We went to the Eiffel Tower today!!! It wasn't our usual excursion day but it was horrid weather last week when we were meant to go we most of us went today! It was so cold!!!
We only went up to level 2 coz you have to pay more to go up higher and it was really really cold and we were warned you couldn't see a helluva lot more than on level two anyway. Paris really is beautiful, and you can see everything from the Eiffel Tower!!! There wasn't much time to go anywhere else, and some of the girls wanted to go shopping at the Champs-Elysees again, so we went to Maccas to warm up and then had nearly 2 hours to ourselves in groups walking around. I stuck with Chelsea, D and Bethany and we had fun walking along getting what we wanted. I bought myself a new coat, from Zara, it was rather expensive but I will use it and its really nice!!
I have spent way too much money here! Early Christmas presents to myself! At home I'm not a total tightarse but I never spend lots on myself - I don't!! Except on books...lol. and it's PARIS!!
Thing is, even if you don't buy expensive stuff, euros don't really get you that far! Things in general are rather dear here! I did spend a lot of money on my new bag, and this coat, and the dress and shoes for the party and everything adds up very quickly!
So now I have to really watch how much I spend! I decided I needed the coat more than new boots, so I can't really buy myself anything else now, but thats okay. I've bought enough! Now I just have to work out how to get 2 coats home...
Versailles tomorrow!!! Am excited!! I can't believe we only have a week and a bit left here!! I miss people, I'm missing birthdays (and I feel bad about that!) and looking forward to Christmas at the beach but I don't really want to come home just yet! I might be ready by next Friday though!
Bisous,
Liv
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Il neige!!!!!
It snowed today!!! It was the very end of history and I became very excited!!! I think the French students thought I was a bit crazy but anyway! This is what happens when you're from Australia, European snow is very exciting!!
That was all I really wanted to say...except those Facebookers among you might be able to check out some of my photos if I can get them uploaded!!
Bisous,
Liv
That was all I really wanted to say...except those Facebookers among you might be able to check out some of my photos if I can get them uploaded!!
Bisous,
Liv
Monday, December 8, 2008
Je suis très fatiguée!!!
Back at school on a Monday morning rather exhausted from the weekend!!!
I shall recount my activities....
Friday night we went out for dinner at a mussels restaurant. Prior to this I had never eaten mussels and though was not game enough to have them as my own meal, I did try some and they actually weren't bad!! I'm getting much more used to different food over here! Those who know me well, and particularly knew me as a youngster would know I was rather picky with food, and to a certain extent I still am. However, when you're at someone else's house, you want to be polite and try everything, so you do, and as it turns out, you might actually like it! The other day we had pineapple, also a new experience for me (yeah, okay not super exciting) and it was very nice!
Sorry, back on topic....
So on Saturday Sophie and Gabrielle and I had planned to go shopping in the morning, go home for lunch, then to Montmarte in the afternoon, then the Big Wheel in the Place de la Concorde (I think that's what it's called) and then to a party. Huge day...as you can imagine we didn't quite get to all of it!
We went to the shopping centre on the hunt for new dresses for Sunday's party, organized by the school. Shopping was of course good fun, but we spent longer there than anticipated and didn't get home until almost three o'clock to have lunch! Was very productive, I got everything I needed for Sunday, and a new top for the night's party.
So as we were far too late for Montmarte, we had a rest and then met Chelsea and her sister Justine in Paris to go on the wheel. That was so much fun!! Paris is so beautiful at night!!! Actually it's beautiful all the time, but still!!
So after waiting for Justine's friend, we went to Hotel de Ville to buy food for dinner (Quick, a takeaway over here) and we were running so late that we didn't have time to eat. So we ended up sitting down on the metro eating hot chips and burgers giggling at the hilarity of the situation!!!
We went to buy food for the party, met one of Gabrielle's friends Cynthia and raced home to get changed. The party was actually a lot of fun, despite not understanding 98% of the French!! People were very nice and spoke to me in French slowly, or wanted to practise English!!!
There was lots of laughs and bad dancing to Abba, Queen and the Spice Girls and we got back to Gabrielle's at 3am!! We slept over simply because it was easier than waking up Francoise to go home. Only slight problem was Gabrielle has a cat...who was sitting on the beds...gotta love antihistamines!!! Sorry, that's a slight exaggeration I was only really coughing a bit but I figured I'd actually sleep if I took one, and I did, right through until nearly 11am!!
On the way home, Sophie and I had to go to the supermarket to meet her mum, they saw I was tired and sent me home, buying bread on the way. I had Sophie's keys, but I've always had difficulty with the door to her house. So I was standing there trying to open the door for ages and I tried calling Sophie but she didn't answer. Then I saw a man about to get on the escalator and asked for help. He didn't speak English but I managed to successfully explain to him in French what was wrong. Go me!!! I looked like an idiot not being able to open a door but at least I could explain in French!
The school had organized a party for all the exchange participants, parents and friends, so Sophie's mother spent the afternoon cooking. I came up with the clever idea of contributing Fairy Bread - Aussie and simple, and I can eat it!!
So I spent the afternoon making Fairy Bread and sorting walnuts for a cake, and then we headed off to the party. Though we were all tired it was heaps of fun!!! We had to wear something red/green/Christmassy so I wore my new LBD, new black shoes and bright red opaque tights, with appropriate black and red earrings. I know that sounds very random and I wasn't fond of the black tights myself initially, but I came to love them by the end of the night!!!
I spent most of the time with Chelsea, Simone, D and Bethany, dancing and having fun. They all wanted to know about the party I went to, aka wanting to know what stupid things I did (after a bit of drinking - don't worry Mum, I didn't have much, I promise!!!!). Apart from the bad dancing (that's normal according to Chelsea) and possibly knocking things/dropping stuff (also normal) I actually didn't make an idiot of myself!! Though, when D asked "Did you hook up with anyone?" I had to respond with a no, and she said "Well, that's the stupid thing then!!"
They had a band, who did some covers (I was impressed, there was even a Kooks song!!) and some originals, and then they put the DJs on and the music changed to club music, and including some stage dives by the DJs at the end. Everyone, including the parents enjoyed dancing to the Macarena - as Chelsea said "It's good to know the Macarena is international!!"
The other random thing that happened was some guy randomly drew a loveheart on my bare shoulder...very strange!! Chelsea was a bit worried he was drawing a dick on me but no, just a loveheart...no clue why though!!!
It was a really fun evening, but two late nights in one weekend and antihistamines is probably not the best idea in future, coz now I'm super tired!!!
Bisous,
Liv
I shall recount my activities....
Friday night we went out for dinner at a mussels restaurant. Prior to this I had never eaten mussels and though was not game enough to have them as my own meal, I did try some and they actually weren't bad!! I'm getting much more used to different food over here! Those who know me well, and particularly knew me as a youngster would know I was rather picky with food, and to a certain extent I still am. However, when you're at someone else's house, you want to be polite and try everything, so you do, and as it turns out, you might actually like it! The other day we had pineapple, also a new experience for me (yeah, okay not super exciting) and it was very nice!
Sorry, back on topic....
So on Saturday Sophie and Gabrielle and I had planned to go shopping in the morning, go home for lunch, then to Montmarte in the afternoon, then the Big Wheel in the Place de la Concorde (I think that's what it's called) and then to a party. Huge day...as you can imagine we didn't quite get to all of it!
We went to the shopping centre on the hunt for new dresses for Sunday's party, organized by the school. Shopping was of course good fun, but we spent longer there than anticipated and didn't get home until almost three o'clock to have lunch! Was very productive, I got everything I needed for Sunday, and a new top for the night's party.
So as we were far too late for Montmarte, we had a rest and then met Chelsea and her sister Justine in Paris to go on the wheel. That was so much fun!! Paris is so beautiful at night!!! Actually it's beautiful all the time, but still!!
So after waiting for Justine's friend, we went to Hotel de Ville to buy food for dinner (Quick, a takeaway over here) and we were running so late that we didn't have time to eat. So we ended up sitting down on the metro eating hot chips and burgers giggling at the hilarity of the situation!!!
We went to buy food for the party, met one of Gabrielle's friends Cynthia and raced home to get changed. The party was actually a lot of fun, despite not understanding 98% of the French!! People were very nice and spoke to me in French slowly, or wanted to practise English!!!
There was lots of laughs and bad dancing to Abba, Queen and the Spice Girls and we got back to Gabrielle's at 3am!! We slept over simply because it was easier than waking up Francoise to go home. Only slight problem was Gabrielle has a cat...who was sitting on the beds...gotta love antihistamines!!! Sorry, that's a slight exaggeration I was only really coughing a bit but I figured I'd actually sleep if I took one, and I did, right through until nearly 11am!!
On the way home, Sophie and I had to go to the supermarket to meet her mum, they saw I was tired and sent me home, buying bread on the way. I had Sophie's keys, but I've always had difficulty with the door to her house. So I was standing there trying to open the door for ages and I tried calling Sophie but she didn't answer. Then I saw a man about to get on the escalator and asked for help. He didn't speak English but I managed to successfully explain to him in French what was wrong. Go me!!! I looked like an idiot not being able to open a door but at least I could explain in French!
The school had organized a party for all the exchange participants, parents and friends, so Sophie's mother spent the afternoon cooking. I came up with the clever idea of contributing Fairy Bread - Aussie and simple, and I can eat it!!
So I spent the afternoon making Fairy Bread and sorting walnuts for a cake, and then we headed off to the party. Though we were all tired it was heaps of fun!!! We had to wear something red/green/Christmassy so I wore my new LBD, new black shoes and bright red opaque tights, with appropriate black and red earrings. I know that sounds very random and I wasn't fond of the black tights myself initially, but I came to love them by the end of the night!!!
I spent most of the time with Chelsea, Simone, D and Bethany, dancing and having fun. They all wanted to know about the party I went to, aka wanting to know what stupid things I did (after a bit of drinking - don't worry Mum, I didn't have much, I promise!!!!). Apart from the bad dancing (that's normal according to Chelsea) and possibly knocking things/dropping stuff (also normal) I actually didn't make an idiot of myself!! Though, when D asked "Did you hook up with anyone?" I had to respond with a no, and she said "Well, that's the stupid thing then!!"
They had a band, who did some covers (I was impressed, there was even a Kooks song!!) and some originals, and then they put the DJs on and the music changed to club music, and including some stage dives by the DJs at the end. Everyone, including the parents enjoyed dancing to the Macarena - as Chelsea said "It's good to know the Macarena is international!!"
The other random thing that happened was some guy randomly drew a loveheart on my bare shoulder...very strange!! Chelsea was a bit worried he was drawing a dick on me but no, just a loveheart...no clue why though!!!
It was a really fun evening, but two late nights in one weekend and antihistamines is probably not the best idea in future, coz now I'm super tired!!!
Bisous,
Liv
Friday, December 5, 2008
Je ne peux pas couds!!!!!!
Yesterday was our second excursion of the trip. We planned to go to the Eiffel Tower, but we got to school and it was raining, and didn't look like there was much sign of it stopping. So after trudging through the rain and becoming freezing cold, and getting slightly confused about where to go, we decided we were too cold we finally saw the Eiffel Tower, from a distance. We then decided as a group that going up the Eiffel Tower in that weather would be highly unpleasant, so we thought we'd go on a much nicer day! We walked back in the direction of the Champs-Elysees to regroup and decide what to do for the afternoon, and we had some very nice hot chocolate in the process! We walked back the the Champs-Elysees, where it was decided people wanted Maccas, and then we went over to L'Arc de Triomphe. It's really interesting. There's a fire always burning to commemorate the war (one of them!)
After this, the we decided spending an afternoon shopping would be much more fun than walking in the rain, so we went to the Boulevard Haussman where all the Grand Magasins are (big stores, like the famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps). So amazing for fellow shoppaholics like myself. But anyway, I spent much of the afternoon and much of my money on shopping....but it was totally worth it!
Apart from getting stuck in the loo, surprisingly enough I haven't really done too many stupid things (yet). But those who know me well know that I CANNOT sew. Like, I really can't. I think it's in my family. My mum detests it so much, and my dad can really only do buttons so we send all my school things and Guide badges to Grandma, or big things to the tailor. Yes, I'm a Guide and can't sew. I've just never learnt!
Sorry, so back on track! During the course of the day about 15 centimetres of my good thick black skivvy I was wearing came undone at the seam. So now I'm walking around Paris with a sleeve open halfway up my arm and feeling rather stupid. Chelsea leant me a safety pin, which helped but I new it needed to be sewn up. Though Chelsea offered to do it for me, I couldn't give her something I'd worn all day without washing it, so I figured I'd give it a go myself.
This was not the best idea
Apart from sticking myself with the needle many times, using all of the black thread Sophie had and having to used the undone thread from the sleeve itself, I ended up with a largeish hole where I'd sewn it badly right in the middle of the sleeve. Because I knew how badly I'd sewn it I just pulled the thread back and went over it - I ws not going to unpick black stitching! So after all of that, I put it in the wash, and once it's clean I think I might take Chelsea up on her offer after all!
Bisous,
Liv
After this, the we decided spending an afternoon shopping would be much more fun than walking in the rain, so we went to the Boulevard Haussman where all the Grand Magasins are (big stores, like the famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps). So amazing for fellow shoppaholics like myself. But anyway, I spent much of the afternoon and much of my money on shopping....but it was totally worth it!
Apart from getting stuck in the loo, surprisingly enough I haven't really done too many stupid things (yet). But those who know me well know that I CANNOT sew. Like, I really can't. I think it's in my family. My mum detests it so much, and my dad can really only do buttons so we send all my school things and Guide badges to Grandma, or big things to the tailor. Yes, I'm a Guide and can't sew. I've just never learnt!
Sorry, so back on track! During the course of the day about 15 centimetres of my good thick black skivvy I was wearing came undone at the seam. So now I'm walking around Paris with a sleeve open halfway up my arm and feeling rather stupid. Chelsea leant me a safety pin, which helped but I new it needed to be sewn up. Though Chelsea offered to do it for me, I couldn't give her something I'd worn all day without washing it, so I figured I'd give it a go myself.
This was not the best idea
Apart from sticking myself with the needle many times, using all of the black thread Sophie had and having to used the undone thread from the sleeve itself, I ended up with a largeish hole where I'd sewn it badly right in the middle of the sleeve. Because I knew how badly I'd sewn it I just pulled the thread back and went over it - I ws not going to unpick black stitching! So after all of that, I put it in the wash, and once it's clean I think I might take Chelsea up on her offer after all!
Bisous,
Liv
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Répétez s'il vous plait?
I should mention today I did a fair bit of reading in class simply because I don't understand anything and they don't expect me to do anything. I'm not really going to make a habit of it, except in Spanish because about 70% of the time, she speaks in Spanish, and the rest explaining things in French. Yes, Mum, I do know it is not a holiday and I'm here to learn (and I am, just not from the teachers!!). I'm getting a little better at understanding things now, providing I can hear and it's said slowly.
Anyway...
I am now beginning to understand how my Dad feels all the time! For those who don't know, he has industrial deafness or something; meaning that he can't hear everything we say if it's noisy. So he says 'What? Say it again please!' and we will. Unfortunately, whenever I doesn't hear something I say, it was usually something incoherent and confusing, which I don't even understand after I've said it, so I change the sentence so it makes sense. He gets really annoyed when I do this, because, as he says 'I'm deaf, not stupid!'. He wants us to say it exactly as we said it so he doesn't miss things. He can understand, just not hear well.
I'm finding I'm having a similar problem. For example, today at lunch in the cantine (which is noisy), Sophie's friend Eden asked me something in French that I didn't completely hear the first time. So, I said 'Pardon?' (which means Sorry?), and I wanted her to repeat it. What she ended up doing was saying it in English. Ovbiously I understood it this time, but what I really wanted her to do was say it again in French so that I could get it. I'm finding only parts of a sentence click the first time occasionally and I'll understand it upon hearing it again. So it's not quite the same as Dad's problem, but it is somewhat frustrating. I'm not stupid, I most likely will get it after hearing something two or three times, slowly. Then if they get a blank look, that means I want it in English! Normally it's one or two words I don't understand as opposed to the entire sentence.
I think I need to start saying 'Répétez s'il vous (te) plait?' instead of 'Pardon?'
So anyway, now I understand Dad's predicament a little more!!!
Only other thing that was interesting that happened today was for the extra English class, Bethany came along coz her host sister had a test, so she spent the lesson with Assia's friend Lola instead. We were quite amusing by the fact that we actually had to thing a little to match up the words from the text with their definitions (they made sense, but they were less obvious and some were quite similar). But we got top marks!! :D
Then the had to correct the mistakes in the text summary. The mistakes werre very obvious, but we were not impressed the sheet started a sentence with the word 'but' and this did not qualify as a mistake to be corrected!!!
Anyway, that's about it really! More when something interesting happens!
Bisous,
Liv
Anyway...
I am now beginning to understand how my Dad feels all the time! For those who don't know, he has industrial deafness or something; meaning that he can't hear everything we say if it's noisy. So he says 'What? Say it again please!' and we will. Unfortunately, whenever I doesn't hear something I say, it was usually something incoherent and confusing, which I don't even understand after I've said it, so I change the sentence so it makes sense. He gets really annoyed when I do this, because, as he says 'I'm deaf, not stupid!'. He wants us to say it exactly as we said it so he doesn't miss things. He can understand, just not hear well.
I'm finding I'm having a similar problem. For example, today at lunch in the cantine (which is noisy), Sophie's friend Eden asked me something in French that I didn't completely hear the first time. So, I said 'Pardon?' (which means Sorry?), and I wanted her to repeat it. What she ended up doing was saying it in English. Ovbiously I understood it this time, but what I really wanted her to do was say it again in French so that I could get it. I'm finding only parts of a sentence click the first time occasionally and I'll understand it upon hearing it again. So it's not quite the same as Dad's problem, but it is somewhat frustrating. I'm not stupid, I most likely will get it after hearing something two or three times, slowly. Then if they get a blank look, that means I want it in English! Normally it's one or two words I don't understand as opposed to the entire sentence.
I think I need to start saying 'Répétez s'il vous (te) plait?' instead of 'Pardon?'
So anyway, now I understand Dad's predicament a little more!!!
Only other thing that was interesting that happened today was for the extra English class, Bethany came along coz her host sister had a test, so she spent the lesson with Assia's friend Lola instead. We were quite amusing by the fact that we actually had to thing a little to match up the words from the text with their definitions (they made sense, but they were less obvious and some were quite similar). But we got top marks!! :D
Then the had to correct the mistakes in the text summary. The mistakes werre very obvious, but we were not impressed the sheet started a sentence with the word 'but' and this did not qualify as a mistake to be corrected!!!
Anyway, that's about it really! More when something interesting happens!
Bisous,
Liv
Monday, December 1, 2008
Je suis malade!!
I'm sick!
I have a cold! Surprise surprise!
I am okay though, once I get through the sore throat which is a throwback to the tonsilitis days I'm okay!! Now I'm just coughing a lot but I'll be right!
Anyway despite my sore throat on Saturday I went shopping with Sophie and Gabrielle to Galeries Layfayette and Printemps, and other shops nearby. These are massive department stores, a little like DJs or Myer, but MUCH MUCH bigger, and they sell much more expensive stuff - think luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, Givenchy, Burberry etc, etc. Obviously, I didn't by and of that stuff, but I did get some new make-up (not that I really needed it!) from a brand called Bourjois Paris - it's 145 years old and owned by the same company as Chanel apparently! I spent 30 euros on a new lipgloss, eyeshadow and a new blush. We also went to H&M which is really good, but it was so busy I couldn't try stuff on, so I think we might go back on Thursday. Sophie and I took the metro to Montparnasse to meet her mum and go to the dinner and show Francoise's work had organized, We were a bit early so we looked in the shopping centre. They have such great shops here!!
We went to a Brazilian themed place, with dancing and the like. A little boring coz the grownups had their own conversation happening which I didn't understand but I chatted to Sophie and there was champagne, which is always good!! We left a bit early coz we were all tired, and I wasn't well.
On Sunday, we had to go to some outdoor activities the school had organized in the forest of Vincennes. It ended up being orienteering, and wasn't that bad, except for being freezing cold and raining!!
Today we had school and it was relatively uneventful, except for me getting myself locked in one of the toilets! We had a few minutes before Geography, so I went to the loo, and it was the same one which i'd had a minor altercation with the door last week (I had trouble opening it). This time, I could not open the locked door when I needed to get out. I was getting a little stressed and started banging on the door. After the bell went and I didn't return, Sophie came looking for me so I wouldn't be late, and I expressed I was stuck. Then they got the Geography teacher to come and get me out with his keys, so I was fine, although incredibly embarrassed! When I came back into class, everyone was staring at me and the teacher said something in French along the lines of 'She is free from the toilet!!' Seriously, how embarrassing!!!
So that's the last few days, I will actually keep this blog up to date now, I promise!
Bisous,
Liv
I have a cold! Surprise surprise!
I am okay though, once I get through the sore throat which is a throwback to the tonsilitis days I'm okay!! Now I'm just coughing a lot but I'll be right!
Anyway despite my sore throat on Saturday I went shopping with Sophie and Gabrielle to Galeries Layfayette and Printemps, and other shops nearby. These are massive department stores, a little like DJs or Myer, but MUCH MUCH bigger, and they sell much more expensive stuff - think luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, Givenchy, Burberry etc, etc. Obviously, I didn't by and of that stuff, but I did get some new make-up (not that I really needed it!) from a brand called Bourjois Paris - it's 145 years old and owned by the same company as Chanel apparently! I spent 30 euros on a new lipgloss, eyeshadow and a new blush. We also went to H&M which is really good, but it was so busy I couldn't try stuff on, so I think we might go back on Thursday. Sophie and I took the metro to Montparnasse to meet her mum and go to the dinner and show Francoise's work had organized, We were a bit early so we looked in the shopping centre. They have such great shops here!!
We went to a Brazilian themed place, with dancing and the like. A little boring coz the grownups had their own conversation happening which I didn't understand but I chatted to Sophie and there was champagne, which is always good!! We left a bit early coz we were all tired, and I wasn't well.
On Sunday, we had to go to some outdoor activities the school had organized in the forest of Vincennes. It ended up being orienteering, and wasn't that bad, except for being freezing cold and raining!!
Today we had school and it was relatively uneventful, except for me getting myself locked in one of the toilets! We had a few minutes before Geography, so I went to the loo, and it was the same one which i'd had a minor altercation with the door last week (I had trouble opening it). This time, I could not open the locked door when I needed to get out. I was getting a little stressed and started banging on the door. After the bell went and I didn't return, Sophie came looking for me so I wouldn't be late, and I expressed I was stuck. Then they got the Geography teacher to come and get me out with his keys, so I was fine, although incredibly embarrassed! When I came back into class, everyone was staring at me and the teacher said something in French along the lines of 'She is free from the toilet!!' Seriously, how embarrassing!!!
So that's the last few days, I will actually keep this blog up to date now, I promise!
Bisous,
Liv
Je suis desoleé toute le monde!!!!
It's been ages since I wrote anything, sorry everyone!
Quick recap of the last few days:
Wednesday: Sophie only had school in the morning and I didn't have to go, so I got to sleep in! We were going to go to Paris in the afternoon but Sophie had heaps of work to do, so we just went food shopping instead. It is true, French people do eat half their baguettes on the way home from the shops!
Thursday we had our first weekly excursion, this time the the Louvre! So amazing, and it's massive! We had two hours there, and of course we only saw a little of it, but after walking around looking at at for two hours it began to go over our heads. We saw the Egyptian stuff, which is amazing, some French and Italian paintings (including the Mona Lisa, of course), some Spanish paintings and the new Asian, African and Oceanic art. It is also true that wherever you stand in the room it's like she's looking at you! After that, we were all starving, so we got food and went to the Siene to have a look; we're going to go on a Bataeu-Mouche at some stage, but hopefully when it's darker.
We then went to a Salon de Thé, Angelina, famous for it's hot chocolates! They are so good!! It's like pure chocolate, and then you put whipped cream (chantilly) on top!!! Yum...
Cost me 6.90 euros (nearly $14!!) but well worth it!!! We also stopped in some tourist shops and I got a purple beret and an I ❤ Paris T-Shirt (Yes, I know it's tacky but they make good pyjama tops!!)
Friday: School in the morning and had a 4 hour lunch break, so we went home. I didn't bother going back to school coz I only had Spanish and I don't understand any of it anyway!! Francoise gave me some money to go buy food I can eat to take on excursions, so I did - I survived going to the supermarket by myself! I couldn't resist buying myself a baguette so i did (and ate the whole thing in the afternoon...oops).
We went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner, which was very nice.
More a bit later, I promise, I have to catch you all up!!
Bisous,
Liv
Quick recap of the last few days:
Wednesday: Sophie only had school in the morning and I didn't have to go, so I got to sleep in! We were going to go to Paris in the afternoon but Sophie had heaps of work to do, so we just went food shopping instead. It is true, French people do eat half their baguettes on the way home from the shops!
Thursday we had our first weekly excursion, this time the the Louvre! So amazing, and it's massive! We had two hours there, and of course we only saw a little of it, but after walking around looking at at for two hours it began to go over our heads. We saw the Egyptian stuff, which is amazing, some French and Italian paintings (including the Mona Lisa, of course), some Spanish paintings and the new Asian, African and Oceanic art. It is also true that wherever you stand in the room it's like she's looking at you! After that, we were all starving, so we got food and went to the Siene to have a look; we're going to go on a Bataeu-Mouche at some stage, but hopefully when it's darker.
We then went to a Salon de Thé, Angelina, famous for it's hot chocolates! They are so good!! It's like pure chocolate, and then you put whipped cream (chantilly) on top!!! Yum...
Cost me 6.90 euros (nearly $14!!) but well worth it!!! We also stopped in some tourist shops and I got a purple beret and an I ❤ Paris T-Shirt (Yes, I know it's tacky but they make good pyjama tops!!)
Friday: School in the morning and had a 4 hour lunch break, so we went home. I didn't bother going back to school coz I only had Spanish and I don't understand any of it anyway!! Francoise gave me some money to go buy food I can eat to take on excursions, so I did - I survived going to the supermarket by myself! I couldn't resist buying myself a baguette so i did (and ate the whole thing in the afternoon...oops).
We went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner, which was very nice.
More a bit later, I promise, I have to catch you all up!!
Bisous,
Liv
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Je deteste le prof d'anglais!!!
Time for blog number two! I had my first proper day of classes yesterday with Sophie, and we had to be there early (at 8am). We headed off to school in the dark! I went to Spanish first, and I didn't listen because I have never learnt Spanish, and then SES, which is like Social and Economic Sciences. That was quite boring, and Sophie's teacher is a bit odd! We had a break then, but unlike at home, they don't have a snack at this time. The day was really busy, with 5 hours of class in the morning so i was really hungry by lunch. After break we had English, which was an experience.
I should mention that the French kids my age have been learning English for about 8 years or so, and they are really good at it! However, their teacher seemed to think otherwise!
They were discussing an advertisement for the Civil Rights movement in the US, which was a poster about Martin Luther King and some murderer called Charles Manson, and they went through their tests on this reading comprehension about some French immigrants to Louisiana in the 1850s. I think their textbook is written in American English, and that's basically what they were being taught. They only seem to learn about the US and a bit about England.
We had more English in the afternoon and it got more confusing! She was being really mean to them, especially this guy called Antoine, coz she asked him to read something that they were meant to have learnt, and then she asked him questions which they hadn't had to learn, and they weren't in the book. Then we listened to something which started in English, and then changed to American English. They talked about it, and wrote stuff down but she confused them and got things wrong. Like, for example she said the word 'illegally' like 'illegally' with pronouncing the work 'leg' which was odd. And she had some problem with the word during, i don't know why. She's quite painful, and mean to the students. Then it was quite odd, she was asking them what someone who cleans houses is called, and i'm thinking of a maid, or a cleaner, or even a housekeeper, considering it was a text about the past, and she disagreed with those things, especially when one guy said 'maid'. Then I think she saw me looking confused, and asked if she was right. Here's the gist of the conversation:
"Olivia, am I right?"
"Er, well, no not really. You can use the word maid for someone who cleans houses, or you can just say a cleaner"
"But what about someone who works in a restaurant?"
"Er, that would be a waitress"
"Even in a bar or pub?"
"No, that would be a barmaid"
"Oh, as in a female barman?"
"Yes, exactly"
Some of the words she chose were quite odd, like she said 'we can suppose' when she really meant 'we can guess or assume' & alarm bells went off in my head but of couse I couldn't say anything! And her accent is bad!!
Anyway, we also had History/Geography, and did maps of Europe, which i sorta understood, and Maths...took me over half the lesson to work out they were doing quadractics, and i worked out the equation, i was very proud of myself! But i was still very lost. Sophie's friend Eden, a guy called Jean and I spent much of the lesson giggling because the teachers shirt was slightly open at the waist, letting us see a bit too much!!!
After school, some people hadn't finished yet, so all the exchange participants had the chance to talk to each other in small groups. Then we went to the Town Hall of Nogent to meet the mayor (who didn't turn up!). I was saying to some of the girls how hopeless the teacher was, and the French girls said they hate her and I should tell her how much she sucks before I leave!!! So now everyone (French and Aussies) are in agreement I must learn to be mean and tell the teacher off!
Today I've had a quiet morning coz we don't have to go to school on Wednesdays, as they only have school in the morning, so I slept in, called mum and dad, chatted on msn to people and Skype to Charli, Grandma, Paul and Kayla, so I'm happy! Now Sophie is doing her homework and I'm blogging. We have to go food shopping a bit later, that will be very interesting!
Bisous,
Liv
Monday, November 24, 2008
Bonjour mes amies!!!
Bonjour mes amies!
Je suis en France!!! And now I will switch to English because I know most of you will have no idea what I am saying otherwise!! I am having an amazing time so far, but I'm so tired! I left on Saturday night, Melbourne time, and crossed 3 time zones at least! We stopped in Singapore, which was good because we could get off the plane and stretch our legs...and there wasn't any creepy military dudes with guns this time!!! That was a seven hour flight, and I tried to sleep, not easy on a plane, especially not in cattle class, but oh well!! C'est la vie! But it was fun, Hannah was with me, and it was her birthday, so I brought her a cupcake, with a fake flame because you can't light anything in the airport. She opened her presents on the plane, and she loved them - and was very shocked to find one from Ari.
We had fun chatting on the plane though, but we did try to sleep sometimes. I left her in Dubai and the 12 of us going to France had a much quieter journey (with better TVs lol).
The flights were very long and i was so tired yesterday, and i am now too. Sophie and her mum met me at the airport - it was snowing when we got here, we were so shocked it was so cool!!! They are really nice, and speak good English, thank goodness because my french is seriously hopeless, i feel like i have no idea what i am doing!!! I'm trying really hard but i can't seem to remember the right forms of verbs when i want to say something!! Or the tenses...it's very confusing!!!
I gave them their presents too, which they liked and we started playing Australian Monopoly last night but I was dead on my feet by 7 so i went to sleep!!! I had to explain where everything was, and what it was about, so trying to explain the ANZACs and why we pick on Tassie and Queensland (i told them the banana bender joke of Dads...but of course i explained it i don't think they really believed me lol) even in English is hard to people who really don't know the country at all. We looked at an atlas, and I showed them my photo album so they all know who all my friends and family are.
I had school today, but i start going to classes tomorrow. I caught the bus with Sophie and Gabrielle, and we started later (at nine). We sorted out schedules and had a tour of the school, its really nice a lot of it is new. We had lunch in the cafeteria, which was kinda cool, but they have a full on meal which is different, but i could actually eat it which was good! Then we finished at 12 and the group took the metro to Les Champs-Elysees!!!!!!
It's sooooo cool, I know i've been there before but its still amazing!! We walked and looked at all the shops, and looked like tourists taking so many photos (Dad would have been very disappointed!) I bought some postcards and these cute black and white drawing things of La Tour Eiffel et L'Arc de Triomphe. I'm going to put them on my wall at home. We went into Louis Vuitton too, OMG it is soooooo cool, the stuff is just gorgeous, but the cost is outrageous. I saw these cute scarves, for 90 euros, which is $180!! I know, these things are lost on you, my friends who hate shopping, but i think everyone would have seen something they liked, the watches and jewelery were so cool. Then we had to go back to school because some girl's sisters finished at four. Sophie didn't and the rest of us when to Mme Deligne's English classes (she's their teacher who organized the exchange), and introduced ourselves, in French with the older group and we showed them Korowa brouchures Mme Popa brought. There was that photo of me in House Arts last year on one, it was so embarrassing!!!
So, that is a summary of my first real day in France!!! I am so tired it is ridiculous and I have to get up at 6.45 tomorrow because Sophie starts school at 8. Ah, c'est la vie!!!
Bisous,
Liv
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