Keeping busy!

Hello everyone! I had a pretty exciting day (at least in my opinion)!

When I woke up I checked my e-mail, made some coffee, and waited around until the zombie effect faded. Then, I called the 3 schools I will be working at and made appointments to come introduce myself next week. This might not seem like a huge deal, but to me it felt like I'd climbed Mt. Everest. I've been so self conscious about using my French and how it sounds to others that I was absolutely dreading making these phone calls. However, either they spoke more clearly than people have been in person, or I'm getting better at understanding! I'm not going to say we had perfect conversations, but I was able to exchange information, understand, and be understood. Which is essentially the goal, right?

After this brilliant success, I hoped on the bus, followed by the metro into town. Christophe had given me a pre-paid movie voucher, so I got in line at the counter. I wasn't sure what any of the movies were about, but the movie the woman in front of me chose was starting relatively soon, so I just said the same movie she did.

So... it wasn't the best idea. Don't get me wrong, the movie wasn't bad. I just wasn't in the mood to see a tear jerker with a bunch of old ladies. That's what I get for not doing my research though. And I will admit that I did tear up at the end as well, but not as much as the ladies to my right. It was interesting to watch the movie in French because I obviously didn't understand each and every word, but thanks to being able to watch the scenes and see emotions, I was still able to follow the story line easily. 

So when I get home, I fix myself a little something to eat and when Christophe comes home, we sat in the kitchen for a while and talked about his day. We discussed the movie and apparently it's about an issue that's  been discussed a lot recently in France, which is that people should have to right to essentially euthanize themselves. But, alas, we moved on to other topics. We discussed certain differences between France and the US, different teaching ideas, recent social issues, etc. It was really refreshing. A lot of the conversation was in English, but we've definitely been mixing more French in there. When Anissa came home, she informed us that she was going to the movies later with her Mom and asked if I'd like to come, so I said sure- moving on to movie number 2 of the day!

We went and saw The Secret, which I still haven't decided if I liked or not. I'll give it interesting and mildly entertaining, but also a little crazy and weird. But anyways, this movie was actually played in English and as much as I tried to read the French subtitles, it just wasn't happening. I'd say it was a well deserved break from constant French, but I've definitely spoken more English than French since I've arrived. Oops. 

We actually met a friend of her mothers there and I was speaking to all of them in French and didn't have too hard of a time before the movie, but it was just basic conversation, nothing too fancy. After the movie, we decided to grab a drink at a bar near by. We stopped at Le Dauphin. I had a half draft beer, which was pretty good, but I can't remember what it was called. It was much harder to follow the conversation in the bar for a few reasons. First of all, it was loud. Secondly, it's always harder to participate in group conversations simply because I lack the background knowledge of what they're talking about. I could understand the vocabulary, but if I just don't know where or who they're discussing, I can't really participate. A band started that played mostly rock and sang all in English, so I could understand them at least! It was a really good time though. There was a drunk man dancing all by himself, which Anissa and I had fun laughing about to ourselves. 

I have plans to meet up with another assistant tomorrow, which is great because Anissa has plans with her friends and I should probably start trying to venture out a little more and make my own. We don't know when or where we're meeting yet, but it's nice to have the option now that there are more assistants arriving. 

I've been feeling more optimistic today and I haven't felt quite as out of place. I don't know if this feeling will last or not. It'll probably go away when I try to get official things done, but I think within the month once I'm settled into my own place and have finished with the paperwork end, I'll be ready to sit back, drink a glass (or bottle) of wine, and relax. 

After all, la vie est belle, non?