Actualités: Egalité

I'd forgotten how much I like "Hide & Seek" by Imogen Heap. Today while skimming my iTunes library for a jogging mix (hold your applause) I came across this treasure. Catlin gave me her version of the same song for a CD made to raise awareness about the political discord *ahem* between China and Tibet.

This week I've been doing lessons about Martin Luther King, Jr. since we celebrated his birthday this past Monday. I found a really upbeat video of his last speech in Memphis by my favorite auto-tuners on youtube. Every time I watch it this overwhelming sensation to change the world hits me. When I think about what I want to do in the future, I can see myself dedicating my life to the movement Rosa Parks, MLK Jr. and so many others started way back when. I was perusing the NAACP website today, but didn't really find what I was looking for... Time will tell.

Social Justice is the theme of the week, serieux! In reading one of my favorite blogs, I followed a link to this article at NPR. Basically women are taking over the world. It's about time.

Still reading? Ok.

Well, not really... The article just shows some new numbers from Pew research concerning marriage trends. Seems that more and more women are becoming the breadwinners (gentlemen, are you happy?) and marrying less intelligent men (ahhh, life is vicious sometimes, isn't it, ladies?). The last bit of the article was more encouraging as it noted that people with more education are more likely to get married despite the reality that many girls leave college without the infamous MRS degree. So, yay.

Haïti may become my lesson plan for my Secondes next week. Social justice has been the theme this week, but I'm thinking I can make civil rights and justice more tangible for them if I can show them authentic altruism... Civil Rights just seems so long ago and far away from where they are today. I tried to compare discrimination in the States with discrimination in France and it really wasn't computing for most of my kids. They live in a different world, it's true, and so do I, for that matter. My foreignness never escapes me. I need a Diet Dr. Pepper, srsly.

In other news, I'm hosting a slumber party chez the Gorrells on Saturday. "Une Nuit Blanche" as the French would say, meaning a night without sleeeeeeep. That's exactly what I expect with three teenage girlies.

Colton visited this weekend. I was a bit stressed about him making all the connections on his own, but he managed just fine and made it to Germany with relatively few problems. Susi and I had a great time being hostesses at our apartment and at others' apartments in Saint Etienne. Thanks to Françoise and the Gorrells for hosting all three of us. I've been so blessed by people hosting me this year. The Lord continues to show me His love and it's abundantly clear when my friends are willing to open up their homes and hearts to me. God is good!

All right friends, I really need to get to exercising this bod, so I'm gonna head out for a jog. You would all be so impressed with my handstand. It just gets better everyday!



Much love to you from me where ever you are and may the Lord draw you closer to Himself.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année...un peu en retard!

Chers Compatriotes...

I hope this new year will refresh and rejuvenate you wherever you are! Some wonderful, funny, bizarre and normal things have happened to me in the last seven days leading me to believe that 2010 will be an adventurous year.

For those who are interested in the chaos before Christmas, skip to the next paragraph. For those who are interested in the what's happening now, move on to the paragraph beginning with '...'. For those who are uninterested in everything I've already written, please navigate away from this page.

Well, two weeks before the Christmas holidays I was having a bit of trouble getting my plans in order.


I didn't have plane tickets, I didn't have train tickets and I hadn't bought Christmas presents.

Thankfully something lit a fire under me (thank you Clint Whatley for the phrase of the century) and I got things shaking around St. P. After shopping at the local Tabac for a Twilight calendar and cookies and an African art exhibition, I had the majority of my presents taken care of in three hours. The principal of my school, out of the profound kindness of his heart, gave me an extra week off of school for traveling purposes with no strings attached. That enabled me to purchase an affordable, Paris-Houston plane ticket during the 'cheap and semi-restricted period'. Finally, my church in Saint Etienne is supported by a Korean lady from California who happened to be randomishly working in Paris, and when I asked her, offered a place for me to sleep the night before my flight.

All these things were stressing me to the max, but God in His infinite goodness provided for each thing.

Christmas was lovely and I still contend that there's nothing like Christmas at home. My mom said this year was her favorite Christmas of all time, and I'd like to think it's because I wrapped the presents so well. Courtney, you can argue with me if you like, but rolling a t-shirt up in Christmas paper and twisting the ends so that the gift looks like a big piece of candy is elegant.

Most of the family is doing well and my grandmother celebrated her 80th birthday this year! So 2009 while a bit turbulent, ended on a good note.

As for seeing my buddies in Texas, I must say 'chapeau' to the gals in Dallas. We had a blast and my besties came from all over Texas to spend the night in the Big D. We drank margaritas, played Guess Who?, ate tomato soup, talked ourselves senseless, laughed our heads off at Piggie's and enjoyed all the time we spent together. I love them girlies.

Le Jour de l'An was spent in Francey with the Cordier family. We stayed in a village outside of Tours at the Cordier family's country home. Maryke and the Blaise family were in attendance as well. We ate a traditional Chin-french-ese meal for New Year's including escargots, beaucoup de vin, shrimp dumplings and speculoos!

Actually speculoos is neither French or Chinese, but it's delicious and I know how to make it.

S-P, Marie et moi. Sparkling juice anyone?

Thanks Mommy for the horns!

As you can see, we had a blast aaaallll night long.

Even when the kids busted out the video games.

And buddy boy, I've never seen so many adults get down....

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, DDR has returned!

Since then things have been a bit calmer. We had a lot of snow this weekend and that may traveling hard for me. Again the Lord provided for me and all turned out well.

Be blessed this year you friends and inconnues! I wish you nothing but the best and that God's glory would shine upon you.
Luke 2:14
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luc 2.14
"Gloire à Dieu au plus haut des cieux! Et paix sur la terre aux hommes qu'il aime."

le bazar de ma vie!

Well hello everyone! I'm just sittin' fancy here in France-y. Today marks my ?? day on the other side of the Atlantic among the Europeans. I think I've finally started to fit in because I've started to sport a wool sweater-jacket and black boots. As soon as I open my mouth, however, it's back to foreigner land I go. So funny how conversation changes when the natives find out you're not one of them...

Anyway, I've had a hilarious evening.

Nearly every weekend since I've been in France I've traveled back to Saint Etienne. My church family is there and I feel sincerely wanted, so I return again and again. This weekend was no exception and I've just propped my feet up in St. Pourçain after a long day of traveling back from the Rhône-Alpes.

Just to get an idea of why I had a hilarious night, this is what my schedule is like Vendredi-Lundi (Friday-Monday) ::

Friday >> leave from St. Pourçain at 1:09 pm, arrive in St. Etienne 5:00 pm
<< Monday leave from St. Etienne 12:33 pm, arrive in St. Pourçain 6:15 pm

Now, before I explain in more detail why I am a klown for the village people of St. Pourçain, let me tell you I am not complaining about the travel time. The opportunity to be with my church family and friends in Saint Etienne definitely merits the exhausting travel from St. Pourçain. Bear in mind that by car, St. Pourçain is two hours from Saint Etienne...

So, story: Tonight, per usual, I was on the school bus from Vichy back to St. Pourçain. The bus picks us kiddies up in Vichy at 5:10 pm and usually arrives between 6 and 6:15. We arrived at 6:15 and, per usual, I allowed everyone else to 'descend', or get off, the bus before me. Now before you go thinking I'm such a saint, let me remind you that I travel with a backpack that's the size of two small children and weighs as much too. It would really be heinous of me to elbow my way off the bus first while swinging my beast of a sack around the bus. So all the school kiddies got off and then the slow people and then me. As I'm saying thank you sir to the chauffer, I miss my step going down and, yes, tumble off the bus rather awkwardly. Fortunately there some spectators around to laugh and sort of catch me. My friend, another bus driver named Pascal, quickly tossed his cigarette before reaching out to help me and saying, "Whoa Brooke, whoa!". Was I humiliated? Mmmm, when I walked away, yes. While I was standing chattering with Pascal, all I could think was, "I really need to pee and I'm glad I didn't twist my ankle." Thank you Lord for the small bodily distractions, cause otherwise my neck to my face would've been bright red in front that giggling gaggle of people.

Everything else here has been quite dandy. Much to my surprise and elation the weather is still quite agreeable!

I have more to say, but I've gotta get working before Susi comes back. We share the webs and she needs to prepare some lessons for her classes tomorrow. The teachers are striking tomorrow, so maybe her work will be in vain. Who knows...

Love you all.
God is good. Psalms 34:8


PS. For those of you who care, and those of you who don't, I've seen New Moon twice. Both times in French. And, yes, I'm slightly embarrassed of myself. But, it was fun!! Both times!!!

SliDeSHoW

I have a post about my time in Switzerland written somewhere around here, but I just had to put up this slideshow cuz it's brilliant!




And, I just realized that everything I am learning to do revolves around food. Well, nearly.

Les grèves...

Beauty in the Alps.

Life in la belle France has been rather 'vite, vite, vite' lately what with all my trips to Clermont-Ferrand. As an Américaine there are certain documents I must furnish to the French government (birth certificate, multiple copies of my visa/passport) and medical exams I must undergo (chest x-ray for TB) in order to work in this lovely country. I completed the paperwork circus (for the moment) yesterday! After making several trips back and forth to Clermont-Ferrand, the capital city of my region, I have one new friend, Pascal a bus driver, and a 'titre de séjour' to show for it! The titre de séjour means money in the bank, baby :)

So again I am thankful to the Lord for his continued blessings. God is good all the time, but it's especially clear when nice things happen!

The first round of vacations is coming up tomorrow and I am suuuuuuper pumped. The French celebrate a holiday called Toussaints = Tous Saints = All Saints (day) which I think is similar to Dia de Los Muertos and, of course, HALLOWEEN!! Well, not so much Halloween but I couldn't think of a better segue for talking about Halloween... Ahhh, what is your best memory of Halloween? I remember one year my friends and I were trick-or-treating and we came back to my house in the middle of our candy gathering for a breather. We were twelveish and pretty simple-minded because we thought we could apply deodorant to any part of our bodies to control our perspiration... I walked around the rest of the night smelling like a stick of Degree.

I <3 Halloween. Probably my favorite holiday after Christmas.

Back to the strikes, aka grèves. So Susi and I are leaving St. Pourçain for the weekend to celebrate her birthday, which is October 25th, in Le Puy en Velay and then St. Etienne. She is turning 22 and we're going to have a blasty. The one thing that has continued to put a damper on our trips and may continue to do so tomorrow is the train striking. The railroad workers have been striking every weekend since I arrived making getting out of Auvergne, my region of France, quite difficult. However, the Lord has helped us each time to get where we needed to go!

After our weekend celebrating Susi's birthday, I am heading to Switzerland for a few days with some other assistants, Shannon and Pam. Shannon is also bringing her friend Ashley who is studying in the South of France. Watch out land of Toblerone: you soon will be invaded by four Americana girls! Actually, we're going to Geneva, so I'm sure you're used to the Americanos, Ricola country. It's going to be great. I used to dream about living in the Swiss Alps secluded from modern life and progressive ideas... Oh youth. Oh Heidi...

There's the news for now. I want to share what I'm reading as well, so we'll see if I can't find a gadget for that.

Blessings to you this weekend and enjoy your Halloween!!!

Où est le chauffage, stp?

xkcd.com

Winter is commmmming! Autumn has arrived :)

Normally I would not be singing about the cold weather and unrelenting wind that come along with the above-stated seasons, but as I look out my window I can't help but smile at the leaves changing colors. Ahh.

Well today marks my third day as a "teacher". Lesson planning has proved more difficult than I thought and I must give credit to all the teachers I've ever had. Bravo! Fortunately for me, ESL resources are all over the internet so the ideas never run out. Keeping the students interested in the topic is the only thing...Today I have 3ème (9th grade) and their English is less than perfect. I hope we can fun all the same.

Last weekend Susi and I were in the Alps with GBSE and we had a marvelous time. When I have my camera cable, I will be sure to post some exciting pictures. For the moment I have a few taken in the car heading back to Saint Etienne and a few from our time in Grenoble celebrating Ray's birthday.

A +


The new intern, Raphaël, and me actin' a fool in the van...


Me, Raph, Mikhail and Susi on the tram in Grenoble. Fancy!

Il faut le faire

So, forgive me if I have a few typos in this blog. Due to a series of unfortunate events (ahem, the slowness of French administration) my room mate Susi and I are still without internet. Thus I am obliged to use a French keyboard. Yes, yes it is true what they say: Technology in France is definitely antiquated. Alas, I shall make do!

Last week was quite excellent as I spent three days chit chattering with other assistants in my Académie, Clermont-Ferrand. I think I made a great friend from Missouri who is also blogging this year. Her name is Shannon and rest assured that when I find her blog I will post it here for you all to read. She's just twoish hours south of me in a tiny town called St. Flour. While it seems like you would pronounce that 'flour' I think you pronounce it like 'fleur'. It's kind of funny really because fleur means flower and flour..is ..pronounced like...flower...

Only funny to me? Fair enough.

So yes, Clermont-Ferrand was great and I really tried to take in all of the information we were presented with. Most of the other assistants have to come to France with the sole purpose of learning French. I understand their reasons, but for me, I feel much more inclined to hang out with the kids and really help them improve their English. I have found out how hard that makes things when I have attempted to speak French at the same pace as the other people around me. Not so easy when you speakinzes Engrish tout le temps!

To help me improve my French then, I purchased two dictionaries: French-English and just straight up French. On verra...

In other news, Susi and I will be heading to Camp des Cimes with the GBSE, or church in Saint Etienne, this weekend. Susi is not a believer but she still wants to come. I think that is cool. Anyway we leave on Friday and we will be spending a weekend in the glorious Alps. Pray that the weather is good! Can you imagine getting caught in a deluge in the Alps?? I can't, nor do I want to.

Spaking of Susi, she is fantastic! My normal inhibitions about living with other people occasionally surface when I want to lay on the sofa for hours undisturbed, but usually we get along great. She's from Berlin and she is working here as a volunteer. I know God has brought us here for special purposes and I feel very blessed to have her as a room mate. Really, she's great :)

Tonight Susi took me to play volleyball in town and we had a blast. I was a lot more competitive than I thought I would be and I actually attempted to trash talk in French... Yikes. The good natured gentlemen, as we were two ladies and four gents, played at our level and we had some pretty good rallies. They even asked if we would come back next week. How about that!

Next week I start giving lessons, so keep that in your prayers. My main goal is to give the kids what they need because the education system here is pretty cut and dried: you are either a great student, or you're not. If you're not a great student then your job options diminish rather quickly after junior high. English is a core subject here, so they need to do well.

Je suis fatiguée donc je vous laisse. Bonne nuit à tous et à bientôt aux autres :) Bonne semaine mes amis!!