Feeling pretty fortunate!

Today was my first job-related orientation. It was a réunion (meeting) for all the primary language assistants in the Rhone region (about 30 in all, mostly English assistants, but 2 German). Laurence met me and Alexa, the other primary assistant in Saint-Priest for lunch before the orientation. We went to a little brasserie (cafe/bar) for a nice, typical French meal (haha). On the menu, there was steak haché et frites, which I knew to be a hamburger patty and fries. When Laurence was going through the menu to explain what each item was, she specifically said that this dish was very French. I sorta laughed on the inside thinking... it's also very American... but I'll get it anyway because I don't really feel good and according to you it's the most French thing on the menu. It was very good, I think they add a few different spices to the burger patty (no bun or anything) and the fries just tasted like regular fries. About the most French thing on my plate was the salad dressing on the little side of greens...

But anyway, lunch was nice because I finally got to meet Alexa. She's from Vancouver, Canada, but has lived in France off and on for the last 3 years... so she's a very fluent francophone, she has a wealth of knowledge about the French paperwork system (there is a lot, for everything!) and Lyon, so I'm very glad to know her!

After lunch, which Laurence kindly paid for, we headed to the Rectorat (Board of Education). There, we sat in a large meeting room with little microphones on the tables... kind of like how you see on TV at UN meetings or something. We went around the room, clicking our little microphones on and off to introduce ourselves, and then they went into the many particulars of the French system of doing things (what to do to make up days when you get sick, how to attain social security for health coverage, how to get paid, etc.). I also learned that I'm not really making the lessons so much as providing the teacher with oral language and cultural support. I'm sure it will depend on the teacher and how much they trust the assistants to do in their classroom, so on va voir (we shall see)! Laurence also told us that we may be able to work in the before/after school programs or cafeteria for more pay. Cool!

By the time the meeting was over... I was starting to feel more sick than at the beginning (sore throat :( ugh). I guess it was bound to happen... what with the sudden change of temperature and the adjustment to a new sleeping pattern... so instead of touring Lyon with Alexa, I lamely went home (I don't think I have real health insurance until November... so I guess being lame is better than getting more sick!). We did say hello to a few other assistants before I skipped out... and I began to feel very fortunate about my living situation. Many assistants are sleeping on couches of friends of friends and are desperately trying to find a permanent place to

stay. There are different options available, it's just a long process to go through... which is

something I would not want to be doing while I'm getting situated into a new job.

My apartment isn't right in the hussle and bussle of Lyon, but it is very close to where I work, and it will have heat come mid-October when it is turned on for the whole building. The outside of the apartment isn't very chic or pretty, but the inside is perfectly suitable for someone living here 7 months (and I'm practically living here for free, rent is very reasonable). They are supposed to be coming tomorrow with a new oven. And a huge plus, I have room to spare for visitors! So all-in-all, not doing too bad. Laurence and her family have been a huge help with getting me situated... they not only fed me last night, but loaned me some movies to watch!

I keep trying to upload the video I took of my apartment, but the internet connection is too weak or something... so I took some more pictures to show you! It's starting to look pretty cute with the sprucing up I've done!

On the schedule for tomorrow- buying a carte 12-25 (a discount travel card for buying train tickets), putting money on my Lyon transit card, and waiting for the oven to arrive.

Miss everyone! Reste cool:)