An American Weekend

It was kind of accidental, but this past weekend seemed like "An Ode to my American Life." First, on Friday night, I went to the basketball game of some of my students. There are 5 girls on the team and they have been inviting me since the fall. It was fun to watch a sport I get (Rugby and Handball are big around here but I don't know the rules.) There must be an International Handbook of how to Act on the Basketball Court because these girls have the same mannerisms that American girls do. My favorite is "Rule #34: Wipe your hands on the soles of your shoes." It was also fun to watch these girls play because though they're timid in class, they're aggressive on the court. One of my favorite things about teaching is that you often get an opportunity to see a kid shine, particularly when they may not be super stellar in your class.













Saturday I headed to the movies. It was quite rainy so I watched a double header. I have really been trying to find French movies to see, but it doesn't seem to be their year. So, I settled for Revolutionary Road and Religulous. These are very interesting, both of them but kind of heavy. I was glad to see Religulous with a French audience. Since it is Bill Maher, there are some comedic moments that didn't get translated or some cultural references that can't be explained. It is always interesting to me to hear when the French laugh, sigh, gasp in comparison to me (in any movie) but in this movie it was particularly interesting.

A few weeks ago, we had conferences. I got a message from a mom who couldn't stay, but asked me to call. She is an American who has lived here 20 years and is raising her two kids here. Her husband is French. So, last week, I called her and she invited me over for coffee. (First time I've done a conference on the phone and that's happened!) She invited a couple of other American mothers and a French woman who just moved with her husband and two kids back to France after living in California and then in New Zealand. This meeting was fascinating.

• First, Vicki had made a Pilsbury cake with real icing and confetti in my honor. It was a part of her stash that she brings back from her two trips to the US. Also on the list: Crystal Lite, Iced Tea, Thanksgiving dinner makings, Mac and Cheese... (I didn't ask about toilet paper but I wouldn't have been surprised!)
• Then, it was interesting to see how American the Americans have remained or how American the French woman has become. Statistically, they said, it is easier for French families to integrate into the US than for Americans or a returning French family to come back to France.
• They all had similar issues with life in France. Taxes, documents, paperwork, who has what passport, jumping through the hoops that seem to be everywhere in French bureaucracy and dealing with the school system. Oh, the school system. It was the returning French mom whose children are finishing middle school who really noticed how different French schools are from American ones.
  

I am not sure how to end except to say that it was enriching to hear these women talk about their adventures. I was intrigued by the "ex-pat" community. All of them were members at one point of the "American Womens Club" but said that it got tough because the majority of the members were only around for 2-3 years, so you get to know people and they'd leave. All three said, there comes a point that you have to invest yourself in the community. While I feel like I've made an effort to get out and do things, I've been doing a lot alone. Alone, great things can happen (or especially alone) and you can practice your French and learn new things.

At the same time, in the past week, I've had more than one person ask if I've decided to stay: students, the neighbors, friends... Though I'm having a lot of fun and learning a ton, there is a lot that you end up saying "it is just for a year" to. I've always been in awe of people who can completely leave their country to live in another one. For I long time I thought I was one of them, but I know that I'm not.

P.S. To top off "American Weekend" I stopped at McDonald's and got a Royal Cheese. They give tartar sauce to eat with your fries (?) but I put it on my burger and it was just like home. Miam! as they say here.