9 Weeks to Go ... Eeeeek !!!

Wow, over 3 weeks since I wrote and I guess a lot has happened in that time (or at least it has felt like it !!!). As soon as I got into the second half of my project it seemed to start absolutely flying by, with each day flashing by in the blink of an eye.  So anyways, I have plenty I want to talk about, so I guess I should just get on with it, considering otherwise the day will just be over and I won’t know where it has gone ! Hehe.

Since I did my Mid-Term training I have started a couple of new English workshops, 1 with a couple of more advanced young people and one with a couple of beginners… All volunteers who are hoping to find EVS projects for 2012.  It has been nice working with pairs and I have found that I am finding it easier now to be more flexible in the delivery of my lessons.  The advanced is a little difficult, because I need to find things that really challenge them at their level and I still need to establish exactly how to do that.  With the beginners however, I am working through exercises such as telling the time, counting and the alphabet, as well as simple conversation that can be useful. 

I also did a workshop yesterday at “Service Civique International” in Lille (Civil Service) with a couple of volunteers who will be leaving the 1^st November for a month long project in Turkey.  In the 2 hours I was there, I helped them work through the preparation booklet I have prepared in English for volunteers who are due to be leaving on projects (which I have updated and adjusted this week to further improve it).  They seemed to find it useful as well as practicing their English at the same time, so I was content with the session.

Furthermore concerning English workshops, I’m looking forwards to next Friday afternoon, when I will be running a workshop with around 10 to 15 new Leonardo da Vinci volunteers coming from the Mission Locale de Douai.  They should hopefully be going on 10 week projects starting the beginning of November in Germany, Ireland and Italy (if I’m not mistaken).  Next Friday I will need to distribute the various documents I have prepared for Leonardo volunteers, as well as establishing each person’s level of English.  From the following week, the less developed English speakers will have 2 workshops a week and the more advanced will have 1 a week.  I am yet to decide exactly how to establish the levels of English but I will decide on my method within the next week :-)

I have been busy on other things within my project as well over the past 3 weeks.  For example, last week I was involved in a meeting at the “Centre Regionale d’Information de Jeunesse” of Lille (regional centre of information for young people), where planning was done for a “Dinner Quiz” at a forum that will be run for young people in the area to provide them with various information.  The quiz will involve questions on Europe in teams of around 8 sat at tables and round will be done whilst having a meal together.  The idea is to learn about Europe whilst eating and networking with new people.  In the meeting we discussed the planning of the event, including the types of questions that will be used and who will do what during the afternoon. It all sounds very exciting and I am looking forward to the day on the 12^th October.

The meeting at CRIJ in Lille

Furthermore, for all the people who work at the Mission Locale de Lille, I have written an article explaining what I have been doing since I arrived on the project with a bit about me, along with photos.  Obviously it’s in French hehe !!! Yves (my boss :-) ) has decided not to correct my mistakes 'cos then it’s truly an article from me … I hope I have done a good job hehe.  I have also started to work more closely with the volunteers here to help them to find projects abroad that may be recruiting… It helps that I can read in English quickly (all project descriptions are in English) and then translate for them into French so that they understand exactly what the project is about.

After a swim in the sea in Barcelona !

As well as all the exciting things that I have been doing on the project, personally I have been having a lot of fun as well.  Last week I was in Barcelona for 5 days (why not ey?!).  I met a friend there and we spent time relaxing on the beach, sampling local food and sight seeing.  It certainly is a very cultural and exciting city with beautiful architecture, though slightly too big and touristy for my liking.  I have also over the past couple of months in Lille really got into Salsa dancing !! It is becoming really quite a passion of mine.  I have always loved dancing but never really focused on it, so now I am really enjoying being able to dance with a partner … Although having mainly done hip hop and dancing on my own in the past I have to say it is really quite difficult to completely allow yourself to be lead ! :-) Although I think I am slowly improving :-) It’s just great fun to do and a brilliant way to meet new friends (and keep fit ... as long as I keep the beers in check...).

Me and my friend David at a great viewpoint in the centre of Barcelona :-)

During the next 9 or 10 weeks (the final weeks of my project) I still have plenty of things to look forward to.  In October I am starting French classes which will be very beneficial.  Tomorrow I’m going to Paris for the weekend; I’m going to London on 15^th October for a couple of nights, where I will see family, friends and the World Break Dancing Championships; my parents are coming for a 10 day holiday; my friend Noel is coming for a weekend; Graduation from university 22^nd November, and the final weekend of November my friend Amie is coming for the weekend… Yeeyyyy !!! :-D :-D :-D

Yes, it is clear that I am a busy bunny… At the same time as everything else, yesterday I finished my French CV and am starting to job search for the 1^st December… I’m not ready to go back to England :-) I’m loving life here too much !

Hope you have enjoyed reading… I’m now going to carry on with my “To Do List” for today.  Have a great day !!!  Bonne journée :D :D