Sunday, 11 July 2010

A Busy Summer

So life in Boston has been incredibly hectic, yet enjoyable, so far. I have been working full time for Catholic Charities of Boston, teaching English to refugees. While the work is unpaid and difficult, I found that it has been a really eye opening experience so far. I have met people from all around the world, all of them with different stories. Also, teaching English may seem like it would be easy peasy...but trust me, it isn't. I have done so much lesson planning in the last few weeks that I am pretty sure I've got the present continuous tense falling out of my ears. Still, I feel very rewarded whenever I work with my students, because I know they are in an incredibly difficult situation, and I am helping it become a little bit easier with each new lesson.

I have some news on the French front, today in Harvard Square, there is a Bastille Day Celebration (a little early, I know). It should be pretty fun. There will be music, food, and dancing. I am pretty excited to see so much French culture around this city. Just last night, I saw the 50th Anniversary Restored version of 'A Bout de Souffle' on the big screen at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. I think there is something to seeing an old film on the big screen. It is a lot more interesting than watching the DVD on your computer!

Tonight, I am going to my first French Conversation meetup in Cambridge. I am freaking out a little bit. I haven't used my French except in passing with my Haitian students, so I feel a bit rusty. I guess that is why I am going, however. I am trying to think of it this way...if I have been able to communicate with French people in France, I should be able to get some sort of point across to these folks. Still...pretty nerve wracking. I will have to let everyone know how it went after tonight!