Classes

At school on Wednesday, English prof Laetitia took me to the library (very small) and the graphic arts studios to see the graphic design labs full of fancy Macs and the huge printing presses. Very impressive. I then sat in on a class of secondes (sophomores) taught by the intern Julie. The kids are a bit high-strung but good-hearted. For a change, I just observed them working on a letter filling in the correct verb tenses.

I chatted with her for a bit after class—she worked in London and in Ireland, so she has a twinge of an Irish accent. She just moved so she has an extra bed oven she is giving me for free! So lucky! Catherine also got me two chairs so far, and PA’s mom has things in the basement I can take too!

Made delicious Altruda’s lemon chicken for dinner and spent the evening watching PA’s dvds of ER or Urgences as it was called in France. Apparently, it was super popular here! We switch between English and the French dubbing.

It’s a bit annoying to still live out in Villejean and not in the center. While the metro is fast, it makes one feel tired just to have to travel like that… at least I think so. I’ll get over it eventually, I suppose.

Today, I went to school at 10:30 and found the English professors in the teacher’s lounge (I get to hang out there and use the teacher’s bathrooms, lucky me!). Corrine took me to her 10:40 class where I did a bit of introduction and then listened to them do mock conversations—it was a very nice class of girls studying to be secretaries. I had a lunch break, so I walked back to the apartment (10-15 minutes) to eat with PA.

I had another class at 1:30 with Gael who told her students (also a class of just girls) to ask me questions all class. I sat in the front of the room and waited for them to formulate questions from “Where are you from?” to “What do you like about French culture?”—it was usually a team effort to piece together vocabulary and grammar correctly. One side of the room got rowdy, and the prof kicked one student out. Then, she asked me to leave because their behavior was deteriorating. That was kind of awkward, but they are very strict on discipline here. All the teachers have made it clear that I will not have to put up with misbehavior. I guess they are already weeding out which students won’t get to have time with me.

I grabbed a coffee from the teacher’s lounge machine to pass the time until my 2:30 class with Karen. It was the usual presentation and question session at the beginning. Then, the students got down to working on description words, doing book exercises for the most part. They too were a bit high-strung, so I felt bad for distracting them with my presence. Afterwards, I talked to all the profs, and they suggested that I not tell my age or that I speak French so that the students will respect me more. We shall see if that works… Either way, I am currently frustrated with not knowing what is going on. I can’t wait until I’m settled into a schedule and can plan my own lessons. I like being in control.

Today was actually a nice day in Rennes with no rain, some sun, and only a light jacket necessary. After work, I metro-ed downtown and waited in line at the transport office to get a Carte Korrigo that works unlimited on all the metro and buses of Rennes for a monthly fee. Tomorrow I will go to the Centre d’Action Sociale which will provide me with free transport on the card since I make less than 1,000 euros a month. I also have to go register for Social Security ASAP, but that office is literally next door to the CAS! Hopefully, I will work in a block in the morning or afternoon and so have time to get everything done before 5.

As for this evening, I have a rendez-vous with some assistants at a bar downtown, and PA has the same with some people in his classes. I can’t wait to go out and just chill.

Thanks to Ma and Aunt Cathy for the care package—very nice!

Much love,
L