Early in the morning of the 6 of November, a 20 something American living in France awoke to a strange mechanical clicking noise. His eyes opened slowly and noticed that his body was casting a large shadow on the wall. He rolled over the identify what was causing the shadow and much to his horror he saw the orange and blue blinking lights of a killer robot sent to destroy him. Paralyzed by fear he held his breath and prepared himself for his final moments.
Nothing happened.
He then realized it was his computer on the table next to his bed. He then laughed out loud.
Anyway. I have been "planning" for lessons all day today and have been far from productive. I just simple don't know what to plan. I have several ice-breakers that I could use, but that would not keep an entire class occupied for an hour. The problem I am encountering is that I have so many different classes and age groups with so many different teachers that want so much from me I just don't know what to do. I've thus far just been doing stand up comedy without the comedy. I am apparently very good with improv, good enough my students can't really tell, but the teachers surely can tell. GAH!
Spent the All-Saints day vacation in the South of France. One of the other assistants from Le Havre, Kristen from California, came along and we met up with Jenifer. It was so nice to see Jenifer. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I was with her again. I miss her less now than I did when I saw her for the first time in France. So weird.
We spent the majority of the week wet wet wet. Kristen and I must have dragged most of the clouds from Le Havre. Cities visited were Nice, Cannes, Marseilles, and Toulouse. We ate like royalty (which is very different from what Jen and I did last time we were in Europe) and had a chance to try so many local specialties. In Marseilles there was Bouillabaisse, and Socca in Nice. In Toulouse we stayed with a friends family and were spoiled rotten. Being in a family again was such a nice break. Cassoulet is my new favorite food!!
In Marseille we took a boat tour around Chateau d'If, where Edmon Dantes in Alxandre Dumas' book The Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. Much to my chagrin ( I nearly cried) we were not able to get on the island because of rough seas. I guess I'll have to return.
The most important outcome of this trip to the south was Jenifer and I's decision to run in the Paris half marathon! 18 months to prepare should be enough right?
