last night fun, this morning not so much

After the electrician left yesterday, I went on a cleaning frenzy. I know my efforts are futile, but I just hate having crap everywhere. So needless to say, I was running a little short on time getting ready for the fête. I didn't make it over to the castle in Saint-Priest, but I did peer down the street and see that it was purple before I left. They also turned on all the lights that have been strung for about a month now. I guess they wait until the 8th, whereas, we Americans pretty much have all our lights on the weekend after Thanksgiving (or earlier).

I took the bus and the metro, both were free last night for everyone to easily get into Lyon. When I walked out of the metro station I kind of felt like that scene in the latest Harry Potter movie... when Harry, Hermione, and Ron land in the middle of London, with crowds of people going this way and that way, while they're in their wizarding wedding clothes and trying to escape the death eaters. Although I was not wearing wizarding wedding clothes or escaping from anything, there were masses of people and I didn't really know where to go. (I'm sure that reference made me sound like a huge nerd, but that's what it reminded me of.) I was meeting Lindsey at the metro stop, which wasn't really that easy to do with so many people. Thank goodness for phones and maps, we found each other and found where we wanted to go (Place Saint-Louis in the Saxe-Gambetta/Guillotière area).

According to the teachers I work with, the 8th is the day to go into one of the many neighborhoods in Lyon and see what kind of show they put on. That's exactly what we did, without really knowing it. For the fête des lumières, they put out a booklet of events. The event we went to was labeled as "musical magic," with over 60 musicians playing in a simultaneous light show. It was supposed to begin at 7:30, which gave us enough time to walk to the fireworks. It didn't really start until about 5 minutes till 8, with the fireworks starting at 8:15. Soooo we didn't stick around for the whole thing, so I can't say for sure if it was musical magic. But what was fun was seeing how the neighborhood got together and had their own little block party. They gave out free vin chaud (hot wine), free soup, and sold other food/drinks. They had an odd little magic show going on. They had the firehouse open to walk around and eat in. It was a unique experience. Then, before we left, a small band of musicians came around the corner and played for a minute. All of a sudden a bigger band came marching down a different street, where they collided in the middle. The first band acted confused and pissed off, but I assume it was all a part of the show. We left before it could get anymore magical, but it was pretty neat for what it was.

As we walked toward the Rhone river, we saw rows and rows of apartments with the Lyon bougies, or candles, lined up in the windows. This is one of the original traditions that happens on the 8th to give thanks to Marie, and I think it is so cool that they continue to do it. And it's quite pretty!

When we got closer to the river, we could see the Fourvière Basilique bright blue, changing to bright red, etc. Along the river, were life size teepees, that changed colors (from bright pink to green to orange to purple), that emitted puffs of smoke, and that played aboriginal music. I'm still not really sure why they had tepees. Surely it wouldn't be a reference to our Native Americans.... but I didn't know who else made them?

We were just in time for the fire works, or the feu d'artifice, that were going off over the river. Had we walked to where they were going off, I'm sure we would have seen a few firework cascades going into the river, but all in all they were really good. They lasted a good 30 minutes and they had cars driving around with big speakers playing the national anthem, the marseillaise. I tried taking pictures, but my camera's not very fast at night. Along with the tepees on this side of the river, they had colorful windmills.

We walked into the city center afterwards to take the metro, but caught a few more light displays (some flamingos hanging down Rue de la République and the Opèra all lit up) and a lot more people. To get onto the metro, you had to wait in line and the first time around, we didn't realize we were on the wrong side, so we went the wrong way. I got off to transfer lines at the Bellecour station, but they made me come out of the station and go back across the street to change directions. This was annoying, especially because I was getting really tired, but it did allow me to see the big ferris wheel all lit up.

I finally got home by 10 and went immediately to bed. This morning I got up and felt drugged because I was still super tired.... but I made myself get up to let the painters and the electrician in. The electrician kind of had an ear out for the what the painters were saying and made sure I knew what was going on. I did, but he explained in English anyway. Men, always trying to show one another up. Apparently the lady at the town hall told these guys that the electrician had the key to the building. HAHA. She is just giving everyone the run around. She gave him 2 identical keys, neither works for the building, just for my apartment. So no one has a building key, and the painters were freaking out because they like to go out for lunch.... and if I'm not here during the day, they can't get back in. Oh goodness, so they were like you have to make a double. I just nodded and was thinking, yeah yeah, I'll make a double if the lady at the town hall tells me to and pays for it. I emailed her this afternoon, so we'll see if she gets back to me before Monday, which is when I told them I'd have the key for them.

Anyway, so after the electrician asked if I wanted to borrow a working TV from his dad.... I was like umm maybe and left for work. (I think he's concerned I have no working TV, but a TV jack and I'm paying for cable... I don't really care, I've gone this long, but I won't say no to a free TV I guess). I can't be this overwhelmed at 7:30am.

I got to school and kids started running up to me.... pas d'école, pas d'école, which means, no school! Apparently Murielle is really sick now and is absent for another day and has canceled her class until a replacement can come. The other 2 teachers were still working, but the kids who could go home in Murielle's class left. The 3 kids in her class that couldn't stay at home had to sit in the back of Mr. Iken's class. It's so odd that they don't have regular substitutes.... but when I asked about it, they said they used to have a similar system to ours, but those sub jobs were cut a few years ago. They only have long-term substitute positions (a week or more).

I worked with the CP class first and then the CE class afterwards (they moved their schedules around for me so that I could go home early.... I thought, of all the days I get to go home early, great). I felt really bad after teaching the CP class. I was so out of it.... I was having a horrible time explaining my book in French, I felt like my jingle bells sounded horrible (I can usually at least carry the tune), and I ran out of things to do. Then, I went over to Mr.Iken's class, feeling fairly useless and had a great lesson on Rudolph (although I finished way early too). I was so frustrated when I left.... the CP teacher Anne-Laure probably thought... what a waste of time!

So I went to Laurence's office, to look for more stuff to bring next time... and for a reason to stay out of the apartment longer. I made copies of the Christmas Bingo and made an easy version for the little kids. Hopefully that will be a little more interactive, and a little more in English. They really like the books in English, but I feel bad that all I do is read in English, translate poorly in French, and they learn 2 or 3 words from the whole experience. I think the main problem is that I'm not coming in with an activity to do along with the book. I always have something extra, but it doesn't always relate directly with the book.... or at least this time around it didn't. Oh well, I'm being hard on myself, but I just feel like I can do better... usually I can think on my toes a little faster and come up with something, but I was just out of it today.

Laurence wasn't at her office, but I got to use her computer and talk to her colleagues. I also read a book (in English) about how to effectively use stories in English as a way to introduce English grammar structures, foreign language vocabulary, and how to extend the two with fun activities. I do a few of things they suggested already, but it gave me even more ideas:) How convenient that they had this particular book on the shelf!

I've decided I miss writing out lesson plans. Most teachers reading this are going to think I'm crazy, but I feel like I teach much better if I've got the objective and how it relates to the activity in mind. So... even though it's more work, I'm going to start doing that again. And with all of this work going on in my apartment, I think the extra work will give me something to do cooped up in my bedroom (the only room that isn't a complete disaster).

Anyway, the apartment, is gross. They took all the wallpaper off the walls, so it looks disgusting, but I know that will only last so long. They told me they'd be done by next week though, so that's good news. I was worried that it would be a disaster zone when I got back from Switzerland. I guess now it will just be a disaster zone when I leave. The electrician is working later today, which is annoying because I'd really like to move about freely.... and get the refrigerator out of my bedroom... although it was nice to be able to have something to drink when I got up from my nap;)

Reste cool and enjoy the light pictures. I'm going down town again tonight!