Apparently, I am an elementary student in French!
Yesterday, the first day of school, we got orally tested and also did a written test. Today I was placed in A2 class, which is probably a below intermediate class. I have 4 classmates: 2 irish girls, 1 dutch, and 1 swedish. All of them are in high school! Jesus....
But having done some group work with a couple of girls, and had some discussion in class, I realize what the difference between me and them is. I probably was like that too when I was in high school...laid back, not trying very hard to do the very best, passive, etc....
It was actually quite frustrating in the group work because the 2 girls I was with really just wanted to get it over with and go to the beach. But why were they there? I have no idea. Probably their mom and dad paid for the thing and just asked them to go, so they go. Anyway...it was alright overall... time will tell...but I won't let time have a lot of time to tell.
After that, walking here, I found out a pick-up line I have never heard before: "be careful... you are getting red" as in "be careful, you are about to get a sun burn but what the heck, I am gonna talk to you outside for a long time anyway".
This guy started talking to me in French and some English after he realized I am not the best french speaker ever. He wanted to get my number and go for a coffee right there and then, but I told him I was busy going to use the internet and that I have no phone to call him or for him to call. Finally, I took his email address and chatted a bit more, and said goodbye. God bless the internet. It's such a great thing to just get someone's address and then decide later on if I should write or not...Well...I probably won't, but I might. He said he lives in Cannes...so if I do need a guide, just in case. But hey, I don't think I will need a guide if I can make it there on my own. so... tough luck.
Now I am thinking if I should join some of the school activities or not. So far, I seem to be the only asian there, one of the only few people who are not in high school or just out of high school. I really wonder if I can get along with all these people.
The Swedish girl in the class seems pretty interesting. She is curious about everything. The dutch guy also...but not sure yet. Will see... if she keeps up being so interested in everything I have to say, maybe I will get her to go to Eze on thursday... The guy in charge of the activity says this is a nice village and they will visit a perfume factory where you can purchase perfume for a discounted price. Sounds attractive.
Lovely day again. After some surfing, gonna go lie on the beach! My stomach still feels weird ><
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Nice-Day 3
Things I have had to do, things that have amazed me, things that have frustrated me, things that have pleased me so far...
day 1:
British Airways flight was delayed for 6 hours!! After queuing for 2.5 hours, managed to check in to an Air France flight, safely arriving in Nice at the exact same time as I would have if my original flight had not been delayed.
Checked into hotel. Tiny. High ceiling though. Noisy in the middle of the night, but surprisingly quiet in the morning. Why is it that people chat at 2 am and 4 am but not at 7:30 am?
Found "Messena"--a square with musicians, tall poles leading to lit-up-at-night statues of naked men. Lovely walking area. Haagen Daaz found! Had a cookie crunch sundae...not as good as I had expected though.
day 2:
Plan--get cell phone and dongle ASAP. Get apartment keys.
Reached an SFR shop where I was refered to saleslady #1 to saleslady #2, then from saleslady #2 back to saleslady #1, then from saleslady #1 to non-existent-or-too-busy saleslady#3 before I decided that at that shop, probably none of the ladies knew anything about anything. Moved on to another SFR shop, where I waited forever to get someone to help me because there is no line-up system whatsoever. Managed to get what I wanted though. Great! ^^
Took a long stroll on the Promenade des Anglais, and saw the beautiful shoreline.
Found the marketplace in Vieux Nice! So many booths with Olives, soaps, flowers, fresh vegetables and fruits NOT wrapped in saran wrap, bread, dried tomatoes, fish, etc. Gotta come back later.
Went to Mcdo to grab a bite and use their wifi. The "fastfood" might as well have been called "slowpoke food". I ordered only a small burger and some pre-packaged food but had to wait for about 10 minutes! No. No exaggeration. Tried to connect with Wifi but couldn't! Why? No idea.
On the way back to the apartment, a guy played on an old white piano in the Place Messana. He was soooooooooooooooooooo good it looked like he was just improvising as he goes. He probably wasn't, but still, it was amazing.
Then went to get my apartment. Took a taxi from the hotel to the apartment but because of saturday Ironman events, roads were partially closed. The driver was furious! Kept puffing and sighing, and yelling "Attention!!!!" to other drivers when obviously he was the one who was being too reckless. Luckily I am still alive to write this now.
The apartment was dark as hell in the staircase area...but inside, was nice and bright. Despite the uncleaned state of the place, it is quite lovely. Large living area (for one person who just came from Japan...yes it's big), bedroom, decent shower. No washing machine though. >< What?!?! How can a so-called "fully furnished" apartment have no washing machine? That is just unbelievable.
Plan-Try to find a grocery store and a coin laundry this evening. I have been deprived of things like juice and yogurt in the last 3 days. Need these things.
Took a walk to look for grocery store and laundromat. Instead, I went up the Chateau and found a Fete de chateau going on. There were many booths for people expressing their views on feminism, racism, etc. Many booths with food. Some music from here and there. Lots of people.
Came down from the great view and nice walk up in the mountain, and found a grocery store finally. Went home exhausted from the long long walks I had throughout the whole day, took a shower, watched some tv, and went to bed in this apartment for the first time.
day 3:
Plan--find laundromat, find the way to school either by tram or on foot, go to the beach!
Walked to the school from noon to see if I can actually walk there every morning. It took about 30 minutes on not-especially-hurried feet. I guess I can walk then! ^^
I am finally getting to know the areas a bit more. I still don't know the streets that well but at least I can make my way within the main area of the city centre.
Came to Quick to see if I can connect to the internet this time.
To avoid having to wait for 10 minutes for my food and to save my appetite for some better food than crap, I ordered a drink and sat down (now for at least an hour already). Tried to figure out how to connect...tried and tried. No luck. I looked on the soda cup to see if the password was there! my god. of course it wasn't. Then finally, looking at the receipt that I used to wipe the seat I am in now, I saw the light! It was printed on there...of course!
So here I am, and because of Quick's Wifi, I managed to find 6 addresses of coin laudry shops. Tonight, I will check the map and see if they are actually go-able.
Now, beach time.
Isn't this lovely so far?
I might get an ice cream on the way.
Yes, it's lovely.
day 1:
British Airways flight was delayed for 6 hours!! After queuing for 2.5 hours, managed to check in to an Air France flight, safely arriving in Nice at the exact same time as I would have if my original flight had not been delayed.
Checked into hotel. Tiny. High ceiling though. Noisy in the middle of the night, but surprisingly quiet in the morning. Why is it that people chat at 2 am and 4 am but not at 7:30 am?
Found "Messena"--a square with musicians, tall poles leading to lit-up-at-night statues of naked men. Lovely walking area. Haagen Daaz found! Had a cookie crunch sundae...not as good as I had expected though.
day 2:
Plan--get cell phone and dongle ASAP. Get apartment keys.
Reached an SFR shop where I was refered to saleslady #1 to saleslady #2, then from saleslady #2 back to saleslady #1, then from saleslady #1 to non-existent-or-too-busy saleslady#3 before I decided that at that shop, probably none of the ladies knew anything about anything. Moved on to another SFR shop, where I waited forever to get someone to help me because there is no line-up system whatsoever. Managed to get what I wanted though. Great! ^^
Took a long stroll on the Promenade des Anglais, and saw the beautiful shoreline.
Found the marketplace in Vieux Nice! So many booths with Olives, soaps, flowers, fresh vegetables and fruits NOT wrapped in saran wrap, bread, dried tomatoes, fish, etc. Gotta come back later.
Went to Mcdo to grab a bite and use their wifi. The "fastfood" might as well have been called "slowpoke food". I ordered only a small burger and some pre-packaged food but had to wait for about 10 minutes! No. No exaggeration. Tried to connect with Wifi but couldn't! Why? No idea.
On the way back to the apartment, a guy played on an old white piano in the Place Messana. He was soooooooooooooooooooo good it looked like he was just improvising as he goes. He probably wasn't, but still, it was amazing.
Then went to get my apartment. Took a taxi from the hotel to the apartment but because of saturday Ironman events, roads were partially closed. The driver was furious! Kept puffing and sighing, and yelling "Attention!!!!" to other drivers when obviously he was the one who was being too reckless. Luckily I am still alive to write this now.
The apartment was dark as hell in the staircase area...but inside, was nice and bright. Despite the uncleaned state of the place, it is quite lovely. Large living area (for one person who just came from Japan...yes it's big), bedroom, decent shower. No washing machine though. >< What?!?! How can a so-called "fully furnished" apartment have no washing machine? That is just unbelievable.
Plan-Try to find a grocery store and a coin laundry this evening. I have been deprived of things like juice and yogurt in the last 3 days. Need these things.
Took a walk to look for grocery store and laundromat. Instead, I went up the Chateau and found a Fete de chateau going on. There were many booths for people expressing their views on feminism, racism, etc. Many booths with food. Some music from here and there. Lots of people.
Came down from the great view and nice walk up in the mountain, and found a grocery store finally. Went home exhausted from the long long walks I had throughout the whole day, took a shower, watched some tv, and went to bed in this apartment for the first time.
day 3:
Plan--find laundromat, find the way to school either by tram or on foot, go to the beach!
Walked to the school from noon to see if I can actually walk there every morning. It took about 30 minutes on not-especially-hurried feet. I guess I can walk then! ^^
I am finally getting to know the areas a bit more. I still don't know the streets that well but at least I can make my way within the main area of the city centre.
Came to Quick to see if I can connect to the internet this time.
To avoid having to wait for 10 minutes for my food and to save my appetite for some better food than crap, I ordered a drink and sat down (now for at least an hour already). Tried to figure out how to connect...tried and tried. No luck. I looked on the soda cup to see if the password was there! my god. of course it wasn't. Then finally, looking at the receipt that I used to wipe the seat I am in now, I saw the light! It was printed on there...of course!
So here I am, and because of Quick's Wifi, I managed to find 6 addresses of coin laudry shops. Tonight, I will check the map and see if they are actually go-able.
Now, beach time.
Isn't this lovely so far?
I might get an ice cream on the way.
Yes, it's lovely.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Last day
Last day of work!
I am sure going back to work in August will be so so so hard but hey, what the heck. It's vacation time! :-)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
My new life
It's been so so long since I wrote on here last...
Well...the thing is, I started a new job last August, and since then, I have been leading an occupied but satisfied life.
I work at an international school with lovely kids and books; I have pre-scheduled holidays so i can plan my holidays to go see new places, go diving; I go to the gym for some short swimming a few times a week, and relax in the sauna after a day of work...
And believe it or not, it's already the last week of work for this school year! I am off to France next Friday to learn French, and in fall, je vais pouvoir parler en francais! j'espere..........
Well...there's an update...for myself...
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