Here is the rest...yeah!

I am in my room now and it is weird typing on an English keyboard again. Haha! I guess i was starting to get used to the French one. I thought I’d write this blog from my room while watching TV...NCIS dubbed in French. I will take this on a disk downstairs in a little while. I hope I don’t get in trouble because I kept the key so that I could go back on the net instead of putting it in the mailbox. I don’t see why i would get in trouble. If they say anything, I’ll just say I didn’t know any better. Should work. :) So where did I leave off?
I think I left off, well, didn’t “leave off” per say, but got cut off. Anyway, I think it was just after the part about my schedule not being too bad. So after talking in the teachers lounge I went to 2 classes with JP. They were alright, JP had them ask me questions by writing some prompts on the board (Why; Where; How long; Have you ever; Have you got; etc). It took awhile for the students to get started. It was a little frustrating on my part because I was just standing in front of the class waiting. I have to remember when i am by myself that I can only speak English. The first class was good, once they got started it wasn’t bad. Some of them really didn’t say much at all, but there were some that just kept going. There were some funny things said and it was good in that sense. I want to have fun with them, and not just be schoolish. I asked them if they knew any Canadian/American bands and the first one said was some Quebec French band that I didn’t know. Oh well, then someone said Red Hot Chili Peppers. That’s more like it. Hehe. One of the girls actually said Nickelback. YEAH CANADA!!!!! I was excited for that, I know I’m a nerd. Anyway, in the second class someone said Sum 41. I get excited about Canada, it’s funny. Anyway, the second class was better with the music groups. Other ones they said were System of a Down, Green Day, Slipknot. I can’t remember what else, but JP was talking about getting some of the music to and me and some of the students were laughing about him really not like some of those, like System. Haha. The subject of internet came up, and obviously with me, MSN. At the end of the first class 2 of the students came up to me and asked me if they could have my MSN address. I was excited. They are actually interested. Yipee!!! It is going to be interesting because at times it’s like pulling teeth with them. And when I come into class and have my Canada flag pins, I know some of them are going to look at me thinking “why the hell would I want this” and others will be excited about it. I guess that is just normal. I am looking forward to doing things on my own a bit though because I find there are differences in our school systems. Looking at the students reminds me of so much. It reminds me of highschool, and even moreso reminds me of when I was in highschool in France. I don’t know if I remember well or not, but I think our teaching system is not as strict and more “fun”. I mean, the teachers were more laid back I feel. Maybe I am wrong about it, that’s just how I remember it. Hehe.
Alright, enough about my time in the class room. On the way out I met one of the English teachers from the professional/technical school that is kind of part of the one I am at, so I will be at both. She invited me to go for lunch at her place on Sunday for lunch. So she will pick me up here at noon. I feel like I am imposing on people but I have to get that thought out of my head because they are inviting me. So I have that on Sunday.
After that I hit up the library where the computers are supposed to be better than the ones I have been using, which I have to say is true, although no CD burner that I saw. I’ll just have to upload all my pics, or email them home. I guess that is easy with the hotmail limit now. Anyway, when I went in I didn’t know if I could just use the internet so I wanted to ask the librarian. She was with a teacher and her class, I think her name is Pascal, I better remember as I will be going with her to Chateauroux next week. Anyway, she said the librarian that I was the assistant Canadian and all the people in her class were trying to look at me. Haha. When they were all leaving the library a bunch of people said things to me in English, and some of the boys kept saying “call me” and signaling the phone to their ear. It was quite amusing.
I headed out to town after walked around a little more and went to the grocery store to grab a few things. I forgot rice though. Grrr. Anyway, after that I went to a store to check out about getting myself a cell phone. Anyway, I wanted to come check something and I want to check with Manola with regards to company and whatnot but I will most likely get it tomorrow. WOOHOO!!! The only thing I will have to get still will be a straightener seeing as mine doesn’t work here. I mean, everything else works with the converter except that. I don’t know.
Tonight, I am not doing too much. Just relaxing. Tomorrow I will head downtown to the market and then I will meet JP at 11 for coffee with him and his wife. I will then go to Manola’s at noon for lunch. Tomorrow night I believe I already said that I will be going out with Stephanie, the German girl.
Looks like it should be a decent weekend. I am just going to watch some TV, head down post this and maybe chat for a little while online. Provided I can get on.:)
Ok, so this post is getting long, I am super sorry. :P but hey...
Right now I seem to be spending a lot of time online, but I’m sure once I get to know some people I wont be spending as much time sitting on the computer. Who knows though. Also once I get settled I will get to traveling a little bit, I think that will be fun. People are starting to talk about what they are doing for our holidays which are in 22day. 3 weeks. Woohoo! And then not even 3 weeks after that I will have visitors. Yipee!!! And then 3 weeks after that holidays again. This is the life!!!! Anyway, i’m going to head downstairs. Take care, keep in touch!

Bitter

Well, I just had the longest freakin post and lost 90% of it. I am so pissed off right now, because I dont want to rewrite it all, I'm so sad. This is only a quarter of it. The window closed and when I copied it, for some reason I only got this. Way to ruin my day. I am going to post this now, go eat and I will probably return to finish it. Grrrr I am so angryy

Well, I find myself yet again at the keyboard. I have spent a lot of time here, and Im sure that as time progresses and I meet people, I will not spend as much time here. Sorry :P Anyway, today I got up at 930 opposed to the 2pm yesterday. I got a phone call at around 950 that Jean Pierre (one of the teachers) wanted me to meet him in the teachers lounge at 1020. So I met him there and then Manola came too. I finished filling out all my papers and took them to the secretary. I also met a German girl who is an "au pair" in town for the local préfat(in english, i dont know...some administrative person). I dont know how old she is but probably about my age and also looking for people to associate with. She came here to meet ppl. I will join her tomorrow night around 9 when she will meet with some students at the local pub. That will be nice for both of us i think. After I went to town with JP for him to get a couple things and then we had lunch in the caf....not the best of food I tell ya. A whole lot of mush! Whatever, its food right?!? From there we met with Olivier and looked at my schedule for the year, shouldnt be too bad.

Day 2 almost done

Well, things here are going well. I am more or less settled in my room, which consists of a bed, desk, armoir, dresser, tv, closet, 2 shelves, a mini fridge, microwave, hotplate, sink, beday(one of those things to wash your bum...dont ask, i dont know why). Not too shabby. I need to find posters though to cover the walls, i wish i got some of my pictures printed before i came :( i mean, i have some, but not some of the ones i want. The bed is SOOOO HARD. I dont know how I am going to deal with that for 7 months. I didnt sleep that great until i took gravol. I slept till almost 2 when I was awoke by the phone in the hall ringing. It was Manola, the English teacher who has been helping me settle in. She had 30minutes free so we went to see about getting my "carte de séjour" (resident card for all those non frenchies). We got it started, but I need a few things and to go back tomorrrow. I also got all these papers to fill out, but i dont know how. :( I hqve to ask Manola tomorrow. I went into town to the tourism office and then to the grocery store and bought a few things. I still need more but its heavy to carry things. I may return tomorrow to get beverages. On Saturday I will go to the market downtown and then to Manolas for an apperatif(cocktail??). I dont know what else I'm going to do. I will start in the classroom on Monday, just observation for the first week and then i will be teaching myself. AHHHH! I have spent a lot of time online, because I have access and not much else to do. I should really spend more time walking around town. This weekend I will. I dont know if I already said this, but in the spring it looks like I will most likely be going to London England on a class trip. They need 4 chaperones, so I will get to be one. Supposedly all the boys were happy the assistant is a girl. haha. I am looking into getting involved in some activites around here to keep myself occupied. I think I will start swimming, because the pool is right next door. And Im going to find out about other activities around town. Hopefully I fine dome. It is kind of lonely around here because I dont really know anyone, and there isnt really anyone my age either, atleast that i know of. I will discover more as time goes on. Next week I will spend a couple nights in Chateauroux, the bigger city about 1hour on the bus. We have our orientation at Chateau de Chambord. That'll be nice because I'll get to meet other people in the area. Yipee! It'll be like meeting instant friends, hahah. Well, I should probably go eat some dinner here. It is almost 9 now. Miss everyone.

Arrived in La Chatre

Well, I arrived in La chatre today. One of the French teachers met me in Chateauroux and brought me here. She took me to the bank and i got the account opened. I am going out for dinner with her and two other english teachers. I got my room at the school and met the principle too. My room is alright, definitely nothing special. Old looking, but i'll just have to get some posters and what not. I still have lots of unpacking to do. I cant remember the womans name...horrible. She is very friendly and is willing to take me around if i need and get some groceries. And believe it or not, there is a "pumpkin fest" this weekend. So it seems like we may go there sunday. I will go to the market saturday. i need to find out about the bus to town and getting a cell phone. We'll see how all that goes. Well i'm off to meet for dinner. YEA french food.

Ok.. so one more quick post

I have 5 minutes and no one on msn to distract me so i actually can say a little more. after a éhour delay in Montreal yesterday we finally made it to Paris. I managed to get a bit of sleep on the plane but not otoo much. We got on the train with the help from some french people. the metro was hell up and down and up and down and up and down the stairs with 100+ pounds in luggage. NO FUN. anyway, we dragged our luggage through construction to the hotel and crashed on the bed for a few before heading out. we went to see the eiffel tower becaus crystal hadnt seen it before. it was an exhausting day. back to the hotel for a nap. then out in town for a bit. grocery store and net. i got a number from a guy at the hotel hahah he wants to go for a drink. soooo funny. i dont think so. anyway i better go before this cuts out. off to my town soon, being picked up at 3 at the station....a little nervous to see what awaits

Im here

Well i made it. i have 8 minutes to write on a french keyboard where the keys are different. NO GOOD. Maybe ill write the adventures tomorrow.7min left. flight was 2hours late...man timed internet sucks. ok, i will leave it at that till. i am here safe....after a long tiring day carrying too much luggage. bye for now

It is time....

Well, I wrote a post a little bit ago and something happened when i went to post it...grrr....lost it all. Boooooo
Anyway, it is now 2:30 am. I am still awake and going to get to bed soon. I am getting up at 8:30 tomorrow morning. I have last minute errands I have to get done...ugh. Whatever....it has to be done.
I have been trying to take stuff out of my suitcases. I have 2 of them and they each weigh over 50lbs....my luggage allowance is 44lbs TOTAL and then you pay for each kilo in excess....looks like i will be paying a little. Whatever. No biggie.
I have been having mixed feelings a little. I am so excited to go and start this new part of my life. I need to do this for myself. But there is a lot I am going to miss here.
Well, I am leaving here at noon tomorrow flight leaves at 3:30. I will arrive at 6:40am France time(12:40 am here). Spending the first night in Paris and then taking the train to Chateauroux where Monsieur Gachet will pick me up and take me to the school. I hope all my stuff fits in his car. hehe. I am nervous to meet all these people. I am nervous to teach. The students are going to be bigger than me, and I've never done anything like this before. eeeee.
I am hoping to use the email and let everyone know I arrived safe in Paris either Tuesday or Wednesday. Not sure how the internet will be in my town(of 5000ppl). I am going to hopefully get a cell phone and use the internet by Saturday. So keep checkin. hehe
Keep in touch.

Getting anxious

Well, I can't believe 2 days and then I leave. I am excited and a little anxious. I have this feeling that there is still so much that I have to do. ahhhh. My "to do" list is fairly long and I feel like there are so many little things that need to be done, but I want to see people rather than do this stuff. I am ready to get going, especially after not doing too much for the past 3 weeks since I finished working. It was nice for awhile, but then just got boring. The more I think about it the more I already miss people here. Hehe. Anyway, keep in touch!

1 week...

Well, it's really coming now. I can't believe in one week I will be off flying on a plane over the ocean. I am looking forward to the adventures I will have in France and being an English assistant. Most of all I can't wait to speak FRENCH!!!! Many, so many times at work this summer when I got the chance to speak to french people, I got sooooo excited. I have heard so much french over the years and read so much french, but speaking it....a minimal. I don't know what it is about the language, or languages in general, but I love it.

Anyway, I'm sure you've had enough of that. I have the first 2 days after my arrival in Paris on September 27 at 6:40 am. I will be heading into the big city of Paris and spending the night in a hotel with 2 other Canadians. One that I went to school with at Laurier and the other a girl I met online(message board for assistants) who is from St. Kitts. We will spend the day around the city I am assuming...definitely going to a french bakery....one of my favorite places. There will be 2 other girls joining us at the hotel for the night and we are meeting up with a couple others for dinner that night. The next day I will take the train at 1 to the city of Châteauroux where I will arrive at 3 and be picked up by an english teacher and taken to my town La Châtre which is 40 minutes from the train station. There is an apartment/room for me at the school which has a shared kitchen and shower. Hopefully the other people are nice. It is free for me, so I am not going to complain at all.

Packing is going well, so far everything has fit. I just hate having to wait to finish because I want to pack the clothes I'm wearing. hehe. I went to the MP and he set me up with some Canada pins and a huge Canada Flag which I will definitely have hanging in my room! Once I get to the city I feel like there is sooo much I have to do. I have to go to get my resident card, open a bank account, get a cell phone, figure out how to get to the city, go shopping for blankets and some food and figure out my way around town. I'm sure there are some things that I am missing, but I will start a "to do" list. I seem to be good at that lately.

I am going to miss Canada. I am going to miss my family and friends. So many great, important people that I care about here, but this is my dream! I can't wait to get over there and live "à la française". Keep in touch!!!

Countdown Begins

The countdown is on now till i leave for france...20 days. That is crazy. So soon. I hope that I can keep this updated while I'm away, so you guys can read about all the happenings on my (soon to be) side of the world. I am so excited to be doing this, although i am a little nervous. I have been waiting to do this for so long and it's almost here now. I wish i could bring all of you with me, but it's not that easy. :)