Châteaux-ing, II

The second château we visited was much, much older. Sadly, it had been bombed in one of the wars (I think the Great War, but I could be wrong). All that survives is broken wall surrounding the restored church inside. Everything else was abandoned and enver repaired. Pictures below the fold.

Châteaux-ing, I

One of my first weeks here, we went chateaux-ing around Amiens. We meaning myself and my German roommate. It was a lot of fun. And it was really nice that he brought his car to France. Below the fold are some pictures of one of our adventures.

Back on the Air!

Well, a lot has happened since I last updated! But first thing's first: I think we're back on the air!

Yesterday the school changed Internet filters. I guess they decided the one they were using wasn't strong enough since we could still use Deezer.com and Grooveshark. So they changed to a new filter. At first I was really irritated because I couldn't access some of the things I used to be able to do. Then I randomly visited a blog just a few minutes ago, another blogspot blog, and noticed that the toolbar was available! Before, I could read blogspot blogs but not log in to comment or to post on mine. With much excitement I clicked on the "log in" button and, low and behold, I am now able to post on my blog!!!

Quick updates on various aspects of life

Job: I'm nearing the 2 month mark here in France, and I'm still loving it! I've gotten settled into teaching. I never thought I could enjoy something so much as this. It's been so much fun. I have my off days, to be sure, but for the most part I love the kids, my collegues, and the job. The paperwork, on the other hand, is still overwhelming. I'm not sure why it has to be so complicated!

Church: I found a nice church through several 'coincidental' happenings. I'm amazed at God's grace to me in even these small things. I'll write more about my church later, but for now I'll just say that the people are ever so welcoming. Even with the language barrier, they've been trying to include me in Bible studies, prayer meetings, youth days, and everything that happens at the church. One of the elders even suggested the other day that the church incorporate some English songs to make us (3) anglophones more at home. I actually don't like the idea, but I'm touched by the thought.

School: Master's courses are in full swing. Actually this week is midterms. I'm enjoying them a lot but am still having some trouble getting back into the 'rhythm' of academic life. Funny, it's only been a few months! But I'm not really cut out for online courses, so this is a triple challenge for me.

Housing: I'm living in a dormitory style apartment. I have my own private room but share a kitchen, bathroom, and washroom with 2 other Americans and a German. We have a lot of good times, but it can also be stressful sometimes. I'm sure I'll write more about them in the coming months.

Other: We're starting an English version of The Truth Project tomorrow! I'm so very excited. I'm sad to say that not as many people as I had hoped are able to come (there were four English assistants interested, but it's looking like 1 or 2 won't be able to make it). But God is Sovereign, and I'm trusting that He'll provide those He wants to come.

Holiday: Well, the French have so many holidays. Right after getting two weeks off for Halloween (okay, it was actually All Saints, but same thing, right?), we got the following Wednesday off for Armistice Day. Nice. Now we're all looking forward to Christmas holiday starting on 19 December. Exciting stuff, I tell you. I've asked off for Thanksgiving Day and am awaiting a reply from two of my collegues. 

Okay, I'll try to update in the next few days with pictures, stories, etc.

Two Stories

I still don't have access to Blogspot in my room, so I'm having to do only text updates infrequently until they get that worked out. Hopefully that will be next week. Realistically, it might happen before January. That is, unless I invite the network administrator out for a drink before asking him. Or discover that we're related somehow. Or I marry his daughter. Or my supervisor happens to be his sister. Or he knows and likes another American. Or... well, you get the idea.

One day I'm hoping to upload pictures of the campus. Not sure how I'm going to do this since flashdrives are interdits (forbidden) on the school's computers. We'll see what I can figure out.


Classes have now been going for two weeks. My students range from being being stupid in any language to being straight up anglophones (native English speakers). Seriously. Here are two of my fun stories from the last two weeks:

• Making my first student cry. Okay, it wasn't really fun, but it was interesting. She wouldn't say anything to me. I asked her some simple question (I think it was, "what are you studying", but I can't remember for sure), and she just gapped at me. I said, "try". She stared at me. I said, "it's okay if it isn't right, just try". She stared at me. I said, "essayes" (try). She stared at me. I said, "parles quelque chose" (say something). She stared at me. I pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her, determined to get something out of her. I did. She covered her face and sobbed. I moved on to the next student. I won't be having her in class again. That's good for both of us.
  

• Being taught English by one of my students. I was supposed to oversee a sort of special study hall for three students from different classes. I had done this earlier and found that I like the arrangement since the students don't typically know each other. My first student enters and says (in perfect British-English), "Where are you from?". "The United States" I say. "Ah! I'm so glad to have an English speaker! The teachers here... well they all speak with a bad accent..." I'm dumbfounded. This is more English than I have ever heard from a student. "Where are you from?" I ask. "Nigeria" he says. "Great", I think, "why did they send me an anglophone?" Then my next two students come in. Both girls were native French-speakers and fairly weak in English. So I had to try to teach an English class and be interesting for two people who hardly speak English and one who speaks it as his mother tongue. He was excited to speak English with someone who actually spoke English. He wouldn't slow down for the others, and he just looked at me strangely when I spoke slowly and put breaks between my words. I'm sure he thought I was a bit retarded. I ended up making the class about differences between British-English and American-English. I learned a lot. The girls, I'm afraid, didn't. They mostly just stared off into space while he asked me questions about gangs, hamburgers, and life in America.
  

I have more, and they'll be coming soon (I hope). Until then, Bon Courage!

Arrival in France

I know it has been quite some time since I used this blog. I guess the last time I really used it was last summer when I was in Brussels. But I'm hoping to get it going on a more regular basis now that I'm in beautiful Amiens, France for the school year!

Where is Amiens, France, you might ask? I had no idea either before getting my letter saying I was assigned here. It's in the north of France, Picardy to be precise. A little north of Normandy. It happens to also be the capitol city of this lovely region.

I arrived in France on September 23 for several days' visit in Paris. I stayed at a lovely guesthouse recommended by some friends who only live a couple of blocks away. I had some great talks with both Mme. and M. B. She's American living in France and married to a Frenchman, so she gave me lots of tips (and an extremely valuable book) on French culture, etc.

Then I headed to Amiens on Saturday. I met up with one of my new collegues at the train station. I was immediately taken and dropped at another collegue's house. This one is married to an Australian who had been home from a world tour with his business for only 2 days. That evening I got to enjoy my first French party (a welcome home/birthday party). Super crazy. But fun. And educational.

And great for my French. In French culture, as in any I suppose, there are so many faux pas one can accidentally commit. What's to be done? I had the luck of being chosen to help serve the champagne. Why? Not sure. This is a delicate task in France. It must be served according to age rank and gender. I had no idea. Nor did I have the foggiest idea who to serve first. Fortunately, my host helped me out. Which was good. The 'oldest woman' in the room looked about 10 years younger than at least two of the others. *sigh* I survived. And they all got their champagne. And no one cursed me in French. They all smiled and enjoyed their glasses of champagne.

And I even got an invitation to another party fort the end of November, to the home of one of the French couples! My American friend's book said this is practically unheard of, so I felt like I accomplished something. At least I hadn't offended them.

Then off to school on Monday. The week was spent filling out paperwork, moving in, meeting millions of people (okay, more like dozens, but they all blend together after about 4 for me). There are still people people who I don't know and don't remember meeting who come up to meet and just start talking to me as if we have been friends since the cradle. I haven't an idea in the world who they are, but they seem adament then they know me. Okay. Whatever. That's French culture! Roll with it. Yesterday I had one of my collegues introduce me to the Italian professor (I had a message to relay to him but didn't know who he was) only to have him inform her, very passionately, that of course he already knew me and no introduction was needed. And a slight wink in my direction as if sharing a joke with me: "silly woman, doesn't know that we're best friends". I smiled back. This is what we do in France.

I'll have to share more another time. I'm having problems with my computer (again, it seems to happen when I come to Europe). I gave it to the Computer Department to work on here at the school, and she told me that the mother board is broken. *sigh* So now they've lent me one for an indefinite period. But I can't access facebook, youtube, or blogger in my room. I have to go to the school's library for them. Posting may be slow until we work something out for that.

Until next time!