First off I just wanted to say I really appreciate reading what everyone has been writing. Honestly it's been gloomy days and it brightens my spirit to see all the things you all have been up to, little and small. I'm behind on comments but do not fret, I intend to give all posts a proper read and thoughtful comment.
The days of January are passing by in a blur. With this job, honestly, we live for the breaks and it's reasonable considering they come so often. What I mean is that, for example, we started classes again the beginning of January but the next break is the beginning of February. So it's only really 4ish weeks you have to "get through". I don't want to make it sound like I don't like working with the kids, I really do! It's just tiring like any other job. The other day I was working with a small group. They had whiteboards and I had 15 minutes with them so before doing a whiteboard exercise I wanted their full attention and said multiple times to put the pens down and don't write or draw. They ultimately didn't listen and it was frustrating (discipline is not my strong suit but also tbh that's not a part of the job since we are only assistants). One of the girls was even like stop guys she's going to cry. I wasn't going to cry but they were getting on my nerves. Still love them but yeah kids are like that.
This post I mainly wanted to focus on what I did today though, so I should hurry up and get to that, shouldn't I? One of the only assistant friends I've made and genuinely like is Smaranda! I can't remember if I've talked about her before here but she's from Wales and unlike many other assistants I've met, she's not graduated yet from university. Since she studies French there, they require time abroad for her diploma so she's allowed to be a teaching assistant as this credit. Cool, right :D! Anyways, our elementary schools are super close so we get lunch together at least once a week, and I really enjoy her company :)
Today we ventured outside of Nogent-sur-Oise and had an outing in Paris. A few weeks ago she mentioned the interest in going to a paint-you-own-pottery place. I've been to these kind of places quite a few times, and I love them so I was keen as ever to go along. We found a really cute place in Paris and it was even cuter because it's also a cafe.
So in Paris we went to this Korean cafe, Sweetea's, for lunch and bingsu. I went here with Aboni and Naoni in December so I already knew it would be scrumptious. I got a chicken bibimbap which was *chefs kiss* and oreo bingsu and Smaranda got a sweet toast dish and mango bingsu. I think I've perhaps met my match when it comes to having a sweet tooth. It was super cold outside so maybe not ideal bingsu weather, but I don't have regrets there.
Next was the painting! We had two hours and I knew I had an ambitious goal, so I won't lie. I was in stress mode for the first hour or so. It was giving me timed essay anxiety. Like you gotta come up with your concept then pick and choose which parts will be better because it can't all be perfect. In the end though, I'm happy with how it turned out and excited to see how the colors go when it's fired. It was also funny (in a cute way) because it was Smaranda's first time doing it so she was being very careful to follow the instructions the lady told us. She did a strawberry mug which I'm also sure will come out nicely.
After the painting, we saw some shops. Right now in France they have what are called 'soldes' which is basically a big sale period. I finally got some new socks which is good because practically all my socks have holes in them at this point. After that we went to have a little dinner at a vegan place called Wild & the Moon.
Now I'm back home and relaxing with H before tomorrow morning and work.
I think I did better with picture taking this week so enjoy :)
went to a really yummy crepe place in amiens! This was a diabolo "violette" so pretty and so good
As requested: recent crochet projects. I was super pleased with how the checker bag came out and the flowers are little coasters!
Book of the Week: Exciting Times: A Novel (2020) by Naoise Dolan – Speaking of Smaranda, she was actually the one who lended me this novel. It's about an Irish 22-year-old who does TEFL teaching in Hong Kong. Teaching English abroad right now, it was relatable in certain senses, in others not. People compare this work to those of Sally Rooney (Normal People, anyone??) with the whole modern romance, miscommunication issue exploration etc etc. I haven't read Sally Rooney personally so I hesitate to make any statements, but based on the series of Normal People I can see the comparison. In any case, the writing of this was interesting. Some might say witty, others pessimistic. I think I find it somewhere between those two. The main character is interesting because she's not always someone I root for. Quite disagreeable at time to be frank. But makes ya think
Omg you had an exciting week! I think both of y’all’s pottery pieces came out really cute, you guys have good visions! It’s nice to see that you have a nice little friend in your corner out there, i think having good company is really important when your abroad. Also your friend’s name spelling is interesting, is it a Welch name? And the crotchet stuff is so cool, now I really want you to make me a crotchet bra (or sweater or a set 👀). You got some real talent kid ;) I’m sorry about your kids tho T-T. It really hard to get kids to corporate with you, but I usually just talk over the noise and keep going for those…
eek fun times !! your pottery looks very cute and i love the crochet projects :D I've never been to a place like that but I think I would also feel anxious under the time limit lol. Glad you and Smaranda are able to bop around to such fun places together :')