Trop tôt

Very early start this morning. Was out of my room by 7.45am, which for a student used to a 9am wake-up was complete torture! Was working with the quatrième this morning, and they were studying an English text. Was very impressed with their ability to talk about the 'protagonists' and 'antagonists' of the novel as well as their knowledge of synonyms! For example: cry - moan, squall cry eyes out, whinge, blubber, weep, shed tears, mourn, sob, lament, screech, scream, shout, yell, bawl, groan (gémir, geindre). Pretty impressive I would say!

The next class I had was cinquième, who are the biggest class in the International Section with 14 children. Their task was to imagine and describe a monster, leading to me learning some quite random words today!
- Spotted - apporte de tacheté
- Covered - recouverte
- Scales - écailles
- Dove - colombe
Also the difference between brainwashing and brainstorming was discussed as one of the students had mixed the two up - quite an easy mistake to make! Also realised the amount of times ah bon is used in conversations, the equivalent of oh yes I think.
- Surrounded - entouré

Opened a bank account today after I had finished work! One thing that strikes me about French systems is that you have to pay to get a debit card (9 euros ish a month with my bank account!), and that you can still use cheque books in shops! Crazy. The guy who was helping me open the account had some knowledge of English so between us we managed to muddle through the application process and get everything sorted. Now finally I can give my RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire - pretty much all your bank details) into the school and get an avance of my wages!

Went out in the evening with the ERASMUS lot again, even though I wasn't feeling 100%. The sky was rather dramatic while I was waiting for my tram, and I accidently seemed to get the settings just right! Definitely suffered for going out when I got home, but even so, I was so glad that I did go out - met some more new people and thinking that I may be getting some sort of friend group together in Caen. Well, at least people who I can go out with! Spoke with some of the French lot about maybe meeting up so they could practise their English on me, in exchange for helping me with my French. Really hope this will be happening as I think that that could be so helpful language-wise, as well as getting me out of the house!

Think I may be even more ill tomorrow. Oh well!