Times are changing

I pretty much have to grab anytime I can these days to blog. I have had a busy first 2 weeks, my training was great and really helped to prepare me for the job I am doing now. This is my second week of 'real work' I suppose and I can honestly say I am loving it (hope this doesn't jinx it). The first week I was here I was actually the biggest stress head ever and I am still trying to give out apologies to the person who suffered the effects of this bad mood the most (you know who you are). The problem was I have never not had a plan and I have been lucky enough that things have never really not gone my way...Must be the luck of the Irish (thanks Nan!) Unfortunately this meant that I have become accustomed to not screwing up and in a way things were always fairly easy for me. In France by the way, they are not. I didn't really understand how big the move was that I was making which in turn caused me to freak out big time and question if I had even made the right decision. Furthermore I had no appartment of my own, no bank account, no french phone, no navigo...basically I couldn't do anything. I mistakenly thought France would be the same as the UK but actually it's all paperwork, paperwork and you guessed it paperwork. Nothing is straightforward, even when you think it is, it isn't.

BUT on the plus side I began to realise that freaking out wasn't helping anyone, least of all myself. Things will get done but one step at a time and in France this means more slowly than you would like. However this week I managed to get my navigo (even if I basically had to convince the guy I would find an appartment the same day), have made progress with my bank; actually I screwed up and have to send more documents but progress is positive! I have a viewing of a petit petit studio on Friday but it's in a nice area and it would mean having a place to call my own (on verra) and I seem to have got a grip on my life in general. It almost ran away from me...literally it was moving so fast I thought I might fall off the wheel and never get back on. Luckily I have an amazing set of friends here in Paris who have supported my decision and repeatedly calmed me down when I thought my head might explode. I am also very lucky that a himself is so patient because sometimes I don't know how he doesn't throw things at me.

All in all things are going well, the girls are all starting to arrive, himself is back soon after a bit of a disaster holiday in NYC, my family are sunning themselves in Tenerife (a well deserved break) and I am happy. I couldn't ask for more at the moment so keep your fingers crossed for more news from the fish across the pond.

à bientôt

Je suis arrivée

Alors...I have arrived. Forgive me for any typos but i'm back on a French keyboard and still getting used to it. Anyway today is my first day back in Paris, unfortunately it's a bank holiday so there are simply too many people. Gui and I had a nice lunch together at the appartment though and then I went off looking for my new training office for tomorrow. I thought I had it all sorted, I had the address, I google mapped it, Gui pointed me in the right direction and off I went.

40 minutes later, feet blistered from new shoes I arrived at 88 Boulevard St Michel. I was looking for 90 bvd st michel...which apparently doesn't exist. I walked all around the area and even back the other way to check I hadn't missed it but no luck. So I decided in the sunshine I would go have a lie down on the grass in Luxembourg Gardens where I had a half an hour nap before heading back. I have just checked online (on the actual work webpage) and it looks like there is another 90 bvd saint michel and it's right near Clunny La Sorbonne so I'm going to go for another walk in a minute (worry not I bought plasters)!!!

Also because of ther Ascension the Notre Dame bells are having a party. It was pretty annoying at 11pm last night but I walked past earlier and they had speakers outside so you could hear the choir. It was pretty amazing! I just sent off the last part of my assignment so now I best strap up my feet and head out again.

Biz

Pack up and go...

So this is it then...I am actually packing up my suitcase(s) and heading back to Paris. I can't say it will be for good because let's face it we have no idea what is going to happen...but it's certainly a new chapter and a new step for me. I won't lie my nerves have been getting to me today as the day get's closer and the move becomes real but I am trying to keep a cool head! I am grateful that I can at least reassure myself that this was the right decision, it's what I've always wanted (live abroad - big tick), work as a teacher (didn't quite plan on it just yet but TEFL just seems to combine everything I enjoy doing), speaking French (or trying) and call me weird but just hearing French. I'm one of those people who turns my headphones right down sometimes just to listen to a couple bickering on the metro in French. Even when arguing the French somehow make things sound more beautiful. In England I would probably both turn my headphones UP and get off the train before people started throwing punches. I love the UK and it will always be my home but I fell in love with a city and I guess now we'll see whether that city could become my home...I still have a million other places I want to go and live for a while so we'll see if my feet get itchy or not :-)

On the other hand, I have had a wonderful summer that has honestly not been long enough in the slightest! 4 weeks with my family and friends just doesn't seem to have filled the gap in my heart but unfortunately....welcome to the real world. No more 2 months of summer holiday's, working in bars and staying out every weekend...those days are over! Luckily I have a very close family and some incredibly supportive friends who are already planning on visiting me as soon as I am settled and have my own place. To name a few see below, honestly we never drink normally....

I should write all about the Summer as it's been a busy time for me but tonight after packing my entire life into one suitcase and a hand luggage bag I can honestly say I don't have the energy! However I will begin to blog again regularly as much as I can.

New job, new chapter. A bientot bloggers.