Where am I again?

Hey all, wow 2 posts within a week...yes, I have a lot of time on my hands at night. So, I did another CV drop-off today and one of the places I went to was a guy's home. It turns out that he owns a freelance ESL business and so it was weird that I just popped by. He mentioned that it was unusual to show up without an appointment. Yet, he had a website and an address online-nothing stated an appt. Plus, only a name of a school...so I didn't know that it was out of someone's apt. When I mentioned that I didn't have a work visa, he said that's not a problem b/c I pay in cash. Oh my, that's the quickest way for me to get kicked out of the country. He pays 20 Euros/hour and he has business clientelle and so he sends out the freelancers to them. If anything, this guy was very helpful in letting me know my chances in the ESL world and some other schools I can try to find work. I don't think I would take a position with him unless I am legal and even then....He asked me what accounting terms I knew. What financial terminology am I familiar with and my mind was bank to every question. I wasn't prepared for that line of questioning but I guess I should be. Also, I haven't spent any money on ESL instructor books...that should be a priority to show that I am prepared and ready to teach. My lesson plans aren't going to be enough.

I dropped off another resume and the lady was nice...she was in an office - small but an actual office. She spoke slowly to me in french so that I would understand, after explaing to her that comprehension is slow right now. She gave my resume a terciary glance and said that she will look at my CV and if they can use me, then she will contact me. It was hopeful and a nice way to say goodbye but other than that, okay.

I noticed a Monoprix across the street and checked it out. A monoprix is like a walmart in a way or a Kmart...grocery store/clothing/household. I was thinking that I would finally find cheap hair products (shampoo, gel, etc) and nope...still expensive. Anything over 9 euros is expensive. The nail polish remover, 4.50 euros for a small bottle. We are so spoiled in Canada. I need to get this polish off my nails and I am sad that I didn't do it before I left.

I walked around in the 18th district which has the Sacre-Coeur and montmartre but I was behind them. The neighborhood seemed a little sketchy but some of the shops had some really fun household items. Everything is cheaper the further away you get from the Centre of Paris.

The 17th is a nicer neighborhood, at least where I was and around the 2nd school. The shops were a lot trendier and more expensive.

Just so you know, when I walk these areas it is not really by choice but because I get off at a metro stop that is far from where I need to be. I don't think to look in my mapbook whether the street numbers are close to where I need to be. It enables me to walk and see the districts though. I am always safe and there are a lot of yummy patisseries to walk by. No, I don't stop at every one because I know that the one near my house is cheap and so delicious!

Today, I was also in the 9th district. Around the metro/train station where I catch my train home, was another school that I was going to drop my CV at. Along the way, rue de Provence, are these Gallery malls...one is called Printemps and you have to have an appointment to shop there. There is a guard outside. Ooh la la! I was on gallery mall row and made a mental note to come back when finished my errand. Well, turned out the office was located in a building that I couldn't get into, so I will have to call tomorrow and make an appt. I wasn't too bothered because now I could satisfy my shopping curiosity.

I was on Haussman and there is a lafayette gourmet gallery. I went inside and it's this mall of wonderful gourmet treats and food. There is a gourmet supermarket with all these international aisles. Canada is linked with britain and the US. I bought a bag of tortilla chips and salsa (under the Mexican aisle). They have a 5kg bottle of Nutella. I took a photo but can't upload without a data plan...I've tried already. Once I use my laptop you'll see this. The price for that was 39 euros. Also, I saw these XXL bags of M&M's...a littlke bigger than the large back home and it was 39 euros. No, thank you! Can you imagine the person who is buying that. Europeans and their novelty items. Maybe, if I get super homesick and have money to burn. That is more than my week metro pass.

Oh ya, their metro pass is great because it only charges you for the zones you are actually using. I live in zone 4 and Paris centre is Zone 1, so my week pass is 29 euros from Mon-Sun (they literally mean a week...I bought my first one on a sunday and I couldn't use it until Monday).
I treated myself to a creme brulee macaron and I suggest that you try these if possible. It looks like a mini hamburger with the buns being divinity, the inside being creamy heaven and there is a middle of divinity and creamy heaven. I got a tiny one for 1.60 euros and it was sooo delicious. My co-worker told me to go to laduree (very famous restaurant and macaron shop - very expensive) but I can get them anywhere, so I got one at the Gourmet gallery. I have to reward myself every so often.

Tonight, I came back home and on the way I pass this sports bar, pub type place that says "wifi" on their sign and so I enquired if it's free and whether I could also plug in my computer without a fee (some free wifi spots wll charge for electricity use). It's all free, so I may start frequenting this place instead of using the internet cafe. Yet, since I have a lot of time to use at the cafe, I watched 2 episodes of Rookie Blue. This means that I can watch sidereel for Survivor and any other shows that I'll be missing.

I know I need to learn and immerse myself in french but I still miss my little comforts.
Love y'all and I am slowly but surely getting by in Paris!

Bon soir!