May 31

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Today was kinda cool too…they are all pretty good though!! I went to school this morning and at first it wasn’t too great because I did an hour and a half of photocopying…but then a couple of teachers wanted me to come into their classes after the break, and that turned out to be great.
In the first class the teacher had prepared a sheet for the kids to fill out as I talked (at an insanely slow speed) in English. It was really the first time I’ve spoken in English since I left home and it was weird to hear myself speak! There were a couple kids that totally filled out all the questions (my name, nationality, job, time in France, etc) and others that just sat there at stared at me with blank faces the entire time.
The second class was basically a conversation with the teacher and then the teacher asked the kids what (if anything) they understood. It wasn’t as great as the first class, but whatever. I got to do stuff, so I was happy. And the kids were pretty excited to talk to someone from Canada! Go figure!
Then I spent an hour in the Social Studies (Histoire-Geographie) class. I talked (in French) about Canada and what were the differences in the climate and the school differences between here and there. It was basically like an OSEF meeting all over again, to be honest. The teacher was super nice but really kept on stressing the fact that we were just a different location of the US – and that really bugs me. I don’t care that we have fast food and our only neighbours are the US, we are still different and it bugs me a lot when people don’t let me explain that. But I wasn’t about to argue with the teacher – that is really not done in France. I know better than that!
There were a couple girls in that class that were super cool and wanted my e-mail at the end so they could write to me and practice English and stuff…so we’ll see if they actually e-mail me or not. I’d be really happy if they did!
After lunch I walked downtown Mer, which is a town of about 10 people (not actually, but in comparison to the other cities I’ve been in, pretty much!) I lucked out though because the market is Thursday afternoon and so I looked around for a bit. I also wandered into the grocery store and found a chocolate moose for 15 cents!! So I bought that and went and sat in the park and read my book for an hour or so before I walked back to the school.
I look at all the real estate listings as I walk by because there are offices on every corner and everything is in the windows…and since I am an addict, that is what I do! Anyway…I found a castle that is for sale! 900 000 Euros! 20 bedrooms, a pool, a forest, stables…I was pretty excited!! I want a castle! J
And that was about the extent of the excitement for the day. Tomorrow Lise and I are going to go swimming and shopping, so that should be exciting enough…I doubt I’ll actually buy anything, but it’ll be fun anyway. Pretty much my last day with someone my age, so I’ll benefit!!

Night

-Allison