Brrrr...Part Deux

It's snowing at my apartment. It was almost 80 degrees yesterday! The principal today stressed the importance of safe driving on the ice, therefore the cancellation of all after school activities. We were released early, and as one of my students was leaving, he turned and said, "Mr. French, don't die". I thought that was an interesting send-off...

Brrrr....

Get ready for some crazy driving. It was 78 degrees (26 c) today,with possible tornadoes and thunderstorms tonight. Tomorrow it will be 36 (2 c) with sleet and snow. We Texans don't take kindly to the phenomenon know as "black ice". Much more dangerous than snow, ice sneakily forms a thin coating on the asphalt, causing many slips and slides. It is pretty dangerous if not careful. Every time this happens, we hear on the news how to drive, what to avoid, and tireless dribble about the bridges and overpasses being the first to freeze. I really hope school isn't cancelled, because I don't want to make it up.

The 5 a.m. Alarm

This picture has nothing to do with the post--I was just reminded how much I loved this cheese spread when I lived in France. It seems very rare these days that someone actually loves their job. I hear so many stories of people getting up and going to a job they hate. I have a ton of friends who feel exactly this way. Back when I began college, my first major was economics. It was actually something that I loved, thanks to a great (and by great, I mean fantastic) high school econ teacher. After my second econ class, I decided that it wasn't for me. Unfortunately, thanks to a poor (and by poor, I mean horrible) macro-economics professor. She was one of those professors who would sneer and correct you if you called her Mrs. instead of Dr. I remember my mom being really upset that I had changed my major, because she felt as though I was giving up an opportunity to be independently wealthy in the business world. This wasn't the first time we'd had this conversation, and by this time, I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions concerning my future. The same semester I had the horrible macro professor, I had a really good psychology professor. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I was happy, and that was ll that mattered at the time. Since then, and even to this day, I refuse to take a job based on money. I always say that I couldn't imagine getting up everyday depressed because I hate myself because of my job. I think that I am a product of my generation. The "millennials" as I believe we are called, are much less elf-serving, and much more altruistic than our predecessors. I cannot count the number of people I know in the Peace Corps, Teach for America, doing mission trips to Asia and Africa, building housing for the victims of the tsunami, etc... I could write about this for a while, so I'll have to revisit the topic. In short, I love my job, and cannot think of anything else I could happily way of at 5 am for. It's a great feeling when your students genuinely want to learn and are interactive in class (obviously, not every classroom is like this!). There are, of course, the days when you want to strangle them, but they are teenagers, so I can put it in perspective. I can much better deal with a 15 year-old being unreliable or moody,than a 40 year-old! I know that most of my students will not use French in the future, but just knowing that I have exposed them to a different culture, a different way of doing things, is enough for me. There are many students that I have that very strong in French. Those I will encourage to continue, so that they might have an opportunity to turn it into something that will be of use to them in the future. Although I am tired most of the time, I'm glad I'm tired from something that I enjoy.

Sunday Funnies

I knew the lip bitting was too good to be true!

Let the Overindulgence Begin!

Off to see the family in various parts of the Lone Star State. I plan on eating my weight in turkey, stuffing and sweet potato pie this holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving (even if it's not celebrated in your country--by the way, you should do something about that)!

La Poesie: Part Trois

Déjeuner du Matin par Jacques Prévert (looks pretty French, doesn't he...) Il a mis le café Dans la tasse Il a mis le lait Dans la tasse de café Il a mis le sucre Dans le café au lait Avec la petite cuiller Il a tourné Il a bu le café au lait Et il a reposé la tasse Sans me parler Il a allumé Une cigarette Il a fait des ronds Avec la fumée Il a mis les cendres Dans le cendrier Sans me parler Sans me regarder Il s'est levé Il a mis Son chapeau sur sa tête Il a mis son manteau de pluie Parce qu'il pleuvait Et il est parti Sous la pluie Sans une parole Sans me regarder Et moi j'ai pris Ma tête dans ma main Et j'ai pleuré Version Anglaise: Breakfast He poured the coffee Into the cup He put the milk Into the cup of coffee He put the sugar Into the coffee with milk With a small spoon He stirred He drank the coffee And he put down the cup Without speaking to me He lighted A cigarette He made circles With the smoke He shook off the ash Into the ashtray Without speaking to me Without looking at me He got up He put A hat on his head He put on A raincoat Because it was raining And he left In the rain Without a word Without looking at me And I buried My face in my hands And I cried. UPDATE:Here is a link that has readings of many greats from French poetry. Here is a reading of Déjeuner du Matin. It's pretty haunting.

Sunday Funnies

12PM You're on the List of Idiots Born August 5th, Though Coworker #1: Hey, look: a list of famous people born on Friday the 13th. Coworker #2: I wonder if I was born on Friday the 13th. Coworker #1: When's your birthday? Coworker #2: August 5th. Coworker #1: Then no. Weehawken, New Jersey Overheard by: Brian via Overheard in the Office, Nov 15, 2006 5PM Didn't You See Me Roll that Drunk in the Parking Lot? 10-year-old boy, to mom: $63? Do you have that kind of cash? Disneyland entrance gates Anaheim, California Overheard by: amused disney worker via Overheard in the Office, Nov 14, 2006 3PM Pretty People Still Have to Stand Up Female coworker: I wish I was disabled. Male coworker: What? Why? Female coworker: Cause then, people would do things for you, like carry your stuff and get you things. Male coworker: People do that for pretty people, why don't you wish to be pretty? 910 Louisiana Houston, Texas via Overheard in the Office, Nov 14, 2006 2PM You Think Until Thanksgiving? Coworker on phone: Can I ask you something off-topic? If a family pet dies, how long can you keep it in the freezer? Frances Avenue Lancaster, Pennsylvania via Overheard in the Office, Nov 14, 2006 9AM A Little Accident With the Stove, Why? 9 to 5-er: I've smelled burnt human, and it doesn't smell like chicken. Austin, TX via Overheard in the Office, Nov 16, 2006 Our Gang Gets a Sensual Update Boy #1: Yo, we should go to the bellydancing tree-house today. Teen Boy #2: I hope you meant tryouts. --Stuyvesant High School via Overheard in New York, Nov 16, 2006

Continuing Studies

I'm getting ramped up about going to Graduate School. I know that my plan is to get a Masters in Education in either Education Policy or Education Leadership. The only problem is where to go. I've been looking at a number of schools, but as I examined them, I noticed that I probably need to find a few "safety schools". Of course,there are some Ivy-league schools that have the "dream program" for me, but I have to try not to place all of my eggs in one basket, as it were. To further complicate matters, this morning I was using instant messenger to talk to a friend in France, who is now a lectrice at a university in Metz. It's been 3 years since I've lived in France, but I find myself missing it quite a bit. I know a guaranteed position that I could get there, but I've become far too Americanized. I have too many bills and loans that I must pay that surely would not be paid with the French salary. So, for now I am going to throw myself into researching schools, and hope to go to France during summers...

A Rare Friday Funny

Economy-Class Wednesday One-Liners AirTran flight attendant over intercom: We hope you ladies and gentlemen had a nice flight, and we ask that you all press your faces against the windows so Delta can see what a full flight looks like. --LaGuardia Airline employee over loudspeaker: Last call for John Smith* to board flight 1234. Airline loudspeaker, 10 minutes later: Seriously, last call for John Smith* for flight 1234. Airline Loudspeaker, 10 more minutes later: Okay, John Smith, you know we love you, but the plane has to take off now! --JFK Airport Overheard by: Kim Flight attendant: The captain has advised us that our flying time will be quick, at an altitude of high and a speed of fast. --JFK airport Flight attendant: We do encounter bumps between the runway and the gate -- that's not my fault. It's not even the captain's fault. It's the asphalt. --JFK airport Flight Attendant: Thank you for flying US Airways, and have a happy... happy... what the hell holiday is this? Columbus? Psssh, that ain't no holiday. Have a good week! --LaGuardia Airport American Airline pilot: Ok guys, we're just waiting on some United dude to clear our tail so we can push. --La Guardia Airport - about to take off Overheard by: So K Pilot flying into LaGuardia: If you look out the right side of the plane, you can see the beautiful, famous downtown skyline of Manhattan. [Pause.] And if you look out the left side... [pause, sighing] New Jersey. --LaGuardia Overheard by: mj kiran via Overheard in New York, Nov 15, 2006

Interesting

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator. What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

La Poesie: Part Deux

A few months ago, I posted on a French poem that encountered during an AP French Institute I attended. Here's another I will be teaching in the next few weeks. It's pretty dark, but... Demain, dès l'aube... Tomorrow, at dawn Victor Hugo Demain, dès l'aube, à l'heure où blanchit la campagne, Tomorrow, at dawn, when the countryside is white, Je partirai. Vois-tu, je sais que tu m'attends. I will leave. You see, I know you are waiting for me. J'irai par la forêt, j'irai par la montagne. I will go through the forest, the the mountains. Je ne puis demeurer loin de toi plus longtemps. I am unable to live far from you for very long. Je marcherai les yeux fixés sur mes pensées, I will walk with my eyes fixed on my thoughts, Sans rien voir au dehors, sans entendre aucun bruit, Without seeing anything outside, without hearing a sound, Seul, inconnu, le dos courbé, les mains croisées, Alone, unknown, a bent back, crossed hands, Triste, et le jour pour moi sera comme la nuit. Sad, and day will be for me as night. Je ne regarderai ni l'or du soir qui tombe, I will watch neither the gold of the night which falls, Ni les voiles au loin descendant vers Harfleur, Nor the sails afar going towards Harfleur, Et quand j'arriverai, je mettrai sur ta tombe And when I arrive, I will put on your tomb Un bouquet de houx vert et de bruyère en fleur. A bouquet of green holly and flowery heath. Supposedly, this poem was written to his daughter who had committed suicide by jumping from a building.

Sunday Funnies

Amanda Hugginkiss Had Responded and Was Befuddled by the Accusation Manager: We've noticed that you haven't responded to the anonymous survey. We'd like your feedback as soon as possible. 32nd Street Jersey City, New Jersey Overheard by: Hobo Whisperer via Overheard in the Office, Nov 10, 2006 Dear Penthouse Letters Man: Are you 21? Teen girl: I'm 16. Man: Oh, I was going to buy you your first in-flight drink. Woman, sitting behind them: I'm her mother. You can buy me a drink. Flight from Michigan to Phoenix Overheard by: Enigmae via Overheard in the Office, Nov 10, 2006 The Course Was 'Unleash Your Psychic Powers' IT manager on phone: You're right ma'am. Yes, that is entirely our fault. We should have explained that you'll need to have a computer to teach a course online. Denver Tech Center Denver, Colorado Overheard by: rev_matt via Overheard in the Office, Nov 10, 2006 What a Fulozer Customer rep, on phone: And what size product do you have? Customer: Where do I find that? Customer rep, on phone: It should be on the front of the label, probably on the bottom. Customer: No, it's not there. All it says there is eight fulozos. Customer rep, on phone: Uh...Do you mean eight Fl. Oz.? Customer: No...It says fulozos. 1905 Aston Avenue Carlsbad, California via Overheard in the Office, Nov 10, 2006 Heath Ledger May Be a Good Acting Teacher, But He's a Shitty Human Being Professor: Did I tell you guys I'm going to be a father? I'm going to be a father. Class: Awww! Professor: I had a little accident. Now I have to get married. --NYU classroom via Overheard in New York, Nov 10, 2006 Explain the Waffle Iron, Then Black NYU boy: For some reason, every Asian here has a rice cooker. Black girl: Why? Black NYU boy: I don't know, I guess because they're Asian. Black girl: That's so stupid. I'm black, but you don't see me with a chicken fryer. --8th St & University Pl Overheard by: yo mama via Overheard in New York, Nov 9, 2006

The Gap

I'm not sure when the cultural shift took place, but my students informed me (much to my complete and utter horror) the GAP is no longer cool. One of my students was talking today about getting a new jacket without a hood (hoodies are banned at school), and he was expressing discontent at the inability to find on that looks "pimp". He said that he tried Abercrombie, PacSun, and Aeropostale among other stores, but to no avail. I mentioned the GAP, and every student looked at me and laughed! I was mortified. I thought to myself "Wait...what's wrong with GAP". D tells me: "Mr. French, please tell me that you don't shop at the GAP, that's so corny"! I lied and said "Of course not". I actually spent $30 there yesterday. I was then told that I looked like I usually have better taste than that, and that I look like I probably shop at Express (I do). It's our little secret, readers, that I don't mind the GAP...

The Office (UK version)

...is a great show.

A New Generation Jukebox

Try it. I promise you'll never look at music the same!

Sunday Funnies

How to know when your child is too smart for her own good. Howley St, Bloomfield. Halloween night. A woman dressed as a Witch hands candy out to a group of children at her door, including a little girl in a bathrobe, messy makeup, and curlers: Witch: What are you dressed as? Little Girl: "Depression." Via "Overheard in Pittsburgh" Beirut's Not a 'Real Sport' Only Because ESPN Can't Afford the Liability Insurance Girl: Is Beirut the same thing as Beer Pong? Guy: What? Girl: Beirut. Is it the same thing as Beer Pong? Guy: Beer what? Girl: Beer Pong. Guy: Beer Pong? Girl: Yeah. I feel like Beirut isn't a real sport. Guy: Oh, is Beirut a sport? Girl: I don't think so. I think it's like Beer Pong. Guy: Oh, I always thought it was a country. --Columbia University via Overheard in New York, Nov 4, 2006 After You're Weaned, You're on Your Own Little boy: Mommy, I'm thirsty. Mother: How is that my problem? --5th Ave & 6th St, Park Slope Overheard by: ecp via Overheard in New York, Nov 3, 2006 Our Children Need Statistics Classes, Now More than Ever Guy employee: So I read in the news today that drinking from Nalgene bottles while you're pregnant may cause a miscarriage. Girl employee: Oh my gosh! My best friend just had a miscarriage and she drinks from a Nalgene bottle all the time! Guy employee: See? Tully's Coffee, Union Station Seattle, Washington via Overheard in the Office, Nov 3, 2006 I'm Considering Bumping it up to Ti-Mika if I Make Partner Ghetto girl #1: Yeah, and that's why I changed my name. Ghetto girl #2: For real? What was it before? Ghetto girl #1: I changed it from Te-mika to Ta-mika. Sounds more professional. Ghetto girl #2: Oooh girl, you know you right. 1300 19th St Washington, DC Overheard by: KilThor via Overheard in the Office, Nov 3, 2006

Wishing...

I was still on summer vacation. These are a few of the pictures I took while in Las Vegas and in California... Yosemite Valley Mammoth Lakes, CA Yosemite National Park Yosemite Falls View towards Yosemite from Mammoth Mammoth Lakes My Ansel Adams impression Mammoth Lakes New York, New York Hotel & Casino Fashion Show Mall, Las Vegas Catalina Island, CA Catalina Island, CA Where oh where have you gone...Will I ever see ye again?

Oh Me, Oh My

Goodness, how things have changed. So three days ago, I was flush with praise for my students and my classes. I'm not sure what exactly was going on there...I updated grades and posted them on Tuesday morning. A funny thing happened on the way to the bulletin board: 11...eleven...ONZE of my wonderful French I students in 1 class were failing. Not because of necessarily low test scores, nor because of absences, nor a total lack of understanding. It is a case of extreme laziness. Daily work and homework are not being done, and that is the quickest way to a grade below 70. For the last 6 weeks plus, they have just been sitting there looking at me. I introduce the lesson, give the assignment, and their task is to complete it. Lately I've watched as they begin their assignment, and I wonder to myself "Why are they just sitting there looking at me? Do they think I have the answers on my face?". I really just want to yell "Do something! Don't just sit there and look at me! That boy doesn't care anything about you!". Yesterday was the last straw. They were comparing who had a 48 average, a 50 average, etc., not at all concerned with what this really means. I left work yesterday the angriest I've been in a long while. When that class began today, I let them have it. I told that that if they didn't take care of business, they would be purchasing themselves a round-trip ticket to Failureville, where Mr. French is the Mayor. They would be sitting in French I all over again, listening to me teach the EXACT same lesson, and tell the same stories over again (trust me, it's not nearly as fun the second time around). I explained that it was idiotic to just sit there and look crazy when they needed to begin their work. The ones that sit there and talk are the last ones who should have anything to say. I must have put the fear of God into them, because they said absolutely nothing, and began their activity for the day. In Texas, you must have 2 years of a foreign language to graduate. I told them to figure it out so that they aren't sitting up in class as a 20 year old freshman. I felt instantly better after getting all that off of my chest. We'll see how this turns out. Man, Freshman are a handful.