A week in Saint Gaudens

Hard to believe that I'd never been to Saint Gaudens this time last week! It feels quite familiar already, although that's probably because it's pretty small.

Haven't started teaching yet, but I do have my timetable. It has taken a wee bit of going from school to school, and a bit of hanging around in staff rooms, waiting for teachers to be free, but it is (almost) finished now. Am supposed to be starting all classes next week, although will go to a few on Thurs and Fri this week.It's going to be a bit confusing as, not only is my time shared between three schools, but I'm only going to be in some of the classes once each fortnight. I am sure to end up in the wrong place at some point.
The teachers have all been really nice, and most have been speaking to me in English... feels a bit like cheating, but I guess it's good for them! And I have enough opportunities to speak French to other people, so it shouldn't put me too far behind there. Am pleased to be working with a couple of male teachers as, on thinking about it, I never had a male associate when I did my teacher training in NZ.

Saint Gaudens is a pretty place, with the only blight on the landscape being the local factory! There are heaps of tall, old buildings with shutters and narrow, cobblestoned streets. Can be quite entertaining just to go for a wander - and I have been doing a bit of that, as there isn't too much else entertainment going at the moment. ;p Over the weekend, I found a nice, tree-lined walkway with fitness trail, so guess I should make use of that.
Lodgings are both good and bad. I like my room: it's big, it has basic furniture, it's at one of the schools I teach at and close-ish to the other two. I don't like not having a proper kitchen! It's fine during the week, when I can eat at the school canteen, but I find it a bit frustrating during the weekend to try to feed myself when all I have is a fridge, microwave and hot plate. Ie only a wee desk as kitchen bench, no kitchen equipment, and no sink to wash dishes in...

Also, no tv or internet at the flat at this stage. Really have to check that out with the lady in charge.

Then again, another good point is that I have a flatmate! Xavier, a Spanish assistant at the lycee I'll be teaching at, lives here too. I confess; I haven't been practising my Spanish (we speak French), but it's nice to have a friend! He's pretty hard case, and also into music.

The school cook and the surveillants (who look after the hostel kids) are also really friendly, so can have a good chat with them when I go down to have dinner. Great French practice... although a couple of them are threatening not to talk to me again now that I've admitted I don't really like rugby. (Should have lied.) Cedric, the cook, keeps telling everyone this. Lol, I told him he should stop. I'll have no friends left!

Feeling pretty pleased with myself, as I opened my French bank account today. The proof of ID things that they give you are important for other admin things (like getting paid by the school), so was extra glad to get those pieces of paper. Will also be nice to withdraw $ (or, rather, euro) without the extra fees for the change of currency, and to have a card with a chip so I can actually use it in the machines for train tickets. Sick of queueing already, and I've only done it about twice.

I think this is getting too long to be easily digestible! That's enough for now. :)

Saint Gaudens, c'est chez moi

Ok, I'm sick of words. ;p This will be mainly pix.

Nice little street. There are many similar to this.Looking, from town, down towards the station (and factory).

Collège LeClerc, where I'll spend 2 hours each week.


Entrance of Lycée de Bagatelle, where I'll be spending 8 hours a week.

My room @ Collège Didier Daurat. The lady in pink is Danielle, one of my associate teachers. The other, Hélène, looks after the finance side of things in the building. (Well, more or less. I don't quite understand.)
The view from my room... out to the 'Public Gardens.'

Mucho excitement!

Well, it's been a fairly big week...

Have been trying like crazy to catch up with people as much as poss before leaving Wellyville, so have spent lots of good times with friends (who I am going to miss!).

Yesterday was my last day of work, and got a great prezzy from the folks in the CDC @ AXA: a handy-dandy travel/toilet bag, already filled with some useful goodies. There was also a great morning tea, in accordance with CDC protocol!

I also found out (made my week) that I can live at one of my schools - the Collège Didier Daurat - and it will be free. So, not only am I hugely relieved to know that I'll have somewhere to go when I get there, it also reduces the financial burden! The teacher from that school that I've been corresponding with is super helpful, and offering to meet me when I arrive. :)

With all of these changes happening, I'm actually beginning to believe that it's all real! It's quite funny because, in a way, this whole year has just been one of me being 'on hold', waiting for France. Now, it's a matter of weeks away!

I'm not excited about saying goodbye (or, at least, 'so long') to heaps of cool people, but I'm getting really excited about seeing new places, and starting my adventure.

Contact with Schools, and Past Assistants' Knowledge

A few more important things have happened, so it's time for an update!

1. I reapplied for my visa, and it has been processed and arrived at Mum & Dad's place. Hooray! I am now officially allowed into France, which is a very good thing. However, it was interesting that my (this time) carefully-selected, signature required envelope was simply left in the letterbox. Then again, it's still a big improvement on last time.
2. One of my schools replied to my email! Huzzah. While they didn't offer me a lot of info, they did respond to the questions I had asked, and the principal's secretary (who responded) was also going to forward my email to the assistant coordinator for the school.
   They also said that I may be able to get accommodation at one of the collèges that I'm teaching at. Fingers crossed for that. (Really would like to have a bit more certainty than that at this stage, but anyway. Apparently, this is typically French!)
3. I caught up with a former assistant over lunch one day, and it was good to get her insider knowledge. Apparently, I need to be prepared for some teachers not to be too bothered about whatever I teach the students. And I probably will be alone with the class, even if I'm told otherwise. I need to get into all my paperwork as soon as humanly possible, and expect the processing to take a long time. She even had one guy ignore her when she spoke because he thought her French was bad!
   However, I can also expect an awesome time. :)

It really is only a matter of weeks now, which is insane. I think I've gained a new appreciation of my current life, probably helped along by the imminent changes. Anyway, am making the most of it while I'm still here!