Starting work...

Well I finally started work - the real reason I'm here! I went to the high school on Wednesday all dressed up and ready to go. After I got there I learned that it really is true that French teachers don't have to dress up - jeans and casual pants are fine. I'm very excited about that rule! I waited in the teacher's lounge for an English teacher and Cathleen was the first one in there. She was really nice and took it upon herself to show me around and set everything up. I met the principal and when I told him I was from Chicago he started to try to name all the great lakes. I just smiled and nodded because I couldn't think of them all myself! I met the secretary who gave me a bunch of papers to fill out for social security, etc. I have my own little mailbox already set up along with the other language assistants - German, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Spanish. The school has 4-5 levels and I'll mainly be on the 3rd floor (which is the American 4th floor). The classrooms are nice but don't have any posters like in the U.S.

The teachers will be sending me small groups of students from their classes to mainly do oral excersises. I have some sophomore classes, one junior class, a bunch of senior classes, and one "BTS" class which is basically like our community college. I don't work at all on Mon. or Tues. (which will make for a nice long weekend), one class at 11 on Wed., 5 classes on Thurs starting at 8 and ending at 5, and 6 classes on Fri. starting at 8 and ending at 4. I'm actually very happy with the schedule - I'd rather work longer days and have some days free.

On Thursday I went to see another apartment. I really liked it although it is small and a little more expensive than I wanted to spend. I don't want to write too much in case I don't get it...I'll write more when I've actually signed a lease! Thursday night I went with Laurie to her friend Claire-Liz's apartment for dinner. We had a curry chicken/pineapple dish with rice that was really good and then we played Wii fit. We also played guitar hero which was a little taste of home - reminded me of ice show weekend and graduation weekend at Miami...the songs reminded me of my housemates (My Name is Jonas!).

Friday (today) I went to the school to introduce myself to one of my senior classes. I told the kids a little about myself and then asked for quesions. At first they were shy and didn't talk but one student finally got up the nerve and asked, "Are you a republican or a democrat and why?". I told them that usually in the US we don't talk about our political affiliation at school and asked the professor if she wanted me to answer. She said if I were telling my opinions on French politics it wouldn't be a good idea but I'm supposed to be telling them my opinions as an American and that I could discuss it if I wanted to. So of course I answered the question as best I could and then they started to ask me what I thought of the law that allows Americans the right to bear arms, and what I thought the consequences of the financial crisis would be, etc. It was pretty heavy stuff - they really got me thinking! And of course they asked me what the biggest difference was between the US and France, and if I prefer the US or France. One student asked if my friends and family were happy that I was coming to France because, "I know a lot of Americans can't even find France on a map and they think we don't drive cars or have telephones - some Americans don't really like France". Luckily I was able to say that all my friends and relatives were happy for me to go to France and could locate France on a map!

Overall I talked with them for an hour and I really enjoyed it! They speak and understand English very well (I spoke very slowly though so I'll have to challenge them a little more next time!) and I think they'll be a good class. At the end the teacher told me she was sure I'd be a great teacher here and in the U.S. if that's what I decide to do so that was very positive - I hadn't really taught anything, just talked! I go to another class (I think seniors) on Monday and then to the class of juniors and another of seniors on Tuesday. I don't actually start teaching by myself until the week after next (Oct. 12) and then after two weeks of teaching I'll have a two week paid vacation!

Anyways, I realized I forgot the cord to upload photos off my digital camera so there won't be any photos on here for awhile. I thought instead I would take some videos on my Flipvideo and try to upload that so you can see some of Lyon.

That's all for now! A bientot et BISOUS!!!

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