This blog entry's title has been inspired by a birthday card sent to me by two of my favourite people- Sam and Shauna-
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| Phil Dunphy, Modern Family [More quotes can be found at http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family/lolz/philsosophy] |
Okay, so I adapted it a little. But it provided very sound groundwork, as I'll explain...
I have been back in France for a couple of weeks now and, whilst I have been continuing my French adventure, I can't say it has been an easy fortnight. Don't get me wrong, I have done and seen some fantastic things, but in between there have been times of 'reflection'. Some of the other assistants and I have concluded that coming back after being home for the holidays/having family over to stay and then return to England has made it a little more difficult to not miss our English lives. I suppose the first term was brand new and shiny and so jam-packed that we didn't feel the real effects of living abroad, away from home comforts and family. Now the 'honey moon' period is over and a 'real-life' has begun.
This is where my title comes into play. I miss my English life at times (I never thought I would find myself having small reveries about slogging out the hours in Hallward and sitting through lectures, and yet I suppose these things are part of a much bigger picture, one that defines Home). But instead of focusing on what I miss I should acknowledge what I have right here, right now.
I have been back in France for a couple of weeks now and, whilst I have been continuing my French adventure, I can't say it has been an easy fortnight. Don't get me wrong, I have done and seen some fantastic things, but in between there have been times of 'reflection'. Some of the other assistants and I have concluded that coming back after being home for the holidays/having family over to stay and then return to England has made it a little more difficult to not miss our English lives. I suppose the first term was brand new and shiny and so jam-packed that we didn't feel the real effects of living abroad, away from home comforts and family. Now the 'honey moon' period is over and a 'real-life' has begun.
This is where my title comes into play. I miss my English life at times (I never thought I would find myself having small reveries about slogging out the hours in Hallward and sitting through lectures, and yet I suppose these things are part of a much bigger picture, one that defines Home). But instead of focusing on what I miss I should acknowledge what I have right here, right now.
I am learning a language I love. I have met and will meet incredible people. I have beautiful landscapes, architecture and cities to discover. I have a wonderful opportunity and I should take it.
In short, life hasn't given me lemons, it has given me lemonade and I should drink it.
To toast to that, here is a glimpse into my fortnight;
Saturday 8th November
Some of the Brits Abroad ladies decided that it was time for us to have a cultural excursion; to rummage within the roots of our Bordelaise experience; to dig to the depths of new discoveries, to plunge into the abyss of adventure...
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| Wine tasting, bien sûr |
We hopped on the tour bus with a few groups of tourists and were taken to a couple of chateaus where we learned all about terroir (Global Context people, you'd have been lapping it up!) and the mechanics of wine-making. This provided perfect material for Sylvette's next soirée- Manou and Pascal, Anna and Jean-Claude (honestly) were very impressed by my knowledge of 'jambes'. I thought it would be too much for one evening if I recounted the tour-guide's poetry of how the experience of drinking wine mirrors an orchestral masterpiece. I think I need to go to the drawing board with that one.
Tuesday 12th November
This was a monumental day because I applied for my Senior Citizen Bus Pass (i.e I turned 21).
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| So full of hope and wonder! |
After a full day of attempting to get French teenagers to learn English (I'm surprised I didn't age a few more years within those 9 hours), Sylvette treated me to a lovely meal at a restaurant in the village.
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| Two essentials to ma vie française ; wine and Sylvette |
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| Soupe de potimarron avec chorizo / Côte de canard / Poire pochée au thé avec chocolat ... definite food envy of my birthday self |
To top it all off, I received birthday love in the post from my people at home-
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| Rob Ryan (and Mum)- you've done it again Moonpig, you're a keeper (you're not bad either Farrell/Puntan) |
Wednesday 13th November
So every Wednesday, Sylvette and her friends congregate in our living room to carry out a secret Art Expo that they have been planning for a few weeks now: Yarn Bombing. I shall explain- in St Macaire there is a whole row of trees, 43 of them to be exact, in the middle of the village. The idea is that Sylvette and co. are knitting 43 'robes' (dresses), one for each of these trees. In effect, they are carrying out knitted graffiti. The whole plan is to be executed in complete secrecy/anonymity (so if you know anyone in St Macaire- you'd better keep schtum!... and also tell me who you know!) ready for the new full moon... I don't know what makes more sense- knitting dresses for trees or celebrating the new moon but this is my life right now so I shall not question it.
Luckily, my repetoire of skills includes knitting, sewing and placing pom-poms on patchwork blankets in a creative way so the ladies allowed me 'in' on this venture and so this is what our living looks like every Wednesday...
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| 'Yarn Bombing' In Progress |
I'll be sure to update you with the final stage- Tree Fashion Show- in a few weeks time!
Thursday 14th November
Due to my school hours and transportation availability (cheers, Geraud!) I am in school Monday afternoon, Tuesdays all day and Thursdays all day. So, my responsable (the less said the better) thought it would be a grand idea for me to take an hour of my 12 to hold an English Table for some of the kids that I don't get to teach.
But really I just think she wanted to make me sit in the canteen alone for an hour for the past two weeks. Not even my wonderfully enticing poster did the trick!
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| wonderfully enticing poster |
So I am taking a new initiative.
I am going to go full out English on these kids- I'm thinking table cloth, I'm thinking flags, I'm thinking scones, I'm thinking the Queen. Every Thursday, between 12:05pm - 1:00pm, from now on shall now be known as British Patriotism 55 minutes. Catchy, huh? Definitely material for my next poster...
Wish me luck. Please.
Friday 15th November
Each Friday morning at 10:30am, Sylvette has a coffee date with Jean-Claude and Anna at Langon Market, so when I am not in Bordeaux with the Brits I like to tag along for un petit café noir, a cheeky chi-chi and a show-and-tell of the day's purchases; last week it was pig's brain and this week was some form of flat fish. Right there, on the coffee table. Now I'm not squeamish but it's hard to keep a hold of the chi-chi sometimes.
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| Langon Market - a world of wonders |
Saturday 16th November
As a remedy for my mild homesickness this week I have been trying to sort out my exercise. Lacking in a gym, St Macaire doesn't provide much by way of fitness options. So I decided to jog...
... Then I also decided to buy this at Langon's market last week.
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| What I bought. / Me looking at what I bought. |
It was 8 Euros from a second-hand shop, what can I say?! Thought it would make a nice addition to the painting shed (or, what should now be known as, home gym) in our garden, and needless to say, it has provided great banter for Sylvette with her friends- 'aah la petite anglaise et ses trucs!' I'm here all week.
But yes, the jogging. It was the first sunny day within a very grey week in the region, so I took full advantage of it and took my camera in my fanny pack (I stand by this fashion choice).
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| Okay, more photography than jogging might have occurred this time but just look at it! Who could resist? |
This weekend also saw Round 2 of Birthday Celebrations, so I sauntered off to Bordeaux to be with the Brits. We ate, we drank, we bantered and we danced... And it was brilliant.
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| Brits Abroad dealings |
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First step: Develop interest in life as you see it.
Cue birthday present to self-
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| I'm going to drink the lemonade. |
Until the next time, mes copains!
