Moved!

So, I've decided to jump ship to wordpress because there's something about blogger that's annoying me now. Plus, I want to revive my blog, and what better to do that than with a new location?
Here's the link: http://deperles.wordpress.com/

Here's a long one...

So, the original reason for this post is the fact that the decisions for the Teaching Assistant Program in France are in today.  Being that I have no teaching experience, and some other little things, I was really worried. At the same time, there's the plus that I already live in France, which is a huge plus considering the number of people who drop out during the program, so I was optimistic.  Anyway, I've been: WAITLISTED. 

I'm honestly content with that, I mean...there are probably tons of people with years of "real" teaching experience (not just tutoring) that were given first dibs. But still, what a pain!  It's not a pain because I don't think I'll be given a spot (everyone from last year that was waitlisted was offered a position), the problem is that I REALLY need the offer to be either for Rouen or Paris.  It would make my life easier, seriously. And I'm afraid that the longer I'm on the waitlist, the less likely I'll get one of these (in my logic anyway).  The other thing is, I really wanted to know that I had a job, even if it's to start a billion months from now in October.  Oh well.  Je dois attendre.

In the meantime, the 16th of April I have to turn in my application for art school, but....I probably won't have my expensive ass French language test results...apparently they haven't even gotten the results for the tests taken in February yet (I took mine at the end of March).  Things are not going my way! 

On a happy note, K's job is renewing their contract with the nursing schools next year and, since people aren't going to return to work, I could get a position there at 23 euros an hour too! Which would be amazing...I will cross my fingers. 

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Now on to lighter things.  As I've got quite a bit of time on my hands between French classes, my new work, and job hunting, I've been surfing the net for new ways to do my hair.  I have reached complete and utter boredom with it, to be honest. In the past few months I've henna it red, I attempted to dye the front blonde (was too afraid of damage to leave the dye long enough), did black, and then light brown poetic justice braid extensions and other random things (thankfully nothing that's damaged it).  Lately my style of choice is thousands of mini-twists.  It's been good since I can get a bit of length and style variety.  It's nice, but I want something different.  Like these bad babies: 

 Shelly from hairscapades--Afro Puffy Twists

I'm lusting after these twists. Seriously lusting.  I love them because they look so natural and now that I've essentially achieved my dream mini-twist look, I want to start protective styling until my hair is thick enough to look like that. Until then, I will use extensions. Only problem is, getting hair here (called meches) is harder than in the US because 1) there's not a BSS every on every corner 2) the hair is usually super expensive! It's not too bad I guess considering I can put them in myself, but still...

Alas, I will wait until I can buy a bundle at home. 

To TEFL or not to TEFL, that is the question...

As I sit here grading papers on a surprisingly sunny Rouen day, I'm faced with a dilemma. I really, really need a job. My funds are dwindling rapidly what with buying art supplies, paying for yet another (expensive) French language exam, and all the other expenses...

Since coming here my boyfriend has had three interviews (most recent on today). He got a job within a few weeks of us living here, and now is being offered another way that pays slightly less than his current but offers more (lucnh vouchers, transport costs, paid vacation). Why is this? Because he 1) has a Ph.D, 2) did a TEFL course a billion years ago 3) has about four years of teaching experience at university level.

I, on the other hand, have sent a few applications with no replies. The thing is, I live so close to Paris that there are an abundance of teaching jobs. My only issue is that I have 1) not much experience except for a bit of tutoring and 2) a masters that's not at all in education.

So, should I TEFL? Most programs are really expensive, but if that's the main thing that companies ask for...why not? I have found one program that's not too bad, an online course that's $150 for 60hours.

I've applied to work as an English Assistant in France through the Embassy, won't find out until April. I was considering waiting until I found out to decide if the TEFL cert. was a good route. But, with that said, even if I get that job I'll need some work for the summer. I can't honestly keep grading my bf's students' papers for money (3 euros a pop isn't bad, but still). The other thing is, if I wait, don't get the ESF job, then have to do a month long course, will all the jobs that are popping up now still be around?

I don't know. I'm rather restless at the moment, which is why I want to feel like I'm doing something to help my bank account.

Plus, I've got deferred loans that need paying!!

Decisions, decisions.