Reflecting on the first three months

How lucky am I, to visit places like this when ever I want

Through a year abroad, we gain not just a greater knowledge of the language in which we study but we also gain a greater acceptance of the world. This is certainly true in my case. I will admit to grumbling about French ways of doing things during my first three months abroad. But since I've got back, I've also found myself saying 'Actually, the French do have that spot on'. There is no right or wrong way of doing something, we are told that everyone is different, this is also true for countries. Sometimes, as a people, the British are not tolerant of other nations. We see our ways of doing things, and everything else is wrong. We speak English, the most widely spoken language of the world, therefore we do not need to learn any other languages. See what I mean? So, acceptance of different cultures is a big thing that I have learnt.

I think back to September, a few days before I leave. I like to think that this blog has mainly been positive about the year. But it has not always been like that, sitting in the port of Dover, I was dreading leaving. I was to go, live in a studio apartment all alone. Throughout my life, I've always been surrounded by people. When I moved to university halls, I knew that I'd not really be 'alone'. This time though, totally alone. I arrived, got into my apartment. My Parents stayed for two nights, but then they left. I was alone, in a foreign country until Christmas. However, early that week I put a plea on the assistants page on facebook if anyone wanted to meet up in Paris. A response! On the Wednesday that week I met Kirsti. Then on the Friday, we had a picnic in the Parc Buttes Chaumont where I met lots of other assistants. Then again the next day, and the next etc etc. Basically, a friendship group was formed. I was not alone, I know I wasn't the only one who thought they would be alone. A number of great days/nights would be spent with these people, I know I probably wouldn't have enjoyed my time in Paris without them. In short, the reason I am enjoying my year abroad is because of them; and so a huge, massive THANK YOU goes to them. Without friends, I'd have been miserable in France, can't wait to see them again. I've also met up with University friends which has again been great. Thank you goes to you as well.

Great friends are hard to come by, but this bunch are amazing. It's missing Max and Hayley, downside. But I love this photo!

The work itself has been pretty simple mostly. Teaching English to people roughly my age is not the hardest job in the world if you teach them things that interest you and them equally. I like showing them movie clips and discussing them. Has my French improved? Almost certainly, I don't speak it as much as I want to, and perhaps this will become part of my new years resolutions. But I certainly understand more, when I'm being spoken to and watching television. I had a conversation with somebody recently, doing a study placement you learn academic French, doing an assistantship you learn the french the kids speak, but also the stuff printed on forms.

The first three months for me have more being about settling in, the next four months (and maybe even more), I would like to practise some French and visiting the sights and sounds of the city, but also of France itself. When I found out I was in the Parisian region, I wanted to travel a bit. Next term, even if it is just two or three times I hope to actually do that. I've enjoyed the experiences, and am really thankful to friends for making it an amazing experience.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012: What a year!

Oh my oh my! What a year. As we approach the end of it, I've got in a bit of a reflective mood, a mood not at all helped by my Christmas presents (Yes, Olympic themed. Last time I promise!). I think where I was a year ago, personally. The opportunities I've been given, and where I am now. 2012 has been kind to me.
I think back to July, August and September and I cannot help but have a massive grin on my face. My Games Maker journals are still in France (and I am at home in the UK), but I intend to read them again very soon.
I sit here now, watching the entire Frank Turner Olympic games opening ceremony performance, I'd give anything to be back sitting in that stadium once again. But whilst the event itself is over, and I've moved onto a most amazing year abroad, the memories remain and I am currently creating new memories.

January - June
These few months for me were very slow, not a lot significant happened. I basically went back to University and had a ball. I wrote essays, went out had fun. I miss that a fair bit I admit. University people reading this, come to Paris. Pleeeeaasseeee...
In February I had my first training session for my London 2012 games maker role at the Wembley Arena in London. Not a lot learnt I'll admit, but the hype for the games began there. We were basically given a few hours of games promo and learning a bit about security and being alert. Stuff we all needed to know really (not that there was lots of things everyone needed).

The flame arrived in the UK, and we got a glimpse of what was to come. Then the Jubilee. I get into this sort of thing, and I really did want to London to see the Thames pageant. But it rained and I decided that it really wasn't worth a day in the rain. But nonetheless I watched it on TV, and it was amazing. For me, it wasn't so much celebrating the 60 years of our Queen (Although I did feel that was a momentous occasion), but more the sense of the country coming together for something that is important. The concert was just amazing. When it comes to national events, we don't do them often. But when we do, we get em' right.

July - August (12th)

July was the month that the 99th Tour de France would take place, now me being a huge cycling fan knew that Wiggins had more than a good chance of winning it. So I actually found the race a tad dull. (I know, I know, but Britain won! It just wasn't a great race, sorry!). I almost booked a Eurostar to Paris for the final stage, but it was a tad expensive. One week later, I'd be donning the poppy and purple and be working on the cycling road races. But first, we had to get through that whole Opening Ceremony thing. For years people had been saying 'Oh, it'll never beat Beijing'. For me, it did. It was human. I was lucky enough to see it twice. On Monday 23rd I saw the rehearsal, and came away amazed. So I went online the next day, used a ticket checker. It went beep. Boom, got my ticket to the real thing. I was blown away, twice. I got away from the stadium really late, got into my hotel room at about 2:30 ish.  I turned on BBC News and got the reaction of it. Then 3 or 4 hours later I wore my games maker uniform for the first time. The cycling road races were just amazing. Excellent atmosphere from the Surrey locals, the Olympics came to their doorstep and they embraced it. Next stop, experiencing the games for myself at the Olympic park. The atmosphere was electric. The Park was stunningly beautiful. Everything was perfect. I couldn't fault the experience at all. I don't think I'll ever forget what it was like. I described it as a theme park for sport. Having being to Disneyland whilst on my year abroad, I'm spot on. 'Shall we go to the beatbox next?'. That type of idea. The cycling time trials was another unforgettable day. I was working on crossing points, and playing with spectators of guess what country is next. They loved it. Proper central location in Hampton Court too. I saw a few things, but the stand out for me was Beach Volleyball. (Go on, laugh...). But the atmosphere there was unbeatable. I'll never forget the stadium wide conga lines. It was a fun night, it was Super Saturday, everyone was happy. I had a Union Flag with me, and was getting high fives as I walked the streets of London afterwards. I had a front row seat in the velodrome, and then got back to work. This time in Hadleigh Farm for the Mountain bike events. I was on perhaps the most remote area of the track, blowing a whistle all day. But looking back, it was great fun. Even without spectators on training days (Yes, games makers were even where the sport isn't), it was quite fun. Race days were exhilarating though. To know you are a part of a team bring these massive events to the public, and that they are enjoyed around the world. That's what being apart of the Sport team gave me. A sense of pride. During the Paras, I was event services, a different sort of pride there. Sport team delivers a competition. What a thing to be able to say.
I remember the last day of the games (August 12th), we did a workforce competition. We got given a race number, if our number won, we won. I got #3. He won. I got a cuddly Wenlock and a pink foam finger. But, it was tinged with sadness. The games were over, one last thing remained. I took my seat in the Olympic Stadium, it was time to end the games. I left not feeling sad, it was a great day. I left tired, happy and proud.

August - September 10th
Paris bound.  My upcoming year abroad was approaching. It was time to find a place to live. Did that. Parfait.

The Paralympic games began on August 29th, August 28th I got an e-mail. I was asked to join the Event Services team at the Olympic Stadium. I accepted instantly. Sorted out my UDAC appointment (At LOCOG they love acronyms). Then, arrived at the Olympic Park. The day was a Wednesday. It was 5:30pm, time to re-enter the Olympic Park. I had a ticket to the opening ceremony of the games, and my word. We'd done it again. The lower budget show was just as impressive as the olympic equivalent. And left us all with the thought 'I am what I am'. The next 11 days would challenge the UK public perception of disability. Has society contiuned the thinking? It's too early to judge that. Thursday was one of my 2 days off of the games. Friday I was at UDAC. 'It's good to have you back, when do you start?' said the games maker. 'Tomorrow', I replied. Apparently some people go straight from UDAC to their first shift. Mental people. I then went to the park and used my Olympic park day pass to see some wheelchair basketball before the ticketed session of goalball. I have so much respect for these athletes. And then something happened, I've watched paralympics before. I always think how brave the athletes are. I appreciated in these Paralympics that bravery doesn't come into it, or shouldn't come into it. I started respecting the athletes for their athletic performances. I was hooked. As I got home that night, I pieced together my Paralympic conversion kit and the fiddly Velcro and got to bed. The next morning I needed that 5:34am train to get to the Park in time for that 6:30am shift, that I was always late for, but we weren't needed before 7:30. You arrive and the park is empty. It's perfect. Check in, go take my seat in the stand (or seating bowl), get the briefing. The park opens to guests and we prepare to greet our guests. That day I was on circulation. Making sure guests were ok. This was the day where I basically sat on info point and checked in prams, we had a massive pram issue. I ended up holding a baby at one point. But I left feeling so happy, I was doing a more spectator side job. It was only getting better.
Next day, I was in the velodrome in the morning, and doing the evening session in the stadium. That day I watched a doorway for hours. Missed Pistorius' 200m. But ended up getting into the media stands for David Weir's first gold medal. Result. Got home about midnight. I'd be up again the next morning for that 5:34am train. I was back on mornings.
Today it was spectator information point again. I decided to rejig our white board to include information we were always asked about. Arrows basically to various things. You know you've done a good job when on closing ceremony day, 7 days after you redid the board your writing still remained on the board.
Tuesday was a day off, and I slept in. Watched the games on TV. Wednesday, back again. This time ticket scanning. Ticket scanning sounds dull, but it's great fun. You compete with other games makers. On average we each scanned 1000 tickets. Afterwards I went to the pool and watched some swimming.
Thursday morning I turned up to the stadium. Not to work, but to watch. Some some great athletics. Thursday evening, T44 100m night. I was on circulation and queue management. But snuck in to see the big events.
Friday, day off. Went and saw table tennis.
Saturday night, was on seating bowl duties. Saw basically all the events.
Sunday night, was working. Supposed to watch a stair case. Went and watched the ceremony once our guests had entered.

The next day was the Athletes Parade in London. Once again I got very little sleep. Joined all the other games makers in trafalgar square, excellent atmosphere. Then went to the pub and casually met two GB handball olympians. Standard really.

September - December
You'd think after all that, it'd just go back to normal. What is normal anyway?  It was time to start that year abroad that I mentioned earlier. So, I was to spend the next year in Paris. I'm writing a proper reflection blog about this later, but I've been having a ball. I've met a great bunch of people and become friends with them. Enjoyed the city, made unforgettable memories. You'll read about that soon, maybe around New Year's when I get round to writing about it. But when they say the year abroad is the best time of your life. They do mean it. It's not what you do, but the people that make it. I can't wait to get back there. (Like I said, I'm not writing a lot about that now, there's a lot to say. I'll write about that in a separate post).

How do you pick a highlight of 2012? You just can't. So much has happened. When I look back on my life in however many years time, 2012 will have a ring around it. That year there, that was a good one where everything just seemed to go right. May 2013 follow on from that.

Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas

Being wished Merry Christmas by a bus. Sweet.

I'll let the bus do the first part of the talking.  First of all MERRY CHRISTMAS - JOYEUX NOEL, thank you so much for reading my blog. It's not a huge readership, but it was never intended to be. But thank you! Now onwards with the post....

It's Christmas time. I'm getting lucky with the fact I'm getting to experience this 'French Christmas' before quickly darting home for the real thing. (Sorry France, your Christmas just isn't as good). But I thought, well, why not do a little blog post talking about what sort of things I've experienced in France during the festive period. First thing to note, it's a little bit different. They love markets.

A Market near Notre Dame de Paris

Look, there is a market! Next to Notre Dame. Actually this one was quite arty, and more unique. But you pay for that arty unique-ness. It was also one of the more expensive markets I went to. Now the Parisian markets aren't that great (Sorry Paris!). They are very same-y. Take the Champs-Elysées market, unfriendly store owners and the same things over and over again. Seriously, if you like Churros for you this place will be heaven. It was, however, quite festive. The one in La Défence (I know, I know, not Paris. But close enough) was just not festive. I went with my friends on the 1st December and I wanted to come away feeling really festive. I just didn't. I felt more festive on the train that at that market. So instead we went and saw Rise of the Guardians at the cinema. Lovely film, reasonably festive too. On Tuesday I visited the market at Trocadéro. This one was actually the best one in Paris. Every stall offered something unique, but still the usual Maple Syrup stand, and Churros (Seriously, they are obsessed with those things). But for gifts, this one was great (However, I had already bought presents at...). The Christmas market in the town I'm staying in, Meaux. 'La Foire Gourmand' was something quite special actually. A Christmas market that sold exactly what I wanted. Gifts! Split into two zones, the zone artisanale and the zone gourmand, the market sold everything. I visited the Gourmand section last Friday after work, and tried some delicious home made sweets in the Vosges (I regret not buying some), saw some lovely cheeses and wines. The thing that got me, was the British stand. I bought a nice big bar of Dairy Milk for €2, and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps for 35c. Parfait!

Trocadéro Christmas Market, not a bad background

The Zone Artisanale was equally as good providing me with a good chunk of presents. They sold everything from jewellery to wooden door plaques for kids. And at reasonably prices! You could go with a €20 note, and come back with a fair amount. Fair play, that doesn't happen too often in France. Also, I was asked each time I bought something if I wanted it gift wrapped. To which I replied yes. It was free, if it was rubbish I could just do it again myself. Luckily it was not rubbish, actually very good. Dear Meaux. I might possibly come back some day for this xmas market, it was seriously quite good. The best one I went to this year, hands down.

So what else happens in France? Well, Christmas trees go up, the kids get excited over the Pere Noel (Santa). But of course, mixed messages over what can and can't be said or celebrated in schools. I've met some assistants who've said that even putting a tree up would be seen as breaking that old rule of 'Laicité', the school reception doesn't care, and put one up anyway.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe or something, well it's currently sat in Place de la Concorde. And I must say, it's rather beautiful

The Pere Noel magically flies over the Champs-Elysées

Now onto the more over the top Christmas approach offered at Disneyland. Whilst it may be over the top, one day there is enough to make you feel truly festive. You walk into the park, and they are playing Christmas Carols down Main Street in what sounds like 'Salvation Army' style. There's a giant Christmas tree (fake obviously), there are snowmen figures near the Castle. You can meet the characters in their Christmas outfits. Yeah, it snows too through the magic of foam type stuff. There is a 'Christmas Cavalcade' which is awesome, It's a Small World has had a festive makeover (Personal favourite is the mermaid singing Jingle Shells), Frontierland sees a Christmas village being set up. But the most magical things of all, the lighting up of the tree and the castle. Wow. As a Kid I always wanted to visit Disneyland at Christmas. My wish has been granted during the year abroad. How cool right?

Goofy and Pluto in front of the castle.. sort of.

Santa in the Cavalcade de Noel

Told you it was a big christmas tree

Castle at night

Santa in It's a Small World

Now I've experienced what Paris, and France is like at Christmas. Which is interesting (their Christmas Dinner is just odd to me), but I can't wait to get home and experience a home Christmas. It'll be nice to have some home comforts for two weeks too actually. I leave you with one more picture of Paris at Christmas. (I'm sure there'll be more next time).

Soyez poli

In the UK, from a very young age we are learnt to mind our P's and Q's, hold the door open for people when they are approaching, and to queue for the bus. If we skip a queue, we see the errors of our ways and allow the correct person to go first.
In France, sometimes manners aren't too high on the priority list. Much higher on the priority list is getting a seat on said bus.

It's a bizare thing you'll just have to witness, everyone is pleasant to each other, waiting at the bus stop.  You see the bus pull round the corner, and it becomes every man for himself. I always get to a bus stop early, I'm probably one of the first few there. In the UK, that means I'll be one of the first few on the bus at that stop. Here, the bus arrives, then all of a sudden everybody heads to where the door will be. Today I saw children actively go onto the road, just to get in front of the man who currently was first.  Me, I stood my ground. Some guy was trying to push in front, I was having none of it.

So there you have it, just one story from the week. The bus station battle ground.

Also this week:

You better watch out, you better not cry. I'm telling ya why...

• Tuesday: I turned up at school, had to speak to students about a topic (that I totally can't remember a thing about already) and had to mark them on various areas. Usually this is done in numbers, and I circle what bracket I think they fall under.  This time, it was :( :| and :).  This actually made it quite a bit easier. 
• Wednesday: Disneyland! A place I go to a fair amount, but it's always awesome seeing people from uni, we did the tower of terror, phantom manor and the labryinth. Also a little bit of Christmas shopping and saw the Cavalcade de Noel.  Can't wait to go again already.
• Friday: I took a class totally by myself and lived to tell the tale. Then went to the Christmas market it Meaux. Saw a stall selling British stuff. Turned out they were British, had a lovely little chat. Got a nice big Dairy Milk bar for €2, and a pack of McCoys Salt and Vinegar crisps for 35c. Lovely. 
• Saturday: Christmas shopping began. 

 In about a weeks time, I'll be sat at home, already reflecting on Part 1 of the year abroad. I'll write about that more next weekend for sure. But my opinions so far are very positive. I'll enjoy the rest, I've been looking forward to returning to the UK for a couple of weeks now. But I know that come the 6th January, I'll be ready to start Part 2.

That's it for this exciting installment, next week I think I have already decided to talk a little about how Christmas is celebrated in France. And trust me, their Christmas dinner is strange.
 

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

A few weeks ago, the newspaper weather page said it would snow in the region. It didn't. Then last week I woke up one morning to see facebook full of 'It's snowed in the UK' type posts. It didn't snow here, it wasn't even forecast. So imagine my surprise on Friday morning when I wake up to see the ground covered in white.

I was going to write about things I've found difficult with the French systems this week, but that post has been left half written and at some point I'll return to that. But this post always links in with that in a way.
France is known for skiing, hundreds of thousands of people come here every year to do just that. A country that has mountains, and snow. So forgive me for expecting that the country would know how to deal with snow. I've learnt now that regional differences are huge. The Ile-de-France cannot deal with it very well at all. The city of Paris itself did not see any snow, but the Seine et Marne department did, and it varied considerably from town to town. Take Meaux for example, we got a fair bit of snow, but not enough to stop daily life. Now take Val d'Europe (Serris) on top of a hill, they got a considerable amount. The difference? 10km!

Because the school I work in takes students from across the local region, it created difficulties. The bus companies were not willing to run buses to the outlying villages. The radio were telling people to be on 'orange alert'. I turn up to the school, my first class had just 4 students. This was because of the buses, the school in Meaux quite surprisingly doesn't have too many students from Meaux. Then at break time a teacher started talking to me about snow and France. Turns out that this region and home are very similar. The radio will become obsessed with it on a morning etc etc. He told me that where he comes from in France, it'd be dealt with. No problem. But here, life just comes to a halt.

I wait in the staff room two hours for my next class. However no students turn up, just as we realise this; the fire alarm sounds and we are off outside. Turns out someone activated it for fun. I then go home.

At least I finished the book 'Mockingjay' in the two hours.

Then I decided to go to Disneyland to take some snowy photos (as I can probably call photography a small hobby of mine). I didn't do any rides, just take photos. It was mid-afternoon and whilst a lot of snow had melted, enough remained to have a visible effect on my photos. I was there about an hour, but got what I needed. I'll do another blog soon! Christmas is round the corner, and so I'll be writing about Christmas in France before returning home to the UK, for the holidays!

 

The Photo Blog, Part 1.

I realise I don't really put up a load of pictures on facebook, or on my blog. Trust me, my photos will be appearing very soon on facebook.  But for a bit of fun, here is my 'best of...'. So, here we go.

Parc de Saint-Cloud

Parc de Saint-Cloud

Chateau de Versailles

Meaux - Cathedral

Eiffel Tower

Chateau de Belle au Bois Dormant - Disneyland Paris

Town Square - Disneyland Paris

Notre Dame de Paris

Toon Studio - Walt Disney Studios Park

Champs-Elysées Christmas Market

Grand Roue de Paris - Place de la Concorde

3 strikes and you're not going anywhere.

In France, people strike.

That sentence is a summary of this blog entry. The worst thing is, you don't really know they are striking until the do. Take Thursday as an example, I got off the train at Gare de L'Est and was handed a piece of paper by someone in those distinctive SNCF uniforms, she said "Les horaires pour demain". I understood what she said, and simply said Merci. It was only after reading it did I get it. SNCF were striking. This wasn't a nation wide strike, this was a local one affecting only Transilien Line P and RER E. Fine, I went about by business on Thursday, but guarded the piece of paper close for Friday. I arrive at the station on Friday on my way to the fourth and final language assistants training day, and there it was on the board. The strike would not only affect Friday, but also Saturday. Great, I got on my rail replacement bus and off I went. The evening saw a massive two hour gap between trains, so I rushed along the metro to make it.  And did. Saturday was less affected, I still had an hour gap between trains, but had no problem. The problem was arriving in Meaux and seeing a sign saying (in French obviously) that the Strike would also affect trains on Sun 2 Dec, and we would also see quelques cancellations on Monday.

So, there you have it folks, strikes happen randomly, and for some reason can be extended with very little warning.

In happier news, It's now December, I am 22 days away from going home for the festive period and I'm quite excited about that. As much as I'm enjoying my year abroad, I do feel like I'm ready to return to my home country for a while and see people!

Video blogs, tried it. Never again!
I was asked to do a video blog for the fine folks at the University of Kent French Society to tell the future year abroaders what to expect, I did this. I decided staring into a camera was very daunting! Not sure I'll try it again, but who knows. Watch this space I guess.

A bientot!