So I have not been a very good blogger this past week. My only excuse is that there was a lot going on and we were squeezing in activities before school started on Thursday. We went to the Science Center, Eiffel Tower, and then experienced all the Drama of the First Day of School! Busy week! Here's our week working backwards from this morning...
1. Ignorance was Bliss...So I think I liked it better when the crazy old Frenchmen and woman made their comments to me and I just nodded my head and smiled because I had no idea what they were saying. As my francais is improving, I am understanding more and more that these sweet little old men and woman are not very sweet at all! On two separate occasions this morning I was scolded by different woman because Celia did (a) not have shoes on and (b) was wearing a skirt. They were very unhappy with me! It was quite amusing though to have them wagging their little old fingers in my face slowly yelling their disapproval.
2. I survived my first Parent's Open House...for my 3 year old! This was intense. Back to School night and I brought my friend Greg to translate. The parent's association of France is intense. I was only able to get about half of what they were saying because I finally had to tell Greg to stop -- meetings, elections, democrats, and republicans. It's a well oiled powerful machine that basically runs the education system. The directrice was very supportive of them however I did sense a little tension as they reviewed their goals for the year. I think I'm going to sit this one out for the year and see how things go. Yes, I'm scared. But the rest of the Open House was great and I got to hear about Elise's schedule for the morning, their goals, and ways that I can help at home. I think Elise is really going to like it there!
3. Elise's teacher is fabulous! Elise has officially made it 3 days and today was fantastic. Although there were many tears during the drop-off, I learned that they quickly disappeared and that Elise had a great day. She was in great spirits when I picked her up and is excited to go back tomorrow. I'm feeling so much better about her enthusiasm for the school and her willingness to want to go back. It was a hard morning thinking about all those tears and sadness. But my lady is a fine, dramatic actress and I know she knows how to turn it on for me!
4. Finally, the phone! I have had my iPhone now for about 10 days and I must say that it is fabulous! I don't know how I survived life before. I just love it. The only problem is that the lady inside the phone that tells me about my messages and inbox is French and I can't understand a word she is saying. So, I can't change my outgoing message and if I need to replay a message I'm screwed! Next on the list of translations, figure out the phone!
So there you have a quick recap of my adventures. We have been getting out and seeing some of the city too! We went up north to the 3rd and saw some of the Jewish District and bought some nice treats there. We had a nice walk along the Seine and enjoyed the beautiful sights of Notre Dame Cathedral. It's the Tower and the Cathedral that really get me excited about living here. It's so crazy that this is my home. I love it.
I also wanted to share my fabulous doctor visit. I went to get a medical clearance so that I can join the Cite Sports Club and work out. So I made an appointment with a doctor I found on my MESSAGE website (the mother's group). One of my favorite experiences of the day was sitting in the waiting room with all the other patients. As people entered and left the room, there was always a greeting and response. For example, when one woman came in, she entered with a Bonjour to the entire room and everyone responded with a Bonjour. Then when another woman left, she called out a bonne journee and everyone replied right back. I just loved it!
The doctor was great. Of corse he claimed to speak no English and took my family/medical history all in French (I brought a notebook full of notes in French. I came very well prepared!). Then we chatted a bit about what I was doing and why I came to see him. He admitted that he attends some English speaking classes and spoke really great English. There were a lot of medical terms that neither of us could translate, but it is very interesting how many frenchmen will refuse to speak English. They are embarrassed if it is not perfect and won't try. I found the same thing with the Directrice at Elise's school. Luckily my translator friend Greg was there and helped us along with the registration. However as I made jokes/comments to Greg about the process and school, she laughed at all of them. It was fabulous! They are sneaky those Frenchmen!
Off to parle francais. And then work on my futbol skills!
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