Vacation already?

Today is my last day of work before la Toussaint vacation. Tonight, I leave for Vienna and I am going to spend 10 days backpacking around Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Berlin. I am very excited! In Berlin, I am staying with my friend Maren, the former CHS German exchange student. It should be fun!

Work has been going well; I really like teaching. My schedule is sometimes frustrating though because I have Week A and Week B, and sometimes I go to a class every week other times I only see students once a month. I haven't even met some of the students yet. I am helping out with 19 different classes--I doubt I will ever learn all of the student's names! Also, my schedule changed and no one told me and then the teachers were like, where were you? Also, my schedule only indicates an empty room I can use with the students not the room the actual teacher uses. The problem is, not all of the teachers want me to take the students by myself so sometimes I go to the wrong room because it is different on my schedule and then I just wander around the school until I find the right room.


The students are really nice for the most part. Some are really enthusiastic about learning English. The other day the students had to write an article about me for their teacher and they were hilarious! Part of the assignment was to describe me physically. One student said "She has one protruding green eye." Just one? Protruding? :) Also, a few said I have a "long face." The students were referencing a photo of me that was taken in Chicago on the Michigan Ave. bridge. One girl said, "She is so tall. We can't see buildings." Also, "She is an almond-shape eyed girl." "She is so well put together." "He likes to play cheese in America." I have to admit that last one is odd because even if the student meant "chess," I never said that.

Things are going well despite the minor annoyances. It is nice that I live right on campus and can go home to eat or sit around during breaks. I don't eat in the cafeteria everyday because it is a four course meal! That is a lot for me to eat at lunchtime, I want to go take a nap afterwards! Also, in the teacher's lunch room there is wine and cheese platters. I doubt the teachers in the US have wine at lunch!

They have already put Christmas decorations up in town and the weather is very cold! Winter is almost here. Luckily, the heat in my appartment works now! I now appreciate the usefulness of a radiator as a makeshift dryer for laundry.

This past week, I went to Nancy a couple of times. I went once to sign up for French classes that start after vacation. I also went with Laura because we got free tickets to go to an art museum and a history museum. I also found out about a pass I can buy that allows me to get into museums free and get reduced prices on theater, concert, dance, and movie tickets. Last Tuesday, I went to Nancy for my medical visits (required to obtain my carte de sejour). They told me I need glasses!

Some photos of Nancy:

The park:
Fountain in Place Stanislas:

Okay, that's all for now. When I return from my trip I will update again!