Random Thoughts #2

Just a quick update for everyone! Nothing terribly interesting to devote a whole post to, but a few random things:

1. Only one week until my final 2-week vacation (yes, I have another vacation). I decided to top it off the right way, so Cheryl and I our spending about a week in Italy and then meeting Maryann (an assistant from New York who lives in Cheryl's building in Nancy) in the Côte d'azur for a few days. The plan is: Rome (April 6-9), Florence (April 10-11) and the French Riviera/Nice/Cannes/Grasse/Monaco (April 12-15). The main idea/headache was to try and avoid Rome at all costs over Easter weekend. I think we'll be ok, considering we're leaving on the morning of Good Friday. I've been wanting to visit Rome for a while now (ever since The Lizzie McGuire Movie...just kidding. Or not), so I'm really excited. Over/under on Gladiator quotes/references is 5.

2. I had my last session with one of my classes on Friday. I didn't cry, but I was really sad. It was a group of terminales, who really could care less about English, but they were such a funny, lively group that I will miss. I should correct myself, they were more than enthusiastic to chat about football, movies, music, myself, each other in English. But getting them to analyze documents and texts was like pulling teeth. It just seems so strange that its my last time working with them. They seemed pretty bummed about it. One of my favorites came back in the room after class and said "Zank you Méleeeessa! I will miss you and I wish you good return to the United States!" which almost made me cry. I'm breaking the news to my secondes on Monday, that, after vacation, we only have one more class.

3. Point number 2 segues well into this one. As of today (according to my mom), I have 39 days left in France. I am not ready to leave. Of course, I miss my family and friends in the States a lot. But I know that they will always be there for me. This--my life here--won't. I never imagined that I'd feel so comfortable here. My French isn't terrific, but I can function. I'll miss my crazy, funny, sweet students and working with them. I love this job to death, even though only a handful of students probably realize that. I'll miss seeing their reactions to "American things" and the pained look on their faces when I ask "In English?" I'll miss my everyday life--going to the teacher's lounge to battle with the copy machine. Walking to L'Eclerc for groceries/snacks (believe me, this is an everyday thing). Walking to the train station. Hearing the church bells ring at 12.00 and 19.00. Seeing people dressed in black all the time. "Composting my billet" in the yellow box and the train stations. The "TER Lorraine numéro 800330 en provenance de St. Dié, à destination de Nancy arrive en gare, voie C..." lady's voice. I'll miss my friends, both from the States and around the world, that I know I'll probably never see again. So while I'm happy to come back, I'll be crushed if I can't be an assistant again next year, whether it be in Lunéville or anywhere else in this amazing, beautiful region.