Mushrooms, Rugby, Food

Yesterday we had a visit from C's cousin. C made pizza and I made a pineapple upside-down cake for the first time. (Hint: it's easier with ready-made cake batter)
Then we watched the big game: the French rugby team actually beat the New Zealand All Blacks!

They were face to face when the Blacks did their tribal intimidation dance, a first apparently. Check out the one hairy French guy in the red shirt who never smiles, that's Chabal, called the Caveman (see photo above).


Afterwards there was much honking of horns and shouting in the streets. Next Saturday we play England, who beat Australia yesterday, making them actually shed tears....

Today we did a little tour of the woods since the sun was out and the air was just wonderful, warm and fresh at the same time. Gathered chestnuts from the forest floor (more for fun than for eating) and picked and ate the last blackberries.

Saw a variety of wild mushroom species that are all edible.



Tonight I had a nice evening of American culture: watched football live from the states on cable (Steelers kick ass) drank beer and ate tacos with imported seasoning mix and better than velveeta cheese.

Home sweet home.

It's good to be an international school teacher

Three weeks of school, and I like it already. First two weeks flew by, didn't even see them. Third week was the bonding field trip with the 7th grade to the Loire Valley.

We had a good team of teachers and a good group of kids. Saw castles, river ecosystems, Da Vinci's inventions, gardens, a cave, a chocolate factory of sorts, went on a boat ride and practiced Renaissance dancing.

The best parts were watching the kids in the evening activities which included ice breakers, team competitions, art activities and such. I also had a great time being the tour guide at some real French castles - my history degree finally paying off!

The kids were so smart and inquisitive and well behaved - we got compliments from a couple who had seen us at several chateaux and from the staff and other visitors at a restaurant that was rather fancy when they observed how quiet and civilized 37 twelve-year-olds could be.

School is good otherwise. There are quite a few British teachers and a variety of other nationalities. I'm teaching grades 7,8,9,10 history and 11 and 12 Theory of Knowledge (like philosophy). A demanding schedule, but I love a good challenge.

Next I'll be heading to Berlin with the 11th and 12th grade history students as a chaperone, and meanwhile planning the 10th grade history trip to Normandy - an overnight stay with 90 students and 10 teachers.