rain was starting in on us again, so that told us it was time to go.
I am already planning my second trip back, and shooting for seeing a show next time (it didn't fit the schedule this time around). I'm planning on seeing my friend in Nice in March, so that might be just around the right time to pop back into this wonderful city.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Chilly weather, chilly people and French markets.
It's getting colder outside and yesterday, we had our first snowfall! Of course, none of it stuck (apparently it rarely does) but it was nice all the same to walk back from Salle 9 (the computer lab in the school) and seeing the snow, enhanced by the glow of the lights. It was enough to make me feel like it was really December, instead of just a cold Autumn day (which would be Michigan's equivalent to Aiguillon's winter). There won't be any snowmen around here, that's for sure- but Aiguillon is decked out in Christmas lights throughout Centre Ville and it certainly does something to make this otherwise plain small town a festive one.
Going to the market on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (which is always right in front of the lycée) always is a trip, because of the things you see (dead pigeons without their feathers plucked, piled on top of one another for sale) and the people you meet. In today's case, it was just a story of pushy old ladies. I was cut in front of *twice* after waiting for my turn and the first lady even told the cashier that she'd been there longer than I had. I just mumbled "ça va, ça va (it's fine)" and she went ahead and paid. She also was the same lady who earlier had pushed me aside from where I was standing in line so she could get her tomatoes. Good lord, what happened to manners?
Normally I would just shrug it off but a third person (a guy this time) did the same thing when I went down to the atelier to have my laundry washed. I dropped off my things with Madame Bertrand and as I was leaving, I came across some man I didn't know walking speedily in my direction. The hallway was small so I tried to scoot off to one side, but he actually just plowed on through, bumped me (enough so that my body weight shifted) and didn't say a thing. Okay, I know you're in a hurry. I understand that you might have things to do. But seriously, is even a small "pardon" out of the question?! Do I just scream "bump into me! I like it!"? I'm pretty sure I don't have that written all over my face, so what's the deal with these people?
I just spoke to my colleague about her Friday class. It's a group of Terminales (last grade of high school, equivalent to seniors) who are all girls and who don't really respond too well to my lessons. I just told her that they don't all respond when I ask them questions, (even in French when they refuse to speak english), they don't participate in the activities I plan and I just get the strong feeling there's no point in coming to that class if they don't care and don't want to participate. I'm going to stay with her before going off with half the class this Friday and talk to the students with her so we can figure out together what the problem is. It's not all the students who react like this, just maybe about half of them. It's hard enough to get them interested in my lessons, but when some of them don't put in any effort at all, I get the feeling like I'm not doing my job right. This is the only class that I've had students like this. I see them every week, and it's been like this since the beginning. The case might be that the lessons I plan for them are just too far above their heads and not their level, but how am I to know if they don't tell me "it's too hard"? That way, I could just adjust my lessons. But I'm not just going to give them lyrics to a song and have them fill out missing words all the time (that was the only lesson I did that seemed to interest them- they even requested a few other songs in english). I have to give a good variety, but why bother if they don't participate?
Going to the market on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (which is always right in front of the lycée) always is a trip, because of the things you see (dead pigeons without their feathers plucked, piled on top of one another for sale) and the people you meet. In today's case, it was just a story of pushy old ladies. I was cut in front of *twice* after waiting for my turn and the first lady even told the cashier that she'd been there longer than I had. I just mumbled "ça va, ça va (it's fine)" and she went ahead and paid. She also was the same lady who earlier had pushed me aside from where I was standing in line so she could get her tomatoes. Good lord, what happened to manners?
Normally I would just shrug it off but a third person (a guy this time) did the same thing when I went down to the atelier to have my laundry washed. I dropped off my things with Madame Bertrand and as I was leaving, I came across some man I didn't know walking speedily in my direction. The hallway was small so I tried to scoot off to one side, but he actually just plowed on through, bumped me (enough so that my body weight shifted) and didn't say a thing. Okay, I know you're in a hurry. I understand that you might have things to do. But seriously, is even a small "pardon" out of the question?! Do I just scream "bump into me! I like it!"? I'm pretty sure I don't have that written all over my face, so what's the deal with these people?
I just spoke to my colleague about her Friday class. It's a group of Terminales (last grade of high school, equivalent to seniors) who are all girls and who don't really respond too well to my lessons. I just told her that they don't all respond when I ask them questions, (even in French when they refuse to speak english), they don't participate in the activities I plan and I just get the strong feeling there's no point in coming to that class if they don't care and don't want to participate. I'm going to stay with her before going off with half the class this Friday and talk to the students with her so we can figure out together what the problem is. It's not all the students who react like this, just maybe about half of them. It's hard enough to get them interested in my lessons, but when some of them don't put in any effort at all, I get the feeling like I'm not doing my job right. This is the only class that I've had students like this. I see them every week, and it's been like this since the beginning. The case might be that the lessons I plan for them are just too far above their heads and not their level, but how am I to know if they don't tell me "it's too hard"? That way, I could just adjust my lessons. But I'm not just going to give them lyrics to a song and have them fill out missing words all the time (that was the only lesson I did that seemed to interest them- they even requested a few other songs in english). I have to give a good variety, but why bother if they don't participate?
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