After an enjoyable Toussaint i returned to Lille after a mission of a journey lugging a extremely heavy suitcase across London, without any offer of help from anyone! Was not appreciated, and neither were the blisters i developed on my hand! The first week back was long and punctuated by numerous visits to Mcdos in order to use their free internet, not an enjoyable experience when you have to repeat it everyday i can tell you!
Ok so on my return i was optimistic about the start of my teaching career, though i have to say a little nervous too. I have one perfect school, the kids are amazing the teachers, so welcoming and friendly. They completely understand what my job is supposed to be, so i take out small groups of children to practice speaking, or we divide up the class and i take small groups. I never thought i would actually find it so rewarding but it truly is, when a child surprises you with their knowledge and understanding. However i cannot say that everything is going as well with my other school, after informing me that they could only provide me with just over two hours worth of work, its safe to say i was concerned. After all, i am required to complete six hours in each school, a fact that i did share with their headmisstress which she then proceeded to deny when my responsable came to my school to sort out the situation. i think i can honestly say that she now is no longer my biggest fan. I emailed her on tuesday asking her when i would be told my additonal hours and if it would be necessary to go to school today. I am still awaiting a response..... So all in all i cant say im particuarly happy with the whole situation. The classes i did teach i am expected to take completely alone as there is no actual English teacher at the school meaning that i have the sole responsibility of teaching the youngest kids! I feel completely unprepared and unqualified! Other exciting occurences this week, included finally getting my bank card! Do not ask me how i actually mangaged to get it, as both Jess and I have been told we only received it due to special circumstances as they still have not received the relevant notification from the post office to say that we signed for our letters. I think it may have had something to do with the fact that i looked like i was about to burst into tears, but anyway, i cannot complain as now i finally have it!
A trip to La Piscine museum in Roubaix with Chloe and Jessica was one of the main highlights of my week, its a beautiful museum and gallery, though i will say that the Desgard exhibition did not really live up to all the hype. Previously an actual swimming pool, it has been converted to house some amazing works of art whilst still maintaining many of its original features such as the fact that you can still see where the pool used to be and many of the exhibits are housed within areas that clearly were the showers or changing facilities, sounds odd but it was actually really impressive and definitely worth the visit. As well as this, Roubaix seems to be famous for its fashion and houses pop up boutiques featuring fashion students/designers collections which i thoroughly enjoyed!
Also this week was Jessica's birthday, we went out to a really cool restaurant called The Berliner, it was really edgy and had walls inspired by the Berlin wall, as well as impecable service and a small but gorgeous menu. I could not bring myself to be angry with the waiter when there was a slight confusion with my meal but when it came it was just amazing, topped off with the most amazing white chocolate cheesecake i have ever eaten! After our meal whilst on out way to an Australian bar for drinks we were stopped by a teenage french boy who proceeded to tell us all about his trips to England and how his friends were 'keen on us' there is just something so cute about english spoken in a french accent. Though i did feel bad as i know how i feel when people think i speak french in a "funny voice" as i have been told by some of my children.
On wednesday Cait and Louises' house mates were throwing a house party. So we all took the metro over to Roubaix, it was such a good night in which there were so many nationalities all in one room. Much French was spoken and it was not nearly as intimidating as i sometimes imagine it to be. After a couple of glasses of wine its always easier to feel abit more confident!
Thursday in France meant that it was a national holiday so Hana and i fought our need to stay in bed after a long night on Wednesday and took the short drive across the border to Ypres. The weather was horrific but its something to be able to say that i spend Armistice day at one of the Key memorial towns in Europe. Unfortunately we missed the 11oclock service but we still had a lovely day visiting the museum and Menin gate followed by hot chocolate and waffles after we could no longer face the cold.
All in all this week has been a good one, im hoping that my teaching issues in my horrible school will be resolved and im looking forward to a visit from my best friends mum tomorrow so im sure this weekend will be lovely!
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