Home Sweet Home

Wow wow it is over. I arrived on Monday back to Calgary and was very happy to see my baby boy - Hugo. 

Now I need to do a bunch of work around the house because I am going to be hosting an exchange teacher for my adult language School Alliance Francaise. The month seemed to go very fast particularly the last couple of weeks-as you can tell by my lack of posting. I spent my last 3 days in Marseille-kayaking, enjoying the sights and spending one last day on the beach. I'm happy to report that my French is quite good although still not good enough to post here entirely in French.  

I think living with a French teacher is going to really push me to the next level maybe I'll even be able to post here entirely in French. I think I'm going to keep up with the blog as I enjoy sharing and writing down my thoughts. The subject however may change to either  my first year as an administrator or possibly my continual struggle with learning a new language. The big thing that I have learned in this process is - that it is not easy to learn a new language. I can only begin to imagine the anxiety, stress, and overwhelming feeling of failure that our students feel coming to Canada for the first time and learning English. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and continue to check back for updates. 
Have a happy rest of your summer. I of course have a million more plans. Dog sitting, wine touring, and home to Ontario  for one week to visit my family and attend my God-daughter's wedding. Then it's back to work. Where does the summer go?

Butter and Catalonia

No I didn't go to Spain but I did learn about the Catalonian culture from an Irish man in my class who is married to a Catalonian. Trish this post is for you, as these kinds of things only happen to me and these stories always make you laugh.

I bought some butter to put on the fresh bread I buy from the market but it was really hard so I decided I would leave it out on the counter overnight so it could soften, in the morning it was gone? I was so confused and a little scared? Did someone break in? Did I eat it whilst sleep walking? Where could it have gone? Then I realized what had happened. It is really stuffy in my apartment so I leave my terrace door open at night,  (in France they do not use screens- no idea why as I have 1 million mosquito bites because of this) it is the only way to get fresh air. The neighbouring apartment also leaves their terrace doors open but because their cat likes to walk across the terraces and explore. And hence 'the case of the missing butter' is solved. My neighbour how ever needs to solve, 'the case of the sick cat'. LOL

Now if that didn't make you smile here is another story. Everyday in school a person presents traditions from their countries. I presented the first week about all the horrible things we fry up for Stampede, I'm pretty sure everyone here thinks Canadians are crazy. On this day an Irish gentlemen who is married to a Catalonian presented about their BIZARRE Christmas traditions. The first is that of a Log called Tio who children feed in December and then on the 25th of December they beat him with sticks and sing until he poohs presents. Yes I said poohs presents. Not only do they sing about poohing they also include a poohing  Catalonian man in all of their nativity scenes. Of course our VERY PROPER FRENCH teacher corrected the vulgar french word our Irish classmate was using to the describe mard (shit) with the term "caca" but the story was accompanied by lots of pictures (see below) and the class could not contain it's laughter about this word and tradition(best class ever). When asked why the Catalonian's utilize "caca" so much the gentleman said they believe that "caca" is the great equalizer of the world. Everyone does it, so at the time of Christmas it brings us all together. Kind of a nice sentiment no?

Can't believe I only have one more weekend

Saturday I went to Avignon & Les Baux de Provence with the school. Avignon is the premiere site in South France and for the month of July there is theatre/comedy/busker festival. It is a beautiful city and also contains a Palace for the Popes that was utilized before the French schism with the Catholic Church.
After Avignon we went to Les Baux de Provence, we were asked if we wanted to see a media show and I was hesitant but thank god I went beacuse it was AWESOME. You go inside these man made caves and they project famous art on all the walls and roof to music. I can not describe it but it was an awe inspiring experience!
Today I made my VERY early bus to Cannes (missed my bus to Nimes last week :) and spent the morning walking around this popular city. I've been buying WAY too many souvenirs for myself ;) The beaches of the Mediterranean are VERY crowded so opted to spend some money and get myself a private chair. Had a beautiful seafood salad and A LOT of wine.
Now just to make my bus home😉

Parlez et Savon

I honestly can not believe that the month of july is almost over!!! Every year this happens to me. I wait and i wait and i plan for summer and then poof it is gone. this week of school wasnt as good as the past weeks, I think either I have hit a plateau or maybe because I am not seeing the drastic improvement that I want from my language development I'm not sure. I signed up for 2 private lessons and after my lesson last night I had such a headache and sore jaw that I went to bed at 20h (oh yeah everything over here is military time and it takes me 20 secs every time someone tells me the time to figure out what they are saying).

Today we went to soap (savon) making factory and learned how Marseilles Savon is made. I have bought so many bars of soap that I do not think North America will need soap for the next year. It was a really neat experience and we even got to stamp our own choice of designs in the soap. It rained most of the day today which would normally be sad but it hasn't rained one day since I have been here so I can not really complain. Tomorrow I am going to Avignon and les Baux de Provence on a tour with the school. Expect some beautiful pictures as these are very famous and picturesque cities in the south of France.
A tout a heiure

Oh no time is going too fast

Bonjour from Aix!
I can not believe it is Wednesday!!! I swear I was just posting here yesterday. Well time has seemed to speed up which is very sad because although I miss Hugo, friends and family in Canada this experience has been nothing short of amazing. My french is most definitely advancing despite me not moving up in my group on Monday. I was pretty disappointed but I also need to be realistic in that learning a language is not easy (especially at my age). I had a chat with some of my classmates last night over dinner and they all agreed I am very good at knowing the right words but I REALLY struggle with conjugation (I think I struggle with this in English too :). I have signed up for 4 private tutor classes to try and get myself to B1 level before I leave but I am still a high A2 at the moment. Hopefully working at an immersion school with 2 bilingual admin will make sure I don't forget everything when I get back.

Life in the new apartment is beautiful, I have lovely terrrace but miss my family and the prepared meals :) Although Monday night I went there for dinner LOL - I met their new student that is staying with them but she is extremely good at french  (big change from me). I think I have made friends for life with the Chanfrault family as they text and ask how I am everyday.

Today in class I presented on the Calgary Stampede although I missed it this year it was fun to share with my international class the bizarre food and events that make Calgary so unique.
Yesterday I walked to Cezanne's Atelier after class and got a great view of Mount St. Victoire. Aix en Provence is truly a beautiful town and I'm going to miss the exceptional weather in the south of France.

Posting everyday is hard. Especially in French :)

Okay so a lot has happened since the last time I posted,  sorry it's been very busy here. Things here are okay despite the tragedy in Nice. I think that French people are just so sick of everything that's happening in their country they're having a hard time even talking about this tragedy.

Friday was my last day of class with this particular group as a lot of people only take a two-week course but I'm taking 4. After class another student her roommate and I went to Cassis (a beach town about 40 mins away. It was BONKERS busy, I've never seen such a tiny beach so full.

Saturday I was supposed to catch a bus to Nimes but I got lost going to the bus stop because I didn't have my phone (it's not charging properly with the converter that I have) so missed the bus. Because I missed the bus my house mother felt bad for me so she drove me to Marseilles to the Mucem. The Mucem is a museum in a very modern concrete building with a concrete bridge crossing the Mediterranean to an old fort. It was very cool and the Picasso exhibit that is they are right now was also super interesting. Marseilles is a bit of a strange city because parts of it are very rough/dangerous but most of it is very beautiful and of course being on the Mediterranean Sea it has great views.

Today I went to a bunch of towns in what is called the Luberon region,  it is mostly mountainous and desert like, one town actually kind of looked a bit like Arizona with the red soil and buildings. We saw a bunch of lavender fields and this beautiful abbey.

I

I'm always shocked and amazed at how old some of the structures are and how well they have been maintained. Currently it is 11 p.m. here and I'm too tired to post pictures. I promise tomorrow I will be better and post pictures. I have class later tomorrow because a new set of students are coming for the new two-week term and need to have their placement tests. I’m hoping I get placed in a higher level class, not sure I'm there yet but I definitely need the motivation with all the distractions here.

All is well for me, France not so much.

I woke up this morning to write my post for yesterday and was saddened to hear of the news in Nice. FYI I am ok, my city Aix en Provence is 2 hours from Nice. Our Bastille celebration was actually cancelled because of wind. I tremble to think that if Marseilles or Aix had had their celebration that maybe I would be writing a different post. Yesterday was such a great day here, The father of my house and I went for a beautiful abet a bit difficult bike ride to Cezanne's workshop in the mountains. Pics and Video to follow.
No tour de france for me video
Off to school now, prayers to all the families affected by yesterdays attack.

13 juillet 2016

Aujourd’hui je suis comprennent beaucoup. Ma etudie au français sa bonne. Mes amis d'école allons à la Maison pour dejeuner. Nous nous sommes mange du fromage, saucisses et buvant du vin avons le classe apres midi. Cette une bonne affaire de vie.

Demain a la jour de la Bastille. Ne aller pas à l’ecole. Le pere est ma maison comme vous allez faire du velo dans la montagne. Moi je peu, parce que ne sportif pas dans la France est mange et bois plus de pain et vin.

Se soir ma famille et moi voir un film qui est au Aix-en-Provence. Ses vraiment jolie. Nous sommes parlé avec le difference a “bonne” et “bien en France. C’est drole. Le pere et mois son amis et deuxieme le petit de son famille.

12 juillet 2016

Aujourd'hui je suis allé au marché pour gagner fromage et saucisse pour mangont déjeuner avec mes amis demain. Le professeur aujourd'hui Felicia les autres étudiants ne aime pas. Moi que je pence..." c'est différent" est autre professeur Naomi. Mais je ne sais pas mauvaise.  C'est plus difficile pour moi écrire le blog a français. Parce que moi devrait etudie plus.

Il y a jour plus chaude encore. Moi alle à la piscine et bois de vin. À demain.

Week 2 already!

Today was a great day for me in France but not a great day for France. I know many of us in Canada do not follow European football but last night France lost the EuroCup to Portugal. The father at the houae I live was very sad and no one at school mentioned it. My house mother woke up early and made pain perdu (FRENCH TOAST) especially for me. I know I have said this before but this family is awesome. Also we had champagne and orange juice as an appetizer before dinner tonight (AWESOME)
I know I said I would write in french today but I had to post my weekend post and this one and I was too lazy. Tomorrow I promise.

10 juillet 2016

I made it back to Aix but not after enjoying another Market with Holly, Dave and Oscar. It was à flea market and I got some more confortable sandals then my flip flops. Which I think have flopped their last flip in France. I had a lovely dinner with my family which almost concludes with a different type of ice cream treat (I'm so spoiled). Today Canada lost its chance to go to Rio for basketball to France. The father at my house keeps teasing me about it but little does he know I don't really like basketball;)
We are anxiously watching the EuroCup finals, I'm tempted to tease him and cheer for Portugal but I really like staying here. Vive le France!

Bon week-end

Je suis allée à Montpellier et Pezenas pour visité Holly et son famille. La journée ne facile pas. Je departe classe, et marche au autobus à Montpellier, à un tram à Gare Sainte Roch, et le train à Agde. Holly et Dave lève moi à Agde à son voiture pour le journée à ils maison.  The journée à plus longue et tres bonne vois à  Provence et côté d'Azur. Je regarde une grande oiseau sur un cheval? Tres bizarre
Ok so now that I have been hanging out with Holly Im back to speaking english :) but.... EXCITING news - an American girl at my school hated her family (shocking) and so I get to stay with my family an extra week and she's gonna stay in the apartment I rented.
If you ever consider studying a language abroad STAY WITH A FAMILY. I originally thought it might be weird but it has been so good and very helpful to my language development. 
Holly and Dave's village (Pezenas) is awesome. A true gem. Plus they are thee best hosts. Especially since they are in the middle of a reno and I've shown up a week after they arrived.
Friday night we drank champagne, attended the town's weekly wine festival (oh yeah weekly- you heard me correctly) and had a wonderful tour of the Old Town (11th century). Little do they know I'm staying FOREVER!!!! 
Saturday I slept in (oops). Holly and I KILLED IT at the market. I bought 2 dresses and a bunch of souvenirs for my peeps back home (be nice to me when I arrive and that might be you). We had a beautiful lunch, their son Oscar (pictured below) is such a polite young man and seems to really enjoy french life just as much if not more than Holly and Dave. He also speaks WAY better french than me.
Then... we went to the beach. For a girl from the great lakes, beaches generally don't WOW me, but... Castellas beach was beautiful. Their place is so close to quite a few different beaches.
On that note, if you are ever are interested in visiting the south of France you need to rent their place - apartmentinfrance.ca I promise you that you will not be disappointed. It is now 10pm I've had another lovely meal and a glass of wine, off to explore more of the city. I'll check in tomorrow with pictures and the results of Sunday here and back in Aix as I haven't brought my computer.  À bientôt

7 julliet 2016

It is becoming difficult already to write this blog in English because I am constantly thinking in French. I do not know how our students are able to even write or speak at all given that my first language is English and now I seem to be losing it whilst I practice French. So if you think that reading this is bad please don't judge me as a bad writer to begin with. It is really hard to write in one language whilst studying another. My goal is to maybe next week try to post in French. I'm kind of sad today because I am moving out of my host family's home to my own apartment. I originally thought that living with a family would be weird but now I realize it is really great and also super helpful to my learning. However, I have already put a deposit down on an apartment and even though my family is also sad that I'm leaving I don't want to lose any more money. Given that 1.5 CAD = 1 Euro and things are very expensive here. I really cannot afford to stay. This afternoon I'm going to be playing Lawn Bowling with some people from my class. Then after dinner France plays Germany in the quarter-final for the Euro Cup. My family and I will watch it together and it should be fun. Stand by for the results....

6 julliet 2016

Today the school was in a bit of disarray, there was no electricity so I had to go home to pee, good thing, my family lives close by and my host family's son Arthur had been locked out. After class me and a few of the girls went for a very nice lunch on the Cour Mirabeau.

It is super hot here so I had to go home for lunch to have a little swim in my family's pool and a siesta on their hammock. It is a wonderful life here.

In the evening I went to see a Tarzan the movie with one of the girls in my class. Her name is Sophia and she is a Russian Ukranian living in China studying Chinese and Business and now want to learn French (so smart!) The movie was "vost" which means that it was in English with French subtitles. I think I will do this more often because it was helpful to my French.

5 julliet 2016

I had lunch with a Canadian and Brazilian. We had sushi and wine it was delicious. In the evening I went down to What's called the Cour Mirabeau it's a super famous street with a big fountain at the end and there are lots of restaurants and craft markets there.
I went to the grocery store today to buy some snacks and something for lunch because my host family does not provide that. I bought these things that I thought were Cheetos turns out they're peanut butter Cheetos France is weird.

4 julliet 2016 - First day of class

Today when I woke up my house mom was drinking coffee from a bowl, it made me think, "we aren't in Kansas anymore Toto". I slept well and made it to school early! (I know a lot of you are shocked by this). I'm writing this while eavesdropping on the other students anxiously awaiting class to begin. I should really be more social but I'm feeling shy and also finding it difficult to write whilst thinking about French. I'm getting anxious and fearful. This must be what it is like for students from other countries.
The whole school of newbies went on a short tour of the city before lunch the tour guide spoke only French and FAST everyone in the group was feeling very overwhelmed. It's so funny as I write the date of this post because it's the 4th of July and if I were in Canada I would have heard about it being an American holiday. Being here I've hear nothing, not many people in my class knew what it was.

3 julliet 2016

Okay well my first attempt at Français was a fail. The French customs agent asked me "De?" as in, "where are you coming from?" and I thought he was asking "deux?" as in, "are you alone?" and I said, "non". He then rolled his eyes and said "oui!" as in, "of course you are  coming from somewhere you idiot!".  He then just spoke English to me #fail. Well at least my bags made it! Navigating my family to where I was at the bus station without any knowledge of directions, now that was a feat!. Luckily they have a very cute dog Griffou here to greet me.