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.