Alright so I might repeat some things that I've already said, but I'm going to do a USA and FRANCE comparison.
1. USA: public: school bus or parents take you to school
private: parents take you to school
FRANCE: public: huge bus-like a tour bus takes you, or your parents take you, or a train followed by a city bus ride.
private: your parents take you, or you take the train and the city bus.
2. USA: "thanks" & "murci"
FRANCE: "shanks" & "merci"
3. USA: unless it is a spiral stair case, the stairs do not curve.
FRANCE: the stairs curve. and if you're on the curving side, you're screwed.
4. USA: Cafeteria food consists of the closest dominos' pizza.
FRANCE: Cafeteria food consists of one appetizer, one fruit, one veggie, one dessert, the main plate-which is always a meat and a carb, a drink, and of course, bread.
***********WARNING THIS IS TMI*************
5. USA: there are trashcans in the bathroom-so when you're on your period you do your business and leave.
FRANCE: THERE ARE NO TRASHCANS- everyone knows when you're on your period!!!! AND the trashcan is under the sink..AWK.
6. USA: hugs are the usual hello.
FRANCE: two kissed on each cheek and a "Ca va?"
7. USA: shutters are just, shutters. they are there for decoration.
FRANCE: shutters SHUT. you shut them before you go to bed, and you open them when you wake up.
8. USA: heels are for dances, parties and special occasions.
FRANCE: everyday-even on the cobble stone.
9. USA: you dry your clothes in the dryer..and they shrink.
FRANCE: you hang your clothes with clothes pins and let them dry outside.. scent of the year? nature.
10. USA: we are health nuts. everything is less calories and less this and less that. and watching your weight.
FRANCE: the food is the food. they have junky snacks too....and they LOVE chocolate!
C'est la vie.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Nonsense
I haven't blogged in a while! I'm getting excited, I think my package is FINALLY going to come-with my backup hard drive so I can upload more pictures. MEANING, pictures on my blog! yay! :)
Well, lets see. Currently I just have woken up from a 14 hour sleep. Yes, 14 hours. I am sick. Last night I watched Home Alone and went to bed right after- around 7. I woke up at 930ish. I feel lovely-minus the fact that I have mucus running down my throat at snail pace and can't breathe out of one nostril. Yesterday I was mad because I SWORE I packed Afrin. Afrin is my best friend when I am sick with a head cold-he helps me breathe. I DIDN'T pack it. I bought some stuff at the pharmacie here but it was more like spraying a lavendery minty scent up my nose. I told the mom I needed some spray for my nose and whatever she got me worked pretty much all night until about 6. Which is almost 12 hours. I was happy.
So everytime I throw up I get this feeling-I can always call when it is going to happen. Yesterday morning I woke up, had a head cold and got that stomach feeling. I was hoping it was because I was just nervous about taking a FRENCH LITERATURE EXAM that day, but it wasn't. I took some asprin water-grossest thing on the planet, and took some snack bar to school. So, I get to my exam take as much of it as I can. It's a two paragraph excerpt and it takes me an hour to figure out what it means. But hey, I was happy I figured out what it meant! I finish and I'm sitting in my desk thinking "oh god". Thankfully my assigned seat for *DS* (testing period every tuesday) is towards the front. So, i motioned throw up to the lady and ran out the door. Seriously, so embarrassing. I know everyones thinking "OH MY GOD THE AMERICAN GIRL IS RUNNING OUT OF HERE WTF"
I come back and the lady comes back to me and asks if I'm okay. No and I told her I threw up...Well I didn't know throw up so I said I'm sick..which by the way is Je suis malade. Anyways, she takes me to this infirmary where it is FREEEEEEZING cold. I stay there for about two hours then am taken to the "Vie de Scholar"-like the attendance office at jordan but bigger. I sat in there for about 45 minutes. The girls in there were hilarious. They were young and one knew a little English and one knew cuss words. I guess saying bad words infront of students isn't a big deal? Or maybe they thought I couldn't understand them but every five seconds I heard "merde!" or some other word I can't remember. Then one of the girls (these by the way were girls who worked at school mid twenties, three of them.) told me she was a hair model for Paul Mitchell-when she said it at first I couldn't understand her but then I was like OH PAUL MITCHELL. I believe her too! Her hair is curly like mine, dirty blonde and down to the middle of her back. SO pretty. The other girl was funny. She spoke a little English and was trying to get in contact with my host parents. The Paul Mitchell model kept eating and eating and eating and the English speaking girl was laughing at her and saying you can eat and eat and eat and still not gain wait.
^that is all nonsense. but its really funny to me. at the office at jordan, you would NEVER hear then talk about something like that!
Well, I hope something exciting happens soon so I can blog about it.
à bientôt :)
Well, lets see. Currently I just have woken up from a 14 hour sleep. Yes, 14 hours. I am sick. Last night I watched Home Alone and went to bed right after- around 7. I woke up at 930ish. I feel lovely-minus the fact that I have mucus running down my throat at snail pace and can't breathe out of one nostril. Yesterday I was mad because I SWORE I packed Afrin. Afrin is my best friend when I am sick with a head cold-he helps me breathe. I DIDN'T pack it. I bought some stuff at the pharmacie here but it was more like spraying a lavendery minty scent up my nose. I told the mom I needed some spray for my nose and whatever she got me worked pretty much all night until about 6. Which is almost 12 hours. I was happy.
So everytime I throw up I get this feeling-I can always call when it is going to happen. Yesterday morning I woke up, had a head cold and got that stomach feeling. I was hoping it was because I was just nervous about taking a FRENCH LITERATURE EXAM that day, but it wasn't. I took some asprin water-grossest thing on the planet, and took some snack bar to school. So, I get to my exam take as much of it as I can. It's a two paragraph excerpt and it takes me an hour to figure out what it means. But hey, I was happy I figured out what it meant! I finish and I'm sitting in my desk thinking "oh god". Thankfully my assigned seat for *DS* (testing period every tuesday) is towards the front. So, i motioned throw up to the lady and ran out the door. Seriously, so embarrassing. I know everyones thinking "OH MY GOD THE AMERICAN GIRL IS RUNNING OUT OF HERE WTF"
I come back and the lady comes back to me and asks if I'm okay. No and I told her I threw up...Well I didn't know throw up so I said I'm sick..which by the way is Je suis malade. Anyways, she takes me to this infirmary where it is FREEEEEEZING cold. I stay there for about two hours then am taken to the "Vie de Scholar"-like the attendance office at jordan but bigger. I sat in there for about 45 minutes. The girls in there were hilarious. They were young and one knew a little English and one knew cuss words. I guess saying bad words infront of students isn't a big deal? Or maybe they thought I couldn't understand them but every five seconds I heard "merde!" or some other word I can't remember. Then one of the girls (these by the way were girls who worked at school mid twenties, three of them.) told me she was a hair model for Paul Mitchell-when she said it at first I couldn't understand her but then I was like OH PAUL MITCHELL. I believe her too! Her hair is curly like mine, dirty blonde and down to the middle of her back. SO pretty. The other girl was funny. She spoke a little English and was trying to get in contact with my host parents. The Paul Mitchell model kept eating and eating and eating and the English speaking girl was laughing at her and saying you can eat and eat and eat and still not gain wait.
^that is all nonsense. but its really funny to me. at the office at jordan, you would NEVER hear then talk about something like that!
Well, I hope something exciting happens soon so I can blog about it.
à bientôt :)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Je suis en retard.
No that does not mean I'm retarded..It means I'm late.
Welp, I've decided my writing on here has gotten pretty sloppy..I think it is because I have so much to say, but it's all scattered in my brain...
Today I left for school at 645..I didn't arrive until 9...
1) We left a little too late to catch the taxi to the train station
2) We went back home when the dad politely told us there was a taxi in five minutes..we ran to the taxi stop.
3) Luckily we ran towards the taxi and waved him down..because he was heading away.
4) We waited at the train station for about an hour.
5) WHY? because the train BROKE
6) Meanwhile it was pouring rain-and FREEZING
7) My toms were soaking wet.
8) We get to Amiens..the bus is late
9) It's 830 and the bus won't arrive until 845
10) First period is at 8.
11) We were late to school...soaking wet..and grumpy.
BUT after that I had a good day. I have made more friends and my french comprehension has really increased.
Today at lunch it was...hilarious. Martina, Lenaelle, Marie, Eva, another girl whose name I forgot...and Me, ate together. Today our lunch was an hour and 45 minutes :) :) Martina and I learned how to cuss in french..and say penis. Since our lunch was extra long today, we went earlier and ate during the middle schoolers lunch. Martina, excited about learning her new favorite word, screamed PENIS in french continually. All the middle schoolers stared...knowing she spoke English, but not knowing why she was screaming an awkward word, penis.
Yeah today was kinda an inappropriate and extremely long day, but I had fun.
Welp, I've decided my writing on here has gotten pretty sloppy..I think it is because I have so much to say, but it's all scattered in my brain...
Today I left for school at 645..I didn't arrive until 9...
1) We left a little too late to catch the taxi to the train station
2) We went back home when the dad politely told us there was a taxi in five minutes..we ran to the taxi stop.
3) Luckily we ran towards the taxi and waved him down..because he was heading away.
4) We waited at the train station for about an hour.
5) WHY? because the train BROKE
6) Meanwhile it was pouring rain-and FREEZING
7) My toms were soaking wet.
8) We get to Amiens..the bus is late
9) It's 830 and the bus won't arrive until 845
10) First period is at 8.
11) We were late to school...soaking wet..and grumpy.
BUT after that I had a good day. I have made more friends and my french comprehension has really increased.
Today at lunch it was...hilarious. Martina, Lenaelle, Marie, Eva, another girl whose name I forgot...and Me, ate together. Today our lunch was an hour and 45 minutes :) :) Martina and I learned how to cuss in french..and say penis. Since our lunch was extra long today, we went earlier and ate during the middle schoolers lunch. Martina, excited about learning her new favorite word, screamed PENIS in french continually. All the middle schoolers stared...knowing she spoke English, but not knowing why she was screaming an awkward word, penis.
Yeah today was kinda an inappropriate and extremely long day, but I had fun.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bailey Castillo's Indepence Day
Fun Facts For the Day
1. When people get to work they sit around drink coffee for about an hour.
2. When you walk into the room-where everyone is in the morning, you make your rounds around the table and kiss everyone on the cheek and say bonjour.
3. Some roads only have room for one way traffic. Stop lights make it possible to have two way traffic.
4. Teachers in France are SUPER strict about notes-color, alignment and everything.
5. Watch out for stairs that have a curve..will post picture soon.
6. NO GUM. ever.
7. The only shoes in the house are slippers. All the other shoes are in the garage.
8. People assume all Americans live in NY or Cali.
9. A seal in French is pronounced "FUCK"- hahahahaha
10. You might think a guy is cute, until you see him with that cigarette.
11. You get to a point when you understand French better than them trying to say it in English
12. Not everyone is skinny- there ARE fat people here.
13. They forget that Americans use feet, yards, miles, etc. And will ask you how far something is in meters. When you respond I don't know, they think you're stupid!
14. Coffee is black-usually there is sugar. At home I can use milk but out, no cream of any sort.
15. No girls wear backpacks to school.
16. In PE, people don't wear T shirts and shorts. They wear Polos and Yoga pants
17. I was asked if I take my lunch to school in a bag-like in American movies. :)
Today was the first day I was alone, for four hours, in town.
Wednesdays are my easiest days and today it was more easy than usual-my english teacher wasn't here. When a teacher isn't here, you don't go to that class. Today my schedule was math, free period, french, forum, free period, free period, english. I went to math, my french class was MIA-so i had a free period, then forum. I went to my 2..well one class. and was done at 12. :) :)
I had a bus pass, but I love walking. So I walked into the CentreVille, and headed to the post office. At the post office I exchanged my money and happily continued on! Next stop, phone store. My phone bill is outrageous-well it's not a bill. I have to buy minutes, its prepaid. Let's just say I text mom, and dad, A LOT. I got 70 Euros worth of more minutes and had finished what I needed to buy...3 hours left....
I stopped at about 4 different Cafes and decided I liked the one that had the food out on display..I got the best sandwich on the planet. I have no idea what it was, but it was wonderful. I sat, alone, with my iPod on a bench in the park area of the Centreville. It was very relaxing. hahahaha-I feel old saying that.
Lets just say I had a good day :)
1. When people get to work they sit around drink coffee for about an hour.
2. When you walk into the room-where everyone is in the morning, you make your rounds around the table and kiss everyone on the cheek and say bonjour.
3. Some roads only have room for one way traffic. Stop lights make it possible to have two way traffic.
4. Teachers in France are SUPER strict about notes-color, alignment and everything.
5. Watch out for stairs that have a curve..will post picture soon.
6. NO GUM. ever.
7. The only shoes in the house are slippers. All the other shoes are in the garage.
8. People assume all Americans live in NY or Cali.
9. A seal in French is pronounced "FUCK"- hahahahaha
10. You might think a guy is cute, until you see him with that cigarette.
11. You get to a point when you understand French better than them trying to say it in English
12. Not everyone is skinny- there ARE fat people here.
13. They forget that Americans use feet, yards, miles, etc. And will ask you how far something is in meters. When you respond I don't know, they think you're stupid!
14. Coffee is black-usually there is sugar. At home I can use milk but out, no cream of any sort.
15. No girls wear backpacks to school.
16. In PE, people don't wear T shirts and shorts. They wear Polos and Yoga pants
17. I was asked if I take my lunch to school in a bag-like in American movies. :)
Today was the first day I was alone, for four hours, in town.
Wednesdays are my easiest days and today it was more easy than usual-my english teacher wasn't here. When a teacher isn't here, you don't go to that class. Today my schedule was math, free period, french, forum, free period, free period, english. I went to math, my french class was MIA-so i had a free period, then forum. I went to my 2..well one class. and was done at 12. :) :)
I had a bus pass, but I love walking. So I walked into the CentreVille, and headed to the post office. At the post office I exchanged my money and happily continued on! Next stop, phone store. My phone bill is outrageous-well it's not a bill. I have to buy minutes, its prepaid. Let's just say I text mom, and dad, A LOT. I got 70 Euros worth of more minutes and had finished what I needed to buy...3 hours left....
I stopped at about 4 different Cafes and decided I liked the one that had the food out on display..I got the best sandwich on the planet. I have no idea what it was, but it was wonderful. I sat, alone, with my iPod on a bench in the park area of the Centreville. It was very relaxing. hahahaha-I feel old saying that.
Lets just say I had a good day :)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
25 Fun Facts
1. When you wake up, see someone for the first time in the day, return from somewhere or are leaving, you kiss the person on each cheek.
2. Chocolate makes up a HUGE part of the diet.
3. So does mayo.
4. People drive really really fast on country roads...I don't really think there is a speed limit.
5. You don't hug people usually.
6. Smoking is normal.
7. At school the teacher changes classrooms..not you.
8. You stand until the teacher says "Asseoir-vous" when you enter a class room.
9. If a principal or someone you don't know comes in the room you stand up until they say "asseoir-vous"
10. Teachers are called "Profs"
11. Most homes have one bathroom for everyone.
12. Cafeteria food is healthy.
13. Windows open, 24/7.
14. If you order a drink with alcohol in it, they rarely ask for ID.
15. Almost every girl wears heels to school.
16. Their "garden" refers to their yard.
17. If you are nervous, you are excited.
18. I NEVER see people yawn!
19. In my house, there is only one trashcan.
20. People DO shower.
21. AND shave.
22. No stick deodorants, just spray.
23. They eat cookies for breakfast...and cakes.
24. Seriously, not everyone takes the train everywhere.
25. Every car is tiny..including "SUV"s
2. Chocolate makes up a HUGE part of the diet.
3. So does mayo.
4. People drive really really fast on country roads...I don't really think there is a speed limit.
5. You don't hug people usually.
6. Smoking is normal.
7. At school the teacher changes classrooms..not you.
8. You stand until the teacher says "Asseoir-vous" when you enter a class room.
9. If a principal or someone you don't know comes in the room you stand up until they say "asseoir-vous"
10. Teachers are called "Profs"
11. Most homes have one bathroom for everyone.
12. Cafeteria food is healthy.
13. Windows open, 24/7.
14. If you order a drink with alcohol in it, they rarely ask for ID.
15. Almost every girl wears heels to school.
16. Their "garden" refers to their yard.
17. If you are nervous, you are excited.
18. I NEVER see people yawn!
19. In my house, there is only one trashcan.
20. People DO shower.
21. AND shave.
22. No stick deodorants, just spray.
23. They eat cookies for breakfast...and cakes.
24. Seriously, not everyone takes the train everywhere.
25. Every car is tiny..including "SUV"s
New Schedule :(
Key: S: In my normal class, Seconde C.
T: In Terminale, just listening.
C: In the Middle School-which is called College in France.
G: Just Thursdays, a group preparing for Terminale...I was just but in the one with my Supervisor.
Terminale is the last year of high school for people in France. They chose a specialty-like a major in college. It is what their job will relate to when they grow up. They are super advanced classes. That is why I am only listening in them.. hopefully to catch on to french.
MONDAY:
10:10-11:05: Physics S.-so over my head
11:05-12:00: French Literature S.-puts notes on the board...but they have abbreviations and short cut words..I dont even understand the real word when it's written...
12:00-12:55: free time!
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: Math S.- I understand a majority of what's going on and can successfully do my homework.
2:40-3:55: free time!
3:55-4:50: English S.
TUESDAY:
8:00-9:50: TESTING- Don't ask, I have no clue.
9:50-10:10: break!
10:10-11:05: Literature T.
11:05-12:00: History/ Geography S.- extremely hard to follow-notes are oral.
12:00-12:55: French Literature S.
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: History/ Geography S.
2:40-3:35: French Literature C.
3:35-4:50: free time!
4:50-5:45: English Literature T.- YES!!!
WEDNESDAY:
8:00-8:55: Math S.
8:55-10:10: free time!
10:10-11:05: French Literature C.
11:05-12:00: Forum (odd weeks)/Vie de Classe (even weeks) S.
12:00-1:45: free time/Lunch
1:45-2:40: English S.
THURSDAY G:
8:00-8:55: Method CIDD- I have no clue.
8:55-9:50: English
9:50-11:05: free time!
11:05-12:00: French Literature
12:00-12:55: Civics (even weeks)- FRENCH CIVICS?!?!!?!!
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: Math
2:40-5:45: Biology/Physics Lab- THREE HOURSSSS?!!??!?!
FRIDAY:
8:00-8:55: Math S.
8:55-10:10: free time!
10:10-11:05: History/Geography S.
11:05-12:00: free time!
12:00-12:55: French Literature S.
12:55-2:40: free time!
2:40-4:40: PE S.
T: In Terminale, just listening.
C: In the Middle School-which is called College in France.
G: Just Thursdays, a group preparing for Terminale...I was just but in the one with my Supervisor.
Terminale is the last year of high school for people in France. They chose a specialty-like a major in college. It is what their job will relate to when they grow up. They are super advanced classes. That is why I am only listening in them.. hopefully to catch on to french.
MONDAY:
10:10-11:05: Physics S.-so over my head
11:05-12:00: French Literature S.-puts notes on the board...but they have abbreviations and short cut words..I dont even understand the real word when it's written...
12:00-12:55: free time!
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: Math S.- I understand a majority of what's going on and can successfully do my homework.
2:40-3:55: free time!
3:55-4:50: English S.
TUESDAY:
8:00-9:50: TESTING- Don't ask, I have no clue.
9:50-10:10: break!
10:10-11:05: Literature T.
11:05-12:00: History/ Geography S.- extremely hard to follow-notes are oral.
12:00-12:55: French Literature S.
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: History/ Geography S.
2:40-3:35: French Literature C.
3:35-4:50: free time!
4:50-5:45: English Literature T.- YES!!!
WEDNESDAY:
8:00-8:55: Math S.
8:55-10:10: free time!
10:10-11:05: French Literature C.
11:05-12:00: Forum (odd weeks)/Vie de Classe (even weeks) S.
12:00-1:45: free time/Lunch
1:45-2:40: English S.
THURSDAY G:
8:00-8:55: Method CIDD- I have no clue.
8:55-9:50: English
9:50-11:05: free time!
11:05-12:00: French Literature
12:00-12:55: Civics (even weeks)- FRENCH CIVICS?!?!!?!!
12:55-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:40: Math
2:40-5:45: Biology/Physics Lab- THREE HOURSSSS?!!??!?!
FRIDAY:
8:00-8:55: Math S.
8:55-10:10: free time!
10:10-11:05: History/Geography S.
11:05-12:00: free time!
12:00-12:55: French Literature S.
12:55-2:40: free time!
2:40-4:40: PE S.
Chaos.
This week was so heck-tic. I'll start it at Wednesday.
Wednesday: Wednesday I only had Math, English and a Discussion. I was totally fine with that day and was like "Yes! Easiest day of the week!" But my host parents disagreed. They did not think it was necessary to go to school for that day. So I stayed home-yes! sleeping in...But what happened next was they wanted my schedule to be changed...Yes I had a very easy schedule..but everything was in French!-It's hard at that. So they called and got my supervisor to get my schedule changed.
Thursday: I didn't have any classes on this day so I had no idea where I was going. I, like the week before, followed Emmanuelle around to her classes.-Which my supervisor told me to do.
I get to class the teacher takes roll. My name isn't called and he's counting the students and obviously thought there were too many. He said something in French then Emmanuelle kindly told him I was american and that I was just listening today. He didn't like that (even though I had done it the week before in his class) and said I had to go to another group...
So I got my stuff and walked out with Emmanuelle. We both knew I wouldn't know anyone in the other group-so I wouldn't know where to go.. And my supervisor told me to be with Emmanuelle. So we went to the office. She wrote us a note to give to the teacher saying I had to stay with Emmanuelle because I didn't have a schedule for Thursdays. We got back and gave it to the teacher-he rolled his eyes and continued with class. Then I realized my host parents didn't know when I was done with school. Heloise ended at 545 and I ended at 450. I was okay with waiting but they wanted to take me to get a cell phone (thank god) in the time Heloise was at school! So during break I had to go with my supervisor to the office and she had to get their phone numbers and call them. We got that all sorted out.
After school we go to get the cell phone! We waited in line for about 20 minutes, once called we told them what phone I wanted, of course they were sold out. My host parents were outraged we waited and there wasn't a sign or anything that said that phone was gone. SO we walked around to 5 other stores (even though I already had looked everywhere we went) and ended up at the place I had my second choice for my phone. FINALLYYYYY we got it! All I know is it is prepaid, and was 119 Euros for the phone and the prepaid card with money on it.
Friday: I had math first period. I luckily understand the math that were doing! I love going to math, it's the only class I can take my own notes and ask questions in. And my teacher laughs at me because I don't know what she is saying, but I know what she is doing. At the end of the day I had PE. I have it once a week for two hours on Fridays. The week before our PE class was choising what you wanted to do for the whole year. The "menus" were in French and abreviated...So I had not a clue what anything meant. My friends chose one menu and told me to do it with them so we were in the same class-so I did! WELL Friday I found out I chose RUNNING. Really? REALLY? If you know me, you know I HATE running. Of course thats what I ended up with..Anyways we ran sprints and around a little mini track. It wasn't too bad. Then after school I found out that my host sister was going with friends so I awkwardly waited for the dad by myself..coooool!
Today I am sore..I am so out of shape. For the first time in a long time I just want to go swimming!! I'm attempting my Physics homework..have not a clue how to do it either. I got my new Schedule... :( :(
Those days don't sound half as chaotic as they were..I know this is the best decision I had made! But it is also one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
Wednesday: Wednesday I only had Math, English and a Discussion. I was totally fine with that day and was like "Yes! Easiest day of the week!" But my host parents disagreed. They did not think it was necessary to go to school for that day. So I stayed home-yes! sleeping in...But what happened next was they wanted my schedule to be changed...Yes I had a very easy schedule..but everything was in French!-It's hard at that. So they called and got my supervisor to get my schedule changed.
Thursday: I didn't have any classes on this day so I had no idea where I was going. I, like the week before, followed Emmanuelle around to her classes.-Which my supervisor told me to do.
I get to class the teacher takes roll. My name isn't called and he's counting the students and obviously thought there were too many. He said something in French then Emmanuelle kindly told him I was american and that I was just listening today. He didn't like that (even though I had done it the week before in his class) and said I had to go to another group...
So I got my stuff and walked out with Emmanuelle. We both knew I wouldn't know anyone in the other group-so I wouldn't know where to go.. And my supervisor told me to be with Emmanuelle. So we went to the office. She wrote us a note to give to the teacher saying I had to stay with Emmanuelle because I didn't have a schedule for Thursdays. We got back and gave it to the teacher-he rolled his eyes and continued with class. Then I realized my host parents didn't know when I was done with school. Heloise ended at 545 and I ended at 450. I was okay with waiting but they wanted to take me to get a cell phone (thank god) in the time Heloise was at school! So during break I had to go with my supervisor to the office and she had to get their phone numbers and call them. We got that all sorted out.
After school we go to get the cell phone! We waited in line for about 20 minutes, once called we told them what phone I wanted, of course they were sold out. My host parents were outraged we waited and there wasn't a sign or anything that said that phone was gone. SO we walked around to 5 other stores (even though I already had looked everywhere we went) and ended up at the place I had my second choice for my phone. FINALLYYYYY we got it! All I know is it is prepaid, and was 119 Euros for the phone and the prepaid card with money on it.
Friday: I had math first period. I luckily understand the math that were doing! I love going to math, it's the only class I can take my own notes and ask questions in. And my teacher laughs at me because I don't know what she is saying, but I know what she is doing. At the end of the day I had PE. I have it once a week for two hours on Fridays. The week before our PE class was choising what you wanted to do for the whole year. The "menus" were in French and abreviated...So I had not a clue what anything meant. My friends chose one menu and told me to do it with them so we were in the same class-so I did! WELL Friday I found out I chose RUNNING. Really? REALLY? If you know me, you know I HATE running. Of course thats what I ended up with..Anyways we ran sprints and around a little mini track. It wasn't too bad. Then after school I found out that my host sister was going with friends so I awkwardly waited for the dad by myself..coooool!
Today I am sore..I am so out of shape. For the first time in a long time I just want to go swimming!! I'm attempting my Physics homework..have not a clue how to do it either. I got my new Schedule... :( :(
Those days don't sound half as chaotic as they were..I know this is the best decision I had made! But it is also one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Keeps Gettin' Better
Today, I didn't start school until 11. There are tests from 8-10 every tuesday and today there were not any because it's only the second week of school. After the tests, I have a free period..So I don't have an actual core until 11 on Tuesdays. So today, I didn't go in until 11 :) Then, I was done by 230. My host parents work so it is really hard for them with my odd schedule. I went to work with my host mother, Odile, this morning. It was fine, I brought my computer and watched Avatar. Then she showed me the way to get from school back to her work. It's a straight shot. It's simple. Since I ended at 230 today and Heloise ended at 445, I had two hours to kill before we would go home. My host parents did not want me to walk into CentreVille alone, which is understandable. So we planned on me going back to Odile's work after school. I would just walk there and hang out until we had to get Heloise. It was better than waiting at school in a classroom of silence.
On the way to school, Eric, my host father, mentioned today would be a eventful day in France because of the protests against the raising of the retirement age, and taxes. I just was like oh cool. And didn't think anything of it.
When I got to school I went to class and during lunch saw my friend Martina! She is an exchange student from Canada and doesn't speak very much French either. I love being with her because we understand each other completely and we're experiencing the sam emotions.
We were talking and realized we both ended at the same time today. I said I had to go back to my host mom's work and Martina asked if I wanted to go to CentreVille with her! :) Of course I did. My last period did not pass by quick enough! After school ended Martina and I headed towards CentreVille to go to Odile's work. We were going to ask if I could go with Martina in town. (In town is a block from Odile's work)
She said yes luckily and we went shopping..well window shopping mostly. Martina and I got a lot of funny looks because we would be blabbering in English and the people around us were very confused. I had to be back at Odile's work at 445 and Martina didn't have to be at school until 530. So at 430, we went separate ways.
For the first time I was alone in the city.
I successfully bought a coca cola light :)
On the way to school, Eric, my host father, mentioned today would be a eventful day in France because of the protests against the raising of the retirement age, and taxes. I just was like oh cool. And didn't think anything of it.
When I got to school I went to class and during lunch saw my friend Martina! She is an exchange student from Canada and doesn't speak very much French either. I love being with her because we understand each other completely and we're experiencing the sam emotions.
We were talking and realized we both ended at the same time today. I said I had to go back to my host mom's work and Martina asked if I wanted to go to CentreVille with her! :) Of course I did. My last period did not pass by quick enough! After school ended Martina and I headed towards CentreVille to go to Odile's work. We were going to ask if I could go with Martina in town. (In town is a block from Odile's work)
She said yes luckily and we went shopping..well window shopping mostly. Martina and I got a lot of funny looks because we would be blabbering in English and the people around us were very confused. I had to be back at Odile's work at 445 and Martina didn't have to be at school until 530. So at 430, we went separate ways.
For the first time I was alone in the city.
I successfully bought a coca cola light :)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
I Heard Chickens When I Woke Up Today.
So the last couple days have been going really well. I haven't cried in three days and things are slowly getting better and more enjoyable! :) I've made friends at school in my classes and they're a huge help. Only two of them really can communicate in English with me but it's fun trying to figure out what they're saying. I've also made a friend who is Canadian (Kiera if you're reading this every time I talk to her i think about you!). She speaks English and only a little more French than me. It's nice knowing someone else at my school is going through the exact same thing. It's funny, we will be walking somewhere and pass by people and we're blabbering in our English and people stare at us. It's like "HA YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL!" :) Her name is Martina! It's so nice to be able to speak to someone and have them understand everything you say, haha.
I decided to drop Spanish. It was probably the equivalent of Spanish two at Jordan. Yeah, I already have taken Spanish but not in 3 years and when you haven't practiced and you're thrown into the situation..not good. Also, she would be talking in Spanish about something and would explain it in French..I didn't know what she was saying in either language. Not good.
History/Geography is extremely hard too. I love hearing about the history of Europe, which is my class. But I can't really understand what he is saying. I sit next to a girl who lets me copy her notes, luckily, but either I can't read her handwriting, or she doesn't take the notes, OR I just have no clue what it says.
Haven't had Physics/Chem yet but I am really nervous about it because...well, just because!
French class, HA...That's funny. It's french literature..:( I don't even know the past tenses!!!
English is good. My English teacher is making it so it's like a French class for me. It's helping a lot.
Math, I sometimes understand. Mostly I do but when she makes weird diagrams and I can't tell what they are I just sit and stare. But she is also VERY nice and helps me a lot trying to use visuals.
Anyways, now that I'm in france my computer thinks I'm fluent in French apparently. Because when I google a word or something it's the French internet google-thing. So when I'm trying to know how to spell something in English I google it and it comes up in french or doesn't recognize it. I don't know enough French to switch it to English. I just feel silly.
I decided to drop Spanish. It was probably the equivalent of Spanish two at Jordan. Yeah, I already have taken Spanish but not in 3 years and when you haven't practiced and you're thrown into the situation..not good. Also, she would be talking in Spanish about something and would explain it in French..I didn't know what she was saying in either language. Not good.
History/Geography is extremely hard too. I love hearing about the history of Europe, which is my class. But I can't really understand what he is saying. I sit next to a girl who lets me copy her notes, luckily, but either I can't read her handwriting, or she doesn't take the notes, OR I just have no clue what it says.
Haven't had Physics/Chem yet but I am really nervous about it because...well, just because!
French class, HA...That's funny. It's french literature..:( I don't even know the past tenses!!!
English is good. My English teacher is making it so it's like a French class for me. It's helping a lot.
Math, I sometimes understand. Mostly I do but when she makes weird diagrams and I can't tell what they are I just sit and stare. But she is also VERY nice and helps me a lot trying to use visuals.
Anyways, now that I'm in france my computer thinks I'm fluent in French apparently. Because when I google a word or something it's the French internet google-thing. So when I'm trying to know how to spell something in English I google it and it comes up in french or doesn't recognize it. I don't know enough French to switch it to English. I just feel silly.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Something funny:
Today, in the canteen for lunch guess what we had?
Cheeseburgers and Fries. How refreshing to be reminded home is still there!
And it's not like I chose that! You chose your drink, your "side dish"-fruit, yogurt, weird stuff I don't know..
But the main dish, which today, was a cheeseburger and fries, is all you have!
Cheeseburgers and Fries. How refreshing to be reminded home is still there!
And it's not like I chose that! You chose your drink, your "side dish"-fruit, yogurt, weird stuff I don't know..
But the main dish, which today, was a cheeseburger and fries, is all you have!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
My Schedule...as of now.
MONDAY:
10:10-11:05: Physics
11:05-12: French Literature
12-12:55: Spanish
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: Math
2:40-3:55: FREE PERIOD
3:55-4:50: English
TUESDAY:
8-9:50: "TEST"
9:50-11:05: FREE PERIOD
11:05-12: History/Geography
12-12:55: French Literature
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: History/Geography
WEDNESDAY:
8-8:55: Math
8:55-11:05: FREE PERIOD
11:05-12: Forum/ Vie de Classe
12-12:55: Spanish
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: English
THURSDAY: NOW? NO CLASSES :)
FRIDAY:
8-8:55: Math
8:55-9:50: Spanish
9:50-10:10: BREAK
10:10-11:05: History/Geography
11:05-12: FREE PERIOD
12-12:55: French Literature
12:55-2:40: LUNCH/FREE PERIOD
2:40-3:55: PE
:) I am happy with my schedule!
10:10-11:05: Physics
11:05-12: French Literature
12-12:55: Spanish
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: Math
2:40-3:55: FREE PERIOD
3:55-4:50: English
TUESDAY:
8-9:50: "TEST"
9:50-11:05: FREE PERIOD
11:05-12: History/Geography
12-12:55: French Literature
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: History/Geography
WEDNESDAY:
8-8:55: Math
8:55-11:05: FREE PERIOD
11:05-12: Forum/ Vie de Classe
12-12:55: Spanish
12:55-1:45: LUNCH
1:45-2:40: English
THURSDAY: NOW? NO CLASSES :)
FRIDAY:
8-8:55: Math
8:55-9:50: Spanish
9:50-10:10: BREAK
10:10-11:05: History/Geography
11:05-12: FREE PERIOD
12-12:55: French Literature
12:55-2:40: LUNCH/FREE PERIOD
2:40-3:55: PE
:) I am happy with my schedule!
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