Quite a large reindeer really.

So life has continued to be extra-strength busy, free time has been filled with preparing to teach e.g. wrapping several 'pass the parcels' for the little ones and making a giant Rudolph with detachable red sparkly nose (for a game, not for my own amusement!) My last teaching day before the holidays is tomorrow, so I'm getting pretty excited about coming home.

This morning me and another assistant went in search of mincemeat, I had heard rumours (ok, google)that sometimes in the international isles of large supermarkets you can find it. Off to Leclerc I went. After spending a while looking for a precious jar of mincemeat in the world foods' 'English' section (next to the mexican fahitas and salsa)we found baking powder, gravy granules and mint sauce among other British foodstuffs, but alas, not mincemeat.

I have picked up some marzipan though (no icing,it doesn't exist)and I'm currently making a fruitcake for the Christmas gathering of some of the assistants tonight. Miam Miam (yummy yummy).
:)

English, husbands and duck poo.

School and stuff...

1) I was talking to some CP kids (5 year olds) at break time and mid conversation one little girl said joyfully "ooohh I understand! I can understand English!" I didn't want to be a killjoy and tell her that I was speaking French. admittedly with an English accent. They are adorable.

2) I was teaching about Christmas in England yesterday, one of the photos I showed them happened to have my brother in it- I asked them what 'my brother' meant in French. On little kiddy piped up "ton mari?" (your husband?) apparently 20 is old.

3)when I ask my kiddies "how are you today" some of them say "I'm so so"- I definitely did not teach them that. Do we ever say that in England?

Life has been pretty busy, lesson planning by night, teaching by day and meeting up with other assistants, cleaning and cooking the rest of the time.

I went to a foie gras farm this morning with a French couple who I know from church. They are super lovely to me despite my inability to communicate properly.
Admittedly visiting a foie-gras farm wasn't exactly something I was wild with excitement about, but it was pretty interesting. However, I now smell like duck poo. and the smell won't go away.

mmm lovely.

Right, I'm off, I'm going to go ice-skating this afternoon at the Périgueux Christmas market.

:)

p.s it may not have snowed here but it is 18 degrees today. Take that England.

France you big Christmas food fail

Life has been a whole lot better post Uni-project, I'm feeling very chrismassy (weather induced) and I am having to plan my next two weeks of christmas themed lessons today. I was thinking about baking my classes some English christmas food but then I realised...
a) I teach over 350 children
b) You cannot buy mince pies, mincemeat, christmas pudding, bulk packs of dried raisins etc or fondant icing.

Therefore, for personal christmassy feeling, I stocked up on stuff at lidl, wrong country's food but hey.

All the christmas lights in Péri turn on tonight I think, there is now an ice-skating rink and a christmas market too. We remain completely snowless though. Freezing, but snowless.

Right I have to go and think of good ways to teach Christmas, without mentioning anything remotely to do with the real reason behind it (completely secular schools).

Another idea of mine was to give a powerpoint presentation with photos of christmas in England. Problem= none of the schools have computers to do this on. Seriously France what is that about?

:)