23 November 2009

French II

I made my way to the British Library this afternoon, eager to get some French work done, but it has been a failure and I have missed the earlier train and I have to wait until 6 now anyway. Ugh. Let me back up.

This morning, I left the house to catch the 09:41 train to Euston, as I had a meeting at 11:30 with my supervisor at Middlesex to talk about the marks I had given to my students. The train was delayed because the were 'waiting for the crew from a previous train'. This seemed suspicious at best. So it looked like it was going to be about 12 minutes late and right before it arrived, they changed the platform, so we all stampeded over there and I ended up sitting across from a man with awful breath who was sleeping and snoring.

This got me to London late and I rushed to get on my underground train, made my transfer in record time, but the train terminated at Arnos Grove and I had to wait for the next train anyway. I arrived at Oakwood just in time to see the Middlesex bus pulling away (at like 11:16, which I could have sworn was early) and I had to walk the mile down to campus and I arrived at my supervisors office, sweaty and out of breath.

After that, things picked up, more or less. My marks were good, my students were good, I got a cup of coffee at the station and road back into the city.

Now, I am still at the BL, but my French understanding is struggling as I am really having a hard time hearing the language and matching what I hear with what I read. Hopefully I'll be able to get over this.

I am also in need of losing about 3 kgs before I go home (in less than three weeks now). Two days in and I'm feeling good. I should be able to get back on the saddle. Now I just have to take care of myself when I'm at home. We'll see if that happens or not.