Beaucoup d’écrire

Like all things in life, writing is something that is sometimes easy and sometimes hard. These last few weeks I've had a bit of writer's block and have found myself unable to blog even when I've tried. With me, I think my motivation for writing depends on my how i'm feeling emotionally. I first noticed this when I went through a break up last year and didn't write for nearly three months (the longest I've ever not written for I think). It's a bizarre thing but I think it's because I like to write when I feel like expressing myself. It's in our nature to put on a brave face when going through hard times, which I can successfully do; but when I avoid my writing it's because it's harder to hide your real feelings when it comes to pen and paper (or I should say fingers and keyboard). So...finally, with a new age (23...at last), a new attitude and a new outlook it's time for my writing to make a come back. Enjoy ~ Chloe

19.04.2012

My birthday this year was honestly, wonderful. I didn't do a lot and I didn't drink perhaps as much as I would have liked but it had been a mixed few weeks for me and my main aim was to spend some quality time with my closest friends. My colleagues gave me a great card and two gorgeous bracelets, one set of pearl bracelets and one small silver four leafed clover bracelet (which I have not yet taken off since that day). They all signed a card for me and we had 'Gateau Anglaise' (Fruit cake) and a cup of tea. I'd already received my gifts from my parents, sister and family who visited a week before...which included Dr Dre Beats headphones, new clothes, earrings, a velib pass, a Ted baker make up case and much more. I am a truly lucky girl! After work I spent the late afternoon with my friend Elina who bought me a very funny little book which I absolutely adore, it makes me laugh whenever I read it. American au pair bought me a gorgeous pair of turquoise earrings and necklace to match (as it's my favourite colour) and Fin made me a photograph of a rowing boat with my name on, something he saw in Ireland...it's truly gorgeous I will have to post a photo later - I'm still trying to decide where to hang it in my apartment. We then all went for dinner at Vins & Terroirs, one of my most recent discoveries but by far one of my favourite restaurants. The food is great and such good value. I had snails followed by honey duck breast with sautee potatoes....oh and a chocolate fondant with 'creme anglaise' to finish (with happy birthday ringing in my ears...thanks everyone...!) We finished the evening with a few drinks...and a truly happy birthday girl.

20.04.12

My day off was spent with the original American au pair and to this day my closest friend here in Paris. She told me about a photo exposition near the Louvre and I decided for once to do something cultural rather than spending the day lazing about in my apartment, however desirable that sounded. So I dragged myself out of bed and off to Paris I went in search of 'Jeu de Pomme.' American au pair finally corrected me when I couldn't find me on google that the correct spelling was 'Jeu de Paume' which apparently means 'tennis court' and nothing to do with apples at all. The exposition was from a woman called Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) and focused on her photographs of New York and the different States of America. I'm not one to be interested in art if i'm honest....which is blasphemous to say when you have the unbelievable Louvre Museum just five minutes from my work but paintings just don't speak to me. Sometimes yes...especially with Claude Monet but I just prefer photographs and particularly statues (especially anything done by Rodin). However, this expostion was just amazing and Berenice Abbott seemed like a truly inspiring woman. When she was taking photos in the 20s it was really difficult for her to find sponsorship or any form of financial support because, frankly, she was a woman and women (even with the vote) still weren't considered equal to men, particularly in the working world. But...in her words, she was not 'a nice girl', she fought and fought for her exposition and finally was granted permission to document the ever changing city of New York. My favourite picture had to be the Flatiron Building on Broadway in 1938 but there were at least 20 others I could mention as she also took pictures of people, including James Joyce. If you want to know more about her check out her official site http://www.commercegraphics.com/ba.html and if you would like to go to the exposition (which I would highly recommend) it finishes tomorrow and the details can be found here http://www.jeudepaume.org/index.php?idArt=1499&lieu=1&page=article

27.04.12

Last night was probably the most fun I've had in a long time. My friend Dave and I decided to have a few beers after work, first we checked out a bar called O'neil which is a micro-brewery (finally decent beer in Paris) and which Dave had been to before but wanted to re-visit. I'd heard of it but never actually gone inside but finally  went and honestly loved it. The atmosphere is really American even though the staff are all French, everyone was really chatty and polite and we sat at the bar drinking and eating french fries. The food looked great, especially a burger that a man was eating next to us that both Dave and I were drooling over. Next time....That's one thing I love about Paris, even after nearly two years here you can find a small road full of the quirkiest, most interesting little bars. There was even a pub called 'The Bedford Arms'...I felt like I had accidentally walked through some kind of transportation device and found myself smack in the middle of England...Later on I finally activated my velib card and managed to convince Dave to ride on it with me. This was the stupidest but funniest idea I've ever had. We were wobbling all over the place as Dave had already had a few more beers than me and I nearly fell off because of my lack of balance multiple times. However we did go zooming down some hills around St Germain Des Pres and discovered again some more ways to enjoy Paris. We finally finished at Le Cafe Petit Pont just opposite the Seine and Notre Dame with cheese, beer and wine...you have to love Paris, no place like it.

So quoi neuf?!? What's new basically...

Well, next week after finally making a decision I AM GOING TO LONDON. I realised that there had been so many reasons I wasn't making a decision...money, situations, work etc.. and I finally just woke up and bought my tickets. I organised a change in my schedule with my colleague, THANK YOU PAUL I am going to bring  you back tonnes of herbal tea from London and can now go to London from Friday night to Tuesday evening. I am so so excited to see the girls, all my old friends at the party on Saturday and to finally see a bit of London too as I have some time to at least do one or two touristy things! And it will be my first time on the Eurostar so I will definitely have something to blog about next week...I might even have to take my notebook so I don't forget anything!

Just remember bloggers, "Today is going to be a good day."

Ciao

Le dîner tue la moitié de Paris et le souper tue l'autre

My dedication to my blog has been recently...........poor. Not for lack of want I assure you, just lack of time! Everytime I've sat behind my computer determined to reel off a blog I've always had something else to do, or start, or finish that has been unfortunately more important. Finally it's my jour de repo (day off) and I have some time to write about what's been going on recently in la ville lumière.

Back in March I went to the Six Nations final game at the Stade de France. France were set to play England and I was, honestly, a bit nervous. My friend J had been continuously reminding me how well France were playing and I was worried for England because our previous performances hadn't been particularly strong. However being the true Brit I am I was patriotic and refused to believe England would go down without a fight. And well...........they certainly did not. The atmosphere was amazing, even surrounded by mainly French people I found myself screaming and cheering when England started scoring. I'm normally pretty shy when it comes to things like that (ask my mum - I'm always asking her not to shout when she's cheering for Tom, Dick or Harry) but this time it was different. I felt weirdly free...probably because I knew only the two guys sitting next to me in the whole stadium. The end of the match was more nerve racking with France nearly taking over our lead, however a failed drop kick from France (which really should have been left as pushing for a try...) meant that England kept their lead of 24-22. J and C were, of course, disappointed (especially as it was C's birthday the next day) but we all went back to the Mazet for a few evening drinks and birthday shots. All in all an excellent experience.
*England also went on to beat Ireland the following weekend in an unbelievably strong game. I later received a text from my Irish boss saying 'You're fired.'

What else...work is still good, my boss recently trained me in TOEIC and in a few weeks I'm going to do a teen week so lots of new, fun experiences. The TOEIC hasn't been easy - mainly because of the computer but it's such a good experience to learn the test structure and to know you can give students good advice for their upcoming TOEIC exam....because seriously it's a difficult exam, more focused on your endurance and concentration than anything else.

We had crazy hot spells in Paris (literally I was sunbathing on lunch breaks in the Jardin des Tuileries) which was lovely........but has now abruptly ended with unfortunately the weather for the Easter weekend being totally crap. But my parents and sister are on their way and I couldn't be more happy to see them. First of all they are bringing me a working hoover (no one realises how important this is) which for someone with asthma who currently has a room full of dust........ is like Christmas come early. I actually can't wait to hoover.....sad I know. Secondly they are bringing me a new kettle, the one I have is beyond stupid. It keeps boiling until you unplug it (very safe these Frenchies, like the person who thought putting PLUGS in the bathroom was a good idea, dear me). So I can't wait to have a real, working kettle......oh and one that can make more than 2 cups of tea at a time. Lastly they are here for my birthday (not my actual birthday) but we are celebrating this weekend. So....we are off to La Pulperia tomorrow night - a restaurant run by an Argentinian chef which literally has the best food I have ever tasted. I discovered this restaurant thanks to Romain and will be eternally grateful to him for this discovery. I can't wait for the squid starter tomorrow it's just divine....

Pollution has been a hot topic at work and at home for me at the moment. All of us have begun to notice that the pollution is getting worse. Maybe it's the hot-cold weather, whatever it is something in the air has changed. My asthma is verging on terrible when I used to go some days without it I now can't. My colleague at work's asthma seems to be coming back after years without it, my students children all have rashes at the moment that are unexplained and apparently due to the 'weather' and Paris has warning signs around the city reminding people that pollution is rife. I hope things won't continue like this and at the moment it is just the weather...because I won't be enjoying Paris if I can't breathe! Not long until 5 days back in Devon and I can breathe clean air...cannot wait.

Apart from the pollution Paris is treating me well, I have made many new friends recently which I am really happy about as most of my old friends (the au pair gang) will be soon departing and I am happy to know I won't spend the summer alone. These new friends also know Paris better than I do so are always telling me where I should go and what I should see which is great. I'm still reading Paris Revealed by Stephen Clarke (the same guy who wrote A Year in the Merde) and honestly it's one of the most interesting books I've ever read. It's really informative but you never feel bored reading the historical infomation because Clarke makes it light and easy to read, including the information that's most intriguing. Such as...did you know that there was a cathedral twice as beautiful as Notre Dame in its place before? Napoleon knocked it down for the new 'gothic' church that everyone now knows and loves. If you live here and you want to really know the city....buy this book!

Read this book!

As for me, I'm off to tidy my apartment before the parentals arrive tomorrow and will head into Paris later for a bit of Jardin des Plantes, cinema-going and maybe even some chalk-drawing (will explain that one next time).

A bientôt bloggers