The beginning of this week was absolutely wonderful. Both Monday and Tuesday I went walking after school. It was soooo nice out. I remember before December, teachers and other people kept making jokes to me about how cold it was going to get and how I should be ready for the worst. They laughed about it as if I had no idea what I was in for. Well, each time I kindly reminded them that I'm from Minnesota, where it snows like crazy and is cold until July. And yes, I realize I picked a good year to be gone; I realize it was worse this year in terms of snow than most years. But that doesn't mean I don't still know a Minnesota Winter! And I'll tell you, the Luron version of Winter is nothing like Minnesota's. It's the middle of March. People are walking the snowless streets without jackets (although there are still plenty with), the sun is out most off the time, and birds are chirping away like it's the middle of May. It's so great. And yeah, Winter was cold. But I mean, I didn't need a warning. I was expecting it to be a lot worse than it was/is!
Tuesday night when I got home from my walk, I checked my bank account online and learned that my bank card had been used by someone other than me on the internet. I spent six hours that night trying to figure out what this company was that was showing up on my bank statement. I found a fax number and the website, but no phone number. On my statement itself, there was a phone number. It's a US company in North Carolina, according to my research. I called the number multiple times. Sometimes I got a fax machine, and once a woman answered and sounded extremely confused, unable to even ask, "Who are you?" I just ended up apologizing and saying I had the wrong number. At the end of the night, I was still nowhere.
So it was up at 7:45 on Wednesday, my day off. And I'm actually glad, because I ended up being super productive that day. I went to the bank and canceled my card. At first, the woman told me they'd look it over and call me back the next day. I insisted they close my card right then and there. (And someone else working insisted we do so, too. I'm thinking the first person might have been new?) And so they did.
I was home by 9:45. I had the rest of the day to be productive, and I was. I prepared everything for the next day's work, cleaned my room, sent necessary emails, finished other little random chores, went on a long walk, and my favorite... I made applesauce. It was the first time I'd ever done it, and it turned out to be delicious and sooo easy!
Yum.
Yesderday in class I finally opened my box with my students. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this or not, so I'll mention it quickly right now. One of my cooperating teachers from student teaching, Mary, is teaching French in River Falls, WI this year. She and I did a little exchange with our classes. Two of my classes helped think of things that represent French culture. They brought them to school for me to collect. They wrote descriptions of the items, and I packed them into a box and mailed it to Mary's students. Mary's classes did the same for us with American things. I went through it on my own back in February when I got it, but I didn't see those classes again until this week! I've been waiting and waiting because there is peanut butter in there, and I don't want to eat it until I've shown my classes!
Yesterday we went through the box. It was a huge hit! The kids really loved it. Basically I stood in front of the class talking to whoever was willing to listen. It was too much stuff to sit and discuss everything, so I basically talked a little and passed things around the room. The kids were fascinated. I started with the peanut butter and the marshmallows. They couldn't BELIEVE the concept of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I assured the kids they're delicious, but they didn't seem to believe me. And I said lots of people eat it with fruit, and I even told them about ants on a log. They thought that was weird! In one class, I admitted to having made a peanut butter and nutella sandwich on more than one occasion. Mmmm. That's on the menu for dinner in a couple weeks. The marshmallows were a hit, too. They all got to eat some. And mixing marshmallows with peanut butter was weird to them, and so was the concept of a s'more! They also got to taste the conversation hearts that were in the box. I warned them that some people think they taste like chalk. Lots of kids didn't like them, but lots also got a kick out of the messages! I gave each kid two hearts and said they had to make a sentence using both messages. I think only one kid actually did it. Ha.
Other things that were big hits were the pictures of the school/students/neighborhoods/town, a small football, magazines (specifically Sports Illustrated with the Packers on the cover), silly bands, restaurant menus, US coins, ... and lots more. Seriously there was so much in that box, I can't remember it all. But it was a great lesson. I had them write down their impressions for me to collect next time I see them. Those will be interesting to read! I'm hoping I'll have enough time with my other classes (which I see for only half the time!) to make it worth doing next week!
After class I went back to the bank to officially get my lost money back. Can I just say I love my banker? Her name is Florence, and she's so great. She helped me write a letter. I laughed a little inside because I knew it was going to make me look stupid. So I had to write a letter to the bank basically just saying that I didn't make those charges and that I want the money refunded. I definitely know how to write in French. I write much better than I speak. I could write all day in French. But when she rambled off a list of things I'd have to include in the letter (much of which I didn't understand because they're banking terms), I just asked if she's dictate what I should write. And so she did. It's totally different writing something on the spot in front of someone and having to make it perfect the first time. Usually I write on my own, and when I'm at the computer, I can write and then go back and delete things and check spellings if I have to and whatever. Plus, I didn't want to leave anything out, since she told me some very specific things to be sure to include. But it did make me feel a little better knowing I at least knew how to spell everything she said, even if they weren't words I knew already. In that aspect, I wrote like a pro! It was obvious I at least knew what she was talking about. In the end, my letter was perfect. Now all I need is the money back. :)
Today was a good day also. I woke up "early" to go to work at 10. I seriously don't know why that teacher even has me come to class. I never do anything. Today I read one paragraph out loud and suggested maybe three or four vocabulary words for things. All right, so that is worth it, but I mean I usually feel like a bump on a log when I go to his classes. And I barely talk to his students. He does all the teaching. In French. And he's an awkward teacher to talk to. He'll say something, then look at me or the students and say, "Oh yes. Yes it's true," as if we didn't believe him the first time. Then after class he always talks to me forever about things I either already know or don't care about, and I have to awkwardly find a space to slip out of the conversation so I can leave. Not to mention every time he sees me he asks when the next time I'm coming to his class is. He's forgetful. But he's super nice and great. I do like him, so I'll just be happy! After work I took a nap. A four hour nap. I slept until 3:15pm. It was great!!! I was really tired because the night before I was apparently up too late. Then I went on a walk, came home and made dinner, watched a movie, and enjoyed my own company.
Hoping this weekend isn't a bust. I'm hoping to get out of Lure, at least a little.
1 comment:
Sounds like a great and productive week :)
Although, I hope you get your money back!! Going to the bank to sort through something like that sounds really terrifying at the moment. haha. I wouldn't even begin to know the right words to say. So, good work!
Post a Comment