Questival is the Best-ival

Paris, je t'aime

I know I just said that I was so excited to be back from vacation in my beloved city of Angers, however, when you get the opportunity to go to one of the best cities in Europe to reunite with some great friends from high school, you have to seize it! This past weekend, I went to Paris and met up with two dear friends, Rachel and Liz from the good ol' USA. It was fun being a tourist and seeing all the sights again. For Liz, it was her first time in Europe in general, but more specifically, France. After spending years together in French class, it was so fun to see her eyes light up (and tear up) whenever we arrived at a famous site. Don't feel like typing anymore... plus, pictures are more fun anyways.

Liz and me at the Eiffel Tower

Liz on the Pont des Arts with a lock for her loved one

Selfie at Sacre Coeur

CHIPOTLE IN PARIS

Selfie at the Moulin Rouge

Selfie at Notre Dame

However, as I've said before, there's nothing that beats the feeling of coming back to what feels like home. It's the final stretch of my time in France, and I have so many emotions. I don't want to leave the amazing people I've met here. I feel so incredibly lucky and honored to have had this experience. Excuse me while I go cry in a corner. 

Yalla yalla !

vi-brant
adjective
1. full of energy and enthusiasm
synonyms: spirited, lively, energetic, animated, sparkling, effervescent, vivacious, dynamic, stimulating, exciting, passionate

If I had to characterize Morocco in one word, I’d probably choose vibrant. I recently got back from my two week holiday, of which I spent about 10 days in Northern Africa visiting tourist-popular Marrakech, more Westernized but beautiful Casablanca, and confusing but ‘authentic’ Fes. Throughout the whole trip, my senses were in overdrive… Spices and the markets filled my nose with amazing odors, bright reds, oranges, blues, etc. took over my eyes, a mix of Arabic, French, and English consumed my ears, tagine and couscous kept my belly full. What an experience.

Place Jemaa El Fna

Marrakech
As soon as we stepped off the bus in downtown Marrakech from the airport, I could tell I was in for an adventure. Never have I been so stressed or panicked. We just wanted to take a minute to ourselves and orient ourselves with the map, but right away, all sorts of people swarmed us telling us to buy this or to get in this taxi or just harassing us in general. I thought I was about to have the worst vacation of my life. Luckily with the help of our fifth traveler who arrived earlier than us and had the chance to explore, we finally found our hostel. The next day, we got to explore the city, walking around the souks and the main square (Place Jemaa El Fna), schools, and more. The weather was so warm and perfect with the sun beating down on us. We ate great food, bought some nice souvenirs, and took so many pictures.
 
Zagora

Dromedaries in the desert

My favorite part of the whole week was our excursion to the desert. Starting bright and early at 7am, we hopped in a car and hit the road. Our tour guide Aziz lived up to his rave reviews on TripAdvisor and spent hours driving us on the winding roads through the Atlas Mountains, stopping multiple times for photo opportunities. Upon arrival to Zagora, we hopped on camels and took off into the sunset... ok, well the sun was setting behind us, but we were able to turn around and watch. This was followed by mint tea, dinner, fire, music, and stargazing. So relaxing and peaceful. I felt so isolated from the rest of the world. It really is something to look around and see nothing but sand in every direction.



Casablanca

English Assistants of Angers take on Morocco

Instead of trying to do the 7-hour train ride from Marrakech to Fes in one go, we decided to stop in Casablanca for a night. Research stated that this city was rather unfriendly, so everyone was a little wary. We started off on a great note… as soon as we got in the cab and told the driver the name of our hotel, he said “c’est pas bon… comme une poubelle (it’s not good… like a garbage can).” How reassuring, right? It was fine. After a fabulous dinner, a walk, and a viewing of Rick’s Café from the movie Casablanca, we soon fell asleep after a long day of travel. The next day, we visited Hassan II Mosque which is the only one that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. We had the best tour guide ever who spoke English so well—and by that, I mean she spoke in such a monotone voice, but she was just full of jokes! After the tour, we took a (long) walk through the sun to the beach! I had a great time frolicking in the water. This was followed by McDonalds  (because why not?), and a walk back to the hotel. We ended up catching our train to Fès only 3 hours later than we had anticipated!

Fès

Me & Rhys at the View looking over the city

The last stop of our Moroccan tour was Fez. This city was even more confusing than Marrakech and seemed to have a reputation of being more dangerous? I guess because it is less tourist-y? Luckily, we had an amazing hostel who organized a tour for us led by a man who was full of insightful wisdom. We got to see authentic Fès and spent the day walking, visiting a berber textile workshop, a tannery, a pharmacy and so much more. One last highlight of this city was eating a camel burger. Yum.


Needless to say, it was an amazing week-- Amazing, but exhausting. It was definitely great to come back to France and the routine of things. Luckily, the second week of vacation was full of sunshine and warmth, which meant lots of walks and being outside. As for now, the first week back at work has already come and gone. I can tell the students aren’t happy to be done with the holiday, but then again… I can’t blame them, haha.

Stop and smell the roses

So it seems as if this blog has turned into a monthly update. Every time I sit myself down to write, I have so much trouble putting my experiences into words. I never know where to begin. I guess the theme of this blog is a reminder to "stop and smell the roses" or to take a break from your fast-paced, busy lives to appreciate and enjoy all the good things. To not take things for granted. To remember the little things. I guess I'm doing that in this post for myself, but you all can enjoy it as well. Unless you get bored or don't care... then, leave :]

I've really started to enjoy my work again. Been teaching my kids about high school in America. Had some great debates on public vs. private schools, uniforms, etc. They loved looking through my old yearbooks (starting as early as 1999 when I was only 8 years old). We also talked about all the fun activities like football games, prom, graduation, etc. I even showed them a few clips from High School Musical. Some students loved me for it, and others wanted to kill me. Whatever. I loved myself for it, ha. Also, did a lesson on Valentines day and passed out some cute little cards from Amurrica.

Other little things that make me happy

--Finally defeated this board game called "l'Ile interdite" with two other assistants. 

--A fellow American and I made tacos for three assistants from England. It was adorable watching them copy us when putting ingredients into the tortillas and then roll them up. 

Me and Purven ready for some foot

--Despite the constant rain (although there have been some lovely afternoons with some sun), the weather does seem to be warming up a little bit (spring, yes?). 

--Two students gave me presents... one was a definition of the word love and the other was a drawing of their Rube Goldberg contraption. This shouldn't be a big deal, but lycéens never give their teachers anything, unlike other assistants who work with the little kids. 

--I went to Pizza and Board games again at the bibliothèque anglophone and played Apples to Apples with some older French people. I said the word "bogus" outloud, and they thought I said "beau gosse" (good-lookin' fellow). 

--Went to my very first professional football match-- Allez Angers SCO !

--Finally finished all my paperwork for living in France.

Jet d'eau à Genève

Lastly, I went to Switzerland. So casual. Took a weekend at the beginning of February (because February is cold and depressing) and hopped on a train with a friend of mine who is also an assistant. We traveled to Geneva early that Saturday morning and arrived mid-afternoon. Walked around the old city and the lake and then had the best fondue ever. On Sunday, the weather was beautiful, and we returned to the lake to see le Jet d'eau. This was followed by a train ride to Lausanne where we walked more, went to an art museum, and then took a relaxing boat ride. On Monday, we said bye to the beautiful mountains and lake and eventually made our way back to the train and France.

Me and Jenna en Suisse

And to continue with this Wanderlust theme... two weeks from today, I will be in Morocco! Hopefully on a camel. 

Timeflies

Happy 2014 everyone! So, it's been over a month since I last wrote... seriously, where has the time gone? It's flying! Also, enjoy this wonderful musical selection by Timeflies celebrating 2013. I'm obsessed and this song just puts me in a great mood.

Anyways, I don't have anything too extraordinary to share, but I feel as though I should give some sort of update for those who are living vicariously through me (haha, I'm kidding).

Going home for Christmas was great. Well, let me correct myself-- Being home for Christmas was great. The whole getting there was not very fun. Almost missed my flight because AirFrance is stupid. I got to be that person running through the airport as fast as I could, tears threatening to stream down my face, making it to the gate right before they closed the doors, and getting evil looks from those passengers already comfortably situated. Whatever. Moving on. Great family and friends time. And my cat. I got to see my cat. That was nice. The jet lag was great too. That was a joke. Since I was only home for a week, I wasn't about to try to adjust myself to Cincinnati time just to have to return to France land, so I got to be an old lady and go to bed at 9 and wake up at 6 everyday. Lovely.

Coming back to Angers was wonderful. Most of the other assistants were away, so I got to spend some quality time with the city. Experienced déjà-vu (French, woo!) walking to the castle and through the parks. But then I just thought about how much had changed since I had walked those streets for the first time just several months before and I started missing everybody.

The reunion was great, and honestly, within the first few minutes, it felt as if we had never left. I feel so thankful to have met so many incredible people. They have made my experience so fun and worthwhile. So many unexpected adventures and memories.. *sighs* Alright, I'll stop this sob fest... still got months to go.



Going back to work was bittersweet. I actually did miss (some of) my students. I did not miss the whole waking up before the sun though. A lot of assistants have been saying that since we've come back, work has been easier, which I guess is due to being more comfortable? I'm having a more difficult time though. I think my patience is getting shorter and those little buggers are slowly wearing me down. Constantly coming up with new, engaging lesson plans is exhausting! Once again, I'm reminded that teaching isn't my true passion, or at least that I don't want to make a career out of it, so I think the stress of having to start looking for more permanent, satisfying jobs back in the States is starting to catch up to me. (sidenote- don't get me wrong though... there are very rewarding parts to this job, but every day really is unpredictable, and my current mood is blah, thus the pessimism.)

Alright this has gone long enough. Well, not quite. Here's what else I've been up to... I'll make it fast-- New Years Eve, sleep, French dinner, coffee, pizza & board games, assistant birthday, curry, coffee, orange chicken, cheers-n' to the govna, coffee, coffee, coffee, the Lion King, beer, wine, walk, rain, texting with your nose, shopping, coffee, coffee, fire, coffee. In summary, I'm addicted to coffee. Help.

Two things to look forward to: 1. Morocco the first week of March! 2. Meeting up with two buddies from high school in Paris! #wyotillidieo I'm sorry, that was obnoxious, and even I hate myself for it. 

Winter Haikus written by my students

In Heatherpardy (a Winter / Holiday game that was explained in my last post), in order to win 500 points under the category Miscellaneous, teams had to write a haiku about winter... here are some of my favorites... ENJOY!

*note... I am writing these down verbatim. In other words, before their AWESOME language assistant (me) dropped some knowledge and helped them correct their errors

During the winter
I'm exciting and happy
because it's Christmas.

Santa Claus love milk.
Santa Claus is coming town.
Winter is better.

I love Chrithmas trees
with candles who are pretty,
and gift lovely.

See the snow falling.
Found the Santa Claus coming.
Heard children laughing.

When Winter's coming
Time has come for happiness.
Eat chocolate and cakes.

The merry Christmas
We wish you happy new year
Magic of Christmas

Winter is coming,
and snow is going to fall.
We are so enjoy!

The winter is cold.
Santa Claus is comin' soon.
So... Happy Christmas!

I am Santa Claus
And I give presents for childs.
I wear a red cloth.

When Winter comes here,
Snow is falling on the ground.
Santa Claus comes home.

Behind the window,
I can see a big snow man
playing in the snow

Winter, you are cold.
Winter, you are beautiful.
Winter, you are calm.

Other than that, things have been good. Went to a teacher's house for dinner... delicious, went on a little hike / long walk through the forest by a castle, ate a cronut, celebrated a friend's birthday, met a huge panda. My class on Friday was canceled, so it is officially Christmas break for me. I go home in 3 days!

Jenna and me

panda at the Christmas market

Loving life & Birthday!

Do you ever have those moments when you're walking down the street and people are staring at you like you're a freak, and then you realize it's because you're wearing a smile that is abnormally big and is probably creeping these people out? Well yeah, that's been me lately. I've been so content with life and feeling really lucky. Just the other day, I was walking back home in the crisp winter air, listening to N*SYNC Christmas music (which is the best Christmas album out there and will always be), walking on an assortment of pretty yellow and orange leaves, and it just hit me--life is good. It was a glorious feeling.

My awesome Holiday/Winter game

Work has been going great lately, and I am loving my students. With each passing week, I'm remembering more and more names. I walk through the hallways and I hear excited "hello"s as I turn the corners. I got to plan a lesson based on the film Hunger Games since 2 of my classes were going to see it for English Appreciation week at a local movie theater. Some of the students remembered the word "cornucopia" from our lesson two weeks earlier which means they really are learning things from me! This week, I'm starting lessons on Winter / the Holidays. I spent 4+ hours on this Jeopardy-esque game, and my kids are loving it. I love making them come up with team names... today I had the Opposite Team vs. the Caribous vs. the Green Moose. However, the best was when a girl belted out "All I want for Christmas is you" à la Mariah Carey in order to get her team 500 points. I think I finally have this whole "edutainment" thing down.

friends <3 pointing at me, the birthday girl

The social side of my life has been lovely as well. I have definitely been "profiter"ing. Last week, I frequented the Christmas market many times, went to a trivia night, chilled at a pub, celebrated my birthday (Dec 7), and went ice skating! On Friday, my awesome friend Jenna made me a cake... I still can't get over the fact that you have to go to the pharmacy in order to buy baking soda, haha. Anyways, the cake was delicious, despite the stupid trick candles that I couldn't blow out. It was great being with such a wonderful group of people right at midnight when I officially became 23. On Saturday, I caught up on sleep, then had the pleasure of showing Angers to my friend who I studied abroad with who came to visit me! We got to reminisce about Aix, try a new restaurant, go on a ferris wheel, and more. We also got to satisfy our craving for McDonalds. That evening, we went out again, ending my birthday in the same fashion as when it started... surrounded by my awesome new friends.