Hey all. So I haven’t updated this in a bit. I don’t remember what all I’ve missed, so I suppose I’ll just start writing and see where it takes me.
So after meeting Guillaume’s parents and 2 little brothers, I’m a little apprehensive to go back. They were perfectly nice, but I felt so uncomfortable the entire time. It was just very formal and very uncomfortable for me. Also, his 2 little brothers stared at me the entire time like I was going to burst into flames or something. The one that is 12, who they all admit is weird anyways, stared at me during the whole 2 hour lunch. At one point, I dropped a fry in my lap that landed on my napkin, and I waited a full 5 minutes for him to look away so I could pop it back onto my plate.
So anyways, this weekend is Guillaume’s nephew’s baptism. The whole family will be there except the one sister I’ve already met. So it will be me staying at his oldest sister’s house, along with his other sisters and all 4 babies. Yay for me! Lets just hope they are happy quiet babies. Then, he'll be like 10 minutes down the road at his brothers. I'm not a huge fan of the living arrangements, but its just for saturday night. I hope it all goes well.
Speaking of Guillaume though, I'm SO EXCITED to travel with him. We're going to go to London, then come back to France and explore Brittany. Its going to be great. I'm going to book everything today and tomorrow. I'm just trying to figure out what we're going to do for a few days in London. It will be a good week though.
He has to work the first few days of break though, helping out his boss, so I'm actually traveling with the other American girls for the first weekend. Then, on monday, I'll come back to Le Mans and meet up with Guillaume. So, for those days I'm GOING TO GREECE! ahh I'm so excited. I have always wanted to go to Greece. We leave early friday morning, and then leave Greece on monday morning, so we get almost 3 full days of exploring in. We are going to Athens, but we'll probably take a day trip out to see more stuff. The hostel we are staying in actually offers some pretty cool options for day trips to see ruins and things. We're doing more planning as a group tomorrow, but all planes, trains, and lodging are booked for that trip. YAY!
I'm just so happy I can travel though. I was pretty worried about it for awhile. I HATE the Prefecture. With the fiery passion of a thousand suns, I hate it. So, he told me to email him if I was going to want to travel in February or March. So I'd emailed him twice in the last 2 weeks, seeing as break is the week after next, and I'd gotten no response. So after a wild goose chase at the Prefecture yesterday, I was finally able to talk to someone that told me that I'm ok to travel with the papers I've got as long as I stay in the European Union.
So I went to the Prefecture yesterday, planning to creep outside the office until someone walked by. Lucy came with me too, so I didn't feel so awkward creeping, because at least I had company. So we are standing outside the office trying to peer through the little gaps in the blinds to see if anyone is in there. But it was empty. Awesome. However, there was a computer with a purse sitting on it and a word doc open on the screen, so someone must be around today. Well so we asked a guy walking by if it was open. He said Eh I don't know, go try the front office when you come into the building. Well we just continued to creep for a few more minutes, and a woman came out of the office next door. Asked her, and she said I don't know, ask this secretary. Then, we went in and asked the secretary, who pretty much said not my problem go to door 12. Well we go to door 12 and its the DMV plus the newly added Pre-Office for Foreign Services. And its obvious that that bit is new, as all the signs have like a sticker added at the bottom listing it as doing Pre-Foreign Service stuff. Well, I take my ticket and sit down. The number 446 is already on the board. We sit there for about 15 minutes, and a new number is never called. I'm 457. We were going to be there awhile. And all the people in the waiting room were black people from North Africa, trying to get into France permanently. I should not be in a category with them! I'm American. AND a student. America is a first world country, so its not like there are a lot of issues with Americans trying to immigrate to France. I just want to finish my semester. Is that SOOO much to ask?? Well then we go back to the Foreign Services office and creep through the blinds again. And there are people in there. And the office has blinds over the windows and doors are blacked out, its a very unfriendly place, and knocking is certainly not welcomed, but I leave in a week for Greece. I need to get this sorted. Well I knocked and this woman came out. She clearly didn't want to talk to us and was not happy we knocked, but I think she realized we weren't going anywhere, and it really was a quick question. So she answered it. And now I'm going to Greece YAY! I hope I never have to go to the stupid Prefecture again. AHHHHHHHH!
And today I'm doing laundry. Then its gym time!
Ha and funny story about the gym. Lucy and I got asked if we were twins the other day. Go creep on facebook. She's blonde and white and the same height as me, but otherwise there is not much else to say we're twins. But apparently everyone at the gym thought we were.
Tonight is this Carnival party. Its like you dress up and its a sort of Masquerade Ball thing too. I'm not really sure. It seems strange to me. But we'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading! Its kinda long today..
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Because 9:30 on a wednesday night is a perfectly normal time to strike.
Tonight Lucy and I were craving fajitas and went into town to the Mexican restaurant we always go to (Cabana Tacos!). We left after our class which doesn't let out until 8, so it was 8:30 by the time we were in the restaurant and seated and everything.
We then went on to eat SO MUCH FIJITASSSS!
We finished and payed and all that good stuff, and left the restaurant, which is just next to the Republic tram stop. Well the sign that usually displays the next 3 train times, had a notice that due to a strike, this stop was not currently not running. Oh awesome. So we walked to the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and eventually all the way home. Which is not close, by the way. Its a distance that you usually pay for a 12 euro taxi long before you choose to walk it. I've only walked it once before, and it was horrible. It took us an hour, and it just seemed like forever. I'd heard too, that others have made it in just 45 minutes, but still, thats pretty far.
Well tonight, we really just intended to go 2 stops to Lafeyette, where it is almost always running to and from when its on strike. And there was a notice on one of the boards saying that is where service picked up again. So we made our way to Lafeyette, and there were times posted, but it was still flashing the notice that this stop was not in service. And the soonest one was meant to be another 15 minutes. So we thought, well if we have to wait this long out here, we may as well just walk to the next stop. But as we got to each stop, it was still always like 15 minutes. They really weren't changing, so we ended up just walking all the way. I think that it didn't seem as bad though, because we never set out to go the whole way, just to the next stop.
To go from the Town Center to campus is 8 tram stops. We walked 5, and then we took the shortcut. It was still an experience. And Lucy and I felt bad that 2 other girls decided to go for fajitas with us, and ended up having to walk home. Bummer.
But hey, we worked off those fajitas I guess.
We then went on to eat SO MUCH FIJITASSSS!
We finished and payed and all that good stuff, and left the restaurant, which is just next to the Republic tram stop. Well the sign that usually displays the next 3 train times, had a notice that due to a strike, this stop was not currently not running. Oh awesome. So we walked to the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and eventually all the way home. Which is not close, by the way. Its a distance that you usually pay for a 12 euro taxi long before you choose to walk it. I've only walked it once before, and it was horrible. It took us an hour, and it just seemed like forever. I'd heard too, that others have made it in just 45 minutes, but still, thats pretty far.
Well tonight, we really just intended to go 2 stops to Lafeyette, where it is almost always running to and from when its on strike. And there was a notice on one of the boards saying that is where service picked up again. So we made our way to Lafeyette, and there were times posted, but it was still flashing the notice that this stop was not in service. And the soonest one was meant to be another 15 minutes. So we thought, well if we have to wait this long out here, we may as well just walk to the next stop. But as we got to each stop, it was still always like 15 minutes. They really weren't changing, so we ended up just walking all the way. I think that it didn't seem as bad though, because we never set out to go the whole way, just to the next stop.
To go from the Town Center to campus is 8 tram stops. We walked 5, and then we took the shortcut. It was still an experience. And Lucy and I felt bad that 2 other girls decided to go for fajitas with us, and ended up having to walk home. Bummer.
But hey, we worked off those fajitas I guess.
Vacation Time!
Well.. it was a pretty boring weekend. Nothing too exciting happened. Still going strong on this gym thing though. I'm a huge fan. I feel so like I need to get in shape, especially after all the baguettes and french pasties. Also, with summer coming up, its an even bigger motivator. So yay for that!
Ok, so we have a break that begins in 2 weeks. For me, its actually 2 weeks from today and I'll be in break. YAY! But then, there is the whole what am i gonna do for a week and half on holiday. Well the original plan was to spend the whole week with Guillaume, just traveling around. The trouble is, his boss just sold him his old car, when he got a new one. And he knocked 1,000 off the price in exchange for Guillaume's help with some work on his house. So Guillaume can't leave Le Mans for the beginning of break, as he'll be working with his boss saturday, sunday, and monday.
Provided I can get my visa situation worked out so I don't get denied re-entry into France, here is my plan for the break:
Thursday-Monday in Greece with other American girls
Tuesday-Thursday/Friday in London with Guillaume :)
The rest of the last weekend in Brittany, France, going to some cute places Guillaume knows.
I hope it all works out because I'm pretty excited about it.
Ok, so we have a break that begins in 2 weeks. For me, its actually 2 weeks from today and I'll be in break. YAY! But then, there is the whole what am i gonna do for a week and half on holiday. Well the original plan was to spend the whole week with Guillaume, just traveling around. The trouble is, his boss just sold him his old car, when he got a new one. And he knocked 1,000 off the price in exchange for Guillaume's help with some work on his house. So Guillaume can't leave Le Mans for the beginning of break, as he'll be working with his boss saturday, sunday, and monday.
Provided I can get my visa situation worked out so I don't get denied re-entry into France, here is my plan for the break:
Thursday-Monday in Greece with other American girls
Tuesday-Thursday/Friday in London with Guillaume :)
The rest of the last weekend in Brittany, France, going to some cute places Guillaume knows.
I hope it all works out because I'm pretty excited about it.
Friday, February 11, 2011
I have joined a gym.
And its kicking my butt.
But I feel like I'm getting flabby. I mean I think that my shape hasn't changed too much, but it's sortof like parts of my body that didn't jiggle before, jiggle now. Which is a real bummer.
So, Lucy and I joined a gym. It was a little pricy, but they have lots of workout classes, so thats what we'll do. Yesterday we did BodyAttack. Today was Garden Bike, which was essentially just cycling. Its good though. I'm super sore, but I feel like I'm getting a good work-out and I'm finally getting back in shape, just in time for summer. Yay!
But I feel like I'm getting flabby. I mean I think that my shape hasn't changed too much, but it's sortof like parts of my body that didn't jiggle before, jiggle now. Which is a real bummer.
So, Lucy and I joined a gym. It was a little pricy, but they have lots of workout classes, so thats what we'll do. Yesterday we did BodyAttack. Today was Garden Bike, which was essentially just cycling. Its good though. I'm super sore, but I feel like I'm getting a good work-out and I'm finally getting back in shape, just in time for summer. Yay!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Also,
Just FYI, but I got my other papers to the Prefecture, and I should have my something in the mail in 3 weeks to a month. So YAY! I won't be a partial illegal anymore!
I'm truly French..
..these days. They love their pencil pouches. They take them to every class, complete with every note-taking need. Before class, they always pull out their notebook and their pencil pouch. It always contains several colors of pens, a few pencils, and a white-out pen. And I actually had one class where he gave out a hand out and everyone pulled out gluesticks and glued the paper into their notes. No joke.
And now, i've fully integrated into the french culture. I have a pencil case, which is actually a really cute one, and it is complete with all different colors of pens, a couple pencils, AND a white out pen. At home, I'm a nerd, but here I'm normal. :)
And now, i've fully integrated into the french culture. I have a pencil case, which is actually a really cute one, and it is complete with all different colors of pens, a couple pencils, AND a white out pen. At home, I'm a nerd, but here I'm normal. :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Snail Mail
My day is always a little brighter if there is mail in my mailbox. I don't know why, but if there is a letter or something I get so excited. Someone loves me! Anyways, I got a letter from my friend Sarah the other day and it made my day. So if you are bored one day... you should write me a letter! I would love that!
My Address:
Audrey Hitchman
Cite Varouze - Bat E 213
16 Boulevard Charles Nicolle
Le Mans, 72000
FRANCE
:D
My Address:
Audrey Hitchman
Cite Varouze - Bat E 213
16 Boulevard Charles Nicolle
Le Mans, 72000
FRANCE
:D
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Rennes
Good weekend. We spent saturday in Rennes. Its a super neat place. There was a big market (2nd largest in France) in the main square, so we wandered our way to that first. It was just a normal street market, complete with fruits and veggies, meat, flowers, bread, crepes, cheese, fish... After walking through the market for a bit, we made our way to a nice park close by. Its pretty big, and apparently Rennes is well known for it. And we had a picnic! Unfortunately, the weather lied to us. It was supposed to be partly cloudy/mostly sunny and 55 degrees. The wind chill was listed as 0. LIES! It was super windy and therefore really quite cold. We still had a nice picnic though, and took lots of pictures.
Anyways, after our picnic we went wandering through the park. It was pretty nice, it had a random bird cage thing in the middle, then some nice gardens, follwed by other gardens, and a so called botannical garden with a fish pond in the middle. The whole park was very nice and green though, definitely well taken care of. So then, we realized that we had pretty much already been through the whole list of things to do in Rennes, and we still had the rest of the afternoon, as our train wasn't until 8.
So we went over to the play area and started playing. AND THERE WAS A TEETER-TOTTER! Cassie and I started teeter-tottering, naturally. Then, Sam and Kaitlin joined us on the teeter-totter. So everything is fine and dandy, and we haven't been there that long when 2 officially dressed park policemen come in. One stood off to the side, and the other came into the middle, stood very tall with his hands behind his back and said in a Very Serious Voice (in French): Pick up your bags and leave immediately. And we were all kindof in shock at his serious, but also really rude tone, and so we stood there for just one second dumbfounded, and he said, a little bit louder, and more rude/seriously: Lets go. We realized after the fact we should have just played dumb on the language bit, but who knows. He was in no mood to play games with us. And as we were grabbing our things and filing out silently, he informed us that it was for under-12 year olds. Ha! We still managed to get in 5 minutes of fun. And like as we walked out, he radioed back to someone that he got us out of there. It was all very strange. And I can understand being kicked out if we had been doing something illegal, like vandalizing or abusing the park, but we were legitimately just playing. Oh well!
After that fun experience, we went to the tourist office and got a Rennes tourist map, that had a walking tour of the center of town and all the things to see. I played tour guide (haha which I really enjoy doing for some reason. I think its fun to lead the way and read the little blurbs about everything in a funny tour guide -y voice). We did that for the afternoon, and took lots more pictures. Then it was kebab for dinner and homeward bound!
We felt bad though, because when we were waiting for our train at the station in Rennes, when we saw this kid Stephan that we know. He is this german boy who is always really nice, but he is definitely a little strange. Not sure he has a ton of friends either. So we wave to him and he came over to say hi. Well apparently, he had posted on facebook the day before "Does anyone want to go to Rennes with me tomorrow?" and no one had responded. I don't have him as a friend on facebook,but 2 or 3 of the other girls do. We felt bad though, because we had been planning this trip for a bit, and he spent the day in Rennes alone. :(
Overall it was a good time though. And pictures will be posted on facebook soon!
Anyways, after our picnic we went wandering through the park. It was pretty nice, it had a random bird cage thing in the middle, then some nice gardens, follwed by other gardens, and a so called botannical garden with a fish pond in the middle. The whole park was very nice and green though, definitely well taken care of. So then, we realized that we had pretty much already been through the whole list of things to do in Rennes, and we still had the rest of the afternoon, as our train wasn't until 8.
So we went over to the play area and started playing. AND THERE WAS A TEETER-TOTTER! Cassie and I started teeter-tottering, naturally. Then, Sam and Kaitlin joined us on the teeter-totter. So everything is fine and dandy, and we haven't been there that long when 2 officially dressed park policemen come in. One stood off to the side, and the other came into the middle, stood very tall with his hands behind his back and said in a Very Serious Voice (in French): Pick up your bags and leave immediately. And we were all kindof in shock at his serious, but also really rude tone, and so we stood there for just one second dumbfounded, and he said, a little bit louder, and more rude/seriously: Lets go. We realized after the fact we should have just played dumb on the language bit, but who knows. He was in no mood to play games with us. And as we were grabbing our things and filing out silently, he informed us that it was for under-12 year olds. Ha! We still managed to get in 5 minutes of fun. And like as we walked out, he radioed back to someone that he got us out of there. It was all very strange. And I can understand being kicked out if we had been doing something illegal, like vandalizing or abusing the park, but we were legitimately just playing. Oh well!
After that fun experience, we went to the tourist office and got a Rennes tourist map, that had a walking tour of the center of town and all the things to see. I played tour guide (haha which I really enjoy doing for some reason. I think its fun to lead the way and read the little blurbs about everything in a funny tour guide -y voice). We did that for the afternoon, and took lots more pictures. Then it was kebab for dinner and homeward bound!
We felt bad though, because when we were waiting for our train at the station in Rennes, when we saw this kid Stephan that we know. He is this german boy who is always really nice, but he is definitely a little strange. Not sure he has a ton of friends either. So we wave to him and he came over to say hi. Well apparently, he had posted on facebook the day before "Does anyone want to go to Rennes with me tomorrow?" and no one had responded. I don't have him as a friend on facebook,but 2 or 3 of the other girls do. We felt bad though, because we had been planning this trip for a bit, and he spent the day in Rennes alone. :(
Overall it was a good time though. And pictures will be posted on facebook soon!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tout va bien.
Guillaume gave me a big hug and now its all ok. At least I'm not so stressed anymore. :D
And we're taking a day trip with all the girls (6 of us) to Rennes tomorrow. Lets hope it all goes well :)
And we're taking a day trip with all the girls (6 of us) to Rennes tomorrow. Lets hope it all goes well :)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
GGGGAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
When it comes to papers I hate France. Hate it. Hate it. HATE IT.
I apparently have to go back for my visa paperwork again. Because he has decided he wants these 2 other papers. THAT WEREN'T ON THE LIST OF PAPERS I NEEDED! because I had all of those, as he admitted. But no, as per usual with France, things MUST BE DIFFICULT and INCONVENIENT whenever possible.
So I have 2 more things to get to them. Two more extremely useless things. And then my request can be processed.
AND now I have this stupid dinky half sheet of paper that I have to carry around with me at all times for the next 3 months to prove I'm not here illegally. Then, in like 3 months, they'll send me this card thing that says I'm not illegal. And BIG SURPRISE! there is a passport photo stuck to this sheet of paper. They have a real obsession with passport photos in France. They must be attached to EVERYTHING. seriously though, Everything.
Also, I can't travel in the next 2 months outside of France without going back AGAIN and getting another visa so they will allow me back into France.
And, the whole reason I had to come back this second time was because he wanted my OFII paperwork and medical exams to be completed. Well I got a pretty new sticker in my passport to show I had finished all that. Today, he typed in my dossier number, and it didn't work. My file just couldn't be found. No idea why.
Miguel had the exact same situation as me. And he had no trouble. WHY AM I HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE!?!?
And to top off this lovely couple of days, a stupid pathetic girl is trying her very best to get on my boyfriend. If it gets worse I will have no choice but to bitch her out in english. GRRRR!
(Sorry for the somewhat unhappy ranting blog entry today. I'm pretty frustrated.)
I apparently have to go back for my visa paperwork again. Because he has decided he wants these 2 other papers. THAT WEREN'T ON THE LIST OF PAPERS I NEEDED! because I had all of those, as he admitted. But no, as per usual with France, things MUST BE DIFFICULT and INCONVENIENT whenever possible.
So I have 2 more things to get to them. Two more extremely useless things. And then my request can be processed.
AND now I have this stupid dinky half sheet of paper that I have to carry around with me at all times for the next 3 months to prove I'm not here illegally. Then, in like 3 months, they'll send me this card thing that says I'm not illegal. And BIG SURPRISE! there is a passport photo stuck to this sheet of paper. They have a real obsession with passport photos in France. They must be attached to EVERYTHING. seriously though, Everything.
Also, I can't travel in the next 2 months outside of France without going back AGAIN and getting another visa so they will allow me back into France.
And, the whole reason I had to come back this second time was because he wanted my OFII paperwork and medical exams to be completed. Well I got a pretty new sticker in my passport to show I had finished all that. Today, he typed in my dossier number, and it didn't work. My file just couldn't be found. No idea why.
Miguel had the exact same situation as me. And he had no trouble. WHY AM I HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE!?!?
And to top off this lovely couple of days, a stupid pathetic girl is trying her very best to get on my boyfriend. If it gets worse I will have no choice but to bitch her out in english. GRRRR!
(Sorry for the somewhat unhappy ranting blog entry today. I'm pretty frustrated.)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Just a normal weekend..
Well, not a lot new to report. Just been a normal kinda weekend around here.
There was an erasmus soiree on thursday night, so it was just basically a gathering of all the international students. The trouble was that there were these 3 Moroccan guys creeping on me, Mel, and Cassie pretty hard. So the night was ish.
Didn't do too much the rest of the weekend. Guillaume's house had an Open House this weekend though, so I went. I'm not normally allowed to see it, except the main dining room. Anyways, its in Old Town, so its pretty nifty. The house is old inside, but very nicely restored, as they are all carpenters, painters, roofers... It has a lot of character though, and its definitely a neat house. I've always wanted to see inside one of the house in old town. To him its no big deal, but I really like it.
Then today, Cassie and I visited the Sunday market and did some exploring around town. Actually stumbled on to a couple of spots I'd never seen before. Took some more pictures as usual. And now its on to a new week. 3 days of busy followed by 4 days of lazy :)
There was an erasmus soiree on thursday night, so it was just basically a gathering of all the international students. The trouble was that there were these 3 Moroccan guys creeping on me, Mel, and Cassie pretty hard. So the night was ish.
On friday we hit up the Soldes. They're the after Christmas sales that every shop in France does from mid-January until mid-February. And each week of the Soldes, they mark down a little bit more. The good stuff is already pretty much gone, but by the middle of February, they're practically giving stuff away. Not gonna lie, we're pretty excited about that. I didn't buy much though. I'm running low on funds, so I'm trying not to spend too much until I get my stipend.
Didn't do too much the rest of the weekend. Guillaume's house had an Open House this weekend though, so I went. I'm not normally allowed to see it, except the main dining room. Anyways, its in Old Town, so its pretty nifty. The house is old inside, but very nicely restored, as they are all carpenters, painters, roofers... It has a lot of character though, and its definitely a neat house. I've always wanted to see inside one of the house in old town. To him its no big deal, but I really like it.
Then today, Cassie and I visited the Sunday market and did some exploring around town. Actually stumbled on to a couple of spots I'd never seen before. Took some more pictures as usual. And now its on to a new week. 3 days of busy followed by 4 days of lazy :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
GOOD DAY!
I love those. Those are the best kind. SO MANY REASONS TOO!
1. The weather was nice today! I love days when the weather is nice and so life is just better.
2. Went to my new translation class today. Awesome. Taught by this CRAZY OLD BRITISH MAN. He is hysterical. So I'm a big fan. And I'm going to stick with that class for sure. He reminded me a lot of the old guy in the movie UP. Its like his lips kinda fold over his teeth and he has like that face and jaw and everything. And he just makes these great facial expressions but he is really funny and keeps the class' attention really well. I enjoyed it. So yay!
3. Meeting with the English coordinator. All is good with my schedule finally.
4. Went to one of my other classes for the first time. I was worried that it was going to be an analysis class like the other one turned out to be, but it was exactly what I wanted. It was just french grammar broken down into really simple terms. So now my schedule is really really finalized.
5. Talked to the women in international relations, and in the next 2 to 3 weeks I should be getting my stipend in full. In which case I will soon be RICH!
6. Miguel picked up the keys to the classroom I'll be teaching in tomorrow. One less thing to worry about. Yay for getting paid to speak in English!
7. I think I'm finished with my awkward french medical exams. I have another appointment next week, but I'm pretty sure that its just to put together the paperwork.
That is all I can think of for now. But YAY for a good day! I'm happy :)
P.S. - Guillaume is coming over in a few minutes. Another happy thing about my day :D
1. The weather was nice today! I love days when the weather is nice and so life is just better.
2. Went to my new translation class today. Awesome. Taught by this CRAZY OLD BRITISH MAN. He is hysterical. So I'm a big fan. And I'm going to stick with that class for sure. He reminded me a lot of the old guy in the movie UP. Its like his lips kinda fold over his teeth and he has like that face and jaw and everything. And he just makes these great facial expressions but he is really funny and keeps the class' attention really well. I enjoyed it. So yay!
3. Meeting with the English coordinator. All is good with my schedule finally.
4. Went to one of my other classes for the first time. I was worried that it was going to be an analysis class like the other one turned out to be, but it was exactly what I wanted. It was just french grammar broken down into really simple terms. So now my schedule is really really finalized.
5. Talked to the women in international relations, and in the next 2 to 3 weeks I should be getting my stipend in full. In which case I will soon be RICH!
6. Miguel picked up the keys to the classroom I'll be teaching in tomorrow. One less thing to worry about. Yay for getting paid to speak in English!
7. I think I'm finished with my awkward french medical exams. I have another appointment next week, but I'm pretty sure that its just to put together the paperwork.
That is all I can think of for now. But YAY for a good day! I'm happy :)
P.S. - Guillaume is coming over in a few minutes. Another happy thing about my day :D
Monday, January 24, 2011
French Medical Exams
Welp, had my first one this morning. It was just at the Clinic down the road. I had to go to the radiology center. It was a little strange though. So they called me into this room where the woman said Ok take off everything on top. And then she just watched me take off everything on top. Just stood there, while I took off my layers, down to my tank top, and finally, my bra. It was just a little odd. But then she did the X-Ray and I was finished. But then, I had to wait for my results which took forever. And it was the normal kind of waiting room where usually you don't sit next to anyone else unless you have to. Well this woman and her son came in. He went and sat at this group of chairs over there, then she looked at him and sat down between me and this asian kid that was there for the same reason I was. And it was awkward and uncomfortable to have a stranger sit that close when it was entirely unnecessary. And there were other open seats across the way. Well anyways, she reeked of smoke and it just wasn't that pleasant to have our shoulders touching. So then, after that, the time until they called my name again went even slower.
I've got my real medical exam type appointment this afternoon. Not so sure how that will go in French. Its not like they teach you those words. Here is how you go to the doctor.. No. So not so sure how its gonna go. We'll see. Hopefully not too bad.
I've got my real medical exam type appointment this afternoon. Not so sure how that will go in French. Its not like they teach you those words. Here is how you go to the doctor.. No. So not so sure how its gonna go. We'll see. Hopefully not too bad.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
First Week
Ugh. What a mess with my schedule and my visa and my teaching thing.
Well my schedule was all set, but then 2 of my classes were pretty much out of my level of ability to pass in a foreign language, so I've been trying to change my schedule around. Then, that sort of stemmed me to change a lot of my classes, so now I'm a little worried that I will be going into 3 or 4 classes late. Then, to make matters worse, I won't even be able to go to 2 of my classes this week, and one next week because of my medical appointments for my visa.
AND my visa. Stupid stupid visa. Well my visa is meant to expire the 1st of February, as I was originally only going to stay for a semester abroad. Well I had an appointment with the Prefecture in France to extend my visa for friday the 21st of January, yesterday. I went. Waited and did the whole thing, then when I got to the desk, with my folder and all my super organized paperwork, he told me I'd have to come back to do it. Apparently they prefer to wait til the visa has expired to do it. But no one told me that before. NO ONE! jerks. So now I have another appointment in 2 weeks. This time, though, Guillaume can't come. So if there is another strange circumstance, I'll have no one to help me understand it.
Then, along with the visa paperwork is the OFII paperwork. Who knows what that stands for. But anyways, for the OFII stuff, you have to get a medical visit if you are staying in France more than 3 months. Well I came back to a letter in my mailbox that I have my medical appointments next week and the week after. There are 3 in all. There is a notice on the bottom of the letter that says the times and dates of the appointments cannot be changed. Well they all have to land right during classes. So there is actually at least one class that I will miss the first 2 weeks of. Grrrr.
Also, I was hired at the end of last semester to teach some english classes. Well actually, last semester it was just to be a conversation partner, but this semester it is to teach them. So, we had our meeting for that last week, and it was decided that I would teach the wednesday morning classes and the other American doing this would teach the afternoon classes. Easy enough. But then, the reason I had so much trouble changing my schedule was that classes kept landing on wednesday morning. Oh it was a mess. Well thats all worked out, but everything was still resting on me getting my visa. Which was supposed to happen yesterday, but didn't. And I'm even more confused, because the other American had all the same stuff with his visa, but had no trouble getting it extended before it had expired. Harumph. :(
Well my schedule was all set, but then 2 of my classes were pretty much out of my level of ability to pass in a foreign language, so I've been trying to change my schedule around. Then, that sort of stemmed me to change a lot of my classes, so now I'm a little worried that I will be going into 3 or 4 classes late. Then, to make matters worse, I won't even be able to go to 2 of my classes this week, and one next week because of my medical appointments for my visa.
AND my visa. Stupid stupid visa. Well my visa is meant to expire the 1st of February, as I was originally only going to stay for a semester abroad. Well I had an appointment with the Prefecture in France to extend my visa for friday the 21st of January, yesterday. I went. Waited and did the whole thing, then when I got to the desk, with my folder and all my super organized paperwork, he told me I'd have to come back to do it. Apparently they prefer to wait til the visa has expired to do it. But no one told me that before. NO ONE! jerks. So now I have another appointment in 2 weeks. This time, though, Guillaume can't come. So if there is another strange circumstance, I'll have no one to help me understand it.
Then, along with the visa paperwork is the OFII paperwork. Who knows what that stands for. But anyways, for the OFII stuff, you have to get a medical visit if you are staying in France more than 3 months. Well I came back to a letter in my mailbox that I have my medical appointments next week and the week after. There are 3 in all. There is a notice on the bottom of the letter that says the times and dates of the appointments cannot be changed. Well they all have to land right during classes. So there is actually at least one class that I will miss the first 2 weeks of. Grrrr.
Also, I was hired at the end of last semester to teach some english classes. Well actually, last semester it was just to be a conversation partner, but this semester it is to teach them. So, we had our meeting for that last week, and it was decided that I would teach the wednesday morning classes and the other American doing this would teach the afternoon classes. Easy enough. But then, the reason I had so much trouble changing my schedule was that classes kept landing on wednesday morning. Oh it was a mess. Well thats all worked out, but everything was still resting on me getting my visa. Which was supposed to happen yesterday, but didn't. And I'm even more confused, because the other American had all the same stuff with his visa, but had no trouble getting it extended before it had expired. Harumph. :(
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Classes have begun again
Well hello there!
So its a new semester and so new classes. I have most of the same classes as last semester, so life hasn't really changed too much. Its just all French classes, like grammar, linguistics, and so on.. I'm hoping this semester won't be too bad though. The only class that will make more of a difference is my French class for non-native speakers where I moved up to the advanced class with one of the British girls. We'll see how it goes. It seems to be better than the other class so far though. The professor is Canadian. Kinda random, but she has a slightly different accent. The class is a lot smaller than upper intermediate was, and people seem to have more of a desire to learn, so I think it should be good.
Also, Guillaume and I's mini-Christmas was lovely. He gave me a hand made bowl that is super pretty, and also a really nice silver necklace with a pearl and small diamond thing. It was really sweet. So everything is good on that front :)
The new group of anglophones (plus Rachael and I) are going out to Mexican tomorrow. Yummm. I'm excited. Welp, I've not got too much to say, at least nothing too interesting to say. But love you all.. Thanks for reading!
So its a new semester and so new classes. I have most of the same classes as last semester, so life hasn't really changed too much. Its just all French classes, like grammar, linguistics, and so on.. I'm hoping this semester won't be too bad though. The only class that will make more of a difference is my French class for non-native speakers where I moved up to the advanced class with one of the British girls. We'll see how it goes. It seems to be better than the other class so far though. The professor is Canadian. Kinda random, but she has a slightly different accent. The class is a lot smaller than upper intermediate was, and people seem to have more of a desire to learn, so I think it should be good.
Also, Guillaume and I's mini-Christmas was lovely. He gave me a hand made bowl that is super pretty, and also a really nice silver necklace with a pearl and small diamond thing. It was really sweet. So everything is good on that front :)
The new group of anglophones (plus Rachael and I) are going out to Mexican tomorrow. Yummm. I'm excited. Welp, I've not got too much to say, at least nothing too interesting to say. But love you all.. Thanks for reading!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Back in France
Welp.. Made it just fine. Flying isn't fun, but all is well. I knew I was back in France though when I got glares on the tram in Le Mans for having a suitcase. But still, I'm hoping this semester is as good as the last one was.
Right now I'm just really looking forward to celebrating my mini-Christmas with Guillaume :)
Right now I'm just really looking forward to celebrating my mini-Christmas with Guillaume :)
Coming Back to France...
Well I have a goal for this semester.. UPDATE THIS THING!
Last semester I was pretty bad about actually updating my blog, and so most people have probably forgotten about it by now, but I plan to do it this semester. I mean it’s a nice idea. Online journal that everyone can read about what you are doing with your life abroad, but I just get lazy. Oh and put pictures on this thing is a royal hassle. Not a fan of that part. So its not likely that it’ll have much by the way of pictures throughout the semester, but hopefully it’ll actually have entries of some kind.
SO! I’ve decided to come back to France. I think anyone that reads this thing would know that by now, but I thought I’d put it out there.
I’m on my way back now. I’m just sitting in the Minneapolis airport killing time. I have a six and a half hour layover. YAY! What fun.. well I’m surviving. Not a lot can be worse than the bad weather and delays of getting home before Christmas.
I just took a little nap though, and I’m sitting at some cushy chairs by the moving sidewalk, kinda watching people go by, but mostly just working on crocheting a scarf. Well a woman with her husband and baby just walked by, looked at me and said “We didn’t make it.” Like I’m supposed to have a clue what in the world she is talking about and why she is telling me. Well I’m assuming she didn’t make her plane, but I just woke up. Huh?
People watching is definitely better in other airports. There aren’t too many people going by, and they are all pretty normal. Blah. Stupid Minnesota with normal looking people. I NEED ENTERTAINMENT.
I’ve not got a lot to say for the time being, so I think I’ll leave you be. There is a good chance the only person reading this is my grandma. So HI GRANDMA! Hope all is well :)
Last semester I was pretty bad about actually updating my blog, and so most people have probably forgotten about it by now, but I plan to do it this semester. I mean it’s a nice idea. Online journal that everyone can read about what you are doing with your life abroad, but I just get lazy. Oh and put pictures on this thing is a royal hassle. Not a fan of that part. So its not likely that it’ll have much by the way of pictures throughout the semester, but hopefully it’ll actually have entries of some kind.
SO! I’ve decided to come back to France. I think anyone that reads this thing would know that by now, but I thought I’d put it out there.
I’m on my way back now. I’m just sitting in the Minneapolis airport killing time. I have a six and a half hour layover. YAY! What fun.. well I’m surviving. Not a lot can be worse than the bad weather and delays of getting home before Christmas.
I just took a little nap though, and I’m sitting at some cushy chairs by the moving sidewalk, kinda watching people go by, but mostly just working on crocheting a scarf. Well a woman with her husband and baby just walked by, looked at me and said “We didn’t make it.” Like I’m supposed to have a clue what in the world she is talking about and why she is telling me. Well I’m assuming she didn’t make her plane, but I just woke up. Huh?
People watching is definitely better in other airports. There aren’t too many people going by, and they are all pretty normal. Blah. Stupid Minnesota with normal looking people. I NEED ENTERTAINMENT.
I’ve not got a lot to say for the time being, so I think I’ll leave you be. There is a good chance the only person reading this is my grandma. So HI GRANDMA! Hope all is well :)
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