I'm having second thoughts about the Bus...

The bus schedule is listed online, at the bus stop, in little pamphlets, etc.- and for the most part I haven't had to wait very long for a bus because I consult the schedule first before figuring out where I am going. This morning, I had multiple ways I could get to my formation (in-service day); I could take 2 different buses, I could take a bus to the metro, I could take the tram to the metro. Well... because I've been so "bus happy" the past few days, I opted for the bus-bus mode this morning. I got to my stop, that is very conveniently located, and ended up waiting 15 minutes for it to get there!!! The bus was supposed to be arriving about the time I walked up to catch it... so either one bus never showed, or the one I got was very late.

Of course, this bus was PACKED with people. I guess I've never had this poor of a bus experience because I've never traveled via bus at rush hour. I've been on the metro and the tram when it has been packed with people, but I'm thinking I prefer them to the bus now! When there is so much traffic, the bus stresses me out! You have cars and motorcycles coming every which way, you have old people walking out into the street, bikes are all over the place... At least in a tram or metro, you are on a track, and there's not so much shifting about. I tried to hold on best I could, but with so many people, and with my clean-freakiness, I try not to be in situations where my hand touches other hands or things... so of course I'd fall into people... OH! It was just a mess.

I got off of my first bus in order to catch the 2nd, which was thankfully much less crowded, but because I was now running late, every time we stopped at a red light or had to wait for a little lady to cross the street with her petit chien (little pup), I was finding myself clenching my jaw and chipping at the bit to get off. I got to where I needed to go with 5 minutes to spare... and of course I was early. Nothing really starts up on time in France, so I guess I shouldn't have worried so much.

Anyway, today... was interesting. It was a little bit like "How to be a teacher-101." Some of the information and activities were good refreshers or new ideas for me... but for the most part, I just felt like... get me out of here! We had 3 instructors whose titles are Conseilleur Pedagogique (so old teachers who give presentations to other teachers on new teaching techniques or new ideas). We went over ways to introduce yourself, how to use pictures to your advantage, how to use games, etc. They would have us get into groups and do the activities for ourselves, and then we would talk about the challenges or expectations for each. It was like an Education class for non-Education majors almost. I think I got more out of listening to the instructors speak in French and the differences between the English-speaking countries, than I did from the actual information given out.... but in the end, it did get me thinking about things I wanted to do with my kids.

The most interesting part of the day was when the instructors had members of different countries get up to present their native country. We only got through Canada and Northern Ireland (tomorrow we'll do England, USA, and Germany), but I learned quite a bit about the history of Northern Ireland and the continuing conflicts there today. The whole room was sort of entranced by the guy's story of how the country was formed and why the fighting between the paramilitary groups is pointless now... how they've really lost site of why or what they're fighting for. It was very interesting. (And to make it even better, he had red hair and his name was Gareth, hehe).

But, oh well, I can make it through one more day. We did get 3 breaks; one mid-morning with coffee and pastries, one long lunch break, and one mid-afternoon coffee break. I feel like I've had more coffee to drink than I've ever had in one day. I'm a little jitter-y right now, so hopefully this post isn't too all over the place!

At the lunch break, I got to talk with a few new people and for some reason the guy at the boulangerie gave me an extra pastry in my bag (I had pink praline brioches again today, those are the sweet rolls with the pink pralines crushed and baked into the roll). I only ate one at lunch... but just finished off the other one. It's ok... I'll have a light dinner:)

Well- I'm going to go for a walk or something. I can't sit still. I really shouldn't drink this much coffee, but it was free and readily available!!!

OH! And btw- I checked on my phone line installation last night, and wouldn't you know it, I've been connected! So I have free international calling and very, awesome, fast, wonderful, amazing, reliable internet now. (Can you tell that I'm happy about it?)

More later, Reste Cool:)