Hurry up, and WAIT, and then have a ridiculous day!

Wow, where to begin! Well first I'll start with the positive things that occured yesterday and today. Haha. The kids technically started school yesterday, but it was simply an 'orientation' type day with the parents. The children just played for about an hour in their classroom with the other kids while the parents met the teacher, picked up papers and got everything 'lined up'. I went with Tiphaine to her classroom and met her "maitress" (teacher) and it was fairly simple, nothing major. But it was pretty funny to see the other children. Some were calm and nice like Tiphaine, carefully watching the others and playing quietly. Then there were about 2 children, one boy and one girl, who completely stood out from the others. They were both VERY loud and obnoxious, and quite 'bizarre'. The funniest part was watching Tiphaine's facial expressions as she watched the boy acting very strange, and in awe of the girl acting like a crazy monkey or something. Tiph's mouth dropped to the floor practically and she looked so confused by these kids. It was REALLY amusing to see her reaction to the 'weird ones'. This is a new school for the kids so all 3 of them will be making new friends. We were only at the school for a little over 2 hours, and then Virginie went to work so I stayed home in the afternoon with the kids, and it was a fairly routine day.

TODAY, was the REAL first day of school, and it was really cute taking the kids to school. Ines was so brave walking to the class by herself, both Virginie and I teared up!! I felt like I was her big sister taking her to the first day of school. We then walked Tiphaine to her classroom, where she gave her mom a kiss goodbye, and then ME a kiss on the cheek goodbye! It was so cute...I said "See you at lunch Tiphaine!", and off she went. Both girls were brave and not nervous at all. Then we took Matthieu to his classroom. He was difficult for about 2 minutes, and then just quietly walked into the classroom and sat next to another little boy (who was crying). Virginie and I were shocked that he did so well leaving us. Sooo the first morning went very well.

Then the hell began. WITH ME!

Virginie and I returned to Versailles for the 4th time for me to go to "le prefecture" (a government office) to get my 'carte du sejour', which replaces my VISA. She waited with me for 90 minutes, and my # still hadn't been called, so she had to leave me there alone so she could pick up the children for lunch. (Yes, the kids come home for lunch time) I was disappointed I couldn't go with her because 1) I didn't want to stay at the prefecture longer, and 2) I wanted to see how the lunch time routine goes since I'll be doing it alone normally, and to see how the morning went for the kids.

Well, I ended up waiting for an additional 2.5 hours until I was completely finished. Let me tell you....it's similar to the DMV in a big city in the States. Lots of #s being called, when mine was called I thought I'd be done, but NOOO after I turned in my papers I had to wait another hour for the 'okay' on the papers, THEN go to a different office to make a doctor's appointment (required), THEN return to the first office to get my Passport back. After the first go-round, I realized I needed to be aggressive and take the innitiative to make things happen so I could leave. I had to basically interupt 2 of the workers to get me help. THANK GOD I figured out how it all works and even if I upset other people waiting in line, it's imperative to get in and get out...otherwise I would have been there ALL DAY. So in total, I was at the prefecture for 4 hours. I had NO IDEA this morning that that's how my day would go. (I also observed some very strange foreigners in the prefecture...I think something illegal was going on, as did other employees in the building...I'd explain but it's not necessary...at least that entertained me a little bit)

After the prefecture, I walked to the station (I didn't have my train pass with me since I'd originally gone in the car with Virginie, so she gave me money for a train ticket). On the way to the station I HAD to buy a snack, as I was starving at this point. Inside 'la gare' (the station) I tried to purchase a ticket in a machine, and sure enough the machine ATE MY MONEY. And wouldn't give it back...so I had to wait another 10 minutes for a man to help me and open the machine, return my money. Then I went through the gate to get to the train...all to realize I needed to use the restroom but it was too late...there aren't any restrooms once you go through the gate. GREAT. So I patiently waited for the train, when my cell phone rang. It was a man from the bank to discuss opening an account here (per Virginie & Jerome's instructions, to deposit my pay checks)...so as I was speaking with him and trying to comprehend everything, I ran to the train after WAITING FOR IT, AND OF COURSE I MISSED THE TRAIN BY 1 MINUTE!!! Damn phone call!!! So I had to wait another 30 minutes. It was a LONG day.

The first time I've been really frustrated I suppose, but I blame it on the prefecture. At least now I think most everything is in place. There are still a couple more 'buisness logistics' to complete, but it's all going to be okay I think.

I arrived at home just in time to vacuum the childrens' rooms and 'arrange' them, then Virginie and I left to get the kids. (Matthieu had stayed home in the afternoon after lunch, as he "had a cow" at school and V decided to bring him home....for the pre-school age children it's optional to stay at home in the afternoon or stay at school). I drove the car this afternoon just to get used to driving to school. It will take a couple more times to get everything down, but it went well.

Side note: the children go to a private Catholic school (but it's not VERY traditional Catholic, as they only study Religion once a week and there is not a church they attend). The mothers ALL dress nice, wear Chanel glasses and cute shoes. It's quite a site. But everyone seems very friendly and the children are just the average kids, except with very nice clothes. Haha. The classrooms are very similar to what one would see in the States. Nothing out of the ordinary, with little desks, toys, posters on the wall, etc. The teachers look the same...casually dressed but nice looking, very friendly and energetic, etc. They know I am the kids' au pair and that I'll be the one taking them to school every day (I walk each one into their classroom every day). Today Tiphaine had to bring photos in to her class of everyone in her family...so she insisted on bringing a photo of me too! It was cute. She asked if she should refer to me as her big sister, but we agreed to just call me the au pair that will live with her for a year! J'adore Tiphaine!