Blog #3, tired day in Marseilles

Blog #3

So I stayed up waaaay too late trying to get my blog up yesterday, or should I say this morning. I finally got to bed around 3am, wanted to be up 7am, didn’t fall asleep until 4am and woke up to Antoinette’s text message at 8:18. I was supposed to be at the Assistant “training meeting” at 9am. Needed a shower, breakfast, lunch packed…. So that didn’t happen. It really wasn’t much of training. They showed us a few things to do on the Academie website once we have discovered successful (or equally important non-successful) teaching techniques, ideas games, etc., for our students. Once I actually start teaching consistently, know that I know who my students are and what I am to do, I’ll be sure to get on that, thanks.  I went for two hours, then headed to EPIM to prep my art projects for the kids/students/eléves (there are so many ways I can and will address them- make note) for today.

The job only pays me to work from 1:30- 4:30, which is a bummer given it’s going to take me much more prep work time, and I have to stay later to clean up. We’ll see how things go in the future: I may need to discuss getting paid for the extra 1.5 hours I am there. I may just eventually get my groove and not need that much extra time, which is what I’m hoping for. Then again, asking to be paid for that extra hour isn’t such a bad idea…

I thought it would be so productive of me to have everything ready and laid out when the students arrived; not the case. My two projects, painting turkey masks and then later making paper turkey pins were a hit, however I wanted them to be created in that order. I had a separate painting table station, and all the tables where the children sit ready for Paper Turkey Pin Shop. After our initial sit down hellos and talking about the day’s activities, the colored paper, glue and scissors were too much to take, and everyone dove in head first to this project. I made models of each of the projects, and explained step by step how to do it. I am not supposed to speak French at all, and it’s hard to get away with when my boss is in the next room with both our doors open. However, when I’ve got a crying 3-three old tuggin’ at my leg with another one slapping another one in the face, some French is going to come in here and there. I ask the few English speaking kids to help me with directions, and they are always happy to help. As the students finished one project and moved to another I learned the lesson I already knew yet didn’t apply: no matter what start with the paints. Once they get into painting they don’t want to really stop, yet I can make them do it if there is another project at hand. Then, of course, the paint of the projects can actually dry, which is always much more pleasant for the parents when carting their children’s beloved art projects home. Whoops!

The place was a wreck 10xs over, and it took me an additional 45 minutes to clean up. This is AFTER we already had one clean up session! Another lesson to learn- can art be fun and clean? Something is telling me no…

Normally I walk home. It usually takes me about 30-35 minutes. I enjoy walking past the Vieux Port, looking at the boats packed similar in fashion to the sardines Marseille is famous for, smelling the fresh air roll in from the Mediterranean.  Not tonight. As afore mentioned, I was damn tired, and the #55 conveniently picks me up in front of EPIM and drops me off 4 blocks from my apartment. So I wait, and wait, and wait. And then it gets to the point where I’m like, “Ok. I KNOW the minute I leave the bus will come, and I won’t be able to catch the next stop….”, so I wait some more. I waited 50 goddamn minutes for a bus that is supposed to come every 15, and of course is packed to the gills, standing room only. Then when it gets to the Vieux Port 5 minutes later, it turns right instead of left, and the driver tells everyone to get off the bus. Sonofah!!! I ended up walking the rest of the way anyway, never seeing my “convenient”  #55 pass by.

I dug around in the fridge and pulled out what I thought I could turn into a decent meal. Cabbage, onion, yellow pepper and mushrooms sautéed with some stewed tomatoes, a few spices, poured over two thick slices of left-over polenta. I love it when I surprise myself! Tomorrow’s lunch? Yep- you guessed it.

My friend Antoinette came over. We hadn’t seen each other for a while and promised each other we’d go running in the morning, so make sure we both fulfill on the promise, she’s staying the night. I’ve got to get my ass back in gear and start running- we’ve signed up for the Marseilles 1/2 Marathon in April!

Blog #3 isn’t exciting, I know. But just let me reiterate: I’m friggin’ tired! I’ll try to post some pics from today at EPIM. Here’s hoping……

For lack of a better title, blog #2

So here we go, my real first Blog attempt. I keep putting off writing on this thing because 1) I plan on changing it (not as user-friendly as I would like), 2) I feel like I have SO much to update on for pretext that I feel very far behind and overwhelmed by it (I have been gone almost two months), and  3) I’ve just been plain damn lazy about it (‘nuff said). It is 12:37 am; I was trying to go to bed at 11; clearly not going to happen. So to make myself feel a little more accomplished for the day (and make my mama happy), I’m going to put in my ten minutes (as mama suggested) or more, because nothing ever takes me ten minutes…..

Today the wind in Marseilles was incredible. I’ve heard of the Mistral, but over the past several weeks, I am experiencing it first- hand. I have always loved the way all the windows in France, especially Provence, are adorned with shutters. Different styles, shapes, and colors, old and new. At first I thought it was for aesthetic purposes;  later to shut out the light so one could properly faire un petit somme (take a nap).  The first night I tried to sleep with the Mistral banging at my bedroom window I was mildly afraid for my life. Or perhaps, more afraid that the Mistral would shatter my beautiful French doors in my sleep and then shatter my beautiful face for the rest of my life. Then it occurred to me- shutters! That must be the other meaningful purpose they serve! While getting them closed did make quite the difference, the cosmic force of the Mistral was ever apparent, and I moved myself to the other side of the bed with a pillow over my head for added protection. Ear plugs are a soon-to-be investment. 

Waking up in the morning to the Mistral rattling against my window, I get out of bed and head straight for my living room windows to see what the Mediterranean has to tell me about the wind factor. Small whitecaps mean I’m going to need a scarf tightly wrapped around my neck, tucked into jacket. Whitecaps smashing up several feet high against the jetty with boats that are rocking turbulently in the bay means hat, scarf, gloves, sunglasses (always, everyday anyway), and somewhat of a workout as I push my way through the windy streets of Marseilles  to and from my various jobs of the day. On days when I don’t work, and the wind is having a hay-day, I stay inside the comfort of my apartment, sipping tea while I watch the birds attempt to fly in a direction the Mistral will not let them easily do. It is quite humorous to watch. 

Today I did not get to stay home, but rather had some errands to run in preparation for the Leisure Club I teach on Wednesday afternoons at EPIM, and to then pick up Paul 6, and Julien 8, from school. EPIM stands for Ecole Privee International Marseille, where Paul and Julien attend, whose parents happen to own and operate, who happened to give me the job as Leisure Club teacher at EPIM. When I went for the interview as Au Pair for Paul and Julien, they saw on my resume that I have a Bachelor of Art and Science from the University of Washington. “You have a Bachelor’s in Art? We may have a second job for you.”  My interest peaked, “Why yes. YES I DO have a degree in Art. Give me another job!” So on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday I pick the boys up from EPIM, and always speaking English with them (which they perfectly understand and speak with cute little accents), I take them on a bus, the metro, then another bus to their home where I fix them dinner, play games, help with homework, and get them cleaned up for bed before Bruno and Sophie come home. Leisure Club is Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-4:30, where it is my job to speak English doing art projects with children ages 3-11, some of which actually go to the school, some of which actually speak English. I’ve only done it once by myself, the two previous times with the outgoing teacher. This will truly attest to my level of patience and courage. I can draw a stick man. It goes downhill from there. I’m relying on my other forms of creativity and confidence to carry me through.  Tomorrow we are making turkey masks in honor of the upcoming, non-existent Thanksgiving holiday. Here’s hoping it all goes well…

In honor of another American tradition, Taco Tuesday, I introduced Paul and Julien to the World of Salsa and the Mexican Pizza. They loved it! Yesterday I had to take Julien to the orthodontist for his first implantation of braces (which, mind you, in the crazy wind AND pouring rain was not an easy task), making dinner last night a bit difficult for him. The soft cheesy tortillas filled with meat and cheese was a hit. We are still growing comfortable with one another, and they are definitely testing the waters with me.  Here’s hoping to a bright future…..

It’s now 1:36. Four cups of tea, a few short chats on IM with Karolina, Mama (happy to hear I’m blogging), and Christopher, and it’s time for me to hit the hay. Tomorrow all the Assistants for Academie Aix-Marseille are meeting at lycee Saint Charles for a training session. I will only be able to attend the morning session as I have to go paint turkeys with small French children in the afternoon. Notes will be exchanged with the other Assistants at Happy Hour somewhere after my turkey hour.

And there you have it… one of the days of my life in Marseilles.