Singing in the Rain

From this gloomy, lazy Saturday afternoon in Apt, I am happy to be cuddled warm in a blanket, reading David Sedaris' book Me Talk Pretty One Day. This might sound like completely different weather than my last post, where the abundant sunshine was shining in my eyes constantly. The entire week since, it has rained. One day, it even got cold enough that a couple snowflakes were blowing around outside. All I can say about this: thanks Polar Vortex!

Literally, one day after laying out in the sunshine.

Although the rain did make this week quite gloomy, I was still in high spirits after such a relaxing weekend. Monday, after teaching my business English classes, as my boss Alain was driving me home, he promised me that from now on, each week he is going to try to teach me at least one new French word or phrase. I appreciate this, as I find it hard here to get the opportunity to learn a lot of new words with teaching English all the time. He tends to teach me a lot of phrases that are commonly used in conversation, not formal French but more like slang. A couple of this week's words? De sous, meaning money (though I never had heard of this word to describe it) and le nec plus ultra, meaning the best thing.

In honor of my good mood and rain, my love for Gene Kelly continues...

Along with the less than fantastic weather, sickness riddled my work-week. With all the students bringing kleenex with them to class, it was hard to get them motivated to speak a lot of English. After discussing pedagogy with my teachers, I learned a few new techniques that help with the lack of motivation, like the difference between creators and imitators. It proved helpful in later lessons during the week! That is, the lessons that did not get cancelled - on Thursday, my normal 6 lessons turned into 2 as all others had been cancelled due to teachers being sick.

Friday brought a busy day teaching. Actually it was the busiest day of this past week teaching-wise! Even though I do not teach at the lycée on Fridays, I taught 3 hours of private lessons. It was my third week working with a boy from the collège, and I think that we are really starting to make some progress. He really tries to use as much English as possible, rather than before he would spout off in French if he didn't know what to say. Also, he was brave enough to voluntarily show me his last quiz score, which was less than stellar. As he handed it to me, he said "yeah, this is a sad contrôle*". I said that it is fine to make mistakes, we just have to learn from it and try harder next time. I took notes of what we could work on for next week, and he left feeling accomplished.

My other lesson yesterday was with a girl that is one of my students at the lycée. It was our first lesson together, and we spoke constantly for two hours in English. I am extremely impressed at how well she speaks English, telling me how she went to an international school in Holland where they spoke English in every class. It was quite enjoyable to just sit and talk to a young person in English and for us to understand each other so well. I have found that for every 5 students that are uninterested in English here, there is one that is so incredibly passionate and curious about the language that the other unmotivated, impolite students seem to not bother me as much. I am so blessed that I have gotten the opportunity to teach in a classroom setting here in France but also to have had such a variety of private lesson clients. From middle age Business associates talking about technology to a thirteen year-old boy having difficulty being able to introduce himself, I have really broadened my abilities in teaching for different levels and with different goals in mind.**

Although this past week has been great, I did feel quite a bit homesick. I think this was due to a combination of my birthday being so soon*** and the gross weather, neither of which improved my mood. I know that I will have an amazing birthday here in France, but there is nothing like having your family and friends around to celebrate another year of life. Even though my birthday is on Wednesday, we are going to celebrate on Saturday by climbing the Mont Sainte-Victoire, just outside of Aix-en-Provence. It was something I really wanted to do when I studied in Aix but never got around to it. Now, in honor of 24, and weather providing, I am finally going to climb that mountain and I can't be more excited about it. Until then, a relaxing weekend and week will be just what I need to welcome another year in my life. And maybe a little bit of the Pinot Noir I just bought too.

*Translation: test
**Not to mention, it is REALLY nice to have some extra money around here. Makes saving up for my April-May travels that much easier!
***Countdown to 24: 4 days. Oh god, I feel the wrinkles setting in now!

Thanksgiving from afar

Today is one of those days in France where I just can't help but wish I was at home. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, and since they don't celebrate it here in France at all, I have been missing home, family and friends especially today.

As there is no Thanksgiving and therefore no Thanksgiving break in France, today was just a normal Thursday filled with 6 classes to teach. What made today better was the fact that all my lessons where exactly the same: to explain and talk about Thanksgiving all day. I do have to say at time it was hard to talk about the holiday that I was sorely missing, but to see the students so interested in something so culturally different than what they are used to in France put me in a better mood. They were so curious, asking many questions and offering up knowledge they knew about Thanksgiving - though I did have to explain several times the difference between using the words Indians and Native Americans.

Besides a few exceptions, I am feeling more at ease with my students, and they are all starting to show that they like me. Today I got asked by a different student again if I was going to the music festival on Saturday and another asked if I would buy a lotto ticket from him for a school trip (completely done in English, mind you! So proud!). Although there are always the ones that cause I bit of trouble, the other kids who are motivated and interested really make up for it - they are becoming a joy to teach.

Today, I also went into finally fill out my paperwork about me being absent for one class Tuesday. After doing some reimbursement paperwork with the secretary, I explained that I needed to fill out my documentation for being absent. Confused, she told me I needed to see the woman I talked to yesterday, the same woman who had told me to wait for this secretary the day before. Typical France misunderstanding/disorganization!

Also in the office, one of the other secretaries showed me an awesome new teaching resource that has great educational English videos that I can use while in the classrooms. He had even set me up with a log in and password before I asked! I am always so humbled by the kindness and helpfulness of the other teachers and secretaries here in Apt. They truly go out of their way to make me feel welcome, with many of them yelling "Happy Thanksgiving!" after me as I walked by today. One even stopped to tell me about the amount of turkeys that were sold in America this year. If I have to be away from home working on this holiday this year, I am glad there are such great people that I work with that make the day enjoyable.

After I was done working, I enjoyed some down time at the apartment. I even went to the cantine for dinner, something that I have not done in a long while but when I saw that they had dinde* on the menu for tonight, I decided it was a sign that I should not cook and get out of the apartment. I even got to have a lovely conversation with two of the student monitors who I had seen many time around the school but had not talked to much. We had a lovely conversation about travels, life in France, life in America and it was completely in French! They even commented that I speak well, the woman even said that I speak the best out of all the assistants they had met in the past! I guess I am getting better, and these compliments only help my confidence in using the language to grow. Once I returned, I called friends and my parents at home to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. Though I was so thankful to talk to them on the phone on this wonderful holiday, saying goodbye was hard. The only thing that was getting me through was the realization that I will be coming home in THREE WEEKS for Christmas! Feeling that a little Christmas spirit was needed, I am finishing off the night with doing something I would totally do on Thanksgiving at home: listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies! Specifically, I am just about to start Miracle on 34th Street in French with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. Let the Christmas season begin!

Christmas spirit at the charcuterie!

**Note to everyone reading at home: Happy Thanksgiving!! I am thankful for for all of you, who are reading this and supporting me in my teaching and travels. I can not be more grateful to have friends and family like you all!**

*Translation: TURKEY!

Le mal du pays....

Tonight is the last official night of vacation, as our contract says we begin teaching again tomorrow. However, as I work every other Monday, I get one more day of relaxation and planning, which will probably be consumed running errands and cleaning. Maybe a stop by Pizz'burger to catch up on some American TV... who knows.

Thursday, my first full day back at home, I mostly took care of odds and ends - grocery shopping, laundry, blogging, etc. I was trying to ignore the fact that it was Halloween and I was in a country that does not seem to acknowledge it. However, when I was at the grocery store, I did see a small Halloween section, or what had been one. All of the costumes and holiday-related items had been bought out! Guess the French might celebrate it more than I thought. However, I still didn't see anyone roaming around in costumes and with no Hocus Pocus to watch, I was feeling a little deprived. Later that night, Amy decided to add a little Halloween flair to the apartment to celebrate. Have to admit it made me laugh, convincing me to eat a Reese's Pumpkin* and watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and enjoy the best of my French Halloween.

Amy's Halloween ghosts. Aren't they scary?!

On Friday, we ventured to Avignon. Amy's boyfriend was in town this weekend, and they were planning on going to visit there anyway, but we are also looking into getting new phone coverage and the store we needed to go to happened to be there. One thing that I had thought about in advance but thought it would not be a problem: it was November 1st. As in, jour de la toussaint - the reason we had a two week vacation was for this holiday. So as you can imagine, we reached Avignon and the store was closed. After using free wifi and wandering in some shops for a few hours, I came back to Apt empty handed. Amy and I are already planning a trip for next Friday to get this sorted, and maybe a trip to Ikea is in store as well.

Saturday is always the same, spending hours meandering through the market. Not like I mind it - I find it to be comforting constant in my life here. I am starting to recognize the vendors, and some are starting to recognize me as well. It makes this place feel a little more like home. 

Had been dying to try the pizza from a specific vendor who is always packed and sells out by 10:30am (Note: there is a bite taken out already... I couldn't wait until after the picture.)

Macaroon type of day.

However, the rest of Saturday was not a good day. Ever since I have been back to Apt, I guess you can say that I have been extremely homesick.** This stemming from my wish to be back home for State Finals on Saturday to see my students perform as well as many of my travel plans seeming to fall apart beneath my eyes. And also, some unexpected news from home didn't help either. I couldn't help but feel how incredibly alone I feel here. At the beginning, I liked that feeling - it made me feel independent and strong. But now, I just feel a bit lost.

My parents are seriously the best in the world. Why, you may ask? They knew how sad I was and skyped me into all three performances for each of the groups that I instructed/choreographed for this year. Although I was up very late staring at a computer screen, I went to sleep with a smile, the first time that's happened in awhile.

NOTE: Not saying that I don't feel absolutely blessed to be here, because I do. I just feel like it is equally important to write about the harder times, as it makes the amazing times here that much more important.

*Thanks Mom!!!
**Again, probably a huge understatement.

I'm legal!

The past two days have begun my first two official days in the classroom as an assistant. This whole week is known as a semaine d'observation, or an observation week, to get us used to how the class flows and prepare our lessons for next time. The thing is, I actually haven't set foot in a classroom yet. Should you be surprised by now? It's France we're talking about here!

Let me back up. I said in my last post I didn't know what my schedule was yet. Sunday night at 10 pm, I was emailed my schedule and it was explained to me that I didn't have class on Monday. Awesome! Actually, my whole schedule is pretty sweet - I have an alternating week schedule: A weeks I work Tue-Thurs and B weeks I work one class on Mon. and Tue-Thurs. So I always have Fri-Sun off and, sometimes, even Monday too! Hello traveling!

However, though I didn't work yesterday doesn't mean it didn't have its fair share of troubles. Constantly still battling with this internet, never knowing when shops are going to be closed, finding a pile of mail in my staff mailbox (which I didn't even know I had until yesterday, AND I found a bank statement opened. Scary, right?), and figuring out that I WAS supposed to be in class yesterday because it was a B week was enough to send me over the edge. I absolutely feel so blessed to have this experience, to be living my dream of living in France, but every once in a while I miss home. I feel it’s natural; you want what is normal to you, what you are used to, what is comfortable. But I also know that you grow so much more when you are thrown out of your comfort zone, you grow into a better person. So even though I was feeling down yesterday, I know that it is all part of the journey.

Today, I didn't go to class either. I had my mandatory OFII appointment, my appointment to make my visa official with the French government. The appointment that makes me "legal" here.* I had to travel to Avignon for this appointment, so I woke up at 5:30am once again to take the bus that would get me there by 7:30am. My medical part of the appointment started at 9 so I had plenty of time to find the office using the map I wrote the directions on. Forty-five minutes later, I was lost and couldn't find anyone who could tell me which road I was even looking for. Every time I asked, everyone said they had never heard of it. Making a split second decision, I decided to walk back in town to get Wifi and a new map, when I recognized another assistant walking the opposite way. She happened to be on her way to her OFII appointment as well and knew exactly where it was at! I was so happy that I ran into her happenstance, and after walking a half an hour to get to the place, I realized I probably would have never found it if I hadn't ran into her. Someone up there was looking out for me!

The first part of the appointment was a medical exam. Pretty basic exam, like a checkup except we had to get an x-ray of our lungs done, to make sure we didn't have tuberculosis. They take these things seriously here! Then a group of assistants headed off to the Préfecture to get our visas validated. To save the walk back, another assistant who lives and studies in Avignon named Lisa drove us back in her car. After looking for a parking space for what seems like ages, we reached the back of the lot and had to turn around. The person in front of her went to do the same.. without looking... and you probably guessed it, definitely got into a car accident. However, it was just a broken light and a little dent, but still added to the stress of the morning. Once we got in the office, they asked for all the required paperwork and we were in and out of there in 10 minutes. Très facile! The amount of paperwork assembled before the appointment took longer than the actual appointment!

No TB here!

Since I had already told my teachers that I wouldn't be back in time for class, I decided to spend a day exploring Avignon a bit. The assistants went out for a coffee after we all became legal and talked about our various experiences thus far. It’s nice to know you are not alone in how you are feeling in a foreign country, I always love talking to the other assistants and exchanging perspectives. After, I wanted to see a bit of the more touristy side of Avignon, so Lisa and Emily showed me around Palais des Papes and the Pont St Bénézet (or more popularly known as the Pont d'Avignon), being my pseudo-tour guides for the day. I even got to see a little known treasure of Avignon called the Palais du Roure, a 14th century palace that is in a hidden alcove right off the main road in town.

Palais de Papes. This is from the 13th century.

View of Avignon

Pont d'Avignon!

Palais du Roure

We ate lunch and spent the afternoon soaking up the sun at the park off of Rue de la Republique. Once we parted ways, I went to McDonald's to use Wifi and get a drink before I left town and ran into another assistant! I feel like this a common trend that is occurring and I kind of love it - being able to feel like I know people in a town that is nearby truly makes me feel more comfortable here. After a lovely day in Avignon, I took the bus home. The only bad part about today** was the bleeding blisters I brought back to Apt with me, will remember to bring better walking shoes next time around!

First day actually in the classroom tomorrow, on y va!

*Don't take this the other way please.
**Besides the getting lost part at the beginning, but that was so long ago, it feels like yesterday. Also, I got so lost that I am deeming it to be crossed off my bucket list page. Check!

I'll miss you most of all, when autumn leaves start to fall....

Reflecting on my last few weeks here in the U.S., I have been thinking about how many things I am going to miss about this country. Again, I am so excited to spend this year abroad, but everyone always misses home, right? So here's my list of things that I am anticipating missing from my homeland:

1. Family and friends. I think this really goes without explaining but living an ocean away from all the people closest to me is going to be really difficult.

2. Color Guard. It's hard to think that an activity that I have performed and instructed in for the past 10 years does not exist in the country I am moving to. I will miss it dearly as well as all my best friends in the activity, my Interplay family, and all of the students I instruct. It's gonna be weird to not be around for the fall or winter season.

IP love. <3

Will miss the students at Hudsonville (above) and Portage Northern (below). Enjoy every moment performing this year!

It's hard enough being an age-out, will miss performing in this activity as well as being able to easily watch it.

3. Driving in my car. With all the instructing and out of town friends I have, I am used to doing a lot of driving. I actually really love it - the freedom of driving down an open road. Going to really miss that liberating feeling.

4. Working a 40 hour work week. Yeah, you heard it - I really think I am going to miss that. I am the type of person who genuinely likes being busy. I feel like I am going to have to try to not be bored with the 12 hour work week that I will have in France.

5. Fall in Michigan. I am so happy that I am living in the South of France, with it's warm climate and beautiful sunny days by the coast. But autumn in the mitten is my favorite season of the year, and I already know that I will miss the beautiful colors of the foliage and brisk afternoons walks at home.

Pure Michigan.

Looks exactly like my drive home. Who wouldn't love to drive down this everyday?

And who can forget about my love of corn mazes!

Love the apple orchards in the mitten, a fall tradition!

6. Peanut Butter. Kind of in love this stuff, and it is definitely not the same overseas.

My american guilty pleasure.

7. Holidays at home. Especially my favorite, Thanksgiving, which doesn't exist in France. And get this, pumpkins are really hard to find! Looks like no pumpkin pie this year.

Anyone want to send this in a care package?

8. Baking. I don't have an oven in my apartment, which means that I can't practice my favorite stressed-out pastime of baking goodies.

Deserved a re-post.

9. Being able to turn on the TV or radio and easily understand every word.

10. Easily getting things whenever I want them. There are no 24 hour stores in France and most things are closed on Sunday.

A little bit of Michigan 24-hour accessibility.

11. Country Music. Summertime, beer, tractors and trucks all sung with a twang. I know it's pathetic, but it sings to my soul! 

12. Lake Michigan. Although I will be 2-3 hours away from the Mediterranean coast, I am going to miss the easy drive to South Haven, my freshwater paradise.

Just a typical evening at Lake Michigan.

And the beautiful Michigan sunsets over the lake, gonna miss that too!

I'm sure I could go on with things that I will miss, but that is not the point of this experience. I am going to France to be thrown out of my comfort zone and to learn to thrive within this new world, to grow as a person and find new things to become accustomed to. Still, I thought I would show just a few aspects of home that I will surely be missing while I'm gone.

10 jours and then I will be gone for 9 months. Time is passing very quickly...