Alba and I joined a local gym about 40 minutes away by walking, 10ish minutes by car. It’s a far cry from what I’m used to at Notre Dame. Only two treadmills, three elipticals, two bikes, and a few weights. Alba and I decided to take a few fitness classes and it’s either you think you’re going to have a heart attack and die OR you don’t sweat at all. All of the classes are done in the dark with disco lights on. It’s really fun! We push each other to go to the gym, and it’s nice to be able to exercise without being so reliant on the weather. The membership is really expensive, but we go almost every day, so it’s worth it!
I had a wonderful two weeks doing Valentine's Day things with my students. When I was in school, I loved holiday themes lessons, so I try to do that with my kids, too! We started out by explaining how Valentine's Day is celebrated in France (only for couples), and then I explained how it is in the United States (how people exchange valentines in school, etc). They were especially thrilled to learn about the whole candy grams and flower grams that happen in high school (followed by a personal narrative explaining how I, a super nerd in high school, never got a flower gram...whereas my sister a "pom pom girl" got so many. They ALL wish they had lockers like "High School Musical," complete with mirrors and selfies.
We also ate conversation hearts that I brought back from the States, and had each person read their little message and have them guess what it means from "U R Cute" to "Sweet Stuff." We also made valentines for each other, where each person has to write one anonymous compliment about each person. Here are some they wrote about me:
(MORE LESSON PLAN DETAILS ON LESSON PLAN TAB)
I'm so lucky and blessed to have so many special students! I love each one of them!
Life is a Roller Coaster, Just Gotta Ride It! I've been learning teaching is a roller coaster. EVERY day is different. Some days are days where you are on such a high of life, where you feel you reach your students, where you feel so so loved by students, other faculty, parents, friends and you feel like you're definitely doing what you're meant to be doing! These are the days where you literally can't wipe a smile off your face whatever you do. Days where you feel all of your hard work was worth it a million times over.
Other days, it's a triple glass of wine after work day, days where your head is splitting like you can't imagine, you have no patience with people, you have no energy, the slightest sassy comment from a student will make you snap... days where you want to throw people out the window! Students are out of control, everything and everyone gets on your nerves! Loony bin, admit one days!
But, that's life! I honestly love waking up each morning knowing that each day is different in some way! I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else! I have never doubted that I am in the right place, and I know exactly this is what I'm meant to be doing.
Since life in Broceliande can be sometimes boring, and the rain drains the life out of you sometimes, Alba and I eat a lot. We eat when we're starving, when we're bored, when we have nothing to do....especially me! Good news, after many many failed attempts, I have MASTERED the tortilla de patatas!!!! (see pic below). Also, I found out, France has the lowest obesity rate in all of Europe, so I feel like even though I'm eating so much, I'm not gaining weight, because the food is less in chemicals, GMOs, etc. Alba and I even ventured out to Plelan-le-Grand on Sunday morning to go to the market there! It was great! Here are some pictures of some of the food we have been eating lately:
Look. At. THIS!!!! I made it all by myself!
Kouign Amann cakes (traditional Breton) Alba bought at the market!
Alba and I had been dying to get to Vannes, but we couldn't get their easily without a car before, so now that we have a car, we decided to see this town everyone raves about!
I was excited! It was a (RARE) sunny day, and Alba and I got up early and headed out and arrived around lunch time. As we were driving around the Centre Ville, I started having "Deja Vu" I had DEFINITELY been here before. HAHA.
So, apparently a long long time ago, I went to Vannes on a Gulf of Morbihan trip with my school in Angers. Actually had no recollection of it whatsoever other than eating at a creperie where the servers hated Americans.
Once Alba and I arrived, we stealthily got student discounts at a sandwich place, and we ate a quick warm lunch, because it was freezing out! I remember arriving being SLIGHTLY hungover from drinking a little too much wine the night before, so I was kind of struggling to stay awake.
We ended up wandering around the whole city trying to find a place to eat, and after we ate lunch we went to the Tourism Office to see what was in Vannes, but we had already seen everything there was to see looking for lunch! LOL
Slightly disappointed in Vannes, although it is charming. I guess Alba and I had great expectations, but we were kind of like "it's basically St. Malo." Also disappointed mussle season is over...
Anyway, here are a few pics from our explorations:
Then, Alba and I got bored, so we went to a random island/peninsula thing:
For dinner, we met up with a few English teachers in Questembert, a village outside of Vannes.
Monday, Alonso, Alba's boyfriend, Alba, and I decided to go to Mont St. Michel for a day trip. It's about a two hour drive from where we are... and I was excited because I have been there...
ONCE
Or TWICE
Or THREE TIMES (with my mom)
So here's to #4...
Mont St Michel is a really romantic place, and I was so happy for Alba to be able to share this moment with Alonso. <3 I was the ultimate third wheel. We were the ONLY ones. It was COMPLETELY empty except for maybe a group of 5 Asian tourists...
Alonso started to feed the cute birds Carrefour pringles...
So, after all that had happened last week with the terrorist attacks, the teachers were all planning to represent the school at a silent peaceful march in Rennes (an hour away). I was invited to go with the English teacher I milk cows with, made apple juice with, etc. I was kind of lonely since Alba has been in Spain, and it was a rough week, not going to lie. But, I decided to go and see what this demonstration was, to be apart of history, in the biggest crowds since the end of World War II.
We parked a bit outside the city, and the march started at 3 pm, so we walked and met infront of Emile Zola, a famous high school in Rennes. They gave out Je Suis Charlie signs for everyone to wear, and then we all met up in the big town square, where 115,000+ people crowded around. Although the sun was shining, it was cold, and I was hungry, but it was a sight to see. What surprised me the most was how many little kids and babies came. Standing in the cold for hours, barely moving, with kids...but I didn't see ONE temper tantrum! The kids were so patient, and they were holding signs with their bare hands in the cold, waving the French flag, sitting on their dad's shoulders. It made me feel like a big baby for mentally complaining so much about the cold and for not moving for two hours.
Maybe I was behind a daycare, but LOOK! So many cherubs!
I like this picture! Look at the crowd and the cute little French boy!
Bretagne flag
French flag
So, after that, we all crammed in the metro, and I never saw it so crowded! It was like a natural disaster was about to occur and everyone was trying to evacuate at the same time!
After that, I went back to the English teacher's house and we milked cows and had a yummy pizza dinner that was AMAZING.
AND GUESS WHAT? My cows that were pregnant before Christmas had their babies!!! And, I fell in love with their cuteness and the way they licked my face!
Momma cow!
BABY COW
Maybe I need friends??
I'll keep her!
The most cuddly chicken award!
Before I cut my hair, helping build a chicken fence!
I had this great idea over break to do a civil rights unit, explaining the segregated South of the United States, introducing Martin Luther King, Jr., watching the “I Have a Dream” speech, reacting to it, learning about the Jim Crowe South laws, etc. Some classes LOVED it, others were like “been there, done that,” so I had to adapt based on reaction, enthusiasm, and participation levels.
In some of the classes, I told them that the Civil Rights movement started in the 1950s-1960s, and we learned about what was going on in the United States during the 50s, including listening to (and dancing to) “Rock Around the Clock” and “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease (told them that the movie is based on the 50s lol. We also looked at segregation photographs (segregated bathrooms, drinking fountains, movies, restaurants, schools, laundry mats, etc).
Then, we learned about the life of Martin Luther King and watched a little clip of his “I Have a Dream Speech” (I had the text in English and French side-by-side for them).
After that, I had the students come up with their own “dreams.” I had them write them down on different colored hands, and here are some examples of the bizarre, practical, funny, silly, realistic, questionable, and just plain touching dreams:
The "Practical" Dreams:
"France win rugby World Cup"
"do well in my studies"
"visit a Arsenal Stadium" (I asked...it's some soccer thing in England).
The "Career Goals" Dreams
"to be lumberjack in Canada"
"become famous comedian/actor"
"live thanks to my music"
"to will be a rockstars around the world"
"to go to the beach, look bikini, eat ice, party, alcohol, beautiful car, live in Los Angeles, become a rich guy" ('eat ice'...this kid kills me LOL)
The "Crazy" Dreams:
"to walk on a oder planet"
"go to espace in oter planet"
"oder"/"oter" planets seem to be a popular dream...these were in two separate classes...
The "I'm Not Even Sure What This Means" Dreams
"particip to tomorrowland"
"Meet Louis Tomlenson" (I asked...apparently a 'One Direction' singer)
"be free" (of what? I asked...the response was "etre libre", "to be free," which didn't make any sense but that was all they could explain lol)
"become Spider Flan" ???
The "I Worry About These Kids" Dreams
"eat a big cookies"
"to swim with sharks"
"legalised cannabis in France" ('cannabis' is marijuana)
"To live in a land made of cookies while I'm riding a blue flying Unicorn"
"Funny" Dreams:
"Make a trip in IRLAND and other contry's of europe with a harley davidson"
"get wings to fly in Japan's sky!!!"
"to eat lot of candy in USA, with my friend in beatch"
"Touching" Dreams:
"The peace in the world"
"to create a machine to save the people"
My Favorite Dream that Almost Made Me Cry:
"one day I'd meet a person who bring me the happiness" (This kid is shy, adorable, and has a speech impediment/disability...he was too shy to read this out loud to the class, so he hurriedly scribbled on the back just simply "happiness."
"Rosa Parks" in the front middle with the police side by side.
I also gave awards to the best actor/actress in the class!
Yesterday was a very sad day in France. The deadliest terror attack in decades, in sadly one of the most romantic cities in the world (and one that I have grown to love just three weeks ago). It’s hard to believe less than a week ago I was actually in Paris. At first, I didn’t really understand what was going on when I first clicked on the news Wednesday afternoon (we have half-days every Wednesday), but I quickly understood and my heart went out to my second homeland. It was very scary for me to have something like this happen so “close to home.”
What surprised me the most about this whole ordeal was how united the French people are. Before, I didn’t know how “united” they really were…I had this pre-conceived idea that they were private people, detached from others, not emotional, etc. But, I was completely wrong. The French people are quick to unite, quick to speak their minds, not afraid to protest against what is wrong, and are very sympathetic for those whose lives were lost. Almost every single one of my French friends on Facebook (both in the USA and in France) remarked on social media, promoting the “Je Suis Charlie” (I Am Charlie) slogan in honor of those who died at the Charlie Hebdo journal/magazine office yesterday.
Okay, I don’t want to sound too symbolic, but I wasn’t the only one who noticed this weird symbolism in the weather here and it’s correlation with the attacks in Paris. Once the attacks were made public on the media, I noticed that the weather went from sunny to cloudier and cloudier (I went on a run just after seeing everything). It got dark, it got cold, it got ugly outside. By the next morning, it was still dark outside. Then, pouring down rain…POURING! It was literally like the heavens were crying.
BUT, at noon, ALL of France had a minute of silence to remember those who died yesterday from the attacks. Even the people on the 24-7 news took a moment. All of the students at my school gathered in the courtyard…in the pouring rain…in silence. Then, like magic, no more than 15 minutes after, the dark rainy skies turned to complete sunshine with not a cloud in the sky! It was STRANGE, but very symbolic to me. United as a people, we can combat evil. We must continue to praise God, even in hard times. Even in the small boony countryside town of Guer, a few hours from Paris, people feel as close in their hearts for those who were lost as if it was their own neighbors who died.
All around the school you see the “Je Suis Charlie” signs…in classrooms, in hallways, in the teacher lounge, on students (they were wearing stickers).
P.S. French people are so cute when they say "Charlie" (pronounced like "shar-leee").
It's FINALLY here! After SIX WHOLE DAYS!!!!!! My prodigal luggage returned safe and sound, with a few more tags than I left it with. After dealing with Delta/Air France and it's confusing staff, I finally have my stuff back.
What I as most excited about? BRUSHING MY TEETH with my spinbrush and my Crest toothpaste! Ahhhh!
After six days of personal reflection after I thought I lost my bag forever, I came to thinking why MY bag, out of everyone else's bags, would be delayed. As I was unpacking my bag, I might have uncovered some items that could have come across as "sketchy" without an explanation:
Yeah, Delta, sure you're sorry...it only took a week...
Some of my "powdered" sugar products exploded...
Sketchy Mrs. Butterworth's syrup?
And last but not least, the Oolang tea medley in a plastic ziplock bag, of which I wrote "Oolong tea" in permanent marker, as if it would lessen the sketchiness a bit.
I might or might not have been so happy that I made a huge bowl of guacamole and ate it all myself...
Another English teacher suggested that I talk about New Year’s resolutions with the students, and it went really well. Since I had only 25 minutes with each group, it was perfect. We worked on the future tenses: “I will_____” and “I won’t______” They had to come up with ideas for each case. I was surprised at how many of my 15 year-olds resolved to “quit smoking.” I was also surprised at the amount of kids that resolved to “be happier.” Some of the resolutions were hilarious. Here are just some of Emily’s 2015 High School Class Resolutions:
(PS I gave awards to those with the most creative responses)
#veryFrench
This one might have won the award for one class ;)
Enough toothpaste to last me... one afternoon...WHAT THE HECK, PEOPLE?
After two weeks with my lovely family in Michigan, it was time to say goodbye and fly away! I flew on Delta Airlines, Chicago->Detroit->Paris. As I got on the flight for Detroit->Paris I was already upset that I couldn't convince the airline attendant to switch my seat from an aisle to window. BUT, to make it even worse, I sat next to an old lady who’s first words to me were “I just chugged three beers before this flight.” Literally, she kept commenting and trying to talk to me the whole flight…even when I pretended to sleep. She called over the flight attendant every thirty minutes for a new alcoholic beverage...and, consequently, she had to go to the bathroom probably 15 times during the flight, so instead of asking me to get up, she would monkey climb over me, making it super awkward. And she hugged me after saying what a great flying buddy I was. I ran off that plane as fast as I could!
Then I go through customs, and there is a mile long line, it’s super hot, and I’m running on 24 hours of not sleeping. To make this even MORE pleasant, the lady behind me fainted to the floor and peed/was throwing up at the same time, unconscious…and poor thing was traveling with her young son who looked to be about 5 years old. Everyone just sort of stared at her, until finally some boarder police guy came over.
Then, I go to the baggage carousel, wait there for an hour, only to find out that my bag ended up in ATLANTA (I flew Chicago, Detroit, Paris). It’s been 5 days, and I still don’t have it, but I’ve racked up $250 for a delayed baggage fee. The good news is Delta give you a little toiletry care package (images above and below). You can track your bag online, and mine has had quite the journey so far…Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Detroit…hopefully it gets it’s butt to Paris!
A men's Sky Team shirt... aka my new pajamas!
Ick! Hate the gel!
Then, another English teacher kindly offered to pick me up from Paris, so I wouldn’t have to wait around for my TGV that I paid 50 euro for. So, I waited in another eternal line at the SNCF in Charles de Gaulle, only to find out I was in the WRONG line. So, I used my phone to cancel my ticket, and I got 38 euro back! Then, I had to figure out the Paris metro system in about 5 minutes before the next train left, so I could meet the English teacher at the Massy stop (which sounds easier than it is, because there are about 3 Massy stops). Frantic, panicked, overwhelmed, I hopped on a metro with a few other lost Americans, and THANK GOD it was the right one going in the right direction. Once I got to Massy, I had NO CLUE how to get out of the train station. It was like Ft. Knox! I probably walked about a mile around everywhere to find an exit! Other people were confused, too, so I felt better about myself, but here’s my actual proof that I survived this whole ordeal:
I start teaching again tomorrow, and I am still 100% jetlagged. Last night, I was bored and I started to watch TV and "Marley et Moi" (Marley and Me) was on. I have never had any desire to watch this movie, because I remember the trailers made it seem like it was a dumb kids movie, but I started watching it about ¼ the way through, and I couldn’t change the channel. I ended up watching the whole thing and crying for like an hour after…not just crying…sobbing! It was THE saddest movie I have ever seen ever. But, I slept like a baby after that!
As much as I love French, and France, sometimes a girl needs to speak in English, where she has the liberty to use slang and the comfort of knowing the other person completely understands what she’s saying.So, I journied to Rennes and back to visit my friend Hilary for a few hours.I only had a four hours, since I had plans with Erwan later, so we walked around, went to the Christmas market, and stopped into this charming little Irish Tea House where we ate scones, drank tea and coffee and had girl talk.The cute little Irish lady makes everything organic from her farm.It’s a 100% organic tea house. She even grinds the flour daily.I didn’t buy into the whole organic hype until now.You can REALLY taste the goodness!
In other news, I realized I’m at a point where I can’t speak English or French.It was weird…I am starting to think in French, mix words with English words…forget which word is in which language.I’m having an identity crisis!
Friday, it rained all day, but like a sleetly rain, and Alba and I just hibernated in the apartment all day.We got all dressed up, and I put on a cute little black dress I bought last weekend.That night, we went to a fundraiser for the school, and I met up with Erwan and a bunch of the friends from last weekend, since we got along so well.The fundraiser was a raclette, which is some sort of melted cheese, ham and potatoes thing.
Alba and I off to support our students!
All dressed up from my Pretty Woman French shopping spree.
We talked and ate, and I love these girls!One of the girls lived in Idaho for a year on exchange, so we talked in English!
I just kept getting sicker and sicker, and I crashed one day...no voice, terrible cough, terrible running nose, etc. I had no voice to call the doctor to make an appointment so Alba did for me, and I had to wait a whole day to get an appointment since NONE of the doctors has room for me. I hate being sick.I called my mom way too many times, whiny and miserable, angry, bored, sad, and crazy.I hate being sick and alone.
Antibiotics helped me, and I just want to do a quick shout out to the the doctor who spoke in English because she went to med school in Australia and the nice staff of the school who drove my sick butt to the doctor. THANK YOU!!!
Towards the end of the week, I started to get really really sick, and Alba made me dinner and we had another teacher over for a tortilla pajama party.
Alba and I went to Rennes to get a reduction for our lodging with the CAF.Turns out, we have to go to Vannes, not Rennes.Oh well.What a waste of lugging all of that extra paperwork!
We decided to go to the mall to drown our sorrows in food and shopping.Lunch: Chinese food (with really flirty sales people).
We went to a mall and walked around.They have those deep sea minerals people, too, guys!And saying “I don’t speak French” doesn’t work to deter them, because they speak in English and try to sell you crap as well.And now I have one shiny lonely fingernail for the next 4-6 weeks. Ugh.
My quest to find a new t-shirt turned into an all-out shopping spree.I told the saleslady that I wanted to look more “French” (because my students are starting to make fun of my poorly dressed American ensembles) and she took one look at my jeans and riding boots and shook her head.The next thing I knew, I was in the dressing room, and she was pulling clothes for me to try “the look.”I hardly recognized myself after, but I loved all of the attention.I felt like a princess.She was saying “French women would kill for your body”“You look great” etc etc.AND she wasn’t even trying to make me buy stuff, she was always looking to see if her manager was around and whispering in my ear where I could buy the same stuff cheaper.It was hilarious.All Americans looking for a makeover in France, head to Jennyfer in the Alma mall in Rennes.
We also went to the Christmas market, and I bought some hot wine, because I felt like it was the best thing to open my sinuses.It actually worked, and tasted great. But, I was starting to feel sick, so I went home early.
After that, I had my last week of Thanksgiving.Here are some pictures of the kids, and the official play that I wrote for the occasion.I have gotten so many hugs, “I love you” letters, and thank-you’s from the kids.I even had a parent come up to me and tell me how much her children enjoy my classes.After spending over 50 euro of my own money making Thanksgiving treats for my kids, it’s all worth it in the end.Moments watching shy kids get excited, outgoing kids shine, everyone having fun and learning and speaking English…that’s what it’s all about.I actually let my last class keep the costumes I made (after the begged), and they paraded down the hallways (speaking in English): “I am a pilgrim.” “I am an Indian.”I even invited the administration team to watch my play, and they loved it, too.SUCCESS!
I love these cherubs! One of my favorite groups!
This group plowed through my cornbread and brownies! LOL
Once I came back to Rennes late Sunday night, I met Alba in the bus station and we took a bus back to Guer. It was cold, rainy, dark, and disgusting. My stomach hurt from eating so much that weekend, and I felt gross for not having showered, felt car sick, and the last thing I wanted to do was walk 30 minutes in the dark and cold and rain to the high school from the bus stop.
But, I had pumpkin pie waiting for me from one of my student's mom.
On Monday, I went to tea with some old ladies, and I cleaned and did two loads of laundry, which takes legit all day with no dryer.
Tuesday, I made cornbread for my kiddos and did last minute costumes for Thanksgiving. Stressful last minute preparations, tweaking of the play (that I wrote), directing kids to do this and that, carrying a crap ton of stuff to the school from my apartment. Today flew by!
I am realizing that I am celebrating their first Thanksgivings (and probably the last Thanksgivings they will ever celebrate). It's so special for me to share my culture with these kids. I love them!!!!!
They loved the costumes, and we took lots of videos and the students were snapchatting selfies with Pilgrim/Indian garb. SOOOO CUTE!
They LOVED cornbread. And they ate all of my "confiture."
Some of my kids in one of my little plays.
I love how as soon as I get the costumes out, they whip out their cell phones and start snapchatting and instgramming funny pics. I guess I am a "cool" teacher, because I let them take pictures so they can remember their first Thanksgiving with me. ;)
Funny things kids say about thanksgiving:
Me; We eat turkey with stuffing. Does anyone know what stuffing is? (shows picture of a turkey with stuffing) Kid: OOOOH I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW! Me: And? Kid: It's cous cous! Me: That is a very creative answer!
Me: The first Thanksgiving was different. People ate a lot of quail. Do you know what quail is? Kids: (shake heads no) Me: Draws picture on board. Kids: Ohhhh it's like a penguin!?
On Sunday, we slept in and ate all day until we left to go back to Rennes. I got the nicest gift from a friend of Catherine and Chantal, Sonia. It is a handmade ornament from a bullet from a gun that was shot off from a U.S. 82nd Airborne from Ste Mere L'Eglise during the D-Day allied invasion. The dad of Sonia made this by hand for me, and painted it, engraved it, etc. He even called and explained it in detail over the phone. It is super special. I will keep it forever.
I felt like I was at the table all day. Norman people love to eat...cheeses, creams, heavy heavy heavy. Just when you think you can't eat anything else, a new something or other comes around the corner. I thought I was going to explode.
Chantal wrote her recipe for me. Awww!
Sonia also brought her dog, Axel. He followed me everywhere...even to the bathroom (PS there wasn't a door to the bathroom... #awkward).
St Honore Cake
This French dog knows what's up. He also has a rock hard stomach...eats everything from Camembert cheese to chocolate cake.
When I woke up, it was pouring down rain and downright disgusting outside. Catherine and Chantal (the host) invited me to join them at the local market. I LOVE MARKETS, but this one was definitely interesting...
Huge veggies!
What's for dinner, mom? Shark!
Chickens are always sold with the heads on.
After the market, we walked a little to the port and cam across HUGE jellyfish all over the sidewalks! Here is one!
After this, we had a HUGE lunch. Look at this cool thing! A cheese holder that was used in the "old days" before fridges. Chantal had fun stories about when she was a little girl living in the 50s in France, no fridge, no laundry machine, how they ate rabbits that they kept as pets, how they walked 4 km to a one room school house through the rain, etc. She loved sharing with me, and I am really lucky to have had such a welcoming hostess. She also was really proud to show her CD of her favorite songs, for "the American girl."
After lunch, Catherine and I went on a little road trip to see D-Day things.
D-DAY ADVENTURE #1:Pointe du Hoc
100 ft high. Can you imagine having to climb these cliffs in the cold and dark AND have German soldiers waiting to attack you at the top? Special men. 70 years ago.
D-DAY ADVENTURE #2:German Cemetery
After Pointe du Hoc, we headed to see where the Germans rest in peace. The German cemetery is very dark, cold, and sad. It holds 21,000 graves. It was actually an American cemetery until 1947.It has been German since 1948.
Ummm do I smile in a cemetery?
The birth and death dates are listed on German graves. You can see some as young as 17 who died.
D-Day Adventure #3: American Cemetery
By this time, we were seeing familiar faces and people were "following us" from landmark to landmark. The American Cemetery is impressive. It's gorgeous, and we treat our fallen soldiers as heroes. At each tombstone, there were roses put there by French students on Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) in the area who "adopt" a fallen soldier. I also met a really friendly cat and a family from Ann Arbor, Michigan! This is my third time here, but it still is so moving.
D-Day Adventure #4: Random German Tanks hanging out
D-Day Adventure #5: Bayeux
Catherine and I decided to go to Bayeux to take a peek at the cathedral before we went home for dinner. It was dark out, but the cathedral was lit up and so pretty! It's BEAUTIFUL. Not all churches look alike, and this one is gorgeous. A perfect place for a wedding or what-not. A miracle it was spared from the bombings in WWII.
After this, we ate dinner and slept! Whew! EXHAUSTED!
After my medical drama, I immediately headed to Normandy. Catherine invited me to stay with her and her old lady friend (72) who has a house on the sea. I absolutely love Normandy, so I said "sign me up." After two hours of driving, we finally arrived. It was a cool drive...passing sheep grazing on salt marshes, passing the Mont Saint Michel (one of my favorite places in the world), and following the coastline up to Creances sur Plage.
She said the sheep are really high quality, because they graze on salt marshes, and their meat is naturally salted. For Easter, Catherine goes to Normandy and stays with her old lady friend, and I can only imagine how pretty it would be in the Spring, with little lambs, apple blossoms, green green pastures. I thought Bretagne was green, but Normandy is ten times greener. Absolutely beautiful.
After we arrived, Catherine and I went on a long walk on the beach. The sun was setting, and it was very nice. 60 degrees, no wind, fresh sea air. I was busy collecting shells, so I was far behind stuffing my pockets with really cool seashells (aka Christmas presents for my family, no pictures on the blog :P ) It was the most private prettiest beach I've ever seen! Here are some photos:
The next day, I went to apologize to the teacher, gave her a little card and a gift, and she was super sweet about it. Everyone asked me at once how my medical visit went, and I started to cry in the teachers lounge. It was so embarrassing, but everyone was there to comfort me. All of the teachers rallied together and made an appointment with another heart specialist doctor so I could get checked again.
At the doctor, I got hooked up to a cardiogram machine, and the doctor listened to my heart. 36 euros later, and it turns out, I do have a “tout petit souffle” (tiny tiny heart murmur), but it’s totally normal and the other doctor at OFII was basically a total phony. THE FRENCH MEDICAL SYSTEM AHHHHHHHHH I CAN'T EVEN. I do have a really cool souvenir (below).
After they said I was fine, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
On Wednesday, I had to take a day off teaching to go to Rennes to get a mandatory medical check-up, so I can get the second part of my visa to stay in France. I stayed the night with Catherine and then woke up early the next morning and walked into the middle of nowhere for the visa appointment. As usual, there are some pretty sketchy people at the OFII place. I keep all of my belongings close! I wasn’t sure if I was in the right place, but I found some other Americans, and I stuck with them the whole time. I had one of the first appointments of the day, so I could get in and out.
VISA MEDICAL VISIT PROCESS:
Step One: X-Ray
So, you go in a room, walk around topless and take an xray. Kinda weird, but, well, it’s France.
Step Two: Consultation
You meet with some lady and she takes your height, weight, and asks if you are infected with diseases. (I don’t know who responds yes to some of these questions...)
Step Three: See a (crappy and flirty) Doctor
The doctor reviews your x-ray and takes your vitals. Everything was fine with my X-ray, but when he was listening to my heartbeat, he was listening a long time. My doctor was probably no older than 25. He told me that I have a “grand souffle” (big heart murmur) that was concerning. He told me that he would recommend that I go see a cardiologist, because it could be serious. Meanwhile, I am freaking out…I had no idea anything was wrong. I told him I am super healthy (apart from the two pain au chocolats I scarfed down on my way to the medical visit) and I run almost every day. He said sometimes these things happen, and “it’s like this.” I started to get really sad…great…the moment when my life is so good, of course this has to happen to me…of course.
The doctor said he was going to sign the papers so I can stay in France, but I need to see someone when I go back to the USA for Christmas to see if they can help me. I asked if I was going to die, and he said gravely “Oui” without flinching and what seemed like five minutes later he said “un jour…” (one day) and smiled. Still not sure if he was flirting with me or if he was just French.
Step Four: Visa Lady
A lady stamps your visa, and voila, you can stay in France!
My Visa slash Twilight audition photo
The long awaited stamp of approval!
The rest of the day, I thought my heart was going to stop. I kept paying attention to my breathing, and it was hard to breathe and be normal. I thought I was going to have a heart attack any second.
Then, dumb me, I forgot to tell one of the teachers (who happened to be the principal’s wife) that I had my medical visit, and I get a text from Alba saying she came to my apartment looking for me and that she was very very angry that I didn’t tell her. That made me even more stressed, which made my heart even more stressed.
Then, I had to walk 30 minutes in the cold and rain, with all of my crap, to the high school, feet hurt, back hurt, two seconds away from a heart attack.
Friday, two other professors (an English prof and a Spanish prof) invited Alba and I to a concert in Rennes. *First French Concert*
When we got to Rennes, we were walking around town, and we bumped into the French national soccer team, who was playing Albania in Rennes. They played in the World Cup. There were people lining the street hours in advance to see the team walk two feet from their hotel to their police-escorted bus to the stadium. I could care less about soccer, but I saw the cutest thing. A mom and her 5 year-old son were standing on the street waiting to see the team, but of course there were lots of people, and the poor kid couldn’t see anything. She yelled up to a single guy watching the street below from his balcony, asking if she and her son could come up and watch. I saw him leave the window, and a few seconds later, he came down and let her and her son, complete strangers, into his apartment to watch the team. I thought that was the cutest thing ever. And, the kid was legit the cutest little kid ever…like a mini Harry Potter.
See upper left corner, single guy who let the boy and his mom up
We had a few drinks and had girl talk at a bar (that used to be a church?), and then we went to a “surprise” dinner for me…
Roadside Burger! A typical traditional “Five Guys”-esque feel burger place! With “faites maison” steaks (burger patties) and “frites.” It was one of the best burgers I have ever had, and they also had homemade milkshakes, and old school Motown playing on the radio. I loved feeling how much at home I felt there. Didn’t know how much I actually was craving a burger. First burger in months!
After eating, we went to the concert.
Concert: Let me describe the atmosphere… Imagine yourself in your living room, cut it in half and turn the lights off. Add about a thousand French people (some of whom might or might not have showered in the past week), crank up the heat to 100 degrees F, squish everyone as close together as humanly possible. Wear the most uncomfortable shoes you have and just stand there for like 5 hours. There you go...my first French concert.
Alba and moi...selfie in every adventure!
Here is my rant about French people at concerts…
1. Even if it was boiling hot, NOBODY took off scarves/jackets. I was literally dying of heat, and everyone else was dressed for the North Pole. I even notice this on hot days. I rarely see French people wearing short sleeves or shorts. I DON'T GET IT! I thought I was going to pass out in just a t-shirt.
2. Maybe I am used to screaming, dancing, and that "super loud music you can barely hear" concerts. In France, not so much... Even for really peppy power songs, I saw a few head bops, and that was about it.
3. You had to stand the WHOLE time. Your feet hurt like hell (boots were not a good choice). Also, the guy in front of me, a caveman in a previous life, had his armpit in my nose the whole time. You are literally packed closer than sardines, and I almost had a clausterphobic meltdown. If you have to go pee, you’re out of luck…there was NO WAY to make your way to the (toiletseatless toilet).
4. Maybe this is my impatient self talking, but I think concerts (and other things) should start when they say they do. The tickets said “8:00PM start” and there was nobody on stage until 9 pm, and it was just a townie group to introduce the main event. The main event didn’t start until 10:20 PM. TWO HOURS AND TWENTY MINUTES AFTER. This goes for soirees, dinner parties, and other things. I have even heard it’s rude to arrive “on time.” GRRRR!!! Ça m'énerve!!!!!!!
Below is the first act...it was literally so awful that Alba and I were making fun of the lead singer (clearly on some sort of drugs). I was laughing hysterically because it was so bad it was hilarious. PS. She was wearing the same exact outfit last night as this video.
Here is the "main event" Feu! Chatterton. This was his "best song" that really got the crowd semi- head bopping. It is kind of catchy, not my type of music, and he is probably going to give me nightmares. I love it when everyone said "ahhhh oui" with him. It was pretty cool. The guitar players were really talented, too. We had a really good place to watch (up front).
After all of my complaining...would I go to another concert? Absafreakinlutely. It was really fun to hang out with girlfriends, drink, and have a fun night.
Thursday, I taught all day long. The kids are getting really excited about Thanksgiving, and they are thrilled to put on a show for the teachers and administration. I'm starting to make invitations and costumes now, and it's pretty exciting.
Some of my performances...
If the kids are "super actors" they get a United States flag sticker. It's funny to see how far these kids will go for a sticker.... Thanks, Mom for sending these!
After school, Catherine invited me to an art show in her friend's castle down the road. She's of nobility, and the castle is beautiful. It's basically a picture perfect wedding venue. Inside the castle, there was a little craft show, stained glass windows, jams, lavender sachets (the only thing I could afford), glassware, and quilts. It was all really old ladies, but they were so cute. I felt sort of sorry for them/obligated to buy something, so I bought a sachet of lavender (from Bretagne), and I put it on my pillow. It smells so good, and it's supposed to help you sleep better. I think it works a little too well...lavender sachet+French volet+rain+dark and dank weather=sleeping for at least 24 hours at a time.
Pardon for the bad quality photos of the castle...wanted to be discrete.