The only downfall of living this incredible life was that I couldn't remember the typical events that were taking place. In addition to this blog, which I must admit wasn't updated in a timely manner, I needed to document my day with a diary, so I guess I will keep that in mind for future adventures I plan on taking.
Anyway, since I am unable to recall exactly what happened on thiss day. I am going to describe what a typical day was like in Grenoble, France.
So I would normally wake up around 7:00am because I had to get ready for my class which began at 8:30am. Since I was such an avid shopper, I decided that I would always strive to wear fun outfits. I have sort of gotten into this grove as a substitute teacher, I've found that if a teacher wears clothes that students can comment on then as a result the ice is broken a lot earlier and this enables you to be a lot more friendly and memorable.
Anyway, since I am unable to recall exactly what happened on thiss day. I am going to describe what a typical day was like in Grenoble, France.
So I would normally wake up around 7:00am because I had to get ready for my class which began at 8:30am. Since I was such an avid shopper, I decided that I would always strive to wear fun outfits. I have sort of gotten into this grove as a substitute teacher, I've found that if a teacher wears clothes that students can comment on then as a result the ice is broken a lot earlier and this enables you to be a lot more friendly and memorable.
So at school I took 2 courses for a total of 4 hours. My first 2 hours were spent studying French grammar and the second portion of my day was devoted to studying French literature. The second class was significantly harder but I enjoyed how challenging it was. Later I learned from my teacher that he only knew one other language which was German, so there was no way to translate literally into English, whenever we were unable to figure out a concept we would then proceed to say something in English and then he would just respond with Je ne sais pas (I don't know.)
So after class I would usually check in with my API directors. I was proud that I finally knew how to find this building. After getting lost numerous times and then actually having Marie walk me through a fool-proof route complete with straight forward directions and pictures that she had me take on my phone, that is what enabled me to successfully find the office. After spending a few hours there answering my emails, taking care of any travel business, and punching holes in my papers in a ferocious attempt to stay organized (Just a side note, did you know that in France they only have 4 hole punches and folders are completely different, also it's very difficult to buy lined paper, instead everyone writes on graphing paper.) While I was taking care of business in the office I was also able to drastically improve my French. I was able to speak to all of the directors and this is probably where I was able to practice the most.
After going to the office I would go à centre ville (to the downtown). In the beginning of my trip I was really obsessed with their really impressive sales, but after a while the fascination started wearing off, especially when I realized that I was going to have to bring everything home. So besides spending all of my extra-cirricular time en faisant les courses (going shopping) I also had a 5 time movie pass. I absolutely loved going to this cinéma called The Pathé. The seats here were like big velvet lounge chairs and the room was air conditioned. I started going there on such a regular basis, that employees there started recognizing and saying hi to me.
Around 8pm (20h00) is when the French would eat dinner. And yes I know this was an extremely unhealthy practice but I would just snack up until this point and have 1 impressive meal par jour (each day.) I would always eat at a different place to really help augment my knowledge of French culture/French food. This was not the easiest thing to do. There was this delicious fast food, (and we were in France, so fast food wasn't disgusting, it just meant that it was prepared really fast in front of you), that I could have just gone to, but in the long run I wouldn't have traded going out and ordering in French.
Then for the last part of the day I would go down to the lobby where I had an internet connection. I would usually have some homework to do and I also I would check my email and facebook to see what life on the outside world was like. I also really enjoyed talking with the various doormen. I even went so far (because most of them had French as their first language) to have them check my homework for any glaring mistakes. I can still remember it being like 1am and Rémi being like "I'm sorry, this is technically correct but not how we would say it in France." Well 2 perfectionists working together equates to one really late night but this is how I was able to get so much better.
So after class I would usually check in with my API directors. I was proud that I finally knew how to find this building. After getting lost numerous times and then actually having Marie walk me through a fool-proof route complete with straight forward directions and pictures that she had me take on my phone, that is what enabled me to successfully find the office. After spending a few hours there answering my emails, taking care of any travel business, and punching holes in my papers in a ferocious attempt to stay organized (Just a side note, did you know that in France they only have 4 hole punches and folders are completely different, also it's very difficult to buy lined paper, instead everyone writes on graphing paper.) While I was taking care of business in the office I was also able to drastically improve my French. I was able to speak to all of the directors and this is probably where I was able to practice the most.
After going to the office I would go à centre ville (to the downtown). In the beginning of my trip I was really obsessed with their really impressive sales, but after a while the fascination started wearing off, especially when I realized that I was going to have to bring everything home. So besides spending all of my extra-cirricular time en faisant les courses (going shopping) I also had a 5 time movie pass. I absolutely loved going to this cinéma called The Pathé. The seats here were like big velvet lounge chairs and the room was air conditioned. I started going there on such a regular basis, that employees there started recognizing and saying hi to me.
Around 8pm (20h00) is when the French would eat dinner. And yes I know this was an extremely unhealthy practice but I would just snack up until this point and have 1 impressive meal par jour (each day.) I would always eat at a different place to really help augment my knowledge of French culture/French food. This was not the easiest thing to do. There was this delicious fast food, (and we were in France, so fast food wasn't disgusting, it just meant that it was prepared really fast in front of you), that I could have just gone to, but in the long run I wouldn't have traded going out and ordering in French.
Then for the last part of the day I would go down to the lobby where I had an internet connection. I would usually have some homework to do and I also I would check my email and facebook to see what life on the outside world was like. I also really enjoyed talking with the various doormen. I even went so far (because most of them had French as their first language) to have them check my homework for any glaring mistakes. I can still remember it being like 1am and Rémi being like "I'm sorry, this is technically correct but not how we would say it in France." Well 2 perfectionists working together equates to one really late night but this is how I was able to get so much better.