Hey all,
Been a while since I updated so may be a long one lol
So since I last wrote Ive done surveillance of first floor and ground floor, lots of commentaries in French mainly but some in English. Had one more training session for guided tours, plus training for the nocturnes (costumed guided night tour) which Ive been in once. I was Berthe, a 17th century moody servant who encountered the group in the drawing room/study. Ive also helped out Cecilia with stock in the boutique, gone round the village giving posters advertising our events to all the shops and restaurants and helped out with the wednesday afternoon childrens art workshops. In my 4th week I did 28.5 hours and last week I did 26.5, into my 6th one now so very nearly halfway through!
I had great fun being Berthe and everyone loved me lol I didnt have much to say but I believe I conveyed the moodiness pretty damn well to the extent that Claire, the guides supervisor who was dressed up as the Marquis Jacques-Francois de Hautefort cracked up in role, and Mel, who was a fortune-teller nearly couldnt say her next line for trying no to laugh!
My lines were: Allez-vous en, Sorciere! Vous souillez le sol que je viens de lustrer. Maraude!
Bon, debarras, Je vais devoir aller prevenir M le Marquis. Et vous? Vous allez m'aider a nettoyer derriere cette ignoble sorciere? Non? Bon, si mon sort vous indiffere, veuillez quitter cette piece que je dois remettre en ordre, je vous prie. Me donner tout le chateau a nettoyer, alors que le Marquis recoit, et que je ne peux meme pas porter ma si belle robe rouge.....Y a vraiment que ma chere amie Nicette qui peut me comprendre.
Except someone did offer to help me clean so I had to improvise a bit lol
Sat night there was open air cinema at the chateau. A huge screen was put up in the courtyard of honour to show la mome (la vie en rose) which Id already seen in GC so Ive now seen it in Spanish and French but not in English! Friday night, the 'nice' half of the team went round to Marie-Paules for food and drinks. Today is my day off, but going to the chateau tonight as there is some sort of regional folk concert in the fireplace room, which normally costs 28 euros but of course I get to go for free!
Got new uniform. Mon and Fri is a pink tshirt, Tues and Sat a green one, Weds and Sun a white one with a picture of the french gardens on the front, and Thurs a black one.....Stupid system means we hardly have to wash them all in time for the right day! Of course, thats just for the girls, for guys its red, green, blue and black respectively.
Cant be arsed to write anymore
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The washing machine works!!!!!
Am so happy; can now do washing whenever I want and it comes out clean and spun everytime!!!
Last week (my third week) I worked 26 hours. This week, apart from one guided tour training session, all Im doing all week is surveillance and commentaries - no kiosk, office or boutique. Yesterday I did the morning commentaries (4 in french, 1 in english). In the avo yest from 4.30 till 7 I sorted through all the papo figurines in the underground reserve. NOT my fave job! There are two tiny windows in the storeroom, and no light and there was a storm raging outside so I could barely see what I was doing. Had to read the delivery list to find the codes, use the codes to find a pic of the figurine in the catalogue, search through 13 different cardboard boxes to find one example of each to take back to Cecilia in the boutique to register in stock. Grrrrrr
Anyways last week I worked weds to sun as mon and tues were my day off.Just worked six days in a row so grateful for my day off today. Other day off this week is sat. Last weds I did commentaries, had 2nd training for guided tour, and did ground floor surveillance. Thurs did morning commentaries, helped out in the boutique (doing stock) and did more groundfloor surveillance. Fri helped out in the boutique (in store) did first set of avo commentaries and helped out Claire and Mme Folio in the office. This actually involved setting up a function room for the kids art/creative workshops tomorrow.....and did more surveillance - first floor, this time. Oh joy. Saturday just worked the morn which was cool. Espesh as was knackered as had only got 5 hours sleep. Observed at the kiosk from 9.30 till 1. Sun was a fairly easy day, too. Morning commentaries and 2 hours of groundfloor surveillance in the avo, so finished early.
Was a surprisingly busy week socially too. Cecilia, the boutique supervisor who s only a year older than me has just bought an old house with her boyf. Theyre going to do it up and rent it. They have some SERIOUS work on their hands - is in complete ruins. Been empty since 1973 everything is rotten - huge holes in roof and upstairs floor. Gonna cost them a hell of a lot to renovate, and must have cost them a lot to buy in the first place - was owned by a well-off family, in the Dordogne region. Cecila must have rich parents! In December she bought herself her first car - a shiny new silver Toyota. Anyway, on thurs night she invited every round to see it and have BBQ outside on the huge pile of mud! (is in the middle of nowhere, of course) Obv we couldnt use the house in any way lol, so Laurent switched on the CD player in his car and we faited la fete a bit until his battery went flat!
Fri night we went to Perigueux (an hour away) to go to the cinema to see Harry Potter. Had yummy meal in a pizzeria nextdoor beforehand. Film started at 10.15 so didnt finish till 1 so didnt get back till about 2.30am. Couldnt get to sleep for about an hour and had to be at work at 9.30. Saturday night was Bastille day, so Mel took me to Montignac with her to meet up with a few of her friends for food, and afterwards we watched the fireworks on the riverbank, which were pretty damn cool!
Tuesday nights are becoming Greys Anatomy nights, as there is a triple-bill every week. Monday its Lost (les disparus) and Sunday its ER (urgences). I dont actually watch ER or Lost, though. Or Greys Anatomy - but I have tried to get into it a bit since Ive been here at least. Last monday night I watched a DVD with Mel - Leon, which was good. Dont think this week (or any week in fact) is going to be as exciting as last week! Mel and I are thinking of havin a gathering at ours some night next week though.
I would just like to take the opportunity to let all of you who doubt my culinary skills know, that Mel thinks im a really good cook! Lol. She s nearly 27 and is even lazier than I am when it comes to cooking (or crap, I dont know, as I hardly ever see her cooking 'properly'). Anyways, I havent done anything special really she just seems to think Im good. First week I lived off mince and cous cous for most of the week, the next week it was turkey curry and cous cous, last week it was 'creamy ham and mushroom risotto' and this week its chilli con carne!
I have a reputation here for being stupidly calm and laidback. The French, as a rule, are stressheads - and everyone here loves my placid English temparement!
Right, gonna go sunbathe - its actually a nice day AND my day off. A first!!!!!!
Last week (my third week) I worked 26 hours. This week, apart from one guided tour training session, all Im doing all week is surveillance and commentaries - no kiosk, office or boutique. Yesterday I did the morning commentaries (4 in french, 1 in english). In the avo yest from 4.30 till 7 I sorted through all the papo figurines in the underground reserve. NOT my fave job! There are two tiny windows in the storeroom, and no light and there was a storm raging outside so I could barely see what I was doing. Had to read the delivery list to find the codes, use the codes to find a pic of the figurine in the catalogue, search through 13 different cardboard boxes to find one example of each to take back to Cecilia in the boutique to register in stock. Grrrrrr
Anyways last week I worked weds to sun as mon and tues were my day off.Just worked six days in a row so grateful for my day off today. Other day off this week is sat. Last weds I did commentaries, had 2nd training for guided tour, and did ground floor surveillance. Thurs did morning commentaries, helped out in the boutique (doing stock) and did more groundfloor surveillance. Fri helped out in the boutique (in store) did first set of avo commentaries and helped out Claire and Mme Folio in the office. This actually involved setting up a function room for the kids art/creative workshops tomorrow.....and did more surveillance - first floor, this time. Oh joy. Saturday just worked the morn which was cool. Espesh as was knackered as had only got 5 hours sleep. Observed at the kiosk from 9.30 till 1. Sun was a fairly easy day, too. Morning commentaries and 2 hours of groundfloor surveillance in the avo, so finished early.
Was a surprisingly busy week socially too. Cecilia, the boutique supervisor who s only a year older than me has just bought an old house with her boyf. Theyre going to do it up and rent it. They have some SERIOUS work on their hands - is in complete ruins. Been empty since 1973 everything is rotten - huge holes in roof and upstairs floor. Gonna cost them a hell of a lot to renovate, and must have cost them a lot to buy in the first place - was owned by a well-off family, in the Dordogne region. Cecila must have rich parents! In December she bought herself her first car - a shiny new silver Toyota. Anyway, on thurs night she invited every round to see it and have BBQ outside on the huge pile of mud! (is in the middle of nowhere, of course) Obv we couldnt use the house in any way lol, so Laurent switched on the CD player in his car and we faited la fete a bit until his battery went flat!
Fri night we went to Perigueux (an hour away) to go to the cinema to see Harry Potter. Had yummy meal in a pizzeria nextdoor beforehand. Film started at 10.15 so didnt finish till 1 so didnt get back till about 2.30am. Couldnt get to sleep for about an hour and had to be at work at 9.30. Saturday night was Bastille day, so Mel took me to Montignac with her to meet up with a few of her friends for food, and afterwards we watched the fireworks on the riverbank, which were pretty damn cool!
Tuesday nights are becoming Greys Anatomy nights, as there is a triple-bill every week. Monday its Lost (les disparus) and Sunday its ER (urgences). I dont actually watch ER or Lost, though. Or Greys Anatomy - but I have tried to get into it a bit since Ive been here at least. Last monday night I watched a DVD with Mel - Leon, which was good. Dont think this week (or any week in fact) is going to be as exciting as last week! Mel and I are thinking of havin a gathering at ours some night next week though.
I would just like to take the opportunity to let all of you who doubt my culinary skills know, that Mel thinks im a really good cook! Lol. She s nearly 27 and is even lazier than I am when it comes to cooking (or crap, I dont know, as I hardly ever see her cooking 'properly'). Anyways, I havent done anything special really she just seems to think Im good. First week I lived off mince and cous cous for most of the week, the next week it was turkey curry and cous cous, last week it was 'creamy ham and mushroom risotto' and this week its chilli con carne!
I have a reputation here for being stupidly calm and laidback. The French, as a rule, are stressheads - and everyone here loves my placid English temparement!
Right, gonna go sunbathe - its actually a nice day AND my day off. A first!!!!!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Hmmmm will try again....
Weds night wasnt involved in the night-time animation. Not gonna be in it this week either. Turns out I have to ask to be in it, and would like to but not just yet as have too many other scripts to learn for tours without having to worry about learning a part in the 'play'! Also, apparently I wont be given any guided tours until I say Im ready which is a relief - in fact, I dont think Im obliged to do any if I dont want to, its up to me. Of course, I would love to have a go once I know my stuff lol
So, thurs morn I opened up the chateau as I was on surveillance first thing (of both floors) so I switched on all the lights, put on the music in the chapel and set all the alarms on the first floor. Then in the avo I was observing in the boutique (had a go myself actually as the responsable wasnt there to tell me not to!) then finally I observed the third lot of commentaries for the day.
Fri I observed the morning commentaries (but did the English one myself), then in the avo I had my commentary training which involved saying it once in front of Claire, the responsable (supervisor) to make sure I was ready. She said I did very well but have to be careful not to play with the gravel with my feet as I talk or say 'um' or 'ah' too much!!!!!! Everyone has their 'thing' and mine is playing with my feet! The dancer in me, obviously! Then I had my first training for guided tours, which involved watch Vanessa have a go (she s already had 2 or 3 'training sessions') I think she did well and I actually knew nearly all the info she said, so Claire reckons Ill be ready to have a go in my next 'training' on weds avo.
So yesterday today and tomorrow are my days off. Yesterday of last week, and today and tomorrow are my two days off of this week. Sat morn I was in the office on my tod, finishing translating the press document for the chateau into English (18 pages) Have been working on it whenever Im timetabled to do translations since a few days after I got here. In the avo I did my first lot of commentaries in French - and they were great!!!!! Three of the four times, they gave me a round of applause at the end, and they all said I did very well indeed for my first day. AND I did not move my feet or say 'um' or 'ah' - I was very conscious not to! So, 2 full weeks of work finished - ten to go. First week did 31.25 hours and this week I did 29.25 hours. Have lots of commentary sessions coming up in the next week, which is good - I actually feel useful and time passes quickly.
Yesterday I tried (and failed) to do laundry. Repair man is coming this avo APPARENTLY to fix the machine. Also decided Id try one of the restaurants for lunch, as not eaten out yet. Didnt have any choice where I went as only one of the three eating places in this village accepts cards! Today have been food shopping and thats about it. Off to the post office next. Tomo, will try again to do laundry and watch TV and learn my tour info........
Weds night wasnt involved in the night-time animation. Not gonna be in it this week either. Turns out I have to ask to be in it, and would like to but not just yet as have too many other scripts to learn for tours without having to worry about learning a part in the 'play'! Also, apparently I wont be given any guided tours until I say Im ready which is a relief - in fact, I dont think Im obliged to do any if I dont want to, its up to me. Of course, I would love to have a go once I know my stuff lol
So, thurs morn I opened up the chateau as I was on surveillance first thing (of both floors) so I switched on all the lights, put on the music in the chapel and set all the alarms on the first floor. Then in the avo I was observing in the boutique (had a go myself actually as the responsable wasnt there to tell me not to!) then finally I observed the third lot of commentaries for the day.
Fri I observed the morning commentaries (but did the English one myself), then in the avo I had my commentary training which involved saying it once in front of Claire, the responsable (supervisor) to make sure I was ready. She said I did very well but have to be careful not to play with the gravel with my feet as I talk or say 'um' or 'ah' too much!!!!!! Everyone has their 'thing' and mine is playing with my feet! The dancer in me, obviously! Then I had my first training for guided tours, which involved watch Vanessa have a go (she s already had 2 or 3 'training sessions') I think she did well and I actually knew nearly all the info she said, so Claire reckons Ill be ready to have a go in my next 'training' on weds avo.
So yesterday today and tomorrow are my days off. Yesterday of last week, and today and tomorrow are my two days off of this week. Sat morn I was in the office on my tod, finishing translating the press document for the chateau into English (18 pages) Have been working on it whenever Im timetabled to do translations since a few days after I got here. In the avo I did my first lot of commentaries in French - and they were great!!!!! Three of the four times, they gave me a round of applause at the end, and they all said I did very well indeed for my first day. AND I did not move my feet or say 'um' or 'ah' - I was very conscious not to! So, 2 full weeks of work finished - ten to go. First week did 31.25 hours and this week I did 29.25 hours. Have lots of commentary sessions coming up in the next week, which is good - I actually feel useful and time passes quickly.
Yesterday I tried (and failed) to do laundry. Repair man is coming this avo APPARENTLY to fix the machine. Also decided Id try one of the restaurants for lunch, as not eaten out yet. Didnt have any choice where I went as only one of the three eating places in this village accepts cards! Today have been food shopping and thats about it. Off to the post office next. Tomo, will try again to do laundry and watch TV and learn my tour info........
Friday, July 6, 2007
Aaaarrrgh! Hate this keyboard! Should have said 'she got to kerbcrawl while I got out and posted the brochures' but the keyboard wouldnt let me type! Like it isnt now! Gonna give up on the rest and try another day........
Oh no, seems to be working again. So yeah, became a PR dogsbody for a few hours. Weds nigh wasnt involved in the nighttime animation
Oh no, seems to be working again. So yeah, became a PR dogsbody for a few hours. Weds nigh wasnt involved in the nighttime animation
Sorry keyboard was playing up again so though should post quick! In the avo on weds was down on the rota to do translations in the office and then surveillance of the groundfloor. Instead of translation ended up flyering the whole village in the Goddamn rain! Was helping Lucie out and she mainly got crawl in her car while I got posted the brochures!
Ok so it seems to be working for the time being...... So, monday was my second day off. That was when I attempted to do laundry, went food shopping and lugged it all home in the rain (both arms stretched to about twice their original length afterwards) shoulder muscles still ache now! Did some housework and of course, tried to learn my scripts.
During the 20 minute commentaries on sunday Id helped to interpret into English as Claire spoke in French. On tuesday I was on surveillance from 11 till 1 and 5 till 6 on ground floor and in the early avo I did some translations at home for Mme Folio (the scary manageress). In fact last thursday night we had a monthly staff meeting (v formal affair) and I had to introduce myself to the President of the Foundatoin and his cronies. Thankfully I impressed the old grandpa with my french so he seemed to warm to me. Mme Folio even managed a smile or two.
On weds morn I was in the boutique under the watchful eye of Cecilia.
During the 20 minute commentaries on sunday Id helped to interpret into English as Claire spoke in French. On tuesday I was on surveillance from 11 till 1 and 5 till 6 on ground floor and in the early avo I did some translations at home for Mme Folio (the scary manageress). In fact last thursday night we had a monthly staff meeting (v formal affair) and I had to introduce myself to the President of the Foundatoin and his cronies. Thankfully I impressed the old grandpa with my french so he seemed to warm to me. Mme Folio even managed a smile or two.
On weds morn I was in the boutique under the watchful eye of Cecilia.
Ok well went for a walk to the neighbouring village and never found the cash machine so still have no money!
Am in surprisingly high spirits today (a few days ago I was about as anti this place as you could possibly be!) I hated the fact you have to undo a padlock to unlock our stupid big gates to acess the road just outside our kitchen window, I hated walking through the muddy slippy gravelly park to get to work twice a day, I hated the fact the washing mahine at the chateau DOES NOT WORK so all my clothes were unwashed and mouldy and dripping wet literally because it doesnt spin properly as it is so old. I hate the fact I have to carry laundry for 15 minutes up the hill to the chateau in the first place. Have yet to figure out how to make it actually USE the liquid I put in it. Hated the fact I always have to be dressed in black and white for work and the manageress didnt think to warn me; so I had to go to Intermarche (the local supermarket the only place around here to buy anything) to spend several euros I do not have on black and white tshirts. I still hate our smelly house and my creaky lumpy bed with a huge dip in the middle.......
This keyboard is playing up so am going to post this first and carry on in another post to see if this has worked properly first........
Am in surprisingly high spirits today (a few days ago I was about as anti this place as you could possibly be!) I hated the fact you have to undo a padlock to unlock our stupid big gates to acess the road just outside our kitchen window, I hated walking through the muddy slippy gravelly park to get to work twice a day, I hated the fact the washing mahine at the chateau DOES NOT WORK so all my clothes were unwashed and mouldy and dripping wet literally because it doesnt spin properly as it is so old. I hate the fact I have to carry laundry for 15 minutes up the hill to the chateau in the first place. Have yet to figure out how to make it actually USE the liquid I put in it. Hated the fact I always have to be dressed in black and white for work and the manageress didnt think to warn me; so I had to go to Intermarche (the local supermarket the only place around here to buy anything) to spend several euros I do not have on black and white tshirts. I still hate our smelly house and my creaky lumpy bed with a huge dip in the middle.......
This keyboard is playing up so am going to post this first and carry on in another post to see if this has worked properly first........
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