happy poisson d'avril!

Ugh! What a terrible start to the month of April! I got up on time, after a weird dream about having a wolf/saber tooth tiger attack at my home in Virginia. I got ready for Corrine to pick me up and take me to the lab to get blood drawn. We got there, waited 2 hours, and I paid 50 euros for the stupid prise de sang. When my number was finally called, I went into the room with the scary old French woman who didn't say much but, "You didn't eat breakfast, did you?" I said no... and explained that I sometimes pass out when I get blood drawn. She went, buff, and stuck me with the needle. Before I knew it I was seeing spots and out I went! I woke up with my legs in the air and the woman saying, "Caldo? Caldo?" Wait- or was that in Italy... he he HA. (april fool's!)

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:)

chez le médecin

Well Monday morning I got an email back from Docteur Champetier for a rendez-vous at 1:30pm. Of course all morning I kept thinking.... but of course, the day I do go to the doctor, I feel fine! I had several nice lessons... working on weather with the little kids, writing penpal letters with Carol's class to send to my friend Caitlin's class, and more Gingerbread man themed activities with the older kids to work on prepositions. I had a nice lunch from the cantine- roasted potatoes, breaded cheese patty (kind of like a big mozzarella stick), salad, bread, and waffle for dessert.

I went to pay my rent check, but the office was closed... so I had enough time to go home and check email before heading to his office. I kept thinking.... well surely- I'm running around all over Saint-Priest, shouldn't I be feeling winded or something similar to how I felt this weekend? I didn't even get my extra amount of sleep because our clocks finally sprung forward on Sunday and I wasn't tired at 9:30 because it felt like 8:30.

But I felt fine. I contemplated just canceling my appointment, but thought- no I've made it this far, better just go see what he says. I got to his office, waited a few minutes, and before long I was sitting in front of his messy desk retelling him everything I had written in my email. He examined me (took my blood pressure and listened to me breath)... and was writing me prescriptions for vitamins and supplements before I knew it. He also printed out information to get my blood drawn and gave me a referral to see a cardiologist. I left shaking my head- lol 23 euros for him to tell me to go spend more money at different offices I have to call and find.... when I am essentially fine. It would be one thing if all the medical offices were in the same building, I wouldn't have much of an excuse then. But I haven't the faintest idea where to go to find these places (other than using google maps), what bus I have to take where, how much these things are going to cost even with my French health card that reimburses me within a few weeks.

I got home and chatted with my mom about it.... and I've decided to see how I feel this week and get blood taken Friday morning when I don't have work. Corinne asked me all about my doctor's appointment this morning at school and I explained that I'm supposed to go to the lab... but I don't know where to go and that I often pass out when getting blood drawn anyway. By the time I left her class, she was telling me to email her this week if I wanted her to take me Friday morning because she also doesn't work on Fridays. So I guess I have no excuse now- and it doesn't hurt to just make sure I'm all clear. However, I forgot I am supposed to go help a class make American pancakes Friday morning.... maybe I'll get blood drawn first, then go eat pancakes to build back my strength:)

Anyway- that's what's up with me! When I'm not running around Saint-Priest or going to school, I've started obsessing over wedding reception venues:) So that's a fun excuse to stay in and rest.

Oh- and I forgot to mention something cute from this morning... Pierre, the director, gave me a piece of paper and said, "Do you understand?" I was like.... uh give me a minute to see what this is. It was some sort of performance review of the work I've done at their school and everything was very, very nice. In the suggestions box, it said: Cloner Lindsay:) Pierre said, "Do you understand- we mean like, you know, with Dolly?" Haha- yes, I get it. Anywho- I thought that was cute:)

Time to go Reste cool:) You do the same!

Going to the Doctor... in France (part 2)

Well my body seems to have the worst timing ever! I started feeling really sick again last night and sent my doctor an email. This thankfully works... I'm shocked that I can even do it! I was able to tell him exactly what was wrong with me and why I couldn't be getting sick (I'm going to Italia!!!). He sent me an email back saying my appointment would be at 11:30am. I got up this morning.... feeling ok, got ready, started feeling worse... but trucked it down the street to his office.

The other doctor in the practice was in today, so the waiting room was more full. It's so amazing how easily the doctors come out and the next patient gets up and goes into the room. There's no sign in list... no way to make sure they know who is next.... the doctor just comes out, shakes the hand of the next person who stands up and you go into the office. When you go into the office, you hand them your carte vitale...which brings up your medical history and medications you're on. You tell the doc what's up and he asks you to come over to his examining table.

He listened to me breath, took my blood pressure, made me say "Ahhh" and that was that. He said, "You've had a fever?" I said... "Yeah, pretty sure." And then the next thing I know he's writing me a prescription for amoxicillin, a steroid you dissolve in water, nose spray, cough syrup, and more paracetamol. I paid my 23 euros (unsure how that fits into the cost and trouble of getting my stupid health card), we shook hands, and that was that!

I went to the pharmacy right away, getting everything I needed. This cost was reduced with my card at least (only paid 9 euros for 4 boxes of amoxicillin and more). I also stopped at the grocery store getting lots to drink and a few last minute things before Victor gets here. He arrives into the Lyon airport around 11:30 tomorrow. I hope these drugs work their magic!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

Reste cool:)

Going to the Doctor... in France

I was still feeling pretty pathetic this morning... so I emailed Laurence and told her I'd like to go to the doctor if she was available today. I called her a little later and she said she'd call the doctor's office I found online. She emailed me right back saying that I had an appointment for 2:00 this afternoon. She came by to pick me up a few minutes before and the doctor's office was just down the street. She was shocked at how close it was.... so I guess when you need to find the nearest doctor, google is your friend.

We went into the office... there was no sort of receptionist, just a waiting room. We sat down across from a little kid and his dad. The doctor came by and had them go in first. They were done in 10 minutes and he called us in. He shook our hands and had us sit down at his desk. He asked to see my carte vitale, my French health insurance card.... but I haven't been sent mine yet. (Laurence vouched for me that I worked for the schools and that I just hadn't received my card yet.) He asked what was wrong with me... a couple of other questions (allergies, date of birth), and then had me lay down on the bed in the same room as his office. He listened to me breath, took my blood pressure, and announced that I had la grippe, or the flu. I thought.... alrighty then- just what we thought. He prescribed me some ibuprofen, paracetamol, cough syrup that tastes like butterscotch, something for my tummy, and some sort of nose spray that disinfects your sinuses. He told me to lay off the ibuprofen because that's what has upset my stomach... only take it at meal times and if absolutely necessary. I paid for my visit, 23 euros, and we were on our way.

Laurence took me grocery shopping... which was very nice of her to do. I felt a little woozy walking around the store, but got a few things I needed (paper towels, tissues, and juice!). After shopping, she took me to the pharmacy to pick up the meds I needed. For some reason they gave me 2 or 3 of everything, so I guess I'll be set for the rest of the year. In total, for 8 different boxes of medicine, I paid 19 euros!

When we got back to my apartment, Laurence walked me up with my groceries and showed me what to do with the paperwork to get reimbursed for the doctor's visit and the medicine. Had I had my carte vitale, I know the doctor's visit would have been free and the medicine would have been reimbursed too. But.... at the end of the day, not too bad as far as not really being insured yet!

I am feeling much better... just very tired. The doctor told me to stay home all week, so I guess I will unless I'm feeling back to normal Thursday. It's so odd- all of my teachers have said, stay home stay home! Feel better! Get rid of your germs soon! So I guess if you're sick, they don't want you to come back until you're back to normal. I'm ok with that.

Okie dokie, time to go take a cat nap. Miss you all!

Reste cool:)

la greepppe- bleh

Salut- I'm not feeling too hot today.... la grippe (the flu) is going around all the schools and I think I've caught a little something. Thankfully, my dad brought me a few cough medicines I didn't need before, but am taking advantage of now! I'm bummed though because I'm supposed to babysit tonight for Corinne's kids.... and I called to let her know this morning that I had a little fever (I had one of those little disposable thermometers), and that I still wanted to come tonight, but didn't want to get her kids sick. She said she'd call again this afternoon to see how I'm doing, but that it probably wouldn't be a big deal to leave Julien to babysit the girls by himself. But.... we shall see. I don't have anything but couch laying and water drinking on the list of things to do today!

Besides starting to feel sick last night, I had a great double school day. The kids were cute as usual... although many were absent.... I didn't stay for lunch at the first school, so I was able to have a few hours to hang out and eat lunch chez moi. I've sort of decided that until Murielle comes back, I can use my afternoon lessons as an excuse to just come home and not feel like I'm in the way. When I got to the second school, the teacher that I sent materials to print and make copies of had forgotten because she was being observed today! She was mortified, but I just went to the computer lab and printed the stuff off I needed and was on my way. I had 2 really nice lessons where the kids went around and asked their peers what they had for breakfast.... and then I talked to another teacher who was interested in having me come for a few English lessons. She wants to do a Valentine's Day lesson.... so of course I couldn't say no! I love Valentine's Day and they don't really celebrate it here, except for between older married couples.... We will be making heart cards galore:)

Okie dokie, can't type much more, I'm having a hard time concentrating. Ugh! I hate being sick!

Reste cool:)