Strikes
The thing about strikes over here.. is that it’s not just the RATP/SNCF which have strikes…
everyone strikes.
not happy with the system? strike.
don’t feel like working? strike.
want to get something approved? strike.
well, basically STRIKE IS THE SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING!
omg, why didn’t i think of that?
*please note my eyes have just rolled out of the room*
oh and you know who else strikes?
my profs at upmc.
yes yes.
you read it correctly.
basically i went to cite internationale to do my carte de sejour. i was the 13th in line.
i queued for TWO HOURS before i reached the counter to submit my documents.
yeah sure, they work at the speed of lightning.
and i thought that was it.
apparently not, i had to wait for my number to be called.
(by this time, my lecture had supposedly STARTED)
and then, they sent me upstairs to submit my documents, and for them to type something.
waited some more.
number was called, so i went to the counter to collect another piece of paper to make an appointment upstairs. i went upstairs, and submitted my form. waited somemore as he walked out of the room. was called to go to the counter as he booked an appointment for me.
was told to head back downstairs to submit the document.
basically, by the time i was done.. my lecture would have started for ONE HOUR already.
i ran all the way to the Metro, cursed the slow train, and when i reached Jussieu, i sprinted towards my Amphi 41A.
and then.. the amphi was EMPTY.
so i went to Acceuil Information, to check out what is the timing for the next class (yes, the information is actually NOT available online).. was told to go to secretariat pedagogigue to check out.
when i went there, had to wait some more, and thankfully the guy spoke to me in english after he realised i wasn’t french.. cos i started speaking in french all the way.. until he asked what section i was in.. and i told him that i was an exchange student, and i have absolutely no idea. apparently he’s sent the info, but he thinks that they may not have registered me for the class.
and i explained to him why i was late and that i needed the timing for the next class.. then he’s like “erm, actually.. there was no lecture this morning. the prof is on strike. another teacher came in to announce to the students that there was no class”
my response? “huh? what strike?”
he stared at me like as if i didn’t know the biggest event that happened this century.
he directed me to another building.. and it’s freaking hard to find. i tried to ask students.. they don’t know. i tried to ask the profs who are teaching level 2000 for sciences de la vie (since i’m taking level 3000 i thought they might know the admin better).. and they’ve never even heard of the room.
upon FINALLY reaching the door, it was locked and there’s a sign which directed us to another door.
and it turns out that this secretariat is on strike too, so she didn’t come to work.
but thank God the lab techs are so so so so nice! she gave me polycopie, lab protocol (cos i told her i don’t have printer! and i don’t have upmc card so i cannot enter the library to print as well), explained the modules to me.. IN ENGLISH. but it’s funny la. she thinks that i don’t know french as all.. so she was like “you know, the fish (with all the hand gestures), the worm, the frog*.. but yes yes i’m sure i know fish = poisson la. but since she’s so nice and she tried so hard.. must give her the credit for it.
and apparently they had a lab tech who just left, who’s a singapourienne!! and she was like “you want me to call her to come back and meet you?”
haha. and my gosh.. you know in singapore all the equipment in the lab is provided right? here isn’t. i’m supposed to get my own scapel, scissors (which they kindly agreed to get for me cos they have spare ones in the lab).. and i forgot to bring lab coat (so they’re getting for me as well). super nice right? so many nationalities in the room la! indian, tunisian, french, african, vietnamese.. wow.
and then.. i met one of my profs! cos this lab tech introduced “oh he will be teaching you”.. and my prof spoke to me IN ENGLISH! woohoo. the next thing i am going to do is ask if i can take exams in english, because he sounds like a totally nice guy.. and speaks good english!
oops. this is such a long post.
ok la, i’m tired. had fun during french class though. before going in.. jess opened the door when the other class was still inside and the prof sounded pissed cos she came out to scold lor.
but thank goodness she’s so funny. and she goes at such a nice comfortable pace somemore.
ok, should go and bathe.. and wash the dishes :(
