So Brief..

I don't even know where to begin!! So much has happened since I last wrote that I don't even remember what happened when. Oops! So I had my first day of observation which went great, I thought. When I went home during lunch a kid ended up leaving in an ambulance because another kid had beat him up. The teachers said it was not a big deal and that it's quite "normal". I don't see anything normal about it but there are troubled kids there so I guess that's what they meant. The kids were so adorable. Everyone was asking me how you pronounce their names in English and how to say random things in English. I played marbles with a boy named Hugo who is adorable. The "CP" kids were my favorite but I won't be teaching them because they are too young. CP is the equivalent to Kindergarten. There were these two older girls named Pauline and Melissa, who just by looking at them you could tell that they were the "cool" girls. They did not leave my side during recess and asked me a billion questions.

On Tuesday we had our last meeting with Stéphane (our contact in France). He just showed us more methods of teaching and then we called our schools to clarify when we would be starting. On Thursday and Friday I went to my two other schools and observed in the mornings. They seemed a lot more organized from my first school and actually told me what they would like me to teach. All the kids are adorable and they ask a million questions. I love it.

I'm not exactly sure why we started work so late but since we did we even had vacation before we started! We got a week and a half off and then classes started yesterday (Thursday) and that is when I actually started teaching.

buuuuuut HOLD UP... I'm getting too far ahead!

I'm not sure if I wrote it in my last blog but a few Sunday's ago I went to the movies a few of the girls here and we saw "Sex List" with Anna Farris and Chris Evans. I had never heard of it but they all had and wanted to see it. It was dubbed in French but we were still able to understand most of it and had a good time. Except the cinema here costs 9€ which is pretty spendy.

So on the first Sunday of vacation Mamie came to visit meee!! She was in Rennes visiting Alex so then she took the 30 minute train and came to see me. I showed her what Laval has to offer and then we hung out at my apartment. We played cards and drank wine ALL week. lol Ben (Obernolte..aka American Ben) joined us on Tuesday so then we did a whole lot of walking, eating, drinking and playing cards. They taught me a card game called Palace (I think :/) Which is pretty addicting.

On Thursday of vacation Mamie had to head back to Rennes and then to La Roche Sur Yon. Ben stayed and we went out with my friends here for my friend's birthday. We went to a bar called Duplexe that I had never been too but it is now my favorite bar in Laval and it is super cheap. But most importantly.. they have a dance floor. That's all we care about, right? RIGHT!
After the bar we went to get kebabs. Every single one of us got something to eat. Since I had had a kebab already earlier that day I only had fries but I probably could have eaten another. They are so delicious. On our way home well all decided to squeeze into the red phone booth and see how many people would fit. We had to take turns so that I could get in the picture too.



It was great having Ben and Mamie here in Laval but now I miss them that much more..:( I will have to go visit them soon!! After Ben and Mamie left I started getting a little homesick and then Romain invited me to Tours so I went for a few days just to hang out. I missed Halloween here at the foyer. There was a costume party in one of the apartments and they seemed to have a lot of fun so next Halloween I will not miss out on! I did have fun in Tours though although I was starting to get homesick..combo of homesickness and study abroad-sickness is not a great one! We ended up going to Tin Tin in 3D!! I was so psyched when I found out because I had never been to a 3D movie before other than the 5 minute clips at Universal Studios. We also snuck McDonald's in because they took forever and when we finally got our food our movie was about to start. I have eaten McDonald's here more than I did in the year I was back in the states. Ironic, isn't it? haha I secretly love it.. not so secret anymore though. :P

I came back to Laval on Tuesday evening and relaxed as much as possible. Wednesday I relaxed in the morning and then started putting lesson plans together for my first couple of days of classes. EEEEEK! I was so nervous but luckily Mamie helped me out with the Halloween lesson. In most of my classes I was giving lessons on how to present yourself but I had two teachers ask me to teach different things. One asked me to teach colors and then the Halloween one. I had a lesson plan making session with the other primary school assistants and we got ideas from each other that helped us all a little bit.

I had a great day at my first school yesterday. The kids were very enthusiastic and of course, adorable. The teachers were a little unorganized but I think that's the French in general.. NO OFFENSE!! It all worked out and we worked out a system that works for everyone.

Today I went to my second school.. I had to wake up at 6am because the bus system is a little messed up. I have to take three buses to get there and they are all at such awkward times that I have to take my first one at 7:20am which is super early since I don't start until 8:30am and it takes about 20 minutes to get there (once I'm on the bus). I got to my school, made copies for the Halloween activity and started class. Today was a little bit more challenging with the older kids but it still went pretty well. One class was not choosing to listen very well but they weren't completely out of control. I had two very successful days and all my stress is now gone.. until next week at least! :P

I came home.. took a nap.. ate a little lunch and updated my blog just for YOU! :D and mamie vetsch. ^^

Tonight we are going back to the Duplexe for Colleen's birthday. It shall be fun! :D :D

Gros bisoussss <3 <3

Valé