Grenoble: The Conclusion and journey back

Well Tempus Fugit as they say in Latin! Where has the week gone? Can't believe I am now back home in Pau...the last two days were busy, so I am going to have to write about them now and get back up to speed with everything. Here goes...
Sunday, after yet another late get up(I should really stop saying late and just say normal, given that it is becoming somewhat of a habit!) Cea and I decided to brave the weather as it was colder than it had been and also starting to rain, but I suggested going round town to take some last few photos given that I knew I wouldn't have time on Monday due to having to finish packing and consequently drive to the airport. The views weren't great either which made me glad that I had taken pictures of the mountains on my birthday when it was brighter and warmer. After briefly stopping to buy some churros at Place Victor Hugo (they are so much cheaper there!) we got some great snaps, Cea doing her trademark pose as ever...legend that she is, would I have her any other way...not for all the tea in China!! :)



Cea on one of the bridges over the Isere



both of us

Continued to have a walk around and it transpired that Cea even though she has lived in Grenoble for years had never actually done the whole tourist thing when she arrived, so was taking almost as many photos as me! Found it rather amusing given that when I first arrived in Pau that was exactly what I did...granted not the best way to blend in with the natives, but I had a week to kill before I started work, so why not? :)



When we arrived back at their apartment we (well more me and Cea) watched Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares ('Cauchemar en Cuisine') which is a programme I love and am an avid fan of at home, even if sometimes I am quite repulsed at the state of some restaurants and kitchens! Gordon Ransey tells it straight though which is what I like about him. It's always hilarious when you get some wannabe chef completely ignoring him...good move, ignoring a world class chef with more Michelin stars than I care to mention!! Ah well, they soon realise fortunately. I was intrigued to see it on French TV given that I know Gordon Ramsey speaks fluent French given he did some of his training in France (I think!) and currently has a restaurant in Paris, therefore I wondered whether it was a version he had filmed in France or whether it was a dubbed version of the English series- it was the latter. I have to admit watching dubbed tv programmes or film can be annoying sometimes, but this was ok...I even learnt some new vocabulary from watching it given that Cea burst out laughing at random intervals and me then enquiring as to why. After that we ate tea, which Cea prepared, pasta,chicken and veg...pasta fills me up every time which is why I never order it as a starter in restaurants unless I absolutely have to. Was nice even though it inevitably defeated me in the end.

After that we pretty much chilled out for the remainder of the evening before retiring to bed at 1.30am realising that we'd have to be up slightly earlier the following morning in order to get ready to head off to the airport in the afternoon.

Monday- as was also becoming habitual, Nans jumped on me 'to wake me up' even though I was already awake, haha! He sure knows how to make my day interesting! This time he regretted it though I'm sure given that he fell backwards afterwards...not that far given that the bed I was sleeping on was on the floor, but it was hilarious nonetheless :) Once up and sorted out, I ran to the nearest supermarket to buy supplies for my journey given that on the way I had paid almost 8€ just to buy a muffin and a bottle of cola at Bordeaux Airport...there is something about train stations and airports knowing that you can't go anywhere else once you get there that makes them think that they can charge you what they want, the prices are ridiculous...but that's something I could go on and on about so suffice to leave it there and you get my point...

Not long after at 3pm we set off to the airport, I was chatty when I set off, but anybody who knows me knows that something is wrong when I am 'too' quiet, which was how I became about half way through the journey as I knew I'd have to say bye to them both when we got to the airport. I have to say I don't do goodbyes very well, I much prefer 'see you laters' it doesnt sound as final. Got to the airport around 4pm, which gave me plenty of time given that check-in for my flight didn't even open until 5.20! And thus began our mission to find Terminal 3...easier said than done! I think from entering the airport it was at least 10, maybe 15 minutes until I was actually where I needed to be! Cea and Nans came about halfway with me and then after saying goodbye and them seeing me into a lift I was left to fend for myself, which after having been round almost all the airport following signs (which in theory would make it easy) it wasn't too difficult. Having said that it was still annoying as somewhere on my journey from Pau to Bordeaux last week my brand new suitcase weirdly lost its wheels, which meant either dragging my suitcase along the floor and endure rather irritating grinding noises or carry it...I did tend to drag it and bear the noises in truth. Won't go through the airport procedure in detail as it is boring and all I need to say is that as per usual I set the security alarm off so had to be frisked...I have actually managed to go through without setting the alarm off, but not that often, chances are it's going to happen!

Flight was on time and arrived in Bordeaux at half 8, got my luggage and then had to go and wait for the shuttle bus to go to the town centre so I could go to the hotel where I had booked in for the night as I knew I'd miss the last train back to Pau which was at 9. Wasn't a flashy hotel, but it did the job and it was only for one night, so couldn't complain. There was a tv in my room though which is a novelty at the moment given that we don't have one at home in Pau, watched it for a while before sleeping. Knew I'd have to be up early again given that my train was at 11.

Will skim over today as to be fair there's not too much to speak of. Got up, paid the bill at the hotel, then went to the station to catch the TGV back down to Pau. My journey would have been boring had it not been for my i-pod...my reliance on technology is ridiculous, lol. Arrived back in Pau around half past one then dragged my suitcase (again!) through the town centre to get the bus home. Finally got back to my arm's relief, was aching badly when I arrived. Found some birthday cards on the table waiting for me from family and friends at home, so any aches and pains were soon forgotten about! :)



Headed back into the town centre basically as I had nothing better to do and needed to fill up the fridge. Bought two books in French from the Fnac (one of which I intend to start tomorrow if not tonight) as I really do need to start reading more in French instead of just magazines, bought food, came back and wrote this...I live such an exciting life! :)

Had a great week and I wouldn't have changed it for anything except for the fact that 2 weeks ago my Mum sent a parcel to Cea's containing a birthday present for me although it never got there, we have no idea what has happened to it, but I really hope it shows up soon! Cea and Nans are going to keep an eye out in Grenoble and Mum is going to go and ask at the post office at home so we'll just have to see what happens from that if anything for the time being. The only other downside being that the week flew by as I said previously!

Nothing else to report but that's up to date now at least! Not exactly sure how the rest of the week is going to pan out at the moment, but I'm sure I'll report on it, whatever happens. Ciao! :)

Also if anyone is interested, Ceall (who is an aspiring writer might I add) started a blog on here whilst I was in Grenoble and also has her own website with some of her work- I have added both the addresses to the list of links at the right-hand side of the screen

Exploring/Shopping in Grenoble? Yes please!

Friday, after another late get-up (I am starting to sound so lazy, haha) Cea and I decided to go off in search of some bargains in Grenoble, well for me it was also a chance to see more of the city. Was slightly warmer today too which was nice, so we took complete advantage and ate our lunch sat in the sun outside the Cathedral Notre Dame in the city centre with a spectacular view of the mountains as our backdrop. After having spent a good two/three hours in town we arrived back and proceeded to somewhat reminisce about our childhood, anything from tv programmes to music...I swear we are becoming old before our time! Yesterday we got an invite to go to eat at their neighbours' apartment, although as Cea and I were travelling back from Grenoble we postponed it until tonight. It was worth waiting for too! We had a sort of chicken curry with coconut and rice, it was delicious! Apparently it was a Creole dish, but from one of the girls' grandmothers' recipes. I had met one of the girls on my birthday as she briefly came round to ask why their internet wasn't working (which as it happened was due to my laptop!) but they were both very welcoming and as it turned out we had an excellent meal in very good company so I can't complain :). No idea what plans are for tomorrow are at the moment, but I'm sure we'll get up to something! Can't believe it is weekend already, this week is flying by!




Given that this post about Friday was so short in comparison to other posts, I have decided to write about Saturday here too given that it was pretty much more of the same. Cea and I went out into Grenoble centre again in theory to do some shopping although our attention was diverted in the direction of a protest that around a hundred people were staging there concerning the current situation in Guadeloupe and Martinique. At first we weren't sure as to what the protest was about, but when we were given a leaflet by a man from the Anti-Capitalist party we were enlightened and decided to discuss the matter further between ourselves over a coffee and a hot chocolate at a café across the road from where the protesters were. I myself have only protested once (as I have said before protests are a lot more common in France than in England) which was for the Make Poverty History campaign in 2005 in Edinburgh (coincidentally it was also my first and only time in Scotland, would like to go back though given that we didn't see too much of it that day), but as Céa has lived in France for almost seven years, she has done many a protest as has Nans. Even though I have now witnessed around 5 protests in my time here, I still find them both strange and spectacular.




We then went to buy some pick 'n' mix (we are both about ten at heart) and then went for a sit-down and a chat in Place Victor Hugo where we took some random photos...as you do :) Returned to their's where we had quite a chilled night, not too much to speak of on that front. Not sure what plans are for tomorrow, but given that everywhere is closed as like everywhere in France I think it'll be somewhat less eventful.

Our day in Vion

As we knew we'd only have a day in Vion, we decided to make the most of it by firstly sleeping in until the early afternoon (which I can't help but feel was a good use of our time)and after eating Cea and I decided to go for a walk. Vion is a village so there isn't that much to do otherwise but the scenery it has to be said was spectacular!



What is more, a fighter jet passed over, which was definitely an added bonus! My Dad used to work in a factory, building aircraft so it would be fair to say that I have been fairly well educated on all things to do with aviation and aircraft! Was loud when it passed overhead but spectacular nonetheless especially as it seemed to come out of nowhere! After that we returned back to Chez Garcia momentarily before heading back out to go and see Cea's grandparents who live across the road- I had met them once before but when I was 15, so I was quite flattered that they seemed to remember me when Cea re-introduced me. Having said that when I was 15 my spoken French was nowhere near the level I am now given that I hadn't even done my GCSEs then! They seemed suitably impressed though, so much to the point that they asked if it was due to the fact that I had a French boyfriend, to which I replied that it wasn't but due to hard work and living with French people in Pau. Cea's grandad drove out to get us some donuts from the bakery in the next town along from Vion as the bakery in Vion itself was shut, even though we said that there was no need and the rest of us stayed and chatted- I must say I still find it a little strange speaking French to Cea but I suppose it is just because I am so used to speaking English to her and we did meet in England. Come half past six, Jackie drove us back to the train station in Tain l'Hermitage-Tournon and our return journey to Grenoble began. This time our journey consisted of a train and then a coach from Valence (just as Jackie and Alanna had done the previous day). We arrived back in Grenoble tired and cold as the temperatures in the Rhone-Alpes seem to be slightly cooler than those in Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Once we arrived back we ate Ravioles (which Cea told me are a regional dish, very nice they are too!) and then after chilling for a little while decided to go to bed. For me getting to sleep was difficult though as their cat, Figaro (who I believe usually sleeps in the living room) kept scratching at the door which was quite irritating and at one point actually managed to push the door open and sneak in, so after about half an hour of disturbance all was well...peace at last :)

Cea's family's dogs:

Sparky



and Loulout

My 21st Birthday!

Was rather excited about my birthday yesterday, especially as I knew I'd be spending it with Cea who missed my 18th given that we live in two different countries as a rule, so this would be the first and last birthday in a while that we could celebrate together. We all stayed up late to welcome it in and once it got to midnight UK time (even though I'd counted it from midnight French time, ah well...technically I had a 26 hour birthday, can't complain! :P) Nans saw fit to abandon the computer game her had been playing for the best part of the afternoon wish me happy birthday and then consequently challenge me to a light-saber fight...why I'll never know, although knowing Nans I know full well that this is something normal, strange as it may seem...and granted I won! :) After all that excitement we all retired to bed given that we had to be up early for my 'surprise' on Wednesday morning.



Woke up on Wednesday to Cea and Nans rather amusingly jumping on me singing Happy Birthday...who needs an alarm clock when you have a best mate and her boyfriend to jump on you when you least expect it? haha :) Once they actually let me get up I saw there was a sign on the kitchen door saying 'Birthday Girls: Keep Out!' so I knew they were planning something else, again I had no idea what. She also admitted to me on leaving that she had conspired with my Mum with regards to my surprises...
We left the apartment for my first surprise and obviously I had no idea where we were going, not only because it was a surprise but also because it was my first proper venture out into Grenoble city centre. We initially headed over to the train/coach station where we met Cea's mum and youngest sister who had travelled over especially from the Ardeche and I was very pleased to see them as again I hadn't seen them in two and a half years- Alanna, Cea's sister has grown up so much, i can't believe it, time seriously flies!! After meeting up with them we headed off, again with me having no idea as to where we were going and it was only when we were about 2 minutes away from the cable car (télépherique) that Cea said 'Can you guess where we are going yet?', then it all became perfectly obvious. We took the cable car up to the Bastille where we realised that we were early for the reservation at the restaurant there, so we admired the view for a while and took lots of photos, Cea taking my Mum's request to heart, haha :)



After we had our meal we had another explore and took more photos before heading back to Cea and Nans' apartment where me and Nans in turn proceeded to have balloon fights with Alanna, who said turning 21 meant you had to act your age? :) While we were back Cea suprised me too with a cake and everyone sang happy birthday to me...I later found out she had made it at 8am that morning, which then made me realise why there was the sign on the kitchen door. I blew all the candles out with help from Alanna and then we all sat down to a slice of cake which, all credit to Cea was great! :)



Over lunch Cea and I had decided rather spontaneously to travel back to the Ardeche with Jackie and Alanna that night for an overnight stay so that I could see the rest of her family whilst I was on the East side of France, so we had to get all our things together ready to go to the train stations to get the two trains back. We rather pratically decided to pass the time on the train by quizzing Alanna in English (given that her English has improved a lot since the time I visited!!) and soon enough we arrived back in Tournon and then had to drive back to their house in Vion, where we ate and decided to go to bed given that we were tired after our rather epic day! Alanna also had the chance to give me her present which she had been looking forward to all day given that they originally left it at home by accident. Jackie, who is an artist made me a mirror using my two favourite colours (seems this conspiracy is bigger than first thought...) and Alanna had done me a card using both my favourite animal and my favourite colours. Good effort Ceall, I have to say, lol.



My mirror and card


Have to say I had a great birthday and I can't wait for the other celebrations that are going to follow, both back in Pau with my friends there and also back in England with my friends and family during the Easter holidays! Thankyou also to everyone who left me messages/sent me texts too, they mean a lot! :)

Grenoble: Journey over and Day 1

The weekend wasn't overly eventful so I am going to briefly summarise what I did without dwelling too much on it. Friday, I voluntarily went in to College Marguerite to help a couple of students there with a presentation as the teacher wanted me to correct their pronunciation. After that I went for a walk around Parc Beaumont where I saw some students all dressed up and taking advantage of the sunny weather just as I was! Headed home after that I think, not a massively eventful day by all accounts and to be honest Saturday and Sunday weren't much better. Saturday I went and bought a small suitcase for my trip, given that the only ones I have with me are huge and for a trip to see my friends are quite excessive, after that I went home and started to pack given that I knew that if I left it all until Sunday I would, without a shadow of a doubt forget things. Sunday was spent partially on a walk around town making the most of the sun and the rest finishing off packing and consequently worrying about the weight of my case as always! It is always quite unnerving, especially as I very rarely travel light as many of my friends and family would vouch for, that said, I have paid my fair share of excess baggage since coming to France and refuse to again!
Monday, very excited as I knew I'd be seeing my best mate again for the first time in almost three years! It turned out to be quite a stressful journey though given that I almost missed the train to Bordeaux from Pau due to going into the town centre to buy supplies, supposedly to save time afterwards...didn't quite work on reflection...luckily the train was running five minutes late, so my pulse was able to return to normal instead of running overtime once I was on the train knowing that I had made it. On arriving at Bordeaux I had to make a grovelling phone call home to ask Mum to send me a bit of money so that I could get the shuttle bus/navette from the station to the airport as annoyingly I was 1€40 short and my purse was buried somewhere in my case. I also found out on arrival that somewhere on my journey the wheels on my brand new suitcase had come off, no idea how or where and then I started doubting their actual existence, although I swear I wheeled it home when I bought it on Saturday...ah well. Getting to the airport I checked in and went through all the motions as is normal, boarded the plane and then 55 minutes (approximately) I landed in Lyon. I collected my luggage and went to look for my friends who had driven from Grenoble to meet me and drive back. There was a bit of confusion at first although Ceallai soon found me and then we had to try and find her boyfriend Nans who had gone off to park the car...easier said than done we found out after having gone to the wrong floor initially, but we soon found him and who as always bear-hugged me before we got into the car to make the journey back. When we got to their apartment in Grenoble I got settled in and ready for bed given that I was quite tired after having been travelling for around 8 hours, but just before I got into bed, Nans decided to give me an early rendition of 'joyeux anniversaire', he seemed rather confused when I stopped him and it was only when I explained that my birthday was 18th that he realised his mistake.
Tuesday was spent mainly relaxing, we headed out to buy some supplies though apart from that it was mainly a stay in and chill day. Me and Cea as always got stuck into some girly magazines, doing the tests out of them for fun and laughs, before searching for even more tests on the internet! Was a later night than previously as we stayed up to see my birthday in at midnight! :) Will write all about my birthday tomorrow, but I have to say it has been a really good day! :)

Friday 13th....unlucky for some?

It doesn't really take a degree in rocket science to work out that the thirteenth day of the month follows the twelfth, but when the thirteenth falls on a Friday we are in completely different territory, like tomorrow. I would say I am superstitious to a point, but not obsessively- I am pretty sure I have walked underneath ladders before for example. Friday 13th however is one of those superstitions that I am quite suspicious and apprehensive about and there is without any doubt whatsoever at least one per year, however this year there are 3, one in February, one in March and one in November (we get a reprieve over summer it would seem!)I am not paranoid although I do think that it has certain connotations, as does the number 13 in itself. I am not a numerologist, but they don't say '13, unlucky for some' when playing bingo for nothing! There are exceptions to the rule however as I have read and known of people where the number 13 has been really lucky for them...just the luck of the draw I guess!

On to other things, I have a friend coming to visit in a month! I can't wait, it is going to be great to be able to show her round and go for days out together. She has never been to France before so that will be the first of many new experiences for her. She has never been abroad before (and she is almost 21) and so has never been on an aeroplane. When she booked her tickets rather spontaneously yesterday (as we found some cheap flights with Ryanair) she said afterwards that she was quite scared at the prospect although I'm pretty sure that she'll find it an enjoyable experience as opposed to a traumatic one! She is going to fly to Biarritz airport, so I am going to have to go and meet her there as she doesn't speak much French and it would be very mean to expect her to make her own way to Pau when she has no idea as to where to go! She will be in Pau from the 13th-16th March, so if I appear somewhat excitable around that time, that is the reason behind it.

I have no concrete plans for the weekend as it stands other than packing ready to go to Grenoble on Monday and I am trying to decide whether to celebrate my birthday with my friends in Pau this weekend or the weekend after the holidays when everyone will be back...tough call, I'll have to think about it and decide tomorrow...sleep on it as they say.

Candles

Flickering, fiery, flames,
a centrepiece for all to see
Many different types,
a bit like you and me

Eventually, after days, weeks, months
the candle dies,
Gone, extinguished, snuffed out,
as if it doesn’t matter.

My candles still burn on inside me,
they were blown out too soon

Poetry

My Time in France (up to now obviously!)

I was hesitant before my arrival,
although I knew things would be fine.
I had everything required for my survival,
and my friends would drop me a line

Nerves soon quelled and worries died
once I had been put at my ease
The weather was great and the sun shined,
well, for two months at least!

I love my job, I love my life,
all the kids make work a pleasure
There have been some moments of strife,
though all the memories I will treasure

I wish they'd remember I'm a 'miss' and not a 'mrs'
I hate formality, it's true
When meeting someone here they share kisses,
here's one from me to you

I can't believe how quickly time passes,
'tempus fugit' they do say
I have fun with all my classes,
each and every day

As much as I miss England,
I really don't want to go back
I'd love to be able to here stand,
and go off on my own little track

I love my time here in Pau,
I really don't want to eventually go

Dreams can come true...

I realise the title of this post is a little ambiguous, if not also rather optimistic (I am a die-hard pessimist at heart,believe it or not, well with regards to myself anyway, with everyone else, I am optimistic) but it refers to the fact that I have recently started to look into dream interpretation. I had a dream the other night (which I actually remembered after waking up for once- it annoys me when I have had a dream though can't remember it afterwards or can only remember bits, so my recollection of it is quite sketchy!)and as I could remember it quite vividly I was intrigued as to what it meant, so had a look online and to be honest the interpretation was more or less spot on! There wasn't an untruth in what it said- obviously I am not going to tell you of the dream, so just take my word for that, haha! I am quite an open person (as my friends will tell you!) and I do share my dreams sometimes, it just depends on the subject matter or how weird they were etc- this was a mix of the two quite weird and the subject matter I don't see as suitable for sharing. I do believe in things like that though, I read my horoscope in magazines for example and to an extent believe in the paranormal and fate, but then again there have been times when I have had my doubts and been quite sceptical about things I have read so I'm not exactly hardcore. I have had a tarot reading done online once, though only because it was free and it popped up on my screen as I was doing something else- had it not I doubt I'd have even thought about it to be honest. As Valentine's is approaching I also believe that everyone has a soulmate and that the love of your life is out there looking for you just as you are looking for them and one day your paths will cross (more than likely when you least expect it). I appreciate that there are lots of people who seriously don't buy into all this, but each to their own I think. This is only the first time I have actually interpreted one of my dreams, but I am fascinated I have to say. This is another way in which me and my best friend are similar as she is similarly interested in this subject, I'm sure we'll have quite a lot to talk about when I visit next week now- getting so excited! What's more, got my first birthday card today, though put it straight in my case to take with me and to open on the day! :) I realise that a post on dream interpretation is hardly bringing you up to date with regards to my week, but that's what is going on in my world at the moment!

Quick, dial 999...hang on... what's the number in France?

Saturday was probably the first time I have felt completely out of my depth since arriving in France and for one simple reason- it was the first time me and my friends had to deal with a medical emergency and had to ring for an ambulance. Simple as it may sound, it really wasn't! Out of around ten of us, none of us knew the actual French number to call an ambulance (or the fire brigade as it is here...which is a rather weird concept for me, that I will talk about in more detail after). I was so annoyed with myself as I walk past a poster with all the emergency numbers on at least three times a week at work and could I remember? No chance... Looking back I think I must have been nieve enough to think I'd never need to use them hence my lack of attention...first mistake! Luckily we knew the international emergency number, 112 (or should I say 2 of us did!) so we were able to get help although without that we would have been stuck! Fortunately it wasn't serious, but scary nonetheless! I really think I have learnt my lesson on that front and next time I will make sure I am well informed about things like that which are important! Needless to say, all the French emergency numbers are now well and truly stored in my mobile phone...and I doubt I was the only one to do it either!
I find it so strange though as I said before that you have to call the fire brigade to deal with a medical emergency in France, as in England the Fire, Ambulance and Police seem to have more designated roles (i.e. the Fire Brigade put fires out, cut roofs off cars after a road traffic accident etc, the ambulance/paramedics deal with medical emergencies and the Police deal with law-breakers and sudden deaths....in a nutshell anyway, I really don't mean to be demeaning to the emergency services who are all a credit to their profession and do incredible work!) On Saturday we had to think about who to call in that respect as our first thought, as at home, was to 'call an ambulance', which in England would be 999 then stating the service required (as at home there is only one emergency number, 999 which you ring regardless of whether you want police, fire or ambulance and then they direct you to whichever people you need to speak to). That said I don't remember ever having to dial 999 in England, may have had to at some point, I don't think I'd forget such an incident though having said that. Ah well, lesson learnt I think! I like my evenings to be eventful, but not like that!

A Rather Dickensian Tale!

I going to write this blog last night to be a little more up to date, though fatigue and Top Gear DVDs got the better of me, so am going to cover two days in one to get back up to speed a little. Yesterday I soaked up a bit of culture at the theatre as I got asked to accompany some classes from Barthou who were going to see Oliver Twist and it turned out my friend who is an assistant at Lycée St.Jean Perse was doing exactly the same as me not that either of us knew beforehand, so was a nice surprise! On the whole i really enjoyed the performance although for me nothing can ever beat the original film musical...classic doesn't quite cover it! As I mentioned before I was also in a stage version of Oliver the musical when I was at Secondary School as well in the chorus, which in fairness was hardly a huge part, but at 13 I didn't really care, I still got a buzz from doing it! I think it was around that age that I actually developed inhibitions to be honest as before that I was pretty much fearless! I'm extroverted and out-going now (and have been since around the age of 16) though I still have some inhibitions as does everyone, think everyone has their own personal hang-ups as nobody is perfect as much as people may think they are.
Anyway, after the performance as by the time the show had finished the sun was well and truly out and pretty much blinded us all as were were coming out of the theatre. Upon adjusting to the light, me and Krystal went off together to head back although went via a cafe to buy some churros, which I have to say is pretty much becoming mine and her tradition as the last time we went out for a mooch round town together we did exactly the same thing! As I bought last time, she bought this time, so next time (as there will more than likely be a 'next time')it's back to my turn to buy. Churros in hand we set off walking home in the sun as we both live in the same direction, so it's always good for a chat and company! Churros are so nice though and I haven't seen anywhere in England that sells them! There may well be somewhere but I haven't yet found it unfortunately, so I intend on exploiting the possibilities during my time here! :)
Today was business as usual at work, had all my 4 classes and had the luxury of getting the bus instead of having to walk this week (I realise that makes me sound quite lazy, but walking to work at 7am is something I can do without). Found out at work that Blake the other English assistant was still having difficulty getting back to Pau as he went to Sweden to the Gotemburg Film Festival last weekend to see the premiere of one of his friend's films. His journey back was quite a lot longer than expected though as due to snowy weather all over England this week a lot of flights were grounded with airports coming to a halt...unfortunately this affected him getting back so instead of getting back on Tuesday, he has only just got back today! I think he's had his fair share of airports for a while! No doubt he had an amazing time there though, so maybe that'll make up for it in a way, who knows...
Can't believe how quickly time is passing here though, already a week away from the February half term, been thinking a lot recently about how sorry I am actually going to be when I have to leave...which makes me intend on making the most of every single day! :)

No plans for weekend as of yet, but I'm pretty sure there soon will be! :)

Me, Myself and I

I know the title of this does sound quite arrogant and egotistical given that I will essentially be writing this post all about myself, but it was suggested to me and in theory it isn't an overly bad idea. I'm pretty sure I am not the best qualified to talk on the subject- my friends without doubt know me a lot better than I know myself, we literally have no secrets, but as my mates are elsewhere, mainly in England or dispersed all over France and the rest of continental Europe, you'll have to do with me...sorry.
The question now is what to say that I haven't already mentioned on the profile part of my blog...

Actually I think my friends are probably a decent place to start and I'm sure they'd all be flattered to know that they are getting a mention! I have already mentioned in a previous blog that I am going to visit my best friend in Grenoble very soon, so we have a starting point. Her name is Céallai (prounounced Kelly, as she is of Irish origin she uses the Gaelic spelling) and she is two years older than me, not that you'd think it to look at us nor the way we act when we are together- people have mistaken us for sisters many times. We both went to the same Secondary School (after Céa moved from a previous school in a different part of Manchester) and we met when I was 13 and she 15 during rehearsals for a production of Oliver that our school was putting on as we were both in the chorus. Her Dad used to be Head of Languages at school (for the first three years I was there) and had taught me French in my first year, Year 7, so that was an easy conversation starter and ice-breaker. The year after our forms were in classrooms oppsoite each other so we always had to wait on the same landing, so there was many a conversation to be had. As she is two years older than me, she left school when I was in third year, Year 9 and consequently moved to France, initially to Tournon-sur-Rhone in the Ardeche, it was only when she went to university that she moved to Grenoble where she still is now and lives with her natively French boyfriend. I haven't seen them since the last time I went to visit in summer 2006, so I can't wait to see them both again!

My two best male friends both have the same name but spell it differently, one Kris, the other Chris. Kris is in Paris this year working as an assistant like me at a Lycée professionel in Créteil and Chris is spending the year as an Erasmus student at university in Pamplona in Northern Spain. I met Kris 5 years ago when I started college as we were both in the same form and we both took French (as there were only three of us in our French class you get to know people really quickly!) and even though everybody out of my group of friends from college has gone to a different university we are all as close as ever and at the moment I speak to Kris almost daily. He is northern and Boltonian in every sense of the words, seriously if you think I am broad and Northern, it just doesn't compare! He is hilarious though with the same sort of sarcastuc wit and humour as me, he can make anything (within reason) funny, which is what you need sometimes. As I said before I have no secrets with my friends and as Kris and my other friends would vouch they have no secrets with me, which is the best way to be. They say you meet your friends for life at university but I think I found some of mine at college!
Other Chris I met at university, we both lived in the same university residence during our first year, but in different blocks. I got to know him mainly through mutual friends as he knew an Australian erasmus student that I did and the first time we met (typically!) was in our halls' bar where we had gone to watch the football- he is a die-hard Barcelona fan as he is half Spanish (his mother is from Barcelona, his father from London) although you really wouldn't think it to look at him as he has very fair skin and ginger hair! Not exactly your stereotypical Spaniard, but he is completely bilingual (English and Spanish). He lives in London, so we only really see each other at university in England , although we do speak on MSN/Skype/Phone a lot. At some point during my time on the continent I am going to go to Pamplona to visit him and hopefully to practice my Spanish which has somewhat suffered in favour of French this year, though hopefully with a bit of practice it will improve again. We are going to live together next year back in Leeds too hopefully so I'll have an excuse to be able to practice my Spanish after having had my French improve this year!

Not exactly mentioned much about myself up to now...mainly because as I say I am not exactly the best qualified...I like to think of myself as independent, confident and as much as I am stupid at times, intelligent (as Mum says, academically I am very intelligent when it comes to common sense I lack it!) I like to think that I have continued a family tradition in the fact that I am a musician as my great-grandma used to play the piano and my great-grandfather used to play the violin. My great-grandma was professionally qualified and played in theatres/cinemas to accompany silent films or otherwise in church or at home. Her piano is now at my cousin's house as even though I live in the house that was her's as my Mum and Dad bought it from her there wasn't the room, but at least it has stayed in the family. My great-grandfather used to have a Stradivarious violin, which believe me is the best manufacturer of string instruments ever and to buy one now would cost thousands. As a violinist/violist myself I would have killed to have at least seen it, but we believe it was given to distant relatives in Australia which is a shame in a way. Having said that I doubt I'd ever have dared to touch or play it even if we still had it as I'd be too scared of breaking it or damaging it in any way given the value of the instrument. The fact I play the flute too was my own decision- I started playing the recorder at primary school which I took to and really enjoyed, so when I started at Secondary School I swapped my recorder for a flute and had lessons through school just as I did with my violin until I started private tuition aged 14/15. My cousin, Dan who is a few years older than me is also a musician, although a lot more seriously than me as he studied music at Birmingham Conservatoire and has a degree. He has played the trumpet from being young and sees music as his career, both as a performer and a teacher.

At home I live in a typically English, red-brick, terraced house, which was built in 1902, a year after the death of Queen Victoria, Britain's longest serving monarch (having said that our current Queen isn't too far off changing that statistic!) and before it belonged to my great-grandma it was a vicarige. I find history really fascinating, I studied it at school up to GCSE level and in a way wish I had continued it at college, but I still take a very keen interest. Last year at university I took a module in French history from the Revolution of 1789 to 1914, which I really enjoyed. I did my essay on feminism, which nicely leads me on to my next point, I consider myself a feminist. I know a lot of people, both men and women hate the word and although I'm not going to go and handcuff myself to parliament or set churches alight as they did when the Suffragettes were campaigning for votes for women in the early 20th century, I do use the word quite openly to express my beliefs on certain things and I really don't see why it should strike the fear of God into people as much as it seems to!

Anyways, when I started I wasn't exactly sure how this post was going to go, but I am pretty sure I have gone off on enough tangents for one night! :)

Why can't I write essays as easy as this? Where is the justice? haha :P

A relaxed and somewhat film-filled weekend!

Well, this weekend I was able to do a lot more than last week given the nicer weather and no impending storm so I took full advantage of the situation (as you'd expect). Saturday I decided to have a change from Pau, so spontaneously decided to jump on a bus and go to Jurancon for the afternoon. As the weather was decent, I went for a relaxing walk and to explore a little, it was nice to have a change to the hustle and bustle of Pau (although can I add at this point, I prefer civilisation to tranquility any day, but a change is always refreshing). On my walk i chanced upon a boulangerie where I bought one of the nicest chocolate eclairs I think I have ever had! Took pictures too, as I am slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that my camera has taken up permanent residence in my handbag, just as my i-pod has taken up permanent residence in my coat pocket! Even though I took the bus in order to get there (as it was my first time going there...hard to believe in 5 months I know) I decided to walk back to Pau, which was good as I got to see more of the surrounding area and also to test my sense of direction, which according to Mum is non-existent. Didn't take long to get back either and felt better for it, sort of like I had accomplished something, so next time I think I am going to attempt to walk there too now I have been once, shouldn't be too much of a mission, the odds are good at the moment anyway!
After arriving home, eating, dossing around on the computer for a couple of hours, I headed back out into Pau to meet my friends to go to the cinema to go and see Slumdog Millionaire. I have wanted to see this film for a while, not only because of all the awards it has won/been nominated for, but also because Danny Boyle who directed it is from a town called Radcliffe which is around 10 minutes away from where I live at home in England and my Dad used to have a shop there too, so naturally I am proud to see one of our own doing seriously well and also I was interested to see the film for myself and form my own opinion...needless to say I wasn't disappointed! The film was shown in the original language which was a mix of English and an Indian language (which I think may have been Gujarati, though I'm not sure)with subtitles. The story is based on a book which I didn't realise until the credits rolled at the end and I think the film was really well made even though having read some articles about it on the internet I know it hasn't gone down well in some countries, one being India itself. I won't spoil the plot in case any people haven't seen it and want to, but I highly recommend it!

Whilst I was waiting for my friends to arrive at the cinema as I was half an hour early I decided to have a look at what other films were being shown, when I found that Inkheart (Coeur d'Encre) had been released in France now, which I was happy about as I saw the film when I was home in England over Christmas and really liked it, so decided on the spot that I had to go and see it again, in French though this time. Well, what do you think I did this afternoon? You guessed it...Went to the cinema to see Inkheart and loved it again! Again, I won't spoil the plot in case anybody wants to see it and hasn't done already, but again I highly recommend it. There are two more films coming out on Friday that I really want to go and see, one of which is Volt (Bolt in English...why the change of one letter I have no idea!) which looks awesome, having said that I love Disney movies anyway, so it's a given that I'll like it. The other is a French film called LOL (laughing out loud) which looks like a chic-flick from the trailer, which again I can't wait to see. Before this weekend I had only been to the cinema 3 times since arriving in France, I went to see Mamma Mia a couple of weeks after arriving, which I had already seen at home in Enlgish beforehand and loved! Got the DVD for Christmas too which is great! I went to see a film called Tokyo at the Melies with some of the other assistants which was a Japanese film, which was completely in Japanese and subtitled in French, and to be honest it wasn't as much a film as three shorts, all of which were weird...as you may guess it wasn't my choice! The other time was when I went to see Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond film with my flatmate and some of her friends from university, which again I liked although given that I have only seen one other James Bond film it's not like I have anything to compare it to. It's always weird for me when I go and see films in France that are dubbed though because I know how the actors sound in real life and when a different voice is used it is rather strange though amusing sometimes. All good practice though, listening to French and improving my comprehension and learning more vocabulary...as well as having a good time! Who said learning had to be dull, difficult and boring?! :)

If anyone is interested the websites for Slumdog Millionaire and Inkheart are as follows:

Slumdog Millionaire:
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/

Inkheart:
http://www.inkheartmovie.com/