Dîner a la français

First of all, the french don't say 'se souper'- it's a Canadian thing. Lesson learned :)

It was a Friday night when I had my very first dinner with a French family. One of the teachers at my Lycee invited us to her home.

Her name is Aziza and her husband is Francis. Aziza teaches Spanish. They have two sons, Paul and Adam and another teacher, Alexia, also joined us. Alexia teaches Spanish, as well.

We arrived around 7pm. Rule #1 of dining with the French: ALWAYS bring something for the host(ess). We missed this rule. It won't happen again.

Rule #2: Always greet with a bise.

First, their house. It's under construction (Francis is a carpenter, so he is fixing it himself) but I can't even begin to describe how stunning this house was. The rooms were large and it was almost open concept, but not quite. The ceilings were my favorite. They were high. So high. And they were original. White with intricate designs. I promise to take a photo next time. It was like stepping into a French novel. The walls were even cracked. I am in love with this house.

I stole this photo from Pablo- it doesn't even begin to capture the untouched beauty of the house

As we sat down to eat, Francis set benches (which he made) in front of us. They quickly filled them with les aperitifs. We had olives, sausage, tomatoes, pistachios, chips, and champagne. It was delicious. We picked away at these for over an hour, talking about our home countries in a mixture of French, English, and Spanish. It was the most lovely way to start this adventure.

Next, Aziza served le fromage. Cheese tray! My favourite, of course. We also switched to wine at this point. There were countless types of cheese. We ate it with some bread and meat (ham and a salted ham).

My favourite cheese was the goat cheese which Alexia brought with her from her home town in the South of France. To start with, it had something black on the outside. It was ashes. Yup. I was skeptical, but when in France, do as the French. Let me just say: WOW. I don't think that I could call the stuff that I've been eating goat cheese. Alexia's cheese was just so smooth and creamy. It wasn't too tart, but also not sweet. It was literally perfection. I could survive on just that from now until I leave. I honestly don't know how I am going to go back to Canadian goat cheese.

Another stolen photo from Pablo

Finally, we ended with les gouffres. It's a traditional dessert in the North. Very similar to a waffle, but denser and sweeter. Also, you eat them cold. Very good.

As we said our goodbyes, les bises were exchanged. A successful night indeed!

Les Vacances

I am officially one week into my first holiday!

Today I am leaving London. I am heading to Croatia for 1 full week to explore!

Yes, I am travelling alone (sorry Mom!) and I am backpacking, but I am so excited for the adventures that are coming my way.

I will be travelling sans ordinateur, so I will be out of touch for a week!

I DO have a post scheduled to go up on Monday though, so enjoy that :)

If you don't hear from me by next Monday (November 4th), send a search party! ;)

Bye, bye London!

London

Today I am off to London to spend a few days with some beautiful cousins- I need a little family fix :)


Expect a little something on here on Saturday!

The Bise

Before coming to France, I had intended to spend my summer reading books about France. I got through two before the craziness that was my (fabulous) summer job took hold of my life: French Women don't Get Fat and French at Heart.

In French at Heart, the author talks about the Bise. it's a traditional French greeting. An air kiss on either cheek. Its soooooooo French ;) You also bise when you say goodbye.

It was my third day in France when I partook in my first Bise. We were at a dinner party at a teacher's house and her little sons, 8 &5, gave all of us assistants our first bise. It was adorable.

Since then, I have been trying to figure out the rules of the bise. When do you have to do it? With whom? When you first meet someone? Only with friends? Who initiates it?

I've just been flying off the seat of my pants with this one. It's fun though and the bise makes me feel like a true femme française.

Be careful, this may become a thing when I return. Les Bises for everyone!!

Language Assistant Survival Kit

Today is the big day. I start to teach!

Last week I received a gift from a few of the English teachers. They are all so sweet.

Here is what they gave me- my Language Assistant Survival Kit:

1. A note pad- to keep notes on my lessons and write down all of my brilliant ideas

2. Files- so I can keep all my documents together for my various classes. One for Seconde (Grade 10), one for Primaire (Grade 11), and one for Terminale (Grade 12)

3. An Agenda to keep track of all of my classes and appointments

4. A ruler- all of the French students have one and they use them regularly! My teacher told me that I can use it to cross off everything once it's done, because finishing something is a GREAT feeling

5. Post-it notes- essential for every person. ever. I used these all summer and I cannot explain how much I appreciate the big pack that she gave me

6. Various pens (in all colours) and a mechanical pencil

7. Permanent markers for the overhead projector (which they simply call the OHP)

8. Magnets to hang things up (like my Canadian flag and map)

9. Timer- they've all told me that this timer will be my best friend and is the base item that I need. I can use it to time activities, in games, or to keep myself on track!

I think that I am ready to use all of these. The teachers here are so fabulous and helpful. They make me excited to start teaching, But I am also so nervous. I have my lesson for today, but I am still worried. What if the students don't talk? What if they talk too much? What if they don't respect me? Today will be an adventure. One that I am ready for. I think ;)

A Thankful Heart

This year I am thankful from a distance, but thankful none the less!

I am thankful for...

My family who are too far away

My friends at home

My new friends in France

Cara

A beautiful niece who is almost one

My upcoming vacation to London and Croatia

Calais

The letters I received at my going away party- I read them often

My new adventure

Basically, for all of you

Happy Thanksgiving- eat some extra pumpkin pie for me :)

From Canada, with love

Travelling to France was long, but the flights were good. I arrived in Paris around 5AM New Brunswick time. It has been quite the whirlwind. First, let's appreciate that my plane had 63 rows. Yup. They actually had to shuttle us from the plane to the airport in Paris. It was a new plane though- so nice! And there was an empty seat next to me- SCORE!

This was the Moncton-Montreal flight...so pretty!

Let's talk about the flight into Paris for a second. It was absolutely beautiful. We flew over the country, which reminded me of the Prairies because it looked so flat and the fields were divided quite symmetrically. But it was so much more than that. The trees, the houses, the water. It was all just so Parisian. I cannot wait to explore!

Goodbye Canada and Bonjour France!

I was a bit disappointed, though, when I wasn't able to see the Eiffel Tower from the plane. I was expecting it to be more like Toronto, in that sense. When you fly in to TO, you can usually spot the CN Tower and the high-rises downtown. Not so much en Paris. That's okay, though- another excuse for me to come back to Paris at every chance that I get :)

Good news: Customs was a BREEZE! Anyone who is familiar with the London border debacle of 2012 will appreciate knowing that I was let in without any questions AT ALL! They just looked at my passport and let me in.

After making my way through the airport to the train station, I had to wait for my train. I was worried because it took me forever to make my way to the train terminal, but my train was delayed (HALLELUJAH). I would have loved to inform the wonderful woman who is picking me us about this change, but you only get 15mins of free WIFI in the airport. Letting Mom know that I arrived was higher priority- Love you Mom :)

After a late train, missed connection, and arriving at the wrong connection terminal, I made it to Calais. 20 hours after I left NB. It was long, but it was good.

The First Photo of Calais!

Anna, one of the teachers at my school, picked me up. She was so sweet. She took me to get some groceries and let me use her home computer to tell Mom I was in Calais. She even lent me towels so that I could shower. She has been nothing but helpful and sweet since then!

I had a long great travel day. The planes were mostly smooth and I sat by nice people. Remind me to tell you about the time that my luggage was 25lbs over the max max max that they accept. Funny story.

Finally I made it to France- the adventure begins!