Nearly Noel

So here I am, 2 and a ½ months in Blois on my year abroad, and my first attempt to write everything that has happened. In a nutshell, I have a great living situation, a cushty job and plenty of free time to explore France and have fun without the burden of essays and reading. I have the opportunity to speak French everyday to real live French people, to immerse myself in the culture and to live a completely other life for 7 months. And so I have.

I love my job. After 5 years of waitressing and bar work I am finally in a job that I enjoy, that r equires intelligence! With 12 hours a week and small groups it’s an easy transition into a professional setting. I never thought I would want to be a teacher- and to be honest I’m still not; but I have seen for the first time the classroom from ‘the other side’. The kids can be a nightmare, yes- but when your lesson works and they pay attention and even enjoy learning, well… that’s rewarding. When, albeit rare, the bells sounds and they let out a groan of disappointment. I don’t know if I’d have the strength or ability to be a proper teacher, not just an assistant… but I’ve realised that I really like the school setting and that I can imagine working in one in the future, even if not as a teacher. I’m talking more about college than lycee. In lycee I feel rather inadequate to teach students the same age as me, me whose French probably isn’t a lot better than some of their English.

All the same, my French has improved shitloads. I’m no longer scared to speak, for one thing. The day I arrived in Blois I was so scared every spoken interchange was a trauma. I speak too much English, probably. Most of the assistants are American, but I get to speak French to Susan and the German assistants… it’s easier speaking French to non-french people, and I find my French is actually better than when I speak to real francophones! Which is frustrating. Still, I have another 4 months here and I’m hoping I’m going to improve more.
Away from the pressures of uni, I haven’t even realised the relief it’s been. I drink responsibly (most of the time) I am not obsessing over food or my figure (cycling and walking everywhere, rather than a balanced diet, have done wonders for me and I’ve lost just about half a stone) and I am not feeling so… pressured. Pressured to be like everybody else- to be a certain person, to do certain things. I hope that feeling doesn't come back.

Nearly Christmas, and these are Things I Didn't Expect
1) that it would feel so normal living here
2) that I wouldn't miss England all that much
3) that I would fall in love... with a french guy, no less.
4) that I would feel so abnormal being a Christian here