Day Four: Saturday, November 22, 2008

Day Four: Saturday, November 22, 2008
Second Day of the Convention

I decided to get up at six so I could run, but when six rolled around I changed my alarm to 6:30. But I did actually go out to run after that. I had to use my cool new French running shorts that I had to buy last night. I headed down the street where the trolly runs. I ran down to Garibaldi Square and then back by the back side of the Acropolis under the windows where I teach. Not surprisingly the street is called Gallieni (the same name of the class rooms I am teaching in)

I went down to breakfast sometime after seven and low and behold I found Christine’s Danon Yogurt in the glass jars. I got a fraises (strawberry) and my mueseli and I was set. The fresh baguette and meat and cheeses weren’t bad either. I also had hoped to run into Taylor Mali so I could say hello before he comes to Del Campo in April but he never did arrive in the breakfast area. Oh well.

I left the hotel at about 8:20, and as I was sitting near the ECIS desk, who walks right by but Michelle Daughtry and Taylor Mali.

Taylor Mali, "What Teacher's Make"

Of course I quickly jumped up and introduced myself before he headed off to his 9 a.m. session. He somehow even knew I was doing yearbook critiques when I mentioned I was here doing yearbook stuff. I then went to Michelle to look at the sign up book for my critiques and there were four signed up. I wound up working with five and really talked non stop between 9 and 11:45.
1. David O’Connell Antwerp International School
2. Trichette Roy ASCIA (She was signed up but did not come)
3. Geoffrey Hinman American Overseas School Rome
4. Johathon Malcolm Inter Community School, Zurich
5. Ahu Ozkarahan, Robert College of Istanbul

View from my room.








I really think my idea of individual critiques is a huge success and definitely feel it is a great service to the ECIS advisers. I really could have handled only one or two more tops. The conversations were product and I think helpful to each adviser. I did not really need the critique guideline sheets and to do them with most of the books would have been overwhelmingly negative. I choose only to really completely fill out one of them.

After awhile I went to the room down the hall that has free internet and printing and I was able to run off the directions to Villa Sampaguita. I even had a free jamon sandwich with mesculun. Some woman had the nerve to run off a 100+ page document from their printer.
I went back to my little office and worked on my presentations until they started at three. Kat was in the room right before me so I had a great talk with her. The adviser session had about ten people and I think it was received very well. They loved the prizes and I actually had to rush at the end to get through it all. My section session was on caption writing and I had about five or six and it went well as well. They loved the fact that I was giving them my keynote to use. I always worry about how these things are going to go, but then they always turn out terrifically. But I know I will always keep worrying. I am already worried about tomorrow. :)

After my session I stayed for Russell Viers' Intro to Photoshop class and it was fun to get his crazy perspective. I think his life is one big teaching session. He is really pretty funny. I headed back to the Novotel and home at around six.

Zoe, Christine, and Sue take a day trip to Eze
So this is the infamous Zoe speaking, the youngest daughter I'm sure you've heard so much about. Well I will be filling in for my father because he was not able to go on our little adventure. So today we went to the bus station at 11:30 and caught a bus to Eze, an old village/castle. The road was windy and long. Upon arrival, Sue quickly rushed us into the parfum store where we got a tour and learned about the history of parfum. Turns out Paris is a bunch of liars. And F.Y.I. it didn't originate in Paris nor does Paris make the parfum. We got to test many samples and I ended up leaving with a six pack of the top selling ladies parfums, my favorite happening to be the one she lady referred to as "sexy."
After leaving that store we strolled up the hill to the castle. Once we arrived at the top we were greeted by cacti gallore and an incredible view of Nice. It was amazing. Turns out the castle was once a prison during WWII. So we left the top and had crepes at a place in the castle/town. After we went and sat at the bus stop for about an hour. In the last half hour my mom went to the bathroom and as she was walking back the bus pulled up, early. We thought she was going to miss it but all was well and she made it on time.








In a shop along the way. Thinking of Gary and Peggy.

Pizza at Le Pellegrini



Reine. Pizza with jamon and championes




Walking back to the hotel.


Any ideas what this sign means?


The beautiful Zoe


Our hall


Our room.

Day Two: Friday, November 21, 2008

Day Two: Friday, November 21, 2008
Second Day in Nice. The Convention Gets Under Way

Made it to the promised land. I slept through the night! I woke up at 6:05 local time. I decided to get up and get ready for the day. I am pretty sure I start doing critiques at 2 p.m.

Thought I go out for a run and what do I discover? No running shorts. The first time I have ever done that.

I have been having fun puttering and blogging. I did find out that my student teacher Danielle Duarte did get that El Camino job. Yea for her. Boo for me. I will have to take the class back over in January.

We headed down at about 11 and I decided to secure our dinner reservation for tonight at a restaurant called Lou Nissart. I found it on Zoe’s Top Ten website and even with just one good review it looked close and good enough to give a try. I went down to the desk and got the nice, English speaking desk person to make the call for us. It turned out to quite an ordeal. She got the reservation with little problem, but then it was quite the ordeal to exactly where it was located. Seems the Rue l’ Opera was not on any of the maps and every time she tried to find it on Google the computer crapped out. Eventually one of the managers called back and we think we know where it is. Somewhere near the Espace Massene, near a fountain and down some stairs. We will see where that takes us.
They were going to head to the Museum of Contemporary Art and then walk around a bit and see what they could find. Amazingly we have see most of the recommended sites in Nice. They plan to take the day trip to Eze and Monaco tomorrow.

I got to the Acropolis at about 11:30 and immediately checked in with Michelle Daughtry at the ECIS desk. I got my program and per diem cash and then found a place to stop and look at the program to be sure when my sessions were. My critiques were between 2 and 5 in Gallieni Office 2 and my others are in Gallieni 5 where I had been two years ago. It all feels very familiar and good. I also discovered that Kat Laughlin from the American School of London was here, but now she is a rep for Taylor/Balfour and lives in Portugal.
Next I went and found the Walsworth booth and Jim Petrucci and eventually Russell Viers showed up. I had a great time having him show me the amazing features of Photoshop CS4. I think it is actually worth buying. The consolidated photo correction palette is reason enough.
At one we all went to the Journalism Committee meeting and I got to see Jonathon Malcolm who is the current chair. At the meeting was the middle school yearbook adviser from the American School of London, Shannon Miller, Jonathan, Kat, Russell, Jim P. and a guy from Kuwait. We talked about the status of the ECIS yearbook gallery and contest we discussed last year and other stuff, but it was a productive meeting. They talked about bring John Cutsinger and Mark Murray out next year after I told them I probably wouldn’t be able to do it again.


Whoa, a big sign and everything! Who is the Jim Jordan guy?

At 2 my critiques started. I had asked about a list at the ECIS desk and from what I say there was only one signed up for 4:30. But when I got to the room at 2 soon a gentleman showed up from a school in Geneva, then I talked with Ahmed from Kuwait, then Richard Ullfers from the Lycee Franco American School in San Francisco, then last I was visit by Rosie Bass and her friend from the Antwerp British School. SO I actually got four long conferences in my three hours. I was constantly talking until almost 4:45.


My Critique Office

Day One total of four critiques.
1. Michel Chinal Director du Campus Ecole International de Geneve
2. Amad Doulani Kuwait
3. Richard Ulffers Lycee International Franco American School, San Francisco
4. Rosie Bass – Antwerp British School

Next I went to the Taylor/Balfour booth to say hi to Kat and Jake Polenska of DVD yearbook fame. I was trying to figure out if I have actually ever MET him. I must have but I’m still not sure. I went and talked with Michelle to see what the sign ups are for Saturday and I think there are at least three. I started to leave and then decided to drop off the books I was carrying at the Walsworth booth. Russell and his wife and Jonathon were there so I talked to them for a coulple of minutes then went over the the Josten’s booth to get some of the famous pins for everyone.

Got back to the hotel about 5:45 and we just chilled until it was time to go to the restaurant. We decided to take the trolley. It was very easy and only cost 1 Euro.

We took the trolley down to the restaurant.

It dropped us off at Espace Massena and we found the fountain back to the east and walked to it and sure enough there was the restaurant right down a set of stairs. On the way there we passed a sports store, so I decided to go back and buy some running shorts. I had left my pair at home apparently. I found some that were pretty reasonable so I got them. I made my way back to the restaurant and they had already found seats

Restaurant Lou Nissart
Here is the review fron 10best.com
Located in the Old Nice section, Lou Nissart is charming French country, complete with red and blue gingham napkins. The pasta is all made from scratch. Not to be confused with Italian pastas, these delightful raviolis and rich, creamy gnocchi are served with fresh seafood and roasted meats. Reservations suggested




When I got there they were already having Kir Royal for their apperitif. Chriwstine decided to order the 31 Euro menu and Zoe, Sue and I had several a la Carte items.




We had to try some Beaujolais Nouveau eventhough it was now November 21.

Course one: Chick peas and peppers


Course two: Onion tart


Course three: Meat stuffed vegetables


Fried (beignet) Zuccini blossoms


Course four: Gnocchi with meat sauce (what Christine had)


Gnocchi with red wine sauce (what I had)


Course five: Warm goat cheese on toast


Course Six: Lemon tart with meringue (what Christine and Sue had)


Swiss Chard, pine nuts, and Raisins (what I had) Tourte de Blettes

A very Nicoise dish.

Cafe

Christine also was served a disgestiv that was kind of like Lemoncello-like homemade liquer.

The total bill came to €123. We also had a great server who really helped us understand the dishes and also was a lot of fun.




Another Nicoise delicacy we did not try.

After we left the restaurant we walked back over to the Espace Massena past the fountain.


And then we wanted to take a closer look at these cool lighted statues in the plaza.




Zoe had done some research and she was determined to got to a discotheque with Sue. We couldn't find the first one call something about a Butterfly, but we did find the second one called Le Ghost. We started walking back and then realized it was already 10:45 so they turned back around to check it out.

Turns out they did go back to Le Ghost, but there wasn't much dancing going on. It was just more of a bar.

Another crazy day of travel. I'm heading off to bed. Lord, let's see what amazing things tomorrow brings.