I've successfully completed 2 weeks of my teaching assistantship, and in true French fashion, I now have a week and a half of vacation for the Toussaint (All Saint's Day) holiday. Wonderful! The only problem is that I can't really travel because I have yet to get paid. Plus, my bank has yet to confirm my address so I haven't gotten my carte bleu yet.
In the spirit of doing free things, Sandra and I spent the day at the beach. It was a gorgeous day-- mid 70's, not too hot. Since it is fall, however, we did not get any color whatsoever. That's fine, a lovely day spent by the Mediterranean still ranks high on my awesome list. We might take a day trip later this week to Antibes or Villefranche.
My latest adventure in the kitchen was pasta with sausage (was supposed to be breakfast sausage; substitute was 2 sausages from toulouse... still v. good) eggplant, feta, and tomato sauce. It was really good! I got the idea to try fondue so I might experiment with that this week. It could be disastrous since I don't have a fondue pot, but we'll see. Then, Friday is Sandra's birthday so I think we'll either make mexican or eat at Poco Loco (amazing mex restaurant) this week.
The water is being bizarre in my 'flat.' Yesterday black, soot-like specks came out while I was showering. Gross! But now I have hardly any water pressure for the hot water. I used to have amazing water pressure! I think there is some sort of construction upstairs. But, now I think I'm going to have to call/go see my landlord and see what's going on. Dread.
p.s. I'm really glad I didn't get a studio. It's already a little lonely here without my roommie. She gets back on Saturday though, so I should enjoy the peace.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Mediterannean Sunsets
I finally have internet in my apartment! But, I did have to wait an hour in a laundromat b/c the flower shop (yep) where I had to go pick up the neufbox takes a 3 hour lunch. La France is so weird sometimes.
Anyways, Sunday night I went for a run on the prom right at sunset and it was gorgeous, so I went back on monday with my camera. So, now I'm here to entice you to come visit... I promise more beautiful sunsets like this one. Book your flights now :)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Previously on Franny's Belle Vie
Sorry for the disappearance from the blog; it was not for lack of desire. Hessina and I have moved into our little “appart” but have yet to get the internet box installed. France Telecom is supposed to come next Wednesday, but the sheet of paper they gave me also mentioned something about 3 weeks to get internet… I don’t really understand and will have to bring these things to school to get some of the English teachers to help me out.
Along the same lines, I opened my bank account last week. I had the pleasure of having a rather attractive banker who has actually visited Virginia and did an exchange in a school near Richmond. We chatted about Virginia and the difference in school systems between him spouting off banker French which I had no hope of understanding. Never in my 14000 lit classes did they teach me how to open a bank account, etc. But, from what I could understand the French banking system is strange (as is everything else). For example, I can only have upto 1600 Euros in my bank account at a time??? Je ne comprends pas. But alas, I will have to find more reasons to go to the bank and practice my French with William.
My job seems ideal so far. As I mentioned before, the teachers are really great. Marylene and I became fast friends and she invited me to her appart for dinner last Friday. She had 2 other English teachers (from different schools over as well as a friend from home, and I found out this is only her first year teaching. We had fajitas and her friend Seb did card tricks. Then, we went to see the Informant in French, which was just as confusing and complicated to the French as it was to me…..
But, I was talking about my job… The other teachers are super nice too and Simona took care of my schedule and has really taken me under her wing. She now signs her emails with “bisous”—French for “kisses” but in the French manner of 1 per cheek. The students like coming to work with me so far. For the most part I take 6-8 students from their normal class and hold ‘intensive conversation sessions’ with them. So far it hasn’t been so intensive, but later I will work on themes such as violence, fashion, addictions, etc. This is all to prepare them for their oral Bac (baccalaureate exam) at the end of the year. Ps. Every(both) times that I’ve come to France I can immediately do the French-speaking-English accent amazingly, so you’ll have to ask me when I come home.
One thing I have yet to catch up on is the gates. My school and all other schools are surrounded by gates that remain locked. Students and teachers function on a weekly schedule that is similar to American colleges as they show up when they have class and don’t show up otherwise. But, the gate remains locked except for between bells (as far as I can tell). So, in order to get in and leave each day I have to get the guardian to let me in and out. I think teachers have some sort of key/something to let themselves out, but their exit leads to the parking lot within the gate, so that doesn’t interest me. I hope that I’m not inconveniencing anyone by needing the door opened for me.
As not to lose reader interest, I will have to conclude for now. Oh, and I have fixed it so that you can leave comments now without signing up (thanks mark) so…
A bientot!
Along the same lines, I opened my bank account last week. I had the pleasure of having a rather attractive banker who has actually visited Virginia and did an exchange in a school near Richmond. We chatted about Virginia and the difference in school systems between him spouting off banker French which I had no hope of understanding. Never in my 14000 lit classes did they teach me how to open a bank account, etc. But, from what I could understand the French banking system is strange (as is everything else). For example, I can only have upto 1600 Euros in my bank account at a time??? Je ne comprends pas. But alas, I will have to find more reasons to go to the bank and practice my French with William.
My job seems ideal so far. As I mentioned before, the teachers are really great. Marylene and I became fast friends and she invited me to her appart for dinner last Friday. She had 2 other English teachers (from different schools over as well as a friend from home, and I found out this is only her first year teaching. We had fajitas and her friend Seb did card tricks. Then, we went to see the Informant in French, which was just as confusing and complicated to the French as it was to me…..
But, I was talking about my job… The other teachers are super nice too and Simona took care of my schedule and has really taken me under her wing. She now signs her emails with “bisous”—French for “kisses” but in the French manner of 1 per cheek. The students like coming to work with me so far. For the most part I take 6-8 students from their normal class and hold ‘intensive conversation sessions’ with them. So far it hasn’t been so intensive, but later I will work on themes such as violence, fashion, addictions, etc. This is all to prepare them for their oral Bac (baccalaureate exam) at the end of the year. Ps. Every(both) times that I’ve come to France I can immediately do the French-speaking-English accent amazingly, so you’ll have to ask me when I come home.
One thing I have yet to catch up on is the gates. My school and all other schools are surrounded by gates that remain locked. Students and teachers function on a weekly schedule that is similar to American colleges as they show up when they have class and don’t show up otherwise. But, the gate remains locked except for between bells (as far as I can tell). So, in order to get in and leave each day I have to get the guardian to let me in and out. I think teachers have some sort of key/something to let themselves out, but their exit leads to the parking lot within the gate, so that doesn’t interest me. I hope that I’m not inconveniencing anyone by needing the door opened for me.
As not to lose reader interest, I will have to conclude for now. Oh, and I have fixed it so that you can leave comments now without signing up (thanks mark) so…
A bientot!
The Challenge
I have just finished reading and being inspired by the memoirs of Julia Child. I love the way she writes about food and France. But, alas I am an inexperienced chef. And, my kitchen is ill equipped. So, my challenge that I extend to you is to send me recipes. Keep in mind that my apt lacks both oven and microwave—we only have stovetop. So, it’s a twofold challenge: recipes, and modified for stovetop only. Voila.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Panne d'electricite
So, I was all excited because today was a good day....
I observed in some of my classes today, and I really like the school. The students seem pretty nice and interested. The first class had some very eager kids, which was fun. "Is France famous in America?" And they all wanted to know if I spoke French. In reality, it's hard for me to switch from hearing their french to speaking my native language. Some classes have to practice talking about a picture, describing, etc. for the oral exam at the end of the year. Others were doing a debate. Also, I met more of the teachers and they are all very nice.
In America, there's a definite movement for teaching to be taken as a "real profession," so you may see jeans on a rare casual friday. On the contrary, in France on of my "english team colleagues" wore jeans and a tank top today. So, I can use all the wardrobe that I have here, and I don't have to dress up for work. Awesome.
Also, the friend that I made in one of the young teachers yesterday- Marylene-- She texted me this morning and it started with "Hey gurl" which is just adorable. Plus, I'm going to have dinner at her place Friday night.
THEN...
I went to Giletta to pick up our keys, I was very excited to move in this afternoon. We picked up our keys right after school at 5. Then, we rode up to the villa, picked up all my luggage in one fell swoop (which I was very proud of) and we got back down around 7. Opened the door to our apartment, and there is NO ELECTRICITY. I'm 95% sure they should have already turned on the electricity; I even think it was on when we visited yesterday. So, I called Sandra and Maricarmen, some other assistant friends, and we are crashing chez elles tonight. Zut alors! Just when I got my own place.
Well, considering I'm a guest, I won't spend too much time on the internet.
Future post: adorable children I see on the tram (who make me want to steal them away!)
I observed in some of my classes today, and I really like the school. The students seem pretty nice and interested. The first class had some very eager kids, which was fun. "Is France famous in America?" And they all wanted to know if I spoke French. In reality, it's hard for me to switch from hearing their french to speaking my native language. Some classes have to practice talking about a picture, describing, etc. for the oral exam at the end of the year. Others were doing a debate. Also, I met more of the teachers and they are all very nice.
In America, there's a definite movement for teaching to be taken as a "real profession," so you may see jeans on a rare casual friday. On the contrary, in France on of my "english team colleagues" wore jeans and a tank top today. So, I can use all the wardrobe that I have here, and I don't have to dress up for work. Awesome.
Also, the friend that I made in one of the young teachers yesterday- Marylene-- She texted me this morning and it started with "Hey gurl" which is just adorable. Plus, I'm going to have dinner at her place Friday night.
THEN...
I went to Giletta to pick up our keys, I was very excited to move in this afternoon. We picked up our keys right after school at 5. Then, we rode up to the villa, picked up all my luggage in one fell swoop (which I was very proud of) and we got back down around 7. Opened the door to our apartment, and there is NO ELECTRICITY. I'm 95% sure they should have already turned on the electricity; I even think it was on when we visited yesterday. So, I called Sandra and Maricarmen, some other assistant friends, and we are crashing chez elles tonight. Zut alors! Just when I got my own place.
Well, considering I'm a guest, I won't spend too much time on the internet.
Future post: adorable children I see on the tram (who make me want to steal them away!)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Come and knock on our door...
Cheesy, I know, but I'm just so excited to have found a place. I knew that none of the places from Friday or Saturday that we visited would be good enough for the price. Today, we went to the agency that usually deals with the Maryland in Nice program and asked them about a 2 room apartment. We went to see it at 5 and had signed the contract and everything by 7. It's very central- Boulevard Victor Hugo. We have our own entrance, as it's on the first floor. You walk into the common room, a small kitchen/dining is on the right. We have 2 couches that pull out (I think) and then Hessina and I share the bedroom. We each have our own bed, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Although we had to pay the agency fees, it still works out to be about the same as the other peoples' apartments and I think it's totally worth it. Plus, the pull out couches mean that anyone can come visit and have a free place to stay! Book your flights now!
Rewind, the first part of my day I went to present myself to my school. It's right off the tramway, a 10 minute walk. I met the secretary and then a few people from the English department. They are really nice already. One teacher that I met said that if she had known I'd been in a hostel, she would have put me up and then offered to go out to dinner later this week since I do not know many people in Nice yet. Then, I went around with another teacher, meeting more teachers, seeing the library, etc.
Tomorrow I will go observe some classes. Then, I hope to open a bank account and at 5 o'clock we move in!!! No more hostel!
ps. leave me some love people, I like to know who is reading my blog :)
Rewind, the first part of my day I went to present myself to my school. It's right off the tramway, a 10 minute walk. I met the secretary and then a few people from the English department. They are really nice already. One teacher that I met said that if she had known I'd been in a hostel, she would have put me up and then offered to go out to dinner later this week since I do not know many people in Nice yet. Then, I went around with another teacher, meeting more teachers, seeing the library, etc.
Tomorrow I will go observe some classes. Then, I hope to open a bank account and at 5 o'clock we move in!!! No more hostel!
ps. leave me some love people, I like to know who is reading my blog :)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Homeless
What a frustrating day... and just the beginning of a series of frustrating days, I'm sure.
All the assistants met up for dinner at the Relais de Jeunesse last night. Then, this morning we were all escorted to the Rectorat de Nice to have an orientation of sorts. First of all, there are 187 language assistants in the Nice region, but hardly any are actually placed in Nice, as I was. 111 of the assistants are English language from the US, England, Ireland, etc. etc. I've made friends of several american girls/english girls, and a spanish girl.
Anyways, we met up and sat in a room all morning while some people introduced themselves. Then, they proceeded to list all the hoops we will have to jump through in the first couple weeks to get everything we need including: bank account, carte de sejour, housing refund, health insurance/security. And, all of these are quite impossible without housing. Well, some other people have secured housing and I'm feeling desperate since I don't even have any leads. I will probably be living with one of the british girls, but I just want to have housing like yesterday. I was also stressed all day because I don't have a cellphone, which is essential to call landlords to see apts. Luckily, after everything I ran down to Jean Medecin and got a prepaid phone from Orange. The woman was clearly unhappy b/c they were supposed to close in 3 minutes, but I was desperate. So, yay cellphone. The afternoon portion was a little more relaxed as we talked about our actual role in the schools, it should be fun.
Emily left today, and the first day and a half I was a pretty good host, but today had to suck for her since I was gone all day. Sorry Em! We hope to look for housing tomorrow (although we don't have much as far as leads) and maybe not be homeless by this weekend. I'm hardly optimistic.
Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated. I knew this was going to be stressful at first, but that doesn't make it any easier.
All the assistants met up for dinner at the Relais de Jeunesse last night. Then, this morning we were all escorted to the Rectorat de Nice to have an orientation of sorts. First of all, there are 187 language assistants in the Nice region, but hardly any are actually placed in Nice, as I was. 111 of the assistants are English language from the US, England, Ireland, etc. etc. I've made friends of several american girls/english girls, and a spanish girl.
Anyways, we met up and sat in a room all morning while some people introduced themselves. Then, they proceeded to list all the hoops we will have to jump through in the first couple weeks to get everything we need including: bank account, carte de sejour, housing refund, health insurance/security. And, all of these are quite impossible without housing. Well, some other people have secured housing and I'm feeling desperate since I don't even have any leads. I will probably be living with one of the british girls, but I just want to have housing like yesterday. I was also stressed all day because I don't have a cellphone, which is essential to call landlords to see apts. Luckily, after everything I ran down to Jean Medecin and got a prepaid phone from Orange. The woman was clearly unhappy b/c they were supposed to close in 3 minutes, but I was desperate. So, yay cellphone. The afternoon portion was a little more relaxed as we talked about our actual role in the schools, it should be fun.
Emily left today, and the first day and a half I was a pretty good host, but today had to suck for her since I was gone all day. Sorry Em! We hope to look for housing tomorrow (although we don't have much as far as leads) and maybe not be homeless by this weekend. I'm hardly optimistic.
Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated. I knew this was going to be stressful at first, but that doesn't make it any easier.
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