Tuuuesday

I have been working so much and such long hours since I started school, that things are very much a blur.  I'll do my best to bring things up to speed.

I have, as of today, completed four lessons.  They have all gone reasonably well.  Obviously, some are better than others.  School is incredibly intense.  9AM-5:30 PM (most days 6:00).  We get an hour for lunch, but it's not really an hour when you're teaching, as you cut into that hour for lesson prep.  Our students are French adults who are currently looking for work.  They range from 22-60 years old.  They are really really nice.  Last week and this week, my group (Chris, James, Guy, Elisabeth and I) have been monitored by Marian while teaching the low level students (pre-intermediate level).  Their English is very good.  As of Monday, we will switch to the high level students and Bror will observe us.

The group of us teachers, as a whole have become close.  It's a bit like summer camp, in that we're together so much and we've bonded.  It's proving to be a great support system for us all.

I'm teaching again tomorrow.  I get to compare the American English words for clothing to the British English words for clothing.  It should be fun.

Other than that, things have been well.  Last weekend was fun.  Lots of work to do over the weekend, but some play too!  Went to dinner with some people from class on Friday.  I went out this past Saturday for a fun (& rainy) day with a classmate's sister, Kath (my new BFF).  We did a walking tour around Notre Dame, did some shopping, and ate some awesome croque monsieurs (elegant grilled cheese and ham sandwiches).  On Sunday, James, Kath, Guy & I had a traditional English Sunday Roast at an English-style pub.  It was quite nice.  I'll include my pictures below.

Friday dinner: Chez Paul in Bastille

Steak and potatoes with Hollandaise sauce

Bastille

Kath, my new BFF, and me

Awesome tarts from LeGay Choc (across the street from my apartment)

Notre Dame (Saturday)

Artists peddle wares by the Seine and Notre Dame

Me!

Notre Dame

Traditional Sunday Roast, English style. 

Things have been a bit intense to keep up with the blog every day.  I knew it would be a challenge.  On the whole, I'm very well, very tired, and very busy.  I've met wonderful people, and am having a blast.

Time to get some dinner and get to work.

xo, aKiP

Neglect

I'm sorry I have neglected to write much over the last few days.  As I suspected, there's a lot going on with classes, and I have a lot of work to do when I get home from class.  My days are very long, and very intense.  Up at 7, Metro by 8:15, class from 9-5:30, home for homework at 7ish and many times not home until even later.  Then homework until 11:30 or 12.

It looks like I teach every other day, sometimes 2 days in a row.  I have two lessons under my belt.  The first one was good, but the feedback was that I repeated what the students said too much.  My lesson today was "lovely" and Marian had little negative to say about it.  Today was the first day that my classmates gave me feedback, and they were very supportive as well.

I teach again on Friday.  I'm petrified as it's grammar, and I'm quickly learning that although my grammar is good, my ability to explain why it is good is quite limited.  I'll be up late planning and teaching myself tomorrow night, so I can teach them on Friday.  So, I'm giving myself off tonight and crashing early.

I'm so tired tonight, I'm off to bed now.  I'll update better over the weekend, if not before.

xo, aKiP

Class begins

Today was my first day of class for my CELTA course.  (It's pronounced SELTA.)

There are 11 of us in the course.  Elisabeth (French), Tyler (American-CA), Susan (Irish), David (French), James (English), Chris (New Zealand), Carolyn (American-OH), Guy (English), Maria (Irish/American-IL), and Stuart (Scottish).  They are a nice group of people.

We were in class from about 9:30-11:15, and we went over the basics.  We introduced ourselves, played some name games, met Marian, one of our two tutors, and got the general gist of how the schedule will work.  We filled out some paperwork for Cambridge and reviewed our booklets for the course.  Then we took a break.  Then we met Bror, our other tutor, and learned about learners' purposes, goals and expectations.  Then we took another break.  At 11:30, we were broken into two smaller groups for an introduction to teaching practice.  My smaller teaching practice group, lead by Marian, consists of Elisabeth, Chris, James, Guy and I.  We will teach a group of seven or eight lower level students wanting to learn English.  These students are unemployed French adults, and they come for 2 hours every day.  Marian shared our first assignment with us.  We need to interview one of these students and write an essay of our findings.  Then she gave us our teaching assignments.  I will be teaching a "Getting to Know You" exercise tomorrow, and will teach a bona fide half-lesson on Wednesday.  

From 1-2, James, Chris and I went to lunch.  It was pouring during our walk to lunch, and it stopped once we got in the pasta restaurant for lunch, and started again just in time for us to head back.  After lunch, the students came in, and we observed Marian teaching for 90 minutes.  She has a lovely, gentle-yet-firm way about her.  Then we did interviews of all 7 students that came to class.  (The only problem with this population of student is that when they find a job, they don't come back!)  The students left around 4:15.  We gave Marian our feedback on the lessons and interviews.  Then we were allowed to ask questions about our lessons.  Were were dismissed early today, at 4:45.

In the morning I was really overwhelmed.  I asked Marian about it on one of the breaks, and she said it's 100% normal.  I started to feel better after I watched Marian in action...I had a certain feeling of reassurance come over me.  I have some quiet confidence knowing I can do what she did.  I HAVE done what she did.

Marian did a lesson on questions and question structure.  She had the students list the top 10 sports in France with the intent of later formed questions about them.  Students listed words like "T1" and "Athletics" as two of the top ten sports.  I, of course, was flabbergasted.  What on earth are T1 and Athletics?!  I asked Guy, and he looked at me like I had 6 heads.  T1 is the same as NASCAR and Athletics is track and field.  There are lots of differences from British English and American English.  They say affirmative and negative words instead of positive and negative words....they spell traveling with two l's (travelling), and spell things we spell with a z with an "s," like memorise.  I got concerned that I would need to change my style of speaking for the benefit of the students in the class, and if that were the case, I'd feel out of my element.  During our afternoon discussion/feedback session, I shared my concerns with Marian.  She surprised me greatly.  She told me that I am a wonderful resource for the students in the class.  She called me "enriching" and said that they're lucky to have an American teacher so that they can have that information.  She turned all my concerns into huge positive, and it ended the class on a high note.

A group from the class went out to the bar after class.  I had errands to run, so I didn't join them.

I slept terribly last night, and so I'm going to read some of this dry teaching stuff and doze off.  :)
xo, aKiP

Walking tour

I'm still not on the right sleep schedule here.  Last night I took a nap from 7:30 PM-12:30 AM and then was awake until I crashed again at 5 AM, and got up for good around 12:30 PM.  I have to get better sleep tonight; I start school tomorrow.


I got showered, dressed, ate and hit the metro to go on a free walking tour of the Opéra section of the city.  It lasted an hour and a half, and it was wonderful.  The weather was beautiful and the guide, Bertrand, was excellent.


We started with L'Opéra Garnier which Napoleon III commissioned.  The architect's was very young, 36, when he designed this building, and his name was Garnier.  The Empress asked him in what style the building was designed, and young Garnier said "In the style of Napoleon."  So, he became the favorite architect of the Emperor and Empress.

The statue on the left of four naked women dancing around one naked man
drew a lot of negative reactions when first built.

From the opera, we went into a quiet square.  A bit of Hollywood magic has come to Paris.  Martin Scorsese is here in Paris and begins shooting tomorrow on a new film.  So, parts of this square have been changed to look as they would have in the 1930s.  The tops of the lanterns have been removed (I assume they will be digitally edited out later in the film editing process), and the store fronts have been changed.  They also have large tarps hanging above the street that can be opened (I assume for the purpose of controlling lighting.)

Left side is current, right side is changed for film set

Tarps for Lighting

1930s Scorsese Film set

Film set

Shop on film set

From there, we went on to a quiet square built in homage to "Bertie," Prince of Wales, who would later become King Edward VII of England.  The French liked him a lot.  During the 1880s and 1890s, he frequented an elite Brothel in Paris called "Le Chabanais."  He actually had his own room that no one else could use; a penthouse suite that featured his coat of arms over the bed.  The room was also unique because it contained a large copper tub with room for "friends" to join him.  This was special because running water was relatively new, and no one really had their own tub.  Funnily enough, Edward didn't use the water...he would fill the tub with champagne to bathe in with his "ladies of the night."  The brothels in France were closed by the government in 1946, because the brothels had been "friendly" with German soldiers during WWII.  After the closure of the Le Chabanais, Salvador Dalí bought the tub.  

Modern restaurant called "Berties" in the square that was built in honor of Edward VII

Next, we went to visit where the first two, 20-second films were shown in 1895.  The building now houses a Gap Kids.

Plaque commemorating first silent film showing

Site of silent film showing in 1895.

Back to school ad at Gap Kids

Then we went to Place Vendôme.  This is where all the most elite jewelry is sold.  It's also home to the Ministry of Justice, and the original Ritz hotel.  The Ritz was the first hotel in Paris to offer full bathrooms in the room, and therefore it is one of 7 hotels here called "Palaces."  Coco Chanel stayed in a 3 room suite in the Ritz hotel for 37 years from 1934-1971.  You can stay there too...for 7000 euro (about $8,900) a night.  

Place Vendôme

The Ritz: Coco Chanel Suite (second floor)

The Ritz

Jewelry!!!

Ministry of Justice

A tower Napoleon commissioned to honor himself.  He's dressed like Caesar
to convey there was Caesar and then there was him. Nothing in between.

There's more to share, but it's past my bedtime.  I have a big day tomorrow and need to get my sleep.

xo, aKiP

Champagne Region

I toured the Champagne Region of France today.  A mini-van picked me up at my apartment and we took an hour-and-a-half (demi-heure) drive to Reims (pronounced Raun).

Door to the courtyard of my building (you put in an access code on a keypad to open it)

We visited a magnificent cathedral in Reims, very similar to Nôtre Dame.  

Then, we drove into Ay stopped to look at a scenic view of the region.  We tasted some grapes used to make champagne right off the vine.   

Then we visited a small, family-owned winery called P.M. Roger & Fils (sons), where we got a tour and had two tastings...one champagne without sugar and the same one with sugar.  

After that, Celina took us to Épernay and we had lunch at a restaurant that serves dishes made with wine.  We had an outstanding coq au vin.  

Then, we went on to Moët et Chandon (where they make Dom Perignon), and toured their massive cellars, and ended with a tasting.  

Then we went to the village where Dom Perignon lived, visited his burial site. 

We stopped for some more beautiful points of view of the Region, and came back to Paris.  

The weather was gorgeous, I met some wonderful people, and it was just a great day.  I hope to spend some time with our tour guide, Celina, as she was one cool chick.  

For the full gallery of pictures with more in-depth explanations, click here for my Champagne Album.

St. Michel/St. Germaine

Samantha called me tonight and asked me to come out with her for a drink before we met up with Tressa.  We met at Le Fountaine de Saint Michel and went to the café by the fountain.

The fountain

So, Samantha gave me "her version" of the history of the Latin Quarter and areas of St. Germaine des Prés and St. Michel.  It was so much fun.  Then we met up with Tressa, and Ludo joined us too.  We went to a bar called The Gentleman and had one drink and I left.  I have to be up early tomorrow!  But, it was fun.

Samantha

On my way home from the Metro, I stopped at McDonald's.  I didn't like what I ordered that much.  It's very different.  I got a "Double Cheeseburger" but it was rotten.  If I go back, I'll get Le 280.  It looks kinda like a Quarter Pounder.

Au Macdo

Move-in day

It was warmer here today than it has been--84 degrees--and it was just beautiful out today.  I moved in to my apartment at 12:30 this afternoon.  The woman at the hotel called a cab for me.  The cab that came was a silver mercedes with a black leather interior.  It was very "posh."  


My land-lady met me at the curb when I arrived and was on her way again within 10 minutes.  She showed me the apartment in a whirlwind...her tour was rushed because she had to go to let someone else in somewhere else after me.  First, she explained how to open the large front door to the building, then the door to the stairwell and then the door to my apartment.  So needless to say, it's quite safe here.  I am not in a garden-level apartment, I'm on the first floor.  In Paris, the "first floor" apartments are up one flight of steps.  Which, although not what I expected, is actually a good thing for me.  She helped me get my bags up the one flight of stairs (thank goodness it wasn't another flight we would have gotten a hernia!) and then she gave me the brief tour.  


I texted the guy I met last night at the American meet up who invited me to lunch, Ahmir.  I told him I was just getting done moving in and asked if I was too late to join them.  I met them at a place in Le Marais called Breakfast in America.  It's an American "diner" and one of the only places you can get "real" American food here.  They serve Dr. Pepper and Root Beer here too...you can't buy those sodas here.  So, I met a girl, Betsy, who teaches here, and has been doing so for the last 3 years.  And I got to know a girl, Emily, better who I met briefly last night.  We had a lovely conversation over a nice American lunch.  It was great.  I've gotten Betsy's information so that I can pick her brain as necessary.

Hôtel de Ville

After lunch, we said goodbye to Betsy and as we walked around Le Marais, and Emily and Ahmir helped me get my bearings.  They showed me the magnificent Hôtel de Ville, and my, what a sight that is.  It's funny because they are both so used to it and I was totally awe-struck.  Then Emily went to visit some puppies and plant shops on the way home, and I showed Ahmir my apartment this afternoon.  He said it was one of the nicest apartments he's seen here.  That made me feel good.  And he went through and checked off things that he liked.  I thanked him a million times as it made me feel really good about my choice to stay here.


I went grocery shopping, and hit up the pharmacy for some bandaids.  I also stopped and got some lilies--my friend Jessica back home told me they're the only thing that's missing from my apartment--and came back here.   The jet-lag is really hitting me hard today.  I'm going out for one drink with Samantha and Tressa and then coming to hit the hay.  


I have a tour of champagne tomorrow.  They pick me up at 7:00 AM.  Oy.  


Goodnight! xo, aKiP

Le Petit Dejeuner

I take back everything bad I ever said about breakfast in Europe.  I dragged myself out of bed this morning and went down to breakfast in the basement of the hotel.  And I discovered something that I'd apparently overlooked yesterday.  Croissants.  And not croissants like we get at home at Dunkin Donuts, either.  Amazing, airy, buttery, flaky croissants that were probably just baked this morning.  Incredible.  I ate TWO.  

Americans in the park

Tonight was amazing.  I came back to the room around 2:30 to rest my weary feet and put on sneakers, and ended up staying here until 7.  I wrote some letters and postcards and I talked to my mom for a while online.  Eventually I went to the post office, bought stamps, and sent off my stuff.  Then I got on the train to head to La Tour Eiffel.  I took the Metro, and I thought I was on the line I needed to be on, and I wasn't.  So I decided to get off at Invalides, as I remembered there being something cool there...and it's in the general area I wanted to be in...20 minutes from the Eiffel Tower.

When I came out of the Metro, the most amazing expanse of green park was before me.  At one end of this huge field (jardin) was the massive, gold-guilded Hôtel des Invalides.  According to my book, "The hotel was built from 1671 to 1676 by Louis XIV for his wounded and homeless veterans (invalids).  At its center lies the glittering golden roof of the Sun King's Dôme Church, which marks the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.   After the two World Wars, Louis XIV's hôtel was returned to its original use as a hospital for veterans."  It is, as the guide book calls it, "imposing" to say the least.  It's an amazing structure, and one I hope to visit during the hours its open.  From this lawn, I could see the top of the Eiffel Tower over the buildings.  Once the sun began to set, the sky lit up with pinks and purples.  It was incredibly picturesque.

Hôtel des Invalides

Other side of the lawn

Beautiful sky...see the Eiffel Tower?!

The lawn was covered with clusters of people eating and drinking and picnicking and napping and reading, etc.  So, I decided to take a seat on this lawn and get my bearings.  I heard a lot of English--American English, from a group of about 25 or 30 people.  I interrupted a set of three women from a lively discussion to see if they could tell me more about the building on the other end of this lawn.  They told me all about it, and invited me to stay with them.  They offered me food and wine.  Turns out they're a group of American expats that found each other on www.meetup.com.  They were all in the 22-30 year-old-range.  I made some new friends with some lovely girls: Samantha from LA, Tressa from Alabama, and Lexi from Hawaii.  I was invited to join a group of them for lunch tomorrow at a place called "Breakfast in America."  If I'm moved in to my apartment in time, I'm going to meet up with them!

Needless to say, I never made it to the Eiffel Tower.

I was struggling today with the lack of ability to communicate.  I think if I had some command of French, I wouldn't feel that way as much.  It's overwhelming to be in a situation with someone and not be able to speak to them.  AT ALL.  Not only that...I was feeling a bit lost today.  I felt like my personality is completely lost in translation.  It's next to impossible to translate wit and humor to the people I've been talking to here.  It's conversational, "get-by" English 101.  (Okay, maybe 200.)  That being said, every person who speaks English to me has better English than my French.  And yes, it does take a very sophisticated speaker to "get" sarcasm and wit.  So, it was incredibly refreshing to meet this group of young American adults who I could speak to fluently.  It felt so good.  I didn't realize how much I identify myself as an American.  After today, I realize it's a huge part of how I define who I am.

The group went on to a bar after dark, and I came back to the 18th.  I ate dinner at the same café as last night, and said goodbye to Julien.  We exchanged emails and I gave him a tip (not that common here, apparently) and I returned to the hotel.  There were some rowdy (read drunk) women chasing around some German men causing a wild rumpus outside my door.  Some interesting conversation to be exposed to.  Ha.

Off to bed.  xo, aKiP