Tuesday 11/22: Pumpkin Bread and a Trip to the Cinema!

My first class was at 10:45am today, so I slept in until 9—and then prepared for my classes. I worked on numbers with my CE2s (8-9yrs) and we sang “1 2 3 4 5, Once I caught a fish alive…” and then they did a fish color-by-number! It worked pretty well. I came home to have lunch with Catherine (beans and cheese with applesauce for dessert) and then headed back to teach for the rest of the afternoon.

My first class this afternoon was with the 7-8 year olds…and we sang a song practicing “How old are you?” about 10 times. Or perhaps more. It takes them a long time to get it and I wanted them to really practice saying that question because it’s hard for them to pronounce. We also played a number game and did a little bit of coloring. In the middle of the class, we had a fire drill! That was fun… Actually, I managed just fine getting the students to line up two-by-two and head out to the playground where all the classes met.

Next I had the 10-11 year olds and I had to do the History/Anthem/Thanksgiving class…but this time I tried to hurry even more and I made the cards a lot simpler. They almost got them finished—just a little bit of coloring to be done at home!

My last class (of 7-8yr olds) was much the same as the one earlier in the day. We sang the “How old are you” way too many times and then did some coloring—in complete silence because they were on their best behavior, in order to receive a sticker from me. The teacher and I were laughing about how quiet they were in order to merit a sticker!

After school, I had tea with Margot and then I chopped up the other half of the pumpkin and cooked it. While it was cooking, Margot and I played cards and then, when the pumpkin was done, we made pumpkin bread! It was really fun—we were the only ones home and we put on some music and mixed up the batter. The only problem was when we discovered that there weren’t any eggs in the house! So, Margot ended up running over to her aunt Chantal’s house (they didn’t have any either) and then to the little store down the street. Whew! In the end, the bread turned out really amazing. Everyone was a bit skeptical, but they all loved it. Yes! Another success!

Today when I checked the mail, I found 3 letters for me! So exciting! Chelsea, Tasha, and Jessie…THANK YOU!! :) So, this evening (before dinner), I sat at the table writing letters and Margot sat with me, coloring. When Dr. Quinn came on, we watched that while continuing our work…

Photo: MY LETTERS!! :)

Tonight we went to the movies! Well, we left earlier than last time (in case there were a lot of people again) and got there at about 8:40pm for a 9pm show. There was a long line again.

A guy from the cinema was making a video of how long the line was because it’s definitely not normal for Tyrosse to have that many people! We waited and waited—hoping that we’d get in…and when the guy came down the line counting, we just made it in! Only 5 people behind us got in—they sent everyone else away!

Photo: Standing in line... Margot is in pink, Ralf and Catherine are next to her

The theatre holds 250 people and it’s owned by the city, which is beyond awesome because it only costs €5 to get in and—the best part—there are NO ADS OR PREVIEWS! Yep, at 9:00pm the movie started—just like that! And what a great movie it was! “Intouchables” is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time. The story (which is based on a guy’s life) was hilarious, but done in a French way, which means they don’t beat you over the head with the humor, they show you just enough so you get the idea and let you imagine the rest. I loved it so much—I would go back and see it in a heartbeat, but it was the last showing. Hopefully it’ll play in Corvallis at the Darkside! I know it is a huge hit here in France! See trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otpJgjrJ0ig

When we got home, I stayed up way too late skyping with Maria and Theresa… excellent. :D