Am I really complaining about the quality of coca cola light while being surrounded by pastries, crepes, and croissants?

Ahh so once again it has been a whole week since I've written a new post. This is both good and bad: good because I am so busy having fun but bad because so much has happened since the last post!

But first of all, I must say how proud I am of my sister, Mackenzie, for running her first marathon in Chicago today!!! She even finished in under four hours!! I have been bragging to all of the other teachers, my roommates, and even a few classes that my sister ran over 40 kilometers at once! Many French women and men believe that exercising once or twice a week is quite an accomplishment, and when I told them this their jaws quite literally dropped! Congratulations, I am so proud of you!! :)


I started doing some observing and teaching this week! I was definitely a little bit nervous about starting, mainly because I was worried about discipline problems and establishing myself as a teacher, rather than a peer for the students (the students are ages 15-22).  So far, this has not been a problem at all.  The kids are so sweet and are very enthusiastic about learning English.  They were so happy to hear that I was from the United States.  They had all sorts of questions for me about Lady GaGa, Justin Beiber, my friends and family, etc. Those of you who know me well know that I know next to nothing about celebrities and celebrity gossip. I remember one time in a language class I had a few years ago we were learning about comparisons.  The teacher showed me two pictures of celebrities, and I was supposed to say ___ is taller than ___.  I had no idea who the men were, and the whole class laughed at me when I confessed this.  It turned out they were Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.  Whoops.  So I think I may need to read up on some celebrity gossip to appease these kids (gulp).  But I am very happy with what I have seen so far.

Me, Ali and Ashley at the Of Montreal concert this weekend.

On Thursday night I went to the theatre with my friends.  We saw a play called "Alice et cetera."  Since it was in French, I am rather clueless as to what it was even about.  But the audience laughed a lot so I assume it must have been a rather humorous play.  Then on Friday night I went to an "Of Montreal" concert in Lille with some other friends.  Of Montreal is known for putting on really outrageous and lively shows, and they did not let us down. I posted an (accidental) video of them below.  I meant to take a picture of them, but had it in video mode...and it was the only "picture" I thought to take of them...so voila! In addition, the venue was really neat and offered "gobelets" of beer for only 2 euros, which is extremely cheap for Europe.  Then, on Saturday night I went to see "Mange Prie Aime" (Eat Pray Love) at the cinema in Douai.  It was in French, but because I have read part of the book (I hated the book), I could follow along relatively well. 

I think that rather than elaborate on some of the more mundane details of my life, I will create a list of some observations I have made about life in France. 

1) Speaking in a foreign language all day is EXHAUSTING. Since my roommates are from all over the world, French is really the strongest foreign language for everyone (excluding myself of course).  I sleep like a baby on days that I speak a lot of French.

2) The "kiss cheek, kiss cheek" French method of greeting friends is not something I like. I feel like there is this ingrained security alarm that is designed to alert all Americans of foreigners who wish to invade that comfortable zone of personal space with their mouths. This is something that I am going to have to get used to. I was at the gym on Friday morning, and this blond springy woman flounces into the gym and proceeds to enter the weightlifting area and kisses all the men on the cheek (they are all sweaty) and then on to the cardio equipment where I am.  Luckily she skipped me, but went to the woman on the treadmill next to me, and they attempt to kiss each others' cheeks while one of them is walking on the treadmill, and the woman almost fell off the treadmill TWICE.  Is it THAT important? Why not a simple "Bonjour?"

3)  I love going to aerobics classes that are taught in French! It is so much fun! I was so nervous the first time I ventured into the group fitness room, but the women were all so nice and the routines were a lot of fun! I am so excited to have found a gym that offers several aerobics classes per day, even if it is a 25 minute walk (one way) from my apartment). 

4) I would do some crazy things for a real Diet Coke (none of this Coca Cola Light crap) with ICE.  Drinks are never served with ice here, much to my chagrin. 

5) I am so, so happy to be here.  Sometimes I have these fleeting yet overwhelming moments where I fully comprehend just how amazing this experience is and how lucky I am right now.  I know deep down that one day I am going to look back at this experience and see it has such a happy and special time in my life.  I know I am only 23 years old right now, and I don't want to sound like a friggin' mushy gushy fakey person, but I have just felt so happy these past few weeks.  I am so content and satisfied with what has happened in the past, I am living for the moment, and I look forward to the future with so much excitement.  It is a wonderful thing to truly experience what it means to be content, if only for a second at a time.

Anyway, I love you all and miss you lots and lots!! I am currently practicing the French phrases needed to send packages home with my roommates, and I am ALMOST confident enough to do it.....so chocolates and goodies will be coming your way soon! :)

Daily Debacles

This is Miriam, one of my roommates from Germany

Well, to the satisfaction of myself (and to the dissatisfaction of all French people I would imagine), I somehow survived my first week in France! Don't get me wrong, there were certainly a few incidents, but nothing I couldn't butcher my way through.  For instance, the Italian professor took the Italian assistant and I to IKEA to buy some basic stuff for our apartment.  The checkout lines were packed, so I simply got in the shortest line I could see and patiently waited until it was my turn.  After the woman was done ringing me up, she asked me a question that I did not understand, so I politely replied, "Non, merci."  She repeated her question, and I repeated my answer.  Then, I realized she was telling me that her register only took credit cards, which would be fine, but American credit/debit cards do not work in France--cash is my only option right now.  This caused quite a stir, and I was the recipient of many scowls and muttered French words as the the woman undid all of my purchases, called over two managers, and moved me over to the other line where the other cashier rang me up again.  Ah, how embarrassing.  Another example is the time I went to the grocery store to buy some fruits and veggies.  The lines were HUGE, and when it was finally my turn the cash register lady yelled French words at me that I did not understand.  Luckily, the girl with me understood, and apparently in France you have to weigh all of your fruits/veggies on a scale which will shoot out a price sticker you attach to your bag.  I had no idea of this, and we had to run back to that aisle while everyone in line murdered us with their eyes.  Basically, things like this happen once or twice a day to me. Nothing fatal, but embarrassing nonetheless. 

This is Laura, my other roommate from Germany

Tartiflette, a Northeastern French specialty

Before I came to France, I kept telling myself that the first couple of weeks (maybe even months) would be really difficult and lonely.  This has not been the case at all so far. This first week has been so busy and I have met so many wonderful people that I haven't really had time to be homesick or lonely yet!  I have gone to several restaurants in Lille and Douai that have served traditional French food.  I never have any idea what I am ordering, so every time my food arrives it is a genuine surprise to me to see what I will be eating (meat? salad? vegetables?).  One night I ordered "tartiflette," which was absolutely delicious! It was kind of similar to scalloped potatoes, except mixed with French cheeses. I have also had a kebab (I love those things!), Subway twice (I know, I know...but it is the only place I know what I am ordering!) and another meal that was very strange.  It was basically a huge serving of gelatin, and within the gelatin were a few different kinds of meats (rabbit, beef, and chicken I believe), along with some vegetables.  It didn't taste as horrible as it sounds, but I'm not sure that I would recommend it to anyone.  Also, I cannot really defend myself right now, but I have yet to eat a crepe or a croissant or really any sort of French pastry.  I think it is because I am a chocoholic, and I recognize this about myself, and therefore I am sort of scared to open the floodgates.

Below is a video of "Le Carvinale Passe."  I know it is a random spot, but I am new to blogs and am having a hard time figuring this out, so deal with it.   I will reference it in a later paragraph. 

My roommates and I have been hunting for gyms in Douai this week.  The gyms in France are SO different than in the US! We took a tour of one gym, and all it was just a small room with lots of weights and overly-buff Frenchmen walking around with their chests stuck out too far.  There were 2 ellipticals and 2 treadmills that were placed in an awkward spot where the only thing you could look at are the weightlifters. (Strategically placed?) So the hunt continues.  Another strange (and therefore dumb) thing about French gyms is that you have to have a doctors note to work out.  WTF? I have a doctors visit scheduled for Friday, but honestly, what good is that going to do?  It's not as if the doctor and I are going to be able to have any sort of conversation with each other because of the language barriers.  What a joke. 

Last night the two German girls, Miriam and Laura, and I went to a concert in Douai.  The pictures above were taken at the concert.  The group was called "Le Carnivale Passe," and they were so much fun! They reminded me a bit of the G-String Orchestra that came to the Golden Saloon in McCarthy, Alaska.  It was a lot of fun!  I didn't understand most of their songs, except for the lyrics of one song in which they kept repeating the phrase "like a sex toy," and the song (the video above) where they sang about kebabs.  The theatre in Douai is really nice and they have shows every week.  On Thursday my roommates and I plan on going to a re-make of Alice in Wonderland. 

My bed and desk in my apartment

This week a couple of assistants and I booked tickets to Stockholm, Sweden during our 2 week vacation in October/November.  We fly out of Brussels, Belgium on October 27th and return on the 31st. We are flying RyanAir (always an adventure!) and we got the tickets for only 30 euros round-trip!  I can't wait! :)  Then, next Friday some of my friends and I are going to an Of Montreal concert in France! Ratatat is also going to be coming to Lille on November 21st (mom's birthday!) and I plan on going to that show as well.  There are a LOT of good shows in the area, but so far I am trying to exercise some self-restraint and limit myself to only a few a month.

My desk where I am writing this blog

By this point in my blog, you are probably wondering, isn't she there to work? Doesn't she have a job?  Well....yes, I do.  However, I received an e-mail from the other English teachers yesterday that informed me I am supposed to attend a meeting on Tuesday, then go to orientation all day on Wednesday, and they will then take me out to lunch in Douai on Thursday.  What a rough work week.  Then, we have one more week of work until we get a two week fall vacation. It is really hard, but I think somehow I will be able to survive the rigorous work load. 

Anyway, I am sick of typing and you are probably sick of reading by this point.  I am sort of realizing now that I should probably update the blog a bit more so I don't have to write novels every time.  I suppose I can find a spare hour or two in my schedule to do this.  Anyway, love and miss you all! :) Don't forget about me!!!

Christy

The Big Move!

I arrived in France on Friday, September 24th to begin my new job as an English teacher in a French high school.  Other than a few delays, my flights to Paris were rather uneventful. Once I arrived in France, I soon realized that 5 bags for one person may have been a bit excessive.  I had to carry the bags all the way across the airport to the train station, and by the time I made it I looked like I had just ran a marathon because I was so drenched in sweat. How embarrassing.  I then proceeded to eat two pastries with nutella and then fell asleep at 3:30 in the afternoon and didn't wake up until 8am the next day. 

I went out in Lille, the big university town, on Saturday night.  I met up with a few other assistants for dinner. Until that point, I had been subsisting entirely on bread.  I did not really understand the menu at the restaurant, but there was a certain dish that boasted in English, "with plenty of cheese," so I ordered that.  The menu did not lie.  I was basically served a pie tin with a layer of bread on the bottom, "rarebit" (whatever that is) on top of that , and about three inches of baked cheese on top of that. It was one of the heartiest meals I have ever had.  I only managed to eat about a fourth of it before I felt like the waist on my jeans might burst.  

I also quickly realized how poor my French skills are. More often than not, my French words were met with "Ah, American, eh?" with the slight hint of a condescending smile afterward. I cannot really defend myself unfortunately, because honestly I probably deserve it.  I met the principal of my school, and he asked me how I spent my weekend in Lille, and I replied, "Oui!" with a huge dumb smile on my face. He is probably really impressed with my language skills. 


I moved into my apartment in Douai, France on Monday.  I have 5 roommates who come from Italy, India, Germany, and Nicaragua.  I have not met everyone yet, but so far we are getting along really well.  It is incredible how talented they are with languages--often switching between 3 different languages to accommodate everyone. They have been so helpful and kind though.  Today, we went to open bank accounts and purchase cell phones, and unfortunately my French vocabulary does not include banking or contract terms, so most of the conversations had to be translated to accommodate me.  I am very motivated to start improving my French conversation skills so I don't have to be so dependent on others for translation purposes. 

Anyway, I miss and love all my friends and family in the US!! I hope you are all doing well and are taking care :)

Oh--and I just got my address in Douai! It is as follows:

Mademoiselle Christy Cahil
c/o Lycee Albert Chatalet
400 Rue des Wetz
59500 Douai, France