k&k get cultured. triple the culture, triple the fun!

Yesterday, I had one of the best days in Paris yet. Emily and I took the train bright and early for the Katia & Kyliemac Get Cultured Meetup. As we were in town far too early, we went to the shops at the Carousel de Louvre to waste some time. We met up with Katia, Kylie, and a few others for yummy falafel at Maoz in the 5th. It was so cheap, massive, and yummy! My definition of a good meal.

We all had a drink at a cafe before heading to Sainte Chapelle, the reason for the day's meetup. I had already been there, but as museums are free the first Sunday of the month, it didn't hurt to go again. Plus, I was in the presence of great company! Sainte Chapelle is famous for its stained glass windows which practically surround you in the upstairs part, so it really is a beautiful sight.

Since the museums were free, we also decided to check out the Conciergerie which is a formal royal palace and prison. It's most well-known for the fact that Marie Antoinette was held there before making her way to the guillotine. While probably not worth paying to visit, it was definitely fun to check out for free!

For even more culture, a few of us decided to go to the Cluny, the Musée National du Moyen Age (National Middle Ages Museum). Also a fun visit if it's free. They have a unicorn horn! Okay, so it's not really from a unicorn, but it looks like one.

For dinner, Animesh took Emily and I to a wonderful Indian restaurant. He advised us as to what we should order, and oh my! That was some of the best food I ever ate! The sauces alone were enough to make me happy! Yummy! He's going to introduce us to South Indian food the next time. Can't wait!

two weeks of freedom (or boredom) ahead

Emily joined me for my class with the 2ndes on Thursday. They pretty much stared at her mutely for the first half while Claude asked questions. They perked up a bit when they could question her in French, but that's still not saying much. Either way, my students were quite spoiled.

Thursday night at dinner was entertaining. The boys started shouting out random phrases in English that made no sense whatsoever. When I told C. that, he immediately divulged that to the students as well. Then, one of them asked us how to say "sex" in English. C. yelled at them to shut up and eat at the same time that A. announced that it was the same word. He was so proud to have understood something in English. Aww, A.

On the train of thought of things in English, C. turned to me and randomly said "casser sa pipe". Now I know what it means (kick the bucket), but its sudden appearance had me racking my brain as to why he said it. "Pipe" can also have a sexual connotation and with where the boys' comments had been, I couldn't figure out why he would say it to me. He went on to say that he forgot what it was in English, but added that it had to do with Charlie Winston and his song about how we all die in the end. Oh! Suddenly, it became clear! He was talking about Charlie Winston's song "Kick the Bucket" which is our new addiction (C. introduced me to his music a month or two ago). He explained how there had been a news story on it, and they had translated it into French. A. was completely lost so we forced him to listen to "Kick the Bucket" on my phone which caused him to have a hilarious lost expression on his face. Finally, he recognized the song "Like a Hobo". Apparently, this singer has not crossed over the Atlantic yet. He really should, because his songs are actually really good. I'm addicted.

And I have made some progress! After several reminders, C., who has a horrible memory, finally remembered (more or less) when my birthday is! We've already made some loose plans for it. I don't really care what we do as long as I get to spend it with some good friends.

Yesterday was the last day of classes before the two week break. I'm so proud of my 2ndes LV-2 (Sophomores, English as a 2nd foreign language). Well, kind of. There are two students, and the one is stronger at English than some of my terminales (Seniors). He wrote up his quiz in a very short period of time, and he had very few minor mistakes. He even used some "difficult" verbal structures. I'm so proud!

So yes, I am currently on vacation for the next two weeks. Exciting, right? Except not. As I am trying to save money for this summer, I have no real plans for this holiday. So two very boring weeks ahead! Yay.

i'm pretty sure i walked half of paris

I had a wonderful time the other day in Paris with my French professor. We met up at the Grande Mosquée de Paris for mint tea (which I had been craving) and yummy pastries. It was nice to sit there for a long while and catch up. Next up, we wandered all around Paris. I think we walked through about four or five arrondissements total. We definitely got our exercise for the day in. We stopped for a drink and a snack at a little Lebanese stand. I tried half of what my prof ordered. I have long since forgotten what it was, but it was awfully delicious. For dinner, we had pizza which hit the spot just right. I definitely ate a lot that day, but I'm choosing to ignore that fact since we did walk several miles.

Even though it might seem like we didn't do much, it was my perfect kind of day. I love wandering the streets of Paris. Plus, I was in very good company, and it was nice sharing my Chauny and France experiences with someone who understands. I hope that we both have some more time before she leaves so we can meet up again. Especially if it's a time when Anna is also free, because sadly, she had to work all day Monday.

Yesterday was la Chandeleur which is basically an excuse to eat crepes. Okay, maybe that's not exactly correct but crepes are a part of it. In honor of that fact, we ate crepes at La Rotonde. The server became all excited over this and chatted all about it to us. He's so nice. I also once again explained Groundhog's Day to the high schoolers. Their amused faces will never seize to crack me up.

At dinner, we started discussing the finer parts of French cuisine. I love being able to jump in on those types of conversations and add in my opinion on escargot, foie gras, different kinds of cheese, etc. They love how much I have tried and learning what I liked or not and why or why not. It's better than just making a face. For example, I can say that I liked the escargot I had, but I don't like to eat them, because it's the texture that bugs me. They respect an opinion like that. If I just made a face and went "Eww!", that would not be okay.

My class today requested that I make them some American cookies. Despite the lack of kitchen, I may see about working something out with Emily if I get motivated. They are a sweet and small class, and I've had these students since my first year. Well, two out of the three anyway. We might have a cheese tasting soon. We'll see if anyone remembers it after the break.

I am off to meet up with Emily now. Ciao!

that can't be normal...

A chicken just wandered past my window. I'm pretty sure that's not normal, even for Chauny.

I had some interesting classes on Friday. The two hours with the 2ndes-LV2 actually flew by. Claude and I got a little carried away with the photo the students were discussing. The students actually got really involved, because they wanted to disprove our crazy theories about vampires. Don't ask. Claude also brought up the show Buffy which surprised me! Of course, he's never actually seen it.

My last hour was with the new BTS, and only one student showed. I had a suspicion that it would be just him. Claude swore he saw D. just before, but I assured him that was impossible, because he left days before. The little alcolo got himself kicked out of the dorm, so I don't know what's going to happen there... Anyway, the one student had to sit there for an hour with me translating articles. What fun for the both of us! C. had joked around that he was going to join us when he came into the room. That would have been fun! He even pulled out the chair next to me, but sadly, he had to actually work.

Oh! And there's going to be (hopefully) another trip to London with the students this year. Claude was getting an idea of who was interested the other day. He added my name to the list without even asking me. He told the students that of course I would be going. They, my 2ndes, liked that idea! I told C. about the trip, and he's going to try to join us as well (wouldn't that be a blast?), so I have to keep him posted on the plans.

I had a very nice and relaxing weekend. Emily and I spent all yesterday afternoon snacking and listening to Katia & Kyliemac record their podcasts live with author Stephen Clarke. The episodes were hilarious, and Clarke seemed to really warm up and kept cracking jokes. I can't wait to listen to the actual podcasts! And if you don't listen to these girls' podcasts, what are you waiting for?

Tomorrow, I am off to Paris to spend some time with my undergrad French prof. I cannot wait. Despite being in France numerous times over these past 7 years of knowing each other, we have never actually been here at the same time.

did he scare you?

Roxy is probably going to kill me for sharing this story, but it's too funny not to share. We were at dinner the other night with A., Sn., and S. Nothing out of the ordinary. S. wandered off for some reason or another (that reason was probably a cigarette). I was eating and chatting with the other guys when I saw someone behind Roxy. I didn't feel any reason to look, because I figured S. was back and was going to take a seat next to Roxy. Next thing I know, she is shrieking outloud! It was C. behind her (who isn't normally there that night), and he had scared her when he popped out of nowhere to give her the bise. We all couldn't stop laughing after that. S. came back, and was all "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?" (What's going on?).

It was definitely a hilarious moment. I know C. can be stealthy and has a way of sneaking up on people (like when he snuck up behind me last year and wrapped his arms around me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin), but Roxy is the first one to actually scream. Quite amusing.

After we had recovered, C. asked if I had burned the pancakes when I made them. When I assured him I hadn't, he became excited for the promised pancake meal. We just need to figure out an evening.

Classes are going well, so nothing to really report there. The usual bantering and fighting with Claude over word choices and sentence structure. Plus, some of my classes didn't exist this week, because the terminales have the bac blanc exams.

Yesterday, we all went to St. Quentin. Unfortunately, we arrived to a blackout. Most of the town didn't have any power! We did manage to meet up with some other assistants and have bottled drinks at a cafe, and then Kasia gave us a hilarious "tour" of the Hotel de Ville and the Basilica. We looked at the hand (yes, hand) of St. Quentin which is preserved in the basilica. Kind of gross. On the way back to Chauny, we ran into C. on the train, so Emily was able to meet him. He was in true C. form. He did his whole "Don't mind me, I'm going to take a nap and listen to music" thing and then every five minutes be all like "Shannon! Blah blah blah...."

roxy's birthday weekend!

I had a wonderful weekend. First off, let me say how great it is to have Emily here! Because it's pretty awesome!

Friday, after a day full of classes - three hours of which were with only two students (two hours with the two LV2 kids and then an hour with the new BTS where only D. and another showed), Roxy, Emily, and I met up with Erika, an assistant from nearby tiny Blerancourt. We all got drinks at La Rotonde before heading up to my room for an apero. Student D. and Daniel soon joined us. Yes, we successfully stuffed six people into my little room. I'm sure we could have crammed in a few more as well. Then, we all had a dinner of kebabs before D., Emily, and I headed to Cuba. It had been over a month since I had been there. That place just keeps getting lamer and lamer, but there literally is nowhere else to go. D. enjoyed himself though, though he came close to getting killed by Emily after he spilt his drink into her purse. He also claims not to remember anything after leaving the bar. He did appear to have some issues after we arrived home...

Saturday was Roxy's birthday. We had lunch at La Rotonde, because it's only our favorite place ever. In the afternoon, after a stop at SFR so Emily could get an iPhone, she and I picked up some desserts, and we had a little cake and present celebration in my room. Roxy loved her gift from C. and I - a purple jacket and pink legwarmers (we definitely took advantage of the sales). She even wore them that night! We had drinks at La Rotonde followed by a wonderful dinner at the creperie thanks to Roxy's awesome parents. I had a galette with like 5 different kinds of cheese (including the stinky maroilles!) and then a crepe with strawberry jam for dessert. It was delicious! Afterwards, the three of curled up and watched RENT. Such a good day and evening!

Had two little annoyances though. Firstly, A. was supposed to let me know if he was coming to join us or not. You know, after he invited himself along. He, of course, made no contact until 9 at night. I was going to yell at him come Tuesday for his silence, but he has since apologized several times. I think the whole thing was so that he had an excuse to give us his number. Or as he says it in his stellar French (he is French), "Tu es mon numero" (You are my number). At least that's better than his text speak. I still haven't deciphered part of one of his texts.

The other annoyance? Veronique kept calling. I love talking to her, but we were at the restaurant! Even after I tried explaining, I could not get her off the phone. She also had to pass the phone around to everyone at her apartment.

Yesterday, Roxy and I watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I had only seen it once this summer, so it was nice to watch it again. We also tried our hand at making pancakes! While they weren't as fluffy as they should be, and the coloring was a bit off, they sure did taste like pancakes! Yummy! We can now invite C. (and probably A.) for pancakes.

I was talking with C., and he thought it was hilarious that I had to have a "test run" for the pancakes. I also told him that Roxy liked our gift and found out how he was feeling (he did not look good on Friday). Of course, one of the first things he asked was if A. came along. I swear, those boys and their competition. I can already see them arguing over whatever we make for them or invite them to next.

even more reasons for the students to think i'm "folle"

No, seriously, the students already think I'm the crazy American, and tonight at dinner, I definitely drove that point home. And of course, student D. had a front row seat for all of it. His eyes kept going from me to C., and since he's hung out with the two of us together, he already knows more about us than the rest of the boys.

I don't know what drew more attention from the students. Was it when I "attacked" C.? Or when we started bickering like an old married couple? Or maybe when we were making fun of A. (which drove him mad because he couldn't figure out what we were saying)? Or was it when we were "stealthily" trying to pass Roxy's birthday card under the table, and C. attempted to cover it up by scolding me for something?

Let me explain the "attack". I gave him the keychain Anna bought for him which was wrapped. The others were watching curiously, wondering what it was. He was all like "C'est a moi!" (it's mine). When I said I didn't even know what it looked like, he turned away from me and tried to keep it hidden. I, always having to play into the childish games, took that moment to practically "tackle" him and grab hold of his arm so I could see. He pretended to be hurt and yelped, effectively causing everyone to turn and look at us. That, of course, caused us to crack up.

Ahh... dinner at the cantine. Never a dull moment.

Oh! And completely random, but Emily met an American teacher at her high school. She's new this year which is why I didn't know of her existence. But that's not the surprising part. She's actually from my area back home! She even knows of North Ridgeville! Whoa! Small world! Can't wait to meet her.