Just pronounce the title phonetically, and you'll get an idea of the "Happy Thanksgivings" I've been getting from my students this week! (Or watch Capucine again and imagine her saying it.)
I have really enjoyed teaching my students about Thanksgiving--none of them had ever heard of it before, and it's refreshing to present such a nice part of American culture to everyone. (There was a brief interlude of guilt when one of my fifth graders asked me if Thanksgiving was to celebrate the European massacre of the Indians for their land...I'm always surprised by what my kids have heard about and don't always know how to respond in the context of the lesson.) The best moment so far was hearing the giggling, amazed 6-year-olds behind me as I put the finishing touches on the hand-turkey I drew on the board for them. I was surprised by how into turkey-drawing they got, energized by this totally foreign art form that American kids know practically from birth. Otherwise, it's been fun hearing what they're thankful for--from red fish to puppies to siblings to winning the race last week to birthday parties (and lots of nintendos).
I'm thankful for things, too--and here's a sample from my life since moving to Rodez:
-Skype
-Packages from home
-Good legs for Rodez transport
-A stranger-flatmate who turned out not to be crazy, mean, dirty or loud
-Mulled wine
-Radiators
-Helpful butchers (I finally found a turkey today!)
-Lots of sleep and free time
-Enthusiastic students (no--seriously, my littlest ones jumped up and cheered when I announced that we still had three minutes left today!)
-Scarves
-Dinner parties
-Did I mention radiators?
And for now, that's it. I've got to get to bed so I can be the best bright-eyed, bushy-tailed American possible for the last round of Thanksgiving classes tomorrow.
Hope you all had a great, grateful day! Think of me when you enjoy that leftover turkey sandwich tomorrow.
27.11.08
25.11.08
(brr)
Here's something I love about winter (which has definitively arrived in Rodez): I love coming home at the end of the day and breaking free from layers. It's a furtive activity, and I usually go about it with as much urgency as the kid who starts taking their pants off en route to the bathroom. It's such a release to dial up the radiator and absorb heat in my hoodie and leggings, rather than bind up every part of me (especially the sad little toes) in a semi-successful attempt to trap the bits of heat I produce on my own.
Today, in addition to the excellent (near) disrobing after a frigid, productive day, I put on a pot of coffee just for me, cozied up on the clic-clac with my knitting (I know, I know), and have been contentedly wiggling my toes ever since; It's as delicious as a cup of mulled wine after hours at a drizzly winter rugby match. :-)
In honor of today's chilly weather, I'm posting some pictures from the first snow in Rodez. For a southerner and a Colombian, even this slight dusting was quite an event!
The town cathedral. It's almost at the summit of the hill/town, and a convenient way for newcomers to orient themselves.
Poor flower market. That vendor must have been a trooper!
Sandra (the roommate) touching the very first snow she ever saw. We had quite the gleeful time that morning as the rest of the ruthénois (people from Rodez) carried about their business with sour expressions and carefully-placed steps.
Today, in addition to the excellent (near) disrobing after a frigid, productive day, I put on a pot of coffee just for me, cozied up on the clic-clac with my knitting (I know, I know), and have been contentedly wiggling my toes ever since; It's as delicious as a cup of mulled wine after hours at a drizzly winter rugby match. :-)
In honor of today's chilly weather, I'm posting some pictures from the first snow in Rodez. For a southerner and a Colombian, even this slight dusting was quite an event!
The town cathedral. It's almost at the summit of the hill/town, and a convenient way for newcomers to orient themselves.
Poor flower market. That vendor must have been a trooper!
Sandra (the roommate) touching the very first snow she ever saw. We had quite the gleeful time that morning as the rest of the ruthénois (people from Rodez) carried about their business with sour expressions and carefully-placed steps.
24.11.08
(infallible logic)
Today I briefly apologized to my class of second graders for a couple of sub-par sentences--something that happens every once in a while as I try to teach in another language. Most of the time it's just a hesitation over article gender or a lazily pronounced "ue" sound (say eeee with your lips stretched apart and gradually bring the corners into a tiny "o" shape while continuing the sound). My philosophy is to be unashamed and up-front about these mistakes, taking the opportunity to remind the kids that I, too, am doing the frustrating work of making strange sounds and that we're all in the same, awkward boat during English class. Today was a bit different though, as I was offered a very simple explanation for my difficulties.
Simon, one of those kids who always has something very urgent and very off-topic to share, bounced up and down with his finger up (French kids raise their index fingers rather than their hands) until I called on him.
-Yes, Simon?
-I know why you couldn't find your word today, maîtresse.
-Is that so?
-Yes, it's because you have an accent.
-I think you're right. Thanks, now moving on...
You can't argue with that kind of logic!
However, one type of logic I would perhaps prefer to dispute was that of the woman at the bakery today. After I ordered my sandwich, she indicated the (I'm guessing) 10-year old boy behind me in line and followed up my order with:
-Et pour votre fils?
That means, "And for your son?" Now, it could just be vanity on my part, but I have always assumed I looked about my age, give or take. It was a shock, being mistaken for someone who could be the mother of a kid who's been around since I was 12!
Simon, one of those kids who always has something very urgent and very off-topic to share, bounced up and down with his finger up (French kids raise their index fingers rather than their hands) until I called on him.
-Yes, Simon?
-I know why you couldn't find your word today, maîtresse.
-Is that so?
-Yes, it's because you have an accent.
-I think you're right. Thanks, now moving on...
You can't argue with that kind of logic!
However, one type of logic I would perhaps prefer to dispute was that of the woman at the bakery today. After I ordered my sandwich, she indicated the (I'm guessing) 10-year old boy behind me in line and followed up my order with:
-Et pour votre fils?
That means, "And for your son?" Now, it could just be vanity on my part, but I have always assumed I looked about my age, give or take. It was a shock, being mistaken for someone who could be the mother of a kid who's been around since I was 12!
15.11.08
(orange november market)
Today was a beautiful, bright, and very chilly day, which I started off with my weekly trip to one of the highlights of Rodez life--the Saturday markets! I soaked up the sunlight and wandered from table to table, market to market, conducting pleasant inner debates about which yummy treats I should choose this week. By the end of the morning, I was headed home with far more than I intended to buy--but the produce is all so delicious and fresh and fallish that I don't even feel any buyer's remorse :) As I unloaded everything out onto the table at home, I was struck by the vibrant orange pervading this week's choices: a nice slice of pumpkin, clementines, carrots, sweet potatoes, and a fruit I'd never had before called kaki. And, though it was the orange produce stealing the visual show today chez moi, I'm equally excited about the fresh regional tome fraîche cheese, the "Mona Lisa" variety potatoes, celery stalks, and eggs (which are still in need of a good rinsing, as they've still got hay and feathers stuck to the shells).I'm going to celebrate by having some friends over for some Pumpkin and Sweet Potato soup tonight...and provided the soup turns out well (new recipe), I think it will be the perfect way to wind up an exquisite Saturday.
13.11.08
(your daily cuteness)
I came across this video of an unbearably cute French girl who's learned some English--and I'm posting it here so you can get an idea of the little accents I hear at school! Oh, and when she says "I'm a miss Capucine" that's her attempting to repeat "My name is Capucine." Trust me, they all say it that way. Until, of course, their extraordinary American teacher helps them out ;)
"I'm a miss Capucine !" from Capucha on Vimeo.
And as a bonus--check out the irresistible cuteness of this kid's story. Don't worry, there are subtitles, and they're worth reading!
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
"I'm a miss Capucine !" from Capucha on Vimeo.
And as a bonus--check out the irresistible cuteness of this kid's story. Don't worry, there are subtitles, and they're worth reading!
Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.
So, now that your heart has officially melted, I would like to also remind you that today was a double-whammy, post-wise. That means scroll down and keep on reading!
12.11.08
(this is not a lesson plan)
No, it certainly isn't a lesson plan, this blog post. Instead, it's a picture update. This is because, true to procrastinatory form, I'm avoiding my lesson plans just as effectively as I ever avoided churning out a research paper or a stack of French Lit journal entries. [Note to Dr. Gregoire, if you're reading this--that was merely an illustration point and should in no way be taken seriously... ;)] So enjoy the fruits of my misdirected labor, all!
*edit: This is a tiny picture update, because loading photos onto blogger is taking a ridiculously long time. I shall thus continue posting pictures, but probably little by little, rather than all in one go. So for now, dive in.
I put a letter in this post box, and to my slight and happy surprise, it did in fact reach it's destination! The French don't have the same drive for constant updates in every aspect of life that Americans seem to--which makes for much more quaintness, in general.
This is a view from a few minutes' walk downhill from our apartment--it's a steep, slippery descent, but once you get down there, there's a lovely park with a 5k footpath along the river. It's nice to have such an accessible outdoors space so close to the "city!" The post box from above was just across the bridge against one of the nearer buildings.
Following are just a few snapshots of some of the pleasures of the park.
As I mentioned before, this picture post is somewhat truncated by my current unwillingness to wait 20 minutes for 3 pictures to load at a time. However, keep checking back, there will be more!
And for those of you who have noticed a recent staunch in the flow of blog posts, I offer a peculiar excuse, something that may seem too strange to accept--but accept you must, because in foreign lands, one meets with very foreign novelties: too much vacation. That's right, I said it. No, perhaps not too much--but a very lot. Since starting classes the beginning of October I've had weekends, wednesdays, 10 days for Toussaints (all saints), a five-day weekend for Armistice day, and learned today that next Thursday the public school teachers will go on strike--so no school again. I don't think I've had a full week (and again, let me remind you that a "full week" is four days) of teaching in over a month. On a tight budget, with so much time off, there just hasn't been too much going on for blog posts. As a friend told me, it's almost like being retired. At 22.
But for those of you who are curious as to how I've filled my days, here's a taste:
I've restarted the same wool scarf four times and think I've finally settled on a pattern and dimensions I like. It should come in handy as soon as it's finished--Rodez can get cold and windy!
I've learned 3 card games, taught one, and a couple of dice games. Then played them a lot with Sandra my roommate and our most frequent friend, Maria (German primary assistant).
I've read A Year in Provence, finally. It had been recommended to me several times before, but I'm glad I waited to read it until I found a cheap used copy at the British specialties shop in town--I appreciated the author's insights into smalltown/southern French life far more than I would have, had I read it in Paris.
I invented a soup and spent an entire afternoon assembling it--because I needed a project!
I got enough sleep for three sleepy College students--which magically provided me with energy and enthusiasm for my classes the first day back after Toussaints despite having stayed up the entire night before following the American election.
I filled out a preliminary Grad school application for a translation program in Geneva. (Haven't decided whether I'll send it or not--it is interesting, however, to note that their entrance exam dates exactly correspond with my spring break...)
I made far fewer lesson plans than I intended. :(
I did more personal writing than I intended. :)
I went on lots of walks and collected chestnuts with friends for roasting back at home.
I hosted a successful, friendship-full dinner party and laughed hard for the first time since arriving in Rodez.
And finally, I struggled my way valiantly through a few rounds in the gladiator arena that is French bureaucracy--a battle that is nearly over, but not yet won. More on that later, though.
I suppose, now that it's 2 am, I should go ahead and post this, so I can turn in. I've got class (I know, shocking, right?) first thing in the morning. That's another thing I forgot to mention--over all of these days of leisure, I've reestablished some terribly unhealthy sleeping habits. Night Owl Emilee is officially back and in need of a good vanquishing.
On that note, good night! Expect more, and soon!
*edit: This is a tiny picture update, because loading photos onto blogger is taking a ridiculously long time. I shall thus continue posting pictures, but probably little by little, rather than all in one go. So for now, dive in.
I put a letter in this post box, and to my slight and happy surprise, it did in fact reach it's destination! The French don't have the same drive for constant updates in every aspect of life that Americans seem to--which makes for much more quaintness, in general.
This is a view from a few minutes' walk downhill from our apartment--it's a steep, slippery descent, but once you get down there, there's a lovely park with a 5k footpath along the river. It's nice to have such an accessible outdoors space so close to the "city!" The post box from above was just across the bridge against one of the nearer buildings.
Following are just a few snapshots of some of the pleasures of the park.
As I mentioned before, this picture post is somewhat truncated by my current unwillingness to wait 20 minutes for 3 pictures to load at a time. However, keep checking back, there will be more!
And for those of you who have noticed a recent staunch in the flow of blog posts, I offer a peculiar excuse, something that may seem too strange to accept--but accept you must, because in foreign lands, one meets with very foreign novelties: too much vacation. That's right, I said it. No, perhaps not too much--but a very lot. Since starting classes the beginning of October I've had weekends, wednesdays, 10 days for Toussaints (all saints), a five-day weekend for Armistice day, and learned today that next Thursday the public school teachers will go on strike--so no school again. I don't think I've had a full week (and again, let me remind you that a "full week" is four days) of teaching in over a month. On a tight budget, with so much time off, there just hasn't been too much going on for blog posts. As a friend told me, it's almost like being retired. At 22.
But for those of you who are curious as to how I've filled my days, here's a taste:
I've restarted the same wool scarf four times and think I've finally settled on a pattern and dimensions I like. It should come in handy as soon as it's finished--Rodez can get cold and windy!
I've learned 3 card games, taught one, and a couple of dice games. Then played them a lot with Sandra my roommate and our most frequent friend, Maria (German primary assistant).
I've read A Year in Provence, finally. It had been recommended to me several times before, but I'm glad I waited to read it until I found a cheap used copy at the British specialties shop in town--I appreciated the author's insights into smalltown/southern French life far more than I would have, had I read it in Paris.
I invented a soup and spent an entire afternoon assembling it--because I needed a project!
I got enough sleep for three sleepy College students--which magically provided me with energy and enthusiasm for my classes the first day back after Toussaints despite having stayed up the entire night before following the American election.
I filled out a preliminary Grad school application for a translation program in Geneva. (Haven't decided whether I'll send it or not--it is interesting, however, to note that their entrance exam dates exactly correspond with my spring break...)
I made far fewer lesson plans than I intended. :(
I did more personal writing than I intended. :)
I went on lots of walks and collected chestnuts with friends for roasting back at home.
I hosted a successful, friendship-full dinner party and laughed hard for the first time since arriving in Rodez.
And finally, I struggled my way valiantly through a few rounds in the gladiator arena that is French bureaucracy--a battle that is nearly over, but not yet won. More on that later, though.
I suppose, now that it's 2 am, I should go ahead and post this, so I can turn in. I've got class (I know, shocking, right?) first thing in the morning. That's another thing I forgot to mention--over all of these days of leisure, I've reestablished some terribly unhealthy sleeping habits. Night Owl Emilee is officially back and in need of a good vanquishing.
On that note, good night! Expect more, and soon!
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