Yes- that was all made up.... it is April Fool's Day, don't you know! :) Except for the part about the wolf/saber tooth tiger dream- that part really did happen.
In all actuality- getting my blood drawn was no big deal. Corrine came to pick me up at 8:05 on the dot, we drove over to the lab, and found a parking spot right in front. She helped me talk to the receptionist and figure out how much I could weigh in kilos (I had no idea!). The woman asked, "What kind of accent do you have??" She was very nice, before and after realizing I wasn't French.... I was doing a very poor job of speaking coherent French because I was nervous.... so it was a good thing Corinne was there to both translate my mumbles and listen to everything she said because I wasn't catching it all. I paid 30 euros, but will most likely get reimbursed for most of it.
As we waited (only about 10 minutes), I asked Corinne a few questions to make sure I understood what the receptionist had said. She sort of chuckled at me.... probably thinking- it's a good thing I'm here! When I was called up, I went into the back and was ushered into the room by a very sweet French woman, who asked me all about where I was from and what I was doing in France. I felt the prick and started to feel a little faint. But, the woman got me talking again.... and I didn't even know it was over:) I know, I know, I'm such a baby.... but I have been known to pass out from a finger prick....
She said, "You're all set," and gave me a little green card to bring with me tomorrow to pick up my test results. They do not send the results directly to the doctor.... which I find odd, but Corinne explained that once you get the results, you look over them and if anything looks like it's not right, you take them to your doctor to be re-examined. I was like- ugh... I have no idea how to examine blood test results. She said they'd take a look at them for me tomorrow when I come over to tutor/babysit. I got switched to tutoring Saturday because they're going to lunch at a friend's house on Sunday.... and since I'll already be over there, they asked if I'd like to stick around and babysit for them... so I said, of course!
After coming out of the back, we said au revoir to the other people in the waiting room (you say bonjour as you come in to everyone sitting down and you say au revoir as you leave.... it's kind of cute).... and across the street we went for some pain au chocolat- Corinne's treat:) She's so nice!
She dropped me off and said let us know if you need anything! After my little feast of chocolate croissants and OJ.... I'm feeling pretty good:)
I know I didn't write anything yesterday, but I did have a good day. At my first school, I got to work with a few small groups in the CP class, which was a nice change. However, one little girl pinched a kid when she thought I wasn't looking, so I had her sit out of the game for a few minutes. Before letting her rejoin, I bent down and asked her if she knew why she was in trouble. She just laughed at me. I said, ok then, I can wait. So less than 5 minutes later, I said would you like to participate in the game? (Yes.) Can you tell me why you're in trouble? (Because I was too loud.) No, that's not really why you are being punished. It's true you could have been a little quieter, but you're not being punished for that. Why else, do you think? (Because I pinched Matthieu.) Yes, and why did you pinch him? (Because I wanted to.) Is it very nice to pinch others? Do you like being pinched? (No.) What should you do differently next time? (Not pinch or be loud.) Can you participate in the game without pinching and treat your peers nicely? (Yes.)
..... It was so weird. It was like no one had ever asked her why she was being punished.... and I can understand that coming from this class/school. In the same class period, this teacher screamed at 2 other kids and had them sit out of the game for good.... not once asking them why they were being punished or talking to them about their behavior. This teacher also had one kid stand behind his chair for the rest of the hour because he kept fidgeting in his seat.... and it was only because he excited about the activity. What a way to humiliate him and ruin his spirit! Then before lunch, the teacher had them line up in the hall... called one kid out for talking (although many were), and had them all go sit back down. While they were sitting, she said, "You can all thank Killian for making you go sit back down." The kids actually said merci Killian, out loud. I was just like, blown away at that.... what kind of message does that send to these kids? And poor Killian!
But thankfully, I had had two great lessons before this one, and I was able to save the one kid from missing out on the entire game.... so that was a plus. I left school with a lot of the kids leaving for lunch. One kid walked with me and told me all about where he lived and pointed out his apartment.... how to push the button to go in.... He said, "Our name is even in all caps on the door!!" It was super cute. He asked me where I was going and I said.... I'm catching the bus to go home for lunch too! He looked down the street and said, "Well, it's coming, so I guess... à jeudi!" (See you Thursday!)
Before my afternoon class, I passed a coach bus carrying Corinne's class on their way to the pool. It was so funny to turn and see all their hands waving at me (Corinne's hand included hehe). I also ran into Nathalie in the hallway, and she wanted to see if I wanted to come over to her house for lunch/dinner before I left the country. She said maybe the last week I'm here we could work something out:)
Then later last night, I received a nice email from my afternoon teacher, saying how much she and the kids enjoy my lessons. She also said she'd like to get together with me and the other teachers one last time before I leave too! How nice:)
Anyway, it is supposed to be a gorgeous weekend- high of 72 and sunny. Once I am fully recouped from this morning, I may go find a sunny spot to read a book this afternoon:) We shall see!
Bon weekend! Reste cool:)
Wow, love your header! Were you in a hot air balloon? Very nice. You will be busy with all wanting a little time with you before you leave. Judi
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