To whom it may concern:

I have a roommate!  Actually, I have two roommates for the moment, but the other is just temporary.  So, I have one roommate who is from China.  Her name is Xiao Lu, I think, but she goes by Gaölle in France.  I like her a lot.  More later, I suppose, but I think we'll get along just fine.  We've already had some laughs and that's nice.

Also, there is a woman staying with us, who has been away on vacation but now is back for one more week.  She reminds me lots of my host mother, Aline, from when I studied abroad three years ago, except she's a lot more... gravelly, or something.  I don't know.  We watched Cold Case, or something (it was a show about opening files that had been closed from many years before-- the one we watched was about this college history art teacher who murdered his student in the style of the painting Ophelia, from Hamlet.  oh la la!), in French voice over, on TV last night til midnight.  Not the most exciting night life, but it's basically the latest I've been awake since I've been here.  What a crazy life I lead! 

Now I'm going to go find a bank with Xiao Lu, and then hop online at an internet cafe to talk to Donnie, I think.  Maybe a movie tonight.  We have orientation on Friday and then a whirlwind of observation hours, and then a regular schedule with 12 hours a week of teaching.  How will I fit it all in?!?  (small joke)

xoxo

Sorry for the lag...

I am tucked away neatly in Rouen, content to explore the city.  My cold is finally chilling out.  I still have a cough, but the sniffles are finally in decline, I hope.  Yesterday, I slept til 1 in the afternoon.  Ridiculous but I needed it.  I unpacked a lot of things the night before, and I put up some pictures.  This place is already starting to feel a little homier to me.  The bed was super uncomfortable but they had provided me with a comforter which I initially set aside, because I packed my own comforter.  But now, I've put the comforter on the bed like a matress pad and it is much better.  A good night's sleep, and then I went to run some errands (buying a cell phone, grocery store, ATM, etc).

I wont be on facebook for about a week or more, probably, since I don't have wireless internet in my room yet so I'm stuck just using the school computer.   And probably I wont have access to any computer tomorrow (Sunday) because, like everything else, the school, all businesses, etc will be closed.  France basically shuts down on Sundays.  Which is nice, in theory, and I think I'll grow to appreciate it once I have internet in my room. 

Today, I'm going to the market in Place Saint Marc, and then on to the Office of Tourism to take a tour of Rouen at 3 pm.  Then back here for dinner, I think.  But we'll see.

I'm feeling particularly homesick today.  I've felt very out of touch with my family and friends, only being able to talk on gchat, if that.  Once again, as soon as I have internet, I think it will help.  It's just hard to be in a place without anyone I've met before 3 days ago. 

Alas, what can you do?

Alrighty, I need to get a move on.  Love and hugs all around.

First post from Rouen!

 Hello everyone, from the grand city of Rouen.  I got picked up today from the train station after even more travels by one of the teachers.  She had a placard thing for me, with my name and everything on it.  She took me to my school, helped me with my bags (which was quite a relief), and I met my contact person, Christophe.  He has been introducing me topeople, and showed me the administrative office. there, I got keys to my lovely apartment that has a hot range so I can COOK!, and a toaster oven, and a huge fridge.  And 2 toilet rooms and 2 showers, and a living room.  I'll be living with a Chinese language assistant and also a Spanish language assistant.  I have my own sink in my room, which is really nice actually, even though I've never thought about it before.  I'm the first to get here: there are 5 bedrooms but only the 3 will be taken...  Though there's another bedroom that's got stuff in it, and no one can seem to explain whose it is, so;.. guess we'll find out.

For now, I'll just be able to correspond via email (and gchat) because I won't have wireless internet.  Though I'm going to try to find a place nearby with wireless so I can skype a bit.  But not now.  Now, I'm going to unpack my room a bit and get ready for dinner tonight; one of the English teachers invited me over for supper because I'm the only one who is here so far.  How lovely. 

I'm still really tired, but it has been a mostly lovely day.  Though just about everyone who has interacted in the last few days (my mom, my brother, Donnie, his mom, me, etc) seems to have caught a nasty cold, especially Donnie, so perhaps you could send a positive thought our way?  Lovely lovely.

Anyways, that's all for now.  More sometime.  xoxo.

So here's what...

I caught the train to Paris and sat next to a lovely girl named Marie.  She is French but she's getting her masters in Foreign Languages, so she's studying English, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and ... oh, shoot.  One other.  A really impressive one.  Anyhow, we discussed government structures and health care and I took a few little naps.

I left the Gare du Nord (train station) and walked down the street with a few cumbersome bags.  I walked into the first hotel I saw and got a room.  €45 for a bed and free wifi and a sink in my room and lovely double doors that look out on Paris, €5 for breakfast in the morning.  And then I take a train to Rouen and get picked up at the train station.  It is an adventure still. 

Here's the lovely street view.  I'm in Paris.  WTF.  I'm having some trouble getting used to the idea.  I kind of feel like I'm in this dream world.  Hillary, I went down the street (and didn't have my camera with me-- boo) and saw a Quick and thought of you.  Missing being here with you!



I'm about to go to sleep and wake up at 7, I think.  I hope.  I'm not quite sure how to make sure I wake up as I don't have a cell phone or a clock -- I just have a wrist watch that will hopefully beep when I want it to.  Maybe I'll see if they have wake up calls at the front desk.  Yes, that is what I'll do.

Love love.

PS. Mom and everyone else who likes these things: I considered staying in a hostel tonight called "Peace and Love" but then I decided I couldn't because it's a party hostel.  No thanks, man.

Safe and sound

I have arrived safely in far far away land, though I'm currently waiting for a train from London to Paris.  Tomorrow morning I take a train into Rouen. 

I am exhausted, having not slept the night before I left because of packing (well, I think we slept 3 hours), and not sleeping on the plane.  Oy vey.

I can't wait to have enough brain power in me to post something more substantial.  ;alskdjf;lakjdf.

Love love.

Oh, quick anecdote: So, I had to go through the whole passport thing at the train station too, and I saw that the dudes were French so I started speaking to them in French.  And they go, "Ah, an American who speaks French!" And I was like.... "How did you know I was American?!?" (because he was holding my passport and it was from the US and I figured it was a little funny).  And he goes, "We're French; we know."  So I said, "Right.  But, I mean, you have my passport.  And it's from America.  So probably you knew I was American."  And then I walked away.

I need to sleep.

It's not goodbye; it's see ya.

Oh guys, this has been Too Hard.  The last few days have been a series of goodbyes of sorts; some of these people I'll see in December, some I'll see in May.  I'm not quite sure when I'll see some people again.  That's the hardest.

Newest developments (pictures to come when I have my act together, probably in France [ahhh!]):

1) Huge garage sale this weekend: I still have too much stuff but at least I have some more dollars.  My lovely grandmother helped me infinitely and we spent lovely hours together.  Couldn't have asked for anything more.

2) Donnie is moving to France with me from early February to early May.  I can't contain myself, I'm so excited. 

3) We got a new dog yesterday.  Great timing, because I got to meet her.  Terrible timing, because I'm peacing out so soon.

4) I miss the world already.

5) I am leaving in 2 days and I am not packed.  Help.

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town...

I came up to Chicago on Thursday night to visit Donnie (for the last time before I leave for France but we're just not talking about that now, are we?).  We've had a splendid time, though not without mishap.  Anyhow, I've decided that I'm going to start my Photo-A-Day exercise while I'm here to help capture my last week or two on US ground.  So here we go:

September 10, 2009:

This is the aftermath of our exhaustion.  We had grand plans to watch a movie, but all we ended up doing was eating a lot of Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses (which are amazing, by the way) and then going to bed.  Donnie got some temporary work (well, maybe temporary?  It's all very confusing and vague in a lot of ways...) so he worked all day, I ran errands all day at home before driving up; perfect recipe for going to bed before midnight as far as I'm concerned.





September 11, 2009:
First off, I should mention that I thought about 9/11 all day.  I read some articles on the anniversary and reflected back on the last 8 years.  A lot has happened since that day in French II, when we learned the vocabulary for "attack" and "sky scrapers," and then when we went to Health class and sat and watched the news show the clips of the second tower coming down, over and over.  The Assistant Director came in and called me out into the hall; she informed me that my aunt and uncle who worked in the towers were safe.  It all seems like it was so long ago, but it feels like it was yesterday in a lot of ways.  Anyhow, through all this reflecting, I became saddened thinking about how our country has dealt with the madness during the Bush Administration.  I really hope we can get our country turned around -- the change that I believe in isn't happening like I think it could or should, but at least we're not dealing with W. anymore.  One day at a time, I guess...  Either that, or leave the country.  (Or both?)

Donnie and I had a wonderful evening in the city last night, albeit our tendency to get lost.  After dinner (I made rice, beans, tomatoes, and cheese bowls -- very simple and very tasty), we ventured to the art opening of Kim, Elden's mom.  I babysat/nannied for Elden in the Spring semester and over the summer, and he instantly stole a piece of my heart.  His mother is an incredibly talented artist -- I told Donnie that one of my non-sexual fantasies involves having some of her art to display proudly (accompanied, of course, by pictures of Elden).  Oh, alright, I'll include a picture of Elden, if you insist... Isn't he SOOOO cute?

Onto the actual photo of the day.  We went to Kim's Opening (check out her site and some of her paintings here!), wandered around Chicago to other art openings, and then went to meet up with CDales and some other theatre kids for his birthday party.  On the way, Donnie and I walked by this amazing guitar shop.  Here's a picture of it.  Hundreds of guitars lined the walls, hung from the ceiling.  It was breathtaking.  And onward, it was lovely to see Eleni and other great people.  (Also of note: I called Eleni in a panic that morning when I realized I had no nice clothes with me for the opening.  She set me up, I got to see her gorgeous apartment, and we went to Julie and Julia which was delightful.  What a lovely afternoon.





September 12, 2009:

Donnie and I, as is our wont, cooked tonight.  We made this incredible tortilla soup using this salsa recipe and some veggie bouillon cubes and some corn and we topped it with shredded cheese and sour cream and fresh slices of avocado and baked tortillas with paprika and seasoned salt.  What a tasty meal (as per usual...)!  [Oh dear, Donnie just captioned the picture for me: "Here's my bowl of barf."  Sorry.]  Oh!  Also, we attempted to make fried goat cheese balls using our favorite goat cheese (it's fig flavored!) but it didn't go so well.  We think egg will need to be involved next time.  Yuck.  I'll keep you posted on our attempts.

A+

A Glorious, Glorious Day

I got next to nothing done today in terms of being a productive person who is leaving for France in less than two weeks.  But I had a lovely lunch with my mom and grandma (at Milos which was verrrry tasty) and I ate a falafel salad and my mom had chicken salad in a pineapple and Gramma had a strawberry, goat cheese, and walnut salad.  Then, Gramma and I split a delightful piece of flourless chocolate cake, which was not nearly as good as the cake we always had for Caitlin and Alison's birthdays.  But it was still incredible.

So, then Mom, Gramma and I went to the Promenade Shop in Krannert because Mom had some Krannert bucks to spend.  Mom and I got rings and it will be nice thinking of today spent with two of the most strong and wonderful women I know.  Mom drew me a picture on a Buddha Board.

EDIT: I wear three rings now, and each of them is from something significant that I want to remember forever.  On my ring finger on my right hand is a ring that I bought on a "field trip" while I was studying abroad in Avignon; it's the interlocking knots and I bought it during a moment when I realized that France was going to be a part of my life again, no doubt.  On my left hand is a ring that I bought on Seattle with my girls (during our SPRING BREAK '09 wooyeahshowyourboobs!), and now I've got this ring on my pointer finger.  All remarkable days/journeys.

We dropped Gramma off, picked Cam up, and ran some errands, including going to the Humane Society to look at pups.  We probably won't get another dog for some time but we're just trying to figure out our options.  We found Beech (a rather unfortunately named dog, I think).  I fell a little in love.  (But don't worry, Donnie... You don't have to beat him up...  Small joke.)


Also, I should mention: that's my giant brother in that last picture.  He is a mere 13 year old (though not for long!) and he's just started in the 8th grade year at my high school.  I went to his Parents' Night Open House and it was lovely to see all the teachers who so influenced me during such a crucial development period of my life.  And Cam is already making a name for himself (to a senior boy, he is known as "Tall Guy" -he is almost 5'11" afterall- and all the girls are noticing that he has an upper lip that needs shaving and he smells of cologne... Ooh la la!).  He's a good kid.  I'm planning on helping him with his math homework via Skype this year.  :)

I'm going up to Chicago to visit Donnie* tomorrow so I'll have a few days away from the packing insanity.  I'm planning on making lists lists lists there so that packing should go a bit smoother.

À la prochaine!


*An update that isn't really an update since I haven't mentioned it before: Donnie is looking into WWOOFing in Northern France in the Spring semester -- so hopefully he won't be too far from Rouen from January/February til May.  Obviously this is very exciting to me.  He's really looking forward to learning French and experiencing France, I'm so excited to share what I know of the country with him.  Work is real slow 'round these parts (duh) so it seems like the perfect time to skip town and explore the world together a little.  And to cut the time that we're long-distancing it in half.  Minor detail.  :)

A Vow I'm Already Regretting

The Assistant Forum for all of us kids going to France to teach is addictive. I spend hours at a time, combing through some posts that are very useful (packing suggestions, ideas for budgeting, info about my town) and diligently reading posts about what kind of car insurance we should get if we have a car in France (I won't) or which banking system is best in Southern France (which is not where I'm living), or lesson plans for elementary school kids (I'm teaching high schoolers).  I probably will never need to use most of the information I'm learning through the forum, but it's a nice way to soothe some of my nerves and feel like I'm being productive in my preparations.

HOWEVER, this bad thing happened.  Someone started a post about the blogs of other assistants, and there are currently 27 posts on the topic -- and I am doing my darndest to read all of them.  I know this is the last thing I have time for, and it's one of the least productive things I could be doing, but still- click click click I go, scrolling through every post.  There's something extraordinarily comforting about experiencing exactly what I'm going through but from a different perspective.  Everyone else seems to have realized that they, too, have too much stuff to fit into 2 suitcases, and they're all struggling to say goodbye to family and friends and significant others.  I'm not alone in worrying about which bank to choose, what my housing will be like, or if I'll have friends.  And I'm definitely not the only person who's incredibly excited. 

Here's where the subject of my post comes in.  I've traditionally been a pretty terrible blogger.  I get really excited about the idea of capturing my thoughts and experiences, but I also loose steam after a while and the time between posts becomes longer and longer.  BUT (but!) here's what's different this time: I am going to post on here before I let myself look at other people's blogs each day.  Every time.  This year is sure to be such a huge experience in more ways than I can even imagine and I want to have a record of that.  So, that's the deal. 

In other news, I leave two weeks from today.  What?!?  I spent all day running errands, picking up things I need to bring with me (like Big Red gum, which isn't available in France and will be a lovely treat for my kiddies if they do well in a lesson, or as a prize for an activity) and getting some clothing staples.  I splurged hardcore yesterday on a pair of shoes online.  But they're real good; they are black, waterproof boots and the customer ratings were all phenomenal.  And they had them in my size.  Great news all around, except for the cost which is justifiable, according to my roommates, since they are clearly an investment and they will make me like the rain more (I hope).

I've already got my visa back from the Chicago consulate.  It was an incredibly easy process -- Kudos to the fine workers there.  And I've begun looking into banks; looks like I'll be able to use my Busey Bank card for no extra charge in the ATMs, and then I'll set up a bank account in France once I arrive.  I haven't made many more decisions than that, other than that I'll be using BNP (the national bank in France) or Société Générale, which as a great rewards program.  Also, I'm going to use a pay-as-you-go phone that turns out to be significantly cheaper than getting a plan.  I'll just have to get used to using my phone in a very different way.

Allllrighty, on to some other blogs.  For any new people coming across this blog from the assistant's forum, Hello!  It's been a pleasure reading all of your blogs -- thank goodness we're all in this together, eh?

Back back back it up

Okie dokie. This is my blog to document my teaching experience in Rouen, a city about 1 1/2 hours north-west of Paris, for the 2009-2010 school year. I figured I'd dig into my late-blog that I occasionally updated with my roommates to document a bit of the process to this point.


-------

Friday, January 30
"...I've applied to go teach English in France next year but I don't find anything out until May. What an excruciating waiting period. The other night, I had a dream that I found out I got accepted early but I was placed in a city that I had never heard of. So I Wikipedia'd it in my dream and the article said, "In that city, it rains all the time. And you will have no neighbors." That's all it said, and I was really depressed. But at least I found out, right? So when I woke up, I was in a bad mood about the impending rain, and then relieved that I got accepted, and then disappointed that it was all pretend."

Wednesday, April 8
"...I just found out two days ago that I got accepted to the France Assistantship program, and I'll be teaching in the rainy parts of northern France (vaguely around Rouen, a city that is vexing my grandmother greatly when she tries to pronounce it). I'm incredibly excited and happy. Unfortunately, I don't know more until I get my contract in the mail in June-ish, but for now, just the fact that I'm living and teaching English in France next year is enough to keep me floating on air."

-------

So, my dreams predicted some things -- I am in rainy northern France next year. The guy who taught at my school in my position for two years said, via facebook message, "Weather is a bit shit over there. Its going to rain most days at least part of the day. Rain coat, umbrella! Winter coat too, it will get cold in winter." But you know what? I'm coming to terms with the inevitable rain. Perhaps it will turn me into a romantic poet and I can lean against the window, watching the rain drizzle down the pane and think about days gone by. But more likely, I'll learn to live in and love the rain and go on drippy adventures and splash in puddles and have spontaneous dance parties like the one with Amy months and months ago. That's the plan.

I've found out some other details -- for one thing, I've apparently been placed in a fine arts high school -a magnet school of sorts- in which the kids can study drama, music, dance, and other fine and applied arts. It draws kids from all over the region and has around 300 kids who live at the school. Looks like I'll also be able to take advantage of the school housing. They're putting me up for €115 a month which is amazing, considering I'm on a €780 monthly salary. Another neat tidbit I've learned about my school is that they teach great foreign languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Chinese. Dang!

The contact person at my school is a really nice man named Christophe who volunteered the following information via email: "By the way, there are about 15 English teachers in our school and most of them are decent people." So, you know, that's good. He's recently informed me that the teachers are fighting over my 12 hours a week -- apparently they all want me to be the assistant in their classroom.

So, what else...? I've decided that I'm going to do a "photo-a-day" exercise while I'm in Rouen. My dad gave me a new digital camera for graduation and I'm terrible at remembering to use it. Donnie usually steals it from me and that's why we have good photos of any significant (or not-so-significant) event. I'll have to get better at remembering to use it more often. But I figure, once I step out of my apartment and run into a giant cathedral (as the streets of Rouen are littered with cathedrals, apparently), I'll remember to use it a bit more.

Alrighty, this is far too long already. I'll try to update a bit more about the last two weeks I spend in America and my preparations for la belle France. With love,