Schedule

My life is relaxing here in Metz. I only spend about 32 hours doing work-like activities per week. As a frame of reference, I worked about 30 hours while I was a full time student and track athlete. I never realized I was so stressed as a student because I was always happy, but now that I have a more balanced schedule I can feel a radical difference in my body.

Mondays I arrive in Florange at 8:00am. I only teach two classes on Monday, so I spend the rest of the day making lesson plans and pretending to be a French middle schooler. The first couple of times my students saw me taking classes with them they were shocked. It’s good for my French to sit in on classes, but it’s also good for my relationship with the students. I only teach each student once every two or three weeks, so it is really hard to learn names, build a relationship, and see progress.

Tuesday and Thursday I’m at school from 8am until 5pm and I spend most of that time teaching. Wednesday I babysit all day for a wonderful nine year old boy named Paulo. Friday I’m off.

In the evenings Monday through Thursday I usually eat diner in the cafeteria with my friend Ursula. After diner I typically go to my room to write e-mails, skype, or read.

On the weekends (Friday through Sunday!!!) I go out on Friday or Saturday night, I explore Metz, I run errands, and I spend time with my French family. I stay fairly busy, but it’s an intentional busyness, not overwhelming busyness. I was dreading living alone, but thus far it hasn’t been as lonely as last time. I would prefer to have someone to say good morning and good night too, but I spend all day interacting with people so coming home hasn’t been too bad.

I just updated my facebook with pictures from before I left, and I am hoping to put up some pictures of France next week. If you are interested in what I did before I left for France you can click on this link. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2134084&id=25913832