Random musings on leaving

I just can't face another epic catch-up post at the moment so you'll have to wait for more backlogged stories. Here's a snapshot of what lies ahead...

4 days left of babysitting (don't even bother to call it tutoring anymore because I literally ONLY play games and watch movies with the kids...)

6 days left of teaching

1 month and 2 days left in France (including some time spent traveling in Prague and Cinqueterre in early June--yay!!!!)

3 months and 14 days until I once again join the ranks of the impoverished student world

Current mental state: borderline panic/excitement/terror

In spite of the fact that I really do love some of my students, I am beyond euphoric to be almost done teaching, if in fact you can call what I do teaching. The whole experience in the schools has just been so awkward for the most part, not really knowing what my purpose is or how I can best help out. In one of my schools, I actually have started to dread it so much that I avoid interaction with anyone at all besides my students. I go in the teacher's room only when I think no one I know will be in there, and I basically RUN out the door after my last class each day. Kind of sad. Not that the teachers have been mean to me really, but I would almost prefer that to feeling completely invisible. I do like the teachers in my other school, but they just seem so caught up in their lives and everything (which of course I understand) that I feel like I'm more of a burden than a help most of the time. Not that I regret doing the program. It's an amazing way to live in France. I just think with even a TINY bit of effort, us assistants could be a million times more useful and enjoy the whole teaching aspect a whole lot more.

Anyway. My other job, with the two Achard kids, has also been mildly annoying--mostly because it has often interfered with my social life. :) But I am seriously going to cry when I have to say goodbye to PE and Aurore. They are hilariously adorable, and I think I may be one of the few bright spots in their overly programmed and disciplined lives. Never did meet the dad and have still only met the mom twice. Ever. In 8 months. I wonder if they know that I do nothing with their kids except play Uno and hide-and-seek and a variety of ridiculous games yesterday with Philippe's yellow judo belt...

I still do a dictation in French with PE everyday, and I helped Aurore with an English worksheet once last week, but they basically pay me to play. Not too shabby.

And la belle France I will DEFINITELY miss. Maybe not the way everything is closed on Sundays and often Mondays too. And the ridiculous way you have to push or pull or ring something in order to get into and out of any building (got stuck in a building today because I couldn't find the little button that let the door open). And the never-ending strikes, although (KNOCK ON WOOD) they haven't been too problematic lately. But the food, the way of life that emphasizes who you are and what you like WAY more than what you do for a living, the ridiculously abundant vacation time, the ease with which I can travel to other countries, and above all, the friends I've made here. Yes, most of them are English speakers but not all! And no matter. They are an amazing, eclectic, fun-loving group without whom this year would have been seriously lacking.

Speaking of, going to run off to see them now--time for our regular Tuesday night n'importe quoi... Besides, wouldn't want to get too nostalgic yet. I still have a whole month left!