Back from my break

I know it's been quite a while since my last post. For most, time seems so little and there is so much to do. Actually, I should be doing more and my time seems limitless. I have stepped into an alternate reality where I am breezing through life and not in a rush to catch up with the rest.

So what's new with me? Well I have finished my second and final semester of french classes. When I was finished I was hoping to get a baguette and a beret. These days students get a piece of paper, which kind of resembles a diploma. I guess it will have to do. My most recent projects include more learning so I can teach english better and the hopes of a job.

I don't seem to have many words to share so I will make this one short. Hopefully it will keep you wanting more. I will add some photos from some recent trips around France and some other random images.

Ciao,
Nia

My New Conquest (Mon Conquête Nouvelle)

I just started teaching english. I pondered for a while about what I could do for some extra cash while also releasing the financial stress. I am considering a career change so I thought it would be good to try out teaching because it interests me. I may not be cut out for it so before I invest lots of time and money, first I will experiment and get some experience. So far so good, and I have four students. It's amazing to see how I have already been stretched.

I have an advantage of being a native english speaker because it's the most popular language people want to know. Teaching a language can make you quite conscience of what you say and why. Everything you say has to be justified. I also have to find a speed of talking so that it's not too difficult to understand. Plus, I have to use words which are simple to understand. It's challenging but fun.

I am making a plan for the next year that I will allow me stay in Nantes. That is a statement mostly built on faith because I have no job or plan to continue with school. I could try and take some more classes but that would depend on the financing and I would hate to not be able to devote time to my courses by working all of the time. My hope is to find a job and live very simply.

The question on everyone's mind: Could this woman be a future teacher?

Answer: I have no idea... (TBA)

Mon Défi

Ce soir je suis aller...

This evening I went on a mission. I have a défi, which is a challenge to take a photo for mon cours d'analyse image. Each week we have a thème différent. Alors je vais chercher(I go looking for), the perfect shot. I always have beaucoup de choix because I don't want to take juste one. I took some au centre ville mais I wasn't satisfé. Je suis rentrée home only to depart again and go stake out a boulangerie. I have to mention my thème est français. It's a sujet général avec beaucoup de possibilités.

Here is the one I took.

It was taken in front of a memorial that says « À la Mémoire des Nantais mort pour La France » This means « In memory of the Nantais who died for France ». I like this photo because I had perfect timing. The woman walking is directly under le drapeau. Je pense à comment la Frace takes good care of her people both vivant et mort. They have great social security and other social bénéfaits, si non, il y a un gréve (if not there is a strike). The flag it over the people, but it's the people who support la republique.

This semestre has been great so far. Not that I didn't like my other semestre, but this one is different. Mes professeurs all appear to be enjoying what they do, therefore I am more engaged. De plus, I am more confident to participate, and then later I seek further knowledge. I have been so inspired and passionate each day. At the end if the day, I hunger for what the next day will bring.

I have yet to decide on how I will survive my next year in France, still I am hoping and praying to find a means to stay. How long will I stay? Aucune idée! (No idea!) I have been thinking about teaching...

This is one of my Wow! This is breathe-taking photos.

Kissing

I have to admit that living in France has encouraged something I have always enjoyed doing. Now this will be awkward. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be any fun.

Kissing. Primarily considered among most as an exchange between lovers. Not the case for me. I kiss people I like and care about. It's normal, a form of affection. I would kiss everyone if I could! Now I know not everyone is comfortable with the exchange due to certain experiences and/or personal hygiene. As a result, I decided to be selective.

Kisses vary with every relationship. The way I kiss my mom is different from the way I kiss a friend or love interest. Kissing is deep and complex. I am intrigued by the wonders of kissing and what it implies. There is always something you can communicate through a kiss. "I love you," is the obvious message I hope most can distinguish. However, one could say "nice to see you", "great meeting you", "it was great spending time with you", "I'm glad you are in my life", "I care about you," "you make me happy", "thank you", "you saved my life", "I want you", "I need you", "wow!" and so on. Whether you know exactly what is implied is not always clear, but you can easily discover the awkwardness, which is most important.

A kiss is something exchanged between both men and women, but it is best to be cautious. Normally I consider the relationship a person has with me. A kiss means so much to me. It's not to be taken lightly. A kiss is intentional. If I gave away kisses all the time, it would not be so special. I would be a kissing slut who deserves no respect. So even when I say that I delight in a kiss, there is always much to be considered when I give one away.

The kisser in France: moi. I don't just give out kisses to anyone. In France, you meet people and they kiss you, which is why it is absolutely necessary to associate with the right people that you can trust. So when it comes to being introduced to their friends, you won't be in uncomfortable situations. I have done the best I can, but no one is perfect.

Helpful words:

Bisou-a kiss

bisous/bses (short version)- kisses

embrasser- to kiss, to embrace

braiser-to kiss or have sex

Pourrais-je rester?

Octobre est passé et Novembre arrive.

Soon it will be December. Le temps est rapidement passé depuis je suis arrivé. I don't think anyone is reading this now so I decided to write bilingually from now on. Un jour quelqu'un lira et corrigera mes fautes. I tend to make many faults in writing, but I feel like writing is my strength. Je peux à lire le français facilement et ecrit ma penses très clair. However I still have a long way to go before I could consider myself fluent. Je pourrais à dire ce que certains français me félicite au sujet de mon français. Though I am always surprised to hear such a thing. Normalement je pense qu'ils ont fait une politesse parce que je assaye. The most important thing is that I can communicate, I don't have to be perfect yet. Plus tard, je vais assayer à parfaire mon accent magré connaissant ce n'est pas possible. I am a very ambitious person!

Mon rêve: Trouver un bon travail où je pourrais parler les deux français et anglais. Not only do I want that, but I also want to incorporate other languages simultaneously. Peut-être, il faut travailler dans une école. Then, I could have plenty of vacation to travel. Maglé le décision habiter permanent au Nantes, je voyagerai toujours. It is nice to think that I could have a pleasant place to live, and I really think it could be Nantes. Je ne pense pas que c'est trop simple mais la vie me etonne tout le temps. There is no particular reason why I want to stay, I just do. Demenangant est très fatigant un raison de ayant à recommencer ma vie chaque fois. I wonder when I can finally be able to stay somewhere. S'il est possible, je voudrais être s'intaller dans un lieu auquel je pourrais s'appeler chez-moi.

I will keep praying and just maybe I will be able to stay...

¡Yes!

Success!

I have officially been living in France for one month. There are so many things I have accomplished since then. I want to boast of my achievements on this auspicious occasion.

I found a place to live.

I brought a mobile phone, and later I figured out how listen to my voicemail.

I have full conversations en français which proves my fluency is just around the corner.

I have completed four and a half weeks of les cours français, in a level higher than expected.

I have an appointment for a bank account. So close!

I am pushing my limits and achieving much more than I have ever expected.

I am overcoming discouragement and frustration day after day... Yeah!

And, I am even more motivated by this post!

Happy Birthday to me!

This is quite an auspicious occasion. It's my 29th birthday! I have not ever put up a post on my birthday so this one better be good.

This has to be one of the most special birthdays I have ever had. First of all because I am in France and secondly I am living one of my greatest dreams. Today doesn't feel real. I am in between reality and a dream. I am not sure if I have woken up today. Things seem hazy like the entire scene has been sketched out loosely. I find myself staring into blank space. Partially because I sometimes don't understand what people are saying, and the other reason is my dream-like state of mind. Today was everything I wanted. I had a nice meal and everyone spoke in french around me while I mostly listened and responded to questions.

I decided to make a savory tart for "mon anniversaire". The recipe was entirely in french and I thought I could figure it out. I picked fresh herbs from the garden and brought fresh veggies at the Saturday market. I found that it was a bit difficult but thanks to the kindness of Annie, she assisted very well. I even was able to make a apple tart for dessert. Everything tasted good, but next time I will go bigger and better. This is just the beginning.

**My birthday wish of myself is to be more courageous and speak french. It doesn't matter what comes out, as long as it's french!**