Reflections (this is probably going to be boring, FYI)

Although today was a National strike (la grève), I left around the same time as yesterday and got to the formation 5 minutes faster than I did yesterday morning (I took the tram to the metro because I didn't know if the buses would keep their regular schedules). Not everyone strikes on these days and the transportation system isn't hit quite at hard as when there are transportation specific strikes (which unfortunately, Victor and I have experienced...it's almost impossible to get anywhere, so let's hope they keep their transportation workers happy over the next few months!).

The in-service seemed to go on forever today. I'm not sure if it was because I knew what to anticipate or if it was because I was sitting next to someone who didn't bother showering before coming in today... but it dragged. I opted not to drink the free coffee at the break time, so I'm sure I was also a little less focused. But for a while, I was trying hard to think of excuses to get me out of there (of course I would have never used one because I'm too much a rule follower to try to get out of a mandatory meeting).

At lunch I ate and talked with some of the same folks from yesterday... and it started me thinking about why I am here. There are a variety of people doing this program for a variety of reasons. Some, especially those from England, are here as a way to continue their studies in French. Some are fellow, already-graduated French majors with little idea of what they want to do with their French degree or are using this opportunity to get better/use their French. And then there are others that like French... and who are just using this as another year to fill time before they figure out what they want to do next with their lives. And then there is moi. I'm definitely the only one with a degree in teaching, and might be one of the very few interested in pursuing it as an actual career.

So- I started thinking... why am I here? Is this really the best program for me? I already know how to teach. No, I'm not a veteran teacher, but I've been through student teaching, I've been through courses that explain why and how to teach children certain things at certain levels, I've had real time experience with different age groups and with different needs, etc. It is true that I've never taught English to a class of non-English speakers, so that's new... and some of the activities that we went over today and yesterday aren't new to me, just new to me in this context... so it hasn't been totally wasted time.

But, all the way home, it bothered me that I couldn't remember why I was here. Yeah it's cool to say I've lived abroad, but I don't really care about that. I could have easily gotten a teaching job and had a real salary if I had stayed home. And yet... I'm here. It isn't easy, I miss my family, I miss my boyfriend, I miss my friends. I talk to them as much I can, but it's not the same as if I were really there...

Of course, to add to my frustration, as soon as I got home, I realized my phone line had been cut off. I freaked out... trying everything I could think of to get it working again, unplugging and replugging things in... I called Victor frantically... I called Laurence to ask for French phone line advice... and then we figured it out- I don't have very much money in my French bank account, and I've been using my land line to call cell phones at home (my unlimited international calling is a little more limited than I thought, it costs 0,27 euros/minute to call a US cell phone, yikes! Free for US landlines only, stupid fine print...). Turns out they must have some sort of automatic link between my phone and my bank account.... and it cuts me off so I don't go over?

So I put on my running shoes and my sweat suit and literally ran to the bank to deposit more money. As soon as I got home, everything worked again. GAH!

On this little running adventure, a woman, maybe in her 40's, asked me if running made me feel good. I was like, yeah, it helps me get rid of pent up energy when I'm frustrated... and it's healthy I guess. She said, hmm, I've never done sports before, but I think maybe I should try something because I have arthritis. I said, hmm, maybe you shouldn't run, but swimming might be good to try. And then we went on about our banking business. I thought, huh, first of all, cool, I just had a coherent conversation in French without her really knowing I'm not French... and second of all, I'm glad I could encourage someone to try something new.

On my run home, I thought, that's why I'm here! (No, not to give running pep-talks to the French.) I'm here for the cultural exchange. I'm here to learn about their culture, their food, their language, and then to share it with my friends and family. I'm also here to share my culture, my hobbies, my ideas, and my language with the French so that they can share it with their friends and family. (The link between the running story and my sort-of epiphany isn't that magical, but tant pis, that's how it happened).

Although my original reasons for coming to teach in France were to get better at my French (that I studied so hard to learn) and to learn how to teach a foreign language... I think my objectives for being here have changed a little. I know when I come home there will be limited teaching-of-a-foreign language job opportunities at the Elementary level. I also know that I won't be able to keep up with the level of French that I acquire once I return home. But, what I can bring to the table is my newfound cultural experience. I can teach my kids to raise their little fingers instead of their hands. I can insert little French phrases with them or with my own children. I can teach them songs in French. I can start an after-school French club. I can invite friends and family over for a typical French dinner party. I can "right" the "wronged" stereotypes about the French culture. I can show people pictures and write a blog about the amazing new places and interactions I have all over Europe. And hopefully, before I leave, I can impart some newfound cultural experiences to the students I work with, the teachers I collaborate with, and other intrigued bank-goers around the Lyon community, who are wondering why I'm running around Saint-Priest at dinner time to make a deposit at the bank.

Anyway- this may have been painful to read, but I feel like I needed to make it known why I'm here. I hope, for your sakes, that tomorrow, I go do something fun, so that I can blog about it:)

Miss you all. Reste Cool:)

I’m a winner!

I know you’re all waiting to hear how the so called “battle” between France and I went… well, let’s just say I’m a winner!!!! For now anyway. After checking online to make sure my bank location was open, I found out that, oh it is not open on Mondays… that figures. (As a reminder to you, I needed to go to the bank to acquire a RIB form, or a little piece of paper with my account numbers on it to be able to finally get internet and telephone for my apartment.) Although my bank location was closed, I checked to see if there were any others open. Thankfully, there was one open in my region and I copied down the map from the internet to go straight there this morning.

Then it got tricky. This bank was located in the Parc Technologique. It was easily accessible by tram, but once off the tram, this technology park (or industrial park) was not very walker friendly. It was basically a large office complex (and I do mean large). There were only little green signs on the buildings to denote what offices were held where… and of course I didn’t have much to go off of except the little map I drew. After walking to about 10 different buildings and no luck, I decided I was in trouble. Fortunately, I had also copied down the phone number. I called, got lost some more, called again, and the man came outside to meet me. Of course on his way out, he lit a cigarette, which he needed to finish before going back inside. While we stood there talking, he asked if I had an appointment and what I needed. Of course, I had no appointment; I was just waltzing in like any other person in battle might do. I told him what I needed and he said… A what? I said you know… like the thing with all the numbers on it… and he said… oh, well we’re more of like the business behind the bank, not an actual bank location. I’m sure my face went white or I looked like he had just killed my cat because he immediately said, but we’ll see what we can do. So he stamped out his cigarette and we headed upstairs.

He took the papers I had and returned with 3 copies of the RIB. WOOHOO! I did a little dance as I walked out. Nice job little smoking French man.

Then, it was time to head back to the SFR store (just one tram stop away). Of course they remembered me and very quickly got it all set up. I am to wait for a guy to come install my telephone line from 15h-17h (or 3-5pm) on October 7th. Then, I will receive a text message and an email from SFR when my neufbox comes into the more local shop in Saint-Priest. Once I have this neufbox, I can plug everything up and have internet, phone, and HGtv. Hurray! So hopefully within the next 2 weeks I will finally have it all figured out, which is good because my internet hasn’t worked all day. Hopefully I can log on long enough to post thisJ

After all this hard work, I stopped for a ham and cheese crepe (yumz). Then I did a bit of

grocery shopping so that, although I ate out all day, tomorrow, I can start cooking at home. As soon as I got home, I got a text from another assistant who wanted to meet up in Lyon. Her name is also Lindsey (but with an e), and she will be the high school English assistant in Saint-Priest. It was great to finally meet and to talk to someone about the program, the city, living in France, etc. We got caught in the rain though and it was mighty chilly. So we stopped off at an H&M to find me a hat. It is a very French-y winter hat, but it will keep me and my ears nice and warmJ

We crossed back and forth from Presqu-ile (where she’s looking for housing) to the Vieux Lyon for some early dinner (well it was 5:30, so I was ready for dinner). Apparently, I’ve forgotten that the French don’t eat dinner until after 7pm… and trying to find something open between 5-7 is not easy. So instead of sitting down to eat somewhere, we just went to a boulangerie for

pizza and desert (at least that’s what I ate). The pizza is a little different, but very good. And tonight I tasted a Lyon specialty- the pink pralines brioche. Really it is the pink praline that is the specialty and they add it to different pastries. A brioche is a type of sweet roll, and I’m not sure why the praline is pink. But it is BRIGHT pink. This is the view from the bakery.

I’m back home, ready to rest. I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow and I like it (except a dinner date with Laurence's family). I need to rest my legs and prepare for my orientation on Wednesday (by doing nothing). If anything I’ll go find where the orientation is in Lyon, but otherwise I’ll be tidying up and putting away my laundry that is still trying to dry. This is an interesting tid-bit about my apartment… I don’t think I have heat. So when it is cold, my wet laundry does not dry very fast. I’m wondering if I’m just too stupid to find the heat or if it really doesn’t exist. I’m also wondering how much a space heater costs. Until then, I'll be cranking up the "bunson burners" on my oven.

Miss you all. Reste cool!

Taking things into my own hands

After a minor melt down last night and a call to my momma, I decided that this whole "kind of having internet" thing isn't going to work for me. And the alternative to stealing the free wifi, is getting a real phone and internet plan, which includes free international calling and HGtv. Currently, I'm using my pay-as-you-go phone to call or text home, which is costing an arm and a leg, so getting a real deal all set up for only 30 euros a month is a win-win all-in-all.

So my plan for today was to go all over Lyon. Well that plan changed to calling Laurence first thing in the morning. Unfortunately for me, Laurence did not answer and her daughter Laura said she would call back in the afternoon. I guess they do have their own lives, but WHAT ABOUT ME? Of course, this morning the internet worked, so I looked up providers and locations to make it easier for when Laura could call me back. After a few hours of waiting around, cleaning my apartment, pouring over a few maps of Lyon, I decided it was time to take this into my own hands. So I texted Laura that I was going to have a go at for myself, and she texted back, I think I'm confused about what you want to do. LOL. So I guess it was a misunderstanding... but either way, I went on my way.

At first I thought there was a SFR store right in St. Priest. Well, there is not. So after walking around in a few circles, I decided to ask someone, and then someone else (because the first woman didn't have a clue about what I was talking about). Thankfully, the second woman (a nice little old woman in a patisserie) told me to hop on the tram (which I now know how to use thanks

to my adventures with Laura yesterday) and go to the Porte des Alpes. I blindly followed these directions in hopes that this SFR store would be very obviously located at the tram stop.

It turns out, Porte des Alpes is a mall, with an IKEA, a few restaurants with free wifi (yay backup plans), tons of cute shops, and the SFR! I got in line, said I'm sorry if my French is bad, but I'm American, and the woman said, Oh no problem, I have someone who speaks English. This man, did speak some English, but translating phone and internet service terms is no easy task. We went back and forth and for a while I thought- YES, it's going to happen! But, after

figuring out that I did not yet have a French credit card, I would not be able to attain the service after all. I did just open my account, so he said that there was a chance I had been given the RIB (some sort of identification code) and if I could go back home to get it, or stop by the bank to ask for it, I'd would be all set. Well- of course, I didn't have it in my documents, and the bank is closed during the weekend (I only know, because I walked across town to see). So, bringing what I did have with me, I went back to the SFR store just to see... but no luck. Alas, FRANCE-1, LINDSAY-0. But as Victor says, it's who wins the war, not each battle. So bring it on France. Bring it on. Come Monday, I shall have this so called RIB thingy I need, and Monday afternoon I will have completed the beginning of the 2 week process to achieve reliable internet. Until then, let's hope this free wifi plays nice.

So after my grueling defeat of battle #1 by myself, without a French person to hold my hand (Laura), I sat a cafe and ate a nice, warm crêpe au nutella and a coca-cola light (as they call diet coke). With my tummy full and my spirits a little higher, I decided since I was a few stop closer to Lyon, I might as well go into the city for an hour or so until my little legs could travel no more.

At first, I thought I'd just ride the tram all the way in and walk. After stepping foot off the tram, I decided I would immediately hop on the metro because my little legs weren't doing so well. New words to live by: If ye are not familiar with where ye are headed, thou shalt not wear cute

shoes, nay, ye shall wear sensible tennis shoes. Anyway, I got off the metro right into the heart of Lyon at the Place Bellecour. Although I have only been in Lyon once, for about a total of 5 hours with Leslie, I knew where I was. The statue of Louis XIV on a horse, churches in the distance, and a huge square in the middle of Lyon, covered in reddish pebbles. This time was different, yes, it's colder and the ferris wheel was gone, but for the first time I didn't feel the overwhelming feeling of having to figure out where I was because I had been here before.

Then my little legs started to feel a little perkier and I adventurously went off in search of the big, beautiful church, St. Jean. I could see it in the distance and headed in the right direction. I passed an interesting roller blade competition (guys weaving in and out of little cones to blasting American music). I passed chic little boutiques and remembered that Lyon is full of chic little boutiques- hurray! I went in one, looked at a price tag and walked right back out. I passed an adorable baby clothes shop, and took a picture to show you. I passed chic candy shops and cafes. And arrived at the church with the little fountain in front. After a few pictures, I decided I'd better start back since, although I had some sense of direction, I didn't bring my giant map with me to help if I got lost.

Ironically enough, on my way back to the Place Bellecour, I passed a book store and went in to see if they had any small detailed map books (I have one for Paris that was very discrete and handy on a daily basis). Sure enough, I found one. I also found copies of the French version of Twilight. No, I know what you're thinking, I didn't buy them (yet), but I did take pictures of them because they have different titles.

Anyway, I wound my way back to the metro, hopped on and felt like I could eat a cow. I guess this is why the French eat so much, with all the walking, a crepe for dinner isn't going to cut it. On the way home (about a 30 min. tram ride) I passed a McDo (McDonald's, pronounced MacDoe), and momentarily thought about hopping off for a nice juicy hamburger royale. But, I decided I better just hold off until I got home where I have a jar of nutella and grapes waiting for me in the fridge. Buff. (At least I think that now is an appropriate time to use this sound).

So, for now, I am content. I have internet back up plans until I get it all situated, a long-term plan in the making, and a tummy full of de-seeded grapes (I can only find grapes with seeds at my grocery store) and nutella, and a better understanding of the transportation system. Since I have a whole day to go before my plan of attack can being on Monday, I guess I'll have another go at touring Lyon, but this time I'll be wearing my chic, yet sensible puma trainers.

Reste cool mes amis! Tu me manques beaucoup!!! (I miss you guys!)