traditions old and new

Hi blog, it's been a while eh? Sorry life got a little bit busy...

I can't even remember where I left off, New Found Glory I think? Anyway I'll start from there. That week was the usual hum drum until the Friday, another new tradition, this time a Dutch tradition, Sinterklass. It's essentially secret Santa but it's not because it's Sinterklass; but it was lovely, there was plenty of wine and pizza involved too which is a plus. The thing I loved about Sinterklass was that you have to write a poem to accompany the gift; there was laughter, tears and lots of love in these little poems! My gift- a perfect shade of lipstick and chocolate, well done Sinterklass!

Then the weekend included a tradition that I grew up with, Christingle. Christingle is an English Church tradition, it involves an orange and a candle and children. I love Christingle. I have missed it for many years now so it was super special to take part again. It was a stunning moment when the congregation all stood in a circle with their lit Christingles singing 'Light of the world', without getting to cringe I will remember that moment for a long time.

Then came last week, the busiest week I've had in Paris (yet). I volunteered to do the costumes for the church nativity, lots of animals and angels, so I was at church most daytime free time I had. I can't moan though, yes it was busy but I loved it; it was so nice to be using my degree skills away from stressful uni environment! And there was alway excellent company at the church. Evenings were taken up by catch ups and playing (really rubbish) first aider to Head Wound 2.0. Neither of these were chores either, my Friday night was spent watching Buffy and eating cheesecake and it was beautiful.

Then Saturday came around and I woke up feeling awful. The little girl I look after was sick then the mum was so it was my turn, just really rubbish timing! Not one to ever let a sniffle stop me off I trotted to nativity rehearsal, which went like a dream. I mean it, might have something to do with 3 adults stepping into missing roles by the end... Then I met Steph for an explore round the proper Montmartre which was so nice but wet, really really wet. We loved the area and explored as much as we could handle in the cold wet rain but I was done by the time we got on the metro. Highlight of the trip, me suddenly realising I had been there before then spending the next 15 minutes telling Steph I definitely went for a drink on that street after NFG, I never did find the bar. After warming up slightly and again deciding I wasn't that ill I made the loooonnnnngggg ass journey to Zoe's to help with the mountain of food she had for her housewarming. By help I mean eat. So that was fun, gin and tonics soothed the cold for a while but not enough to stop me being in the first group to leave, I'm so disappointed in myself. There was another good reason though, my 8am start for nativity yesterday.

So we have arrived at yesterday, the longest day ever, I left the house at about half 8, I got home at half past midnight. Yet now writing about it, it never felt long, it was the nicest day (minus feeling like death at a few points and finding quiet sofas to power nap on) Morning service was nativity time, thank goodness for Gemma to be dresser whilst I sat face painting animals. Of course this is France, everyone is late in France, those on time had beautiful faces, those whom arrived 5 mins before went on stage with a nose and whiskers. Anyway it was beautiful, the little ones were all angels and danced like divas and the older children rocked their characters! 2 weeks work over in 10 minutes, yet I don't feel like it was a waste at all; the reactions from the kids over their costumes and then the thanks I got from parents after made it all worth it, for sure. Lunch was a calm point of the day, well once we'd figured out the broken cooker. Good food, good friends and rest, we needed it.

Carol service preparation started mid afternoon, 1000 mince pies and 4 vats of mulled wine, obviously I helped with the mulled wine. Whilst it was a stressful afternoon for everyone at times it was fun and there was definitely Christmas spirit around (and cognac) I spent most of late afternoon bricking it because I said yes to doing a reading at the service. The service that has about 700 people attend in a church we borrow for it, beautiful but flipping enormous. So yes whilst doing a reading got me front row seats in between two lovely gentleman who tried their best to distract me, I didn't really enjoy the lead up to the service or the first few carols. However after my reading (which went well, I managed to stifle my giggle when the microphone got switched on halfway through) I fully embrace a beautiful, simple carol service. I miss home's carols by candlelight but here's alternative was pretty wonderful. After I served mulled wine whilst drinking it and then decided to just drink it instead. I got to the point where I couldn't work out whether I felt horrible, fine or tired. I decided it was hunger, thank goodness for Zoe and her willingness for late night food!

Monday's not normally much to talk about but today has been pretty cool for me and my French family. First off I had an easy shift, just E then I and A came back early. Literally I had her for an hour alone. When I came home she showed me all the video's of E's choir performance ce martin. Normally I disappear into my room for a little while before dinner but not today, I sat out with the children making Christmas things and writing Christmas cards, whilst I told me how little I'm working these next few days! Then over dinner I told the family about Sunday and shared some left over mince pies with them. 7 au pairs and I'm the FIRST to give them mince pies! They loved them so obviously now I have to make some with the children. It's evenings like today when I remember why I offered to stay until the 23rd because the are so damn lovely.

I don't have a topic of deep thought right now, I'm trying to work out which one of the endless trains of thought in my head I should write about next. Maybe I'll blog again in a few days about something.

you'll meet some strange birds along the way

Today is Wednesday, already, that's like almost another week gone. STOP GOING SO FAST TIME, I'm not ok with it.

This week I've kicked off the festive season with a bang, been 15 again and started to figure out pigs ears and sheep tails. The fun all started on Friday; as official costume designer for St Michael's children's nativity (knew that degree would come in handy) I decided I needed to venture to Primark for coloured t-shirts and leggings. Going to Primark in Paris is not like going in England; you need a good couple of hours, a list and a calming Natalie by your side. Actually turned out to be quite fun and we got everything we needed plus Christmas jumpers (no I am still not the sophisticated Parisian I could be if I tried). Friday evening then saw the festive season kick off in some kinda style thanks to Natalie and Jodie's Christmas party. It was fancy dress so I went as snow, just wore a lot of white and glitter, which worked, kinda, well until the early morning wander home sparkling in the sun. It was such a good night; I miss having space to throw parties, me and Bear used to make up reasons to throw gatherings in our little house on Mill Street, I seem to remember our Christmas party was pretty amazing last year. Anyway the festive season is here, all is right with the world.

Saturday was really rather lovely, D&I had friends from Normandy visiting so I joined them for lunch, lots of wine and cheese. Then I met Steph for a wander and catch up, after which I dragged her to meet everyone to watch the rugby in the pub. Missed that too, watching the Saturday afternoon sport in the pub with a hangover. Did have to confess that after 3 years there and a die hard Welsh girl for a best mate my alligences lay with the Welsh. Made the Aussies happy to have one more on their said. Then it was hope for a quick power nap before dinner in the crêperie and I dropped into Nico's birthday meal to say hi to him and Cath. It's amazing what you can fit into a day sometimes.

Sunday was spent holed up in the church office doing stuff for the nativity before doing my best sound technician impression. My Sunday fun came after church (that didn't sound so dodge in my head). Anyway, managed to find a bit of a soul sister in the lovely Sara and we discovered we shared a passion for old school grungy music, we regularly relate conversations back to Blink 182 songs and talk about the days we wore Etnies and tartan Converse. Any New Found Glory were in town, for dirt cheap too, it was kinda of a must. Off we trotted in our skinny jeans and black tops to the venue. First of all, the place, better then the Astoria in the heyday, really small and old school, not over crowded either. And then New Found Glory, what can I say, the guys are getting on a bit but they have most definitely still got it!! I was beyond impressed! Plus side of gigs at 23, drinking freely and not having a curfew. Definitely abused both, oops.

Faces was the thing this week for me, old faces, new faces, faces I'd known for a while but not really chatted too and faces I'll chat to this one time then never again. When you move to a new country or any new place you have to find your feet. It does take a while to find the group of friends you'll stick with throughout. Then in a big city like this is so easy to get chatting to people somewhere, have a few drinks then walk off without getting their number. The friends you first make somewhere are more then likely not going to be the friends you have at the end, I have one or two people I see regularly that I've known since my first week here, the rest have all come along the way. I'm lucky that I have church, an amazing community of young people that I've slotted into. And then you meet friends of friends who you really get on with or you talk to someone who you see a lot but never chatted to and you realise you should've gone for coffee much sooner. Anyway you find you're groove eventually, I feel like this weekend I realised I found mine.

finding myself

This last week was a calm one until the weekend hit; tonight is my first night in since Thursday, hence no blog. So Thursday is where I will start, did you all know that France celebrates something called Beaujolais Nouveau? Nope, well me either till my wonderful host family informed me about it, it simply is a night were French people go out to drink this Beaujolais wine. It's a wine best drunk young apparently (because even drunk young it's foul so I can't imagine what it's like older...) and the night is every third Thursday in November and it us when the first new crop is released. Not one to pass up discovering a new French tradition I obviously had to give it a try. And then three more bottles and some shots. Merde. Fell down the stairs the next morning and now I'm sporting a cracking bruise on my ass.

So Friday day was spent in bed, I genuinely couldn't move for fear of throwing up. Still ever the trooper I am off I went on Friday for some drinks in Place Monge with the lovely Sara and Georges. We had to go early to get Sara's friend from Opera so me and Georges decided late night McDonalds was a better idea then more beer, it definitely was. Had an early start on Saturday anyways, Gemma and I went on an adventure. Only to Porte de Versailles but still... we went to the sewing expo thing there, called make do and mend. Well, it's a good job I didn't take much money because I was in heaven, I could've spent faaarrr too much there. It was super nice to do something different also. 

Saturday night involved bucket cocktails, I have not drunk one of these since Magaluf. Me and Cath planned a few drinks, Cath is the one with the Parisian boyfriend, Nico, so she invites all the Parisians she knows too. I was quite squiffy before I even left Nico's flat thanks to champagne and whatever it was in a shot glass. Then in this bar bucket cocktails appeared, no that was a bad idea. It was actually a really good night, these guys are my favourite Parisians, they only correct my French in a nice way and let me teach them Cockney slang and Welsh. 

Sunday was chilled out bliss at church, I love the sanctuary there away from noisy Paris and busy lives, although we're all pretty busy there too haha. Then last night was church music and AV team drinks, considering the past 5 days it's unsurprising I woke up today with a horrible headache. Although there aren't many nights I drink excessively these days, 2/3 drinks is so easy to do in Paris and it all adds up.

So something I've been thinking and answering a lot recently is this, have you found a French boyfriend yet? (Or something to that extent and even by mes enfants) I must get asked this question at least once a week and my response is always no. Of course when I accepted a job in Paris I thought of drinking champagne under the Eiffel Tower with a beautiful frenchman, think Lauren Conrad in the Hills.... but have realised it's just not a priority for me.

Paris has been like therapy for me; if you know me at all you know that my years at uni were so consumed by one damaging relationship. It was a first year at uni cliche and it ended badly, scars of break ups run deep but mine ran deeper then what was healthy. Second year was a continuous haze of me messing up, he hurt me so I could hurt others right? No, Kate, so very wrong, looking back if I could go back and not hurt the people I did I wouldn't. Then by third year I was doing fine, until he came back into my life,not enough that you could call it anything but enough that it hurt me again. It was a poisonous relationship at the best of times and I sometimes bored myself talking about it. I made so many mistakes because of it, somewhere along the way I forgot what was important. I also gave up my faith because of it, I was so ready to stop loving God because he didn't, I'm lucky my God's a forgiving one. But now, it's just a story I tell.

Aberystwyth was so small and suffocating at times, everyone knew the situation or liked to talk. Coming to Paris where no one knew what went on before has been amazing. I've realised I've let this relationship and men in general for far too long affect most parts of my life. I am loving every second of not having any attachments, no people I have to avoid and no people whispering about what I did last night. The city of lights has erased scars and given me back my passion for faith and the church. I don't walk into pubs and look around to check whose there because people always talk, I look around for a free table. I've other, more important relationships that needed fixing and healing first. I want to enjoy Paris carefree and footloose, not tied up in a relationship. I have spent the last 3 years defining everything by one relationship, I don't want to do it anymore. So I'm not. 

just chats about the weekend

Yet again it's Tuesday and I'm still exhausted from the weekend, this is becoming a regular occurance. 

Let's start at Thursday; I was entrusted with the church's au pair café, woah. Actually it was pretty easy, I just needed to set the place up and keep everyone chatting. Very successful.  

Friday started early, I had to get to Gare du Nord and when you're on the other side of Paris it's a bit of a trek on the metro.  Anyways I made it in time to meet mother off her Eurostar, she wins the prize for first visitor whilst I'm here. She was only here for one night but because she came early we had plenty of time.  She got to see chez moi, meet the whole family here as well as even doing a kiddie shift with me. We went to the Christmas Market (in the rain) and le Marais.  I showed her all my new favourite places and we even discovered a crêperie together which I will definitely be returning too! It was super strange showing mum around Paris as a resident not a tourist. I particularly enjoyed correcting her french as mine isn't half bad haha!

Sandwiched in between two long days with mum was another reunion, this time it was one of the boys from university.  He too is living in France now and he was passing through my city, I was only too happy to oblige to go for a few pints! It was so nice to have someone to chats Aberystwyth with but also to moan about how we don't fit in with French fashion and how we are acclimatising to red wine. I miss having male friends around, there's just no drama with them but more then that I miss aber life; it's a pretty unique way of life I'm not sure anywhere will come close, it's always to talk with people who understand. 

Then Saturday night was dinner and drinks with Jodie and later Helen, it was a pretty chilled affair in the end, not that I'm complaining, I had to be up on Sunday to take E to rollerblading.  Yup 9am on a Sunday I had to work, I'm really hoping this doesn't become a regular thing, I did not enjoy it. The rest of Sunday was nice though, an Ikea trip with Gemma and a few others was perfect use of a Sunday.  I only bought a few bits but they are useful bits and then obviously I had a hot dog (Ikea France doesn't sell chips...). Then it was a good few hours spent in church followed by wine and a bit of a debrief but mainly quite thought provoking conversation. I was struggling at this point and my addition to the conversation was mainly made up by sarcastic comments...

And then it was Monday again and as per what seems to be my norm now I have been going to class, sleeping and doing my shifts.  I am still exhausted and the weekend is creeping up again. I'm not complaining though, I wouldn't want the boring quiet life! 

part deux

Where was I? Extremely hungover on Sunday, yep about right.  I felt rough. I went along because maybe we were going to paint the room some more but I have never been more happy to hear Nats suggestion to do it another day. So we had an amazing amount of pasta whilst curled up watching David Attenborough's Life Stories; the best use of a Sunday.  Sunday evening Faye came to the families home for dinner which was gooooodddd.  Although im not sure choosing to drink all the wine I did after two heavy nights was a good idea. Definitely not. But it's so lovely to actually take time to chat with D&I properly. So often our lives are all so busy that we only talk about business stuff. 

I borrowed some lovely pictures off Faye of the lovely people I spent Saturday night with. I particularly love the picture of me and Helen and sparklers probably too close to our face.

Monday was a write off; no sleep, too much wine and too much on my mind caught up with me. Thank goodness for Zoe and coffee, our long honest chats are so good for the soul sometimes.  Friends are the best therapy. 

Tuesday tops my list as one of my favourite experiences in Paris; in France, Armistice day is a bank holiday.  Whilst I know its slightly different here because they got invaded but I think England should consider this. Zoe put it perfectly 'two minutes just isn't long enough to think'. So I went with my church to the Royal British Legion's service in the cathédrale de Notre Dame. Wow. I was so blessed and humbled to go to that service. It was beautiful, the British scouts and guides were there, war veterans in their dress with all their medals, the procession was lead by Scottish pipers and there was an amazing sermon on war. It was amazing, I was so proud to be British and it was lovely to sing the national anthem in such a breathtaking building. This was followed up by coffee with Cath, our first Christmas coffees of the season got us in the Christmas mood and we made some exciting plans. I went home very happy on Tuesday.  

Today has been spent trying to get everything done before the busy weekend ahead, more about that after.

The one with two parts

I need another holiday already! This week has been crazy busy, so yes this blog will have two parts.

First off, I forgot something I did in the holidays; on the Wednesday me and Cath took the longest autumn walk ever. Call me a geek but I love it, so much. We walked around Jardin de Luxembourg, Saint-Germain area and a little way down the river to Tuileries. It was so pretty.

Back to last week and whilst the week was pretty boring the weekend was far from it! Faye, the au pair who was with my family before me, was visiting. Not gonna lie I was nervous, what if I was doing everything wrong and a rubbish job! Thankfully I don't think she thought so (at least she didn't say anything if she did :-)) I was so nice having an extra hand and someone to talk to whilst A wanted to play in his room. We had nibbles and fizzy wine with I in the evening which was nice to sit and have a chance to chat without enfants around. Then I went to Zoe's lush new flat for some gin and biscuits. And then I went to meet Cath and the elusive Nico. Well, that was an experience.

Cath tells me to not expect much because this bar is unique. She says think cat lady, well, I thought and I just saw my future so I was not too worried. Le P'tit Bar (Le Petit Bar) is not like any other bar you will EVER go in. There is nothing I can compare it too so close your eyes and imagine this; walking into a room no bigger the my kitchen in Mill Street or my upstairs in Paris or my bedroom in the Vicarage. If you've seen  none of these think small. I think the space itself is actually pretty roomy but there is just so much stuff in this place. 'The Hoarder next door' would have a field day!!! The Christmas decorations are still/already up, the spirit bottles are all caked in dust, there is a plant occupying most of the front space and for some reason half eaten loaves of bread everywhere. Do not go to this place if you have OCD and care for hygiene beyond an average person. There were 6/7 of us there and we took up pretty much all the room there is to stand there, you had to get pretty personal with everyone pretty quickly to move round there. After I adjusted to my surroundings, the smell and the new people I was offered a drink (beer from a bottle thank goodness) at which point I saw the landlady. Wow this must be a woman into her late eighties/nineties, pretty deaf and not all there. Story is she's run the bar ever since her husband died, it's a labour of love, yes it's a shithole but that's because this woman won't accept anyone's help, she can do it all by herself (you go Glen Coco). She's pretty cool, she accuses people of stealing her decorations and can't add up so paying was a bit of a to do. There is also a cat tucked away and some birds which I thought were stuffed at first. This bar was an experience, English health and safety would die if they saw it, I however quite liked it, not for too long because the smell permeates you lungs and the toilet is unacceptable but a couple of beers puts some money in Madame P's till and keeps her going. I'm so sad I didn't have my camera to take photographic evidence of this place, just a good reason to go back.

Saturday was pretty fun, bit of redecorating in a room at church. Was nice to get painty again. And there were only four of us but it was super fun, it also made it that but more rewarding when the job was done. Saturday night I went to Natalie and Jodie's where Faye was staying for dinner and drinks before heading out to Le  Violon Dingue. Helen and Michel also joined us. These were all Faye's friends before, she put me in contact with them all, so I was the newbie/outsider, I never felt like it though! I had such a good night, even if all the sambuca shots didn't agree with everyone... There was good food, goodish wine, sparklers on the balcony, lots of laughter and a bit if dancing, reminded me of an aber night tbh, I miss those. Although Sunday morning I did do the usual 'never drinking again thing'

To be continued...

Too many sandwiches and biscuits

Holidays over, back to work. Not actually as bad as it sounds, pains me to admit that I missed my little munchkins at their faces at my front door on Monday morning made me crack a smile through my bleary red wine fug.

I'll be honest,I'm struggling to remember what I spent my second week doing, I know there was lots of coffee and baking involved. The work in the kitchen was in full swing so it was super awks hanging chez moi during the day, shout out to my church's kitchen for providing a sanctuary for me to bake in during the week. Other then that it was nice to have coffee etc with friends and not have to dash off somewhere after, Paris is about taking your time and so often there's no chance too. Friday was fun, me and Gemma went to the architecture museum at the Trocadéro, another freebie. The museum is fantastic, I particularly enjoyed the casts of gothic architecture from around France;  more then that though the views from the building were beautiful too. We followed our culture up with a stroll back to our hood via the Seine where we stumbled upon the Radio France building in the middle of a big fire, merde! This obviously was hungry work so we treated ourselves to M&S sandwichs for lunch. After I met up with Zoe where curtain pole shopping turned into Friday afternoon drinks in the sun, the dream. This was a favourite past time of mine from uni and it was so nice to gave a chance to afternoon drink again! Halloween night was a pretty chilled night at Gemma's, I've only ever dressed up for Halloween once in my life so I really didn't feel like I missed much having a quietish night in.

Saturday was, in my books, a perfect Parisian day. It started with coffee and some bible study which really put a few things into perspective for me. This was followed by a wander through Le Marais to Place voyage via falafel stands and Yiddish pâtisseries for lunch supplies. I got a salt beef sandwich because my sister challenged me to find the best one (and if you know me at all you know I can't resist challenges) I think I could leave this world happy now knowing I've found the greatest sandwich ever. So we made the most of the heat that was still holding on, it was November 1st and we were still in light jackets and cardies. I will say though that now we've finally got a winter chill going on, I have even considered gloves the past couple of days...

Saturday night, I got the house to myself for the first time since moving here, bliss. Stock up on rubbish food and watched Gossip Girl all evening. Sunday of course was busy, Bubbles in the morning for probably the last time and then sound desk in the evening. I don't resent busy Sundays at my church at all though, in fact I love them. My family Skyped me on Sunday after lunch, I miss them so much but I was so nice to see them altogether and be a part of family day virtually. Little things like that keep you going whilst you're away. Sunday night consisted of one glass of wine after the evening service turning into three bottles between three of us. Whilst Monday was a fog of fatigue I don't regret it, it was one of those evenings where you sit down and realise you have so much to talk about with the people your with. We kept ordering more wine because we had so much more to say, not because we were on a mission for a heavy night.

Monday I came back down to earth with a thud, lessons are back on and the kids are back in my care after school. Between this and the commitment I have to things at church I'm happily busy, I have never been one who enjoys doing nothing, I need to be active and doing stuff. Tonight is the first chance I've had to sit down and finish this blog off that I started writing on Tuesday.... oops.

Although it give me a good chance to share what I shared with most people I saw today, I need to stop eating so many biscuits in this darn city. These last two weeks have been ridiculous food wise, no kitchen has meant grabbing whatever where ever and that has normally meant rubbish junk food. I normally feeds me fruit and veg every day (that makes me sound like a child but the mum does do all my cooking...) without someone giving it to me a never buy fruit and obviously choose sandwiches over salad. I survived just about at uni by the invention that was stir fry and a gym membership, here I don't even have my running shoes. Paris is a city with a boulangerie every ten metres, I have very low will power when it comes to pain au chocolats. Let's also not forget Monday when I ate crepes for breakfast, cheeseburger for lunch and crepes for dinner. Merde. I shouldn't even eat white bread, I'd given it up before I moved here, ffs. Now the wonderment that is French food has worn off maybe I should go back to making sure I don't get scurvy or rickets. And the kitchen is finished now so fingers crossed I will provide ample bananas for me to munch on, although last time I ate a banana it was pretty traumatic...

what have we all learnt?

I love holidays. A chance to chill out, relax, catch up with people and watch far too much Gossip Girl. Apart from the usual coffee and wandering around whilst chatting I have yet to do much touristy; maybe I don't feel much like a tourist anymore! Friday was lovely though, I met Gemma, another fellow au pair. We both live along the same metro line so we jumped on and went down to the other end of the line; Jardin des plantes is there. This is not a garden but a huge outdoor area with different garden within (alpine garden etc) about 5 different museums AND a zoo, well a ménagerie technically but still. It made for lovely autumn walking, even though it was super busy it was quiet and calm, perfect. We made a stop off at the paleontology museum so we could check out some dinosaur bones, I was not dissaponted! Then we walked along the Seine to St Germain for crepes and window shopping. Turns out Gemma is a fellow ex monsoonie too, we worked for the company around the same time too so we chatted ex uniform outfits for ages. I have done lots of autumnal walking this week, it is my absolute favourite time of year and Paris does have some stunning parks for an amble through.

As for weekend fun, as per usual Friday night was whiskey fuelled and Saturday night red wine fuelled. Although the red wine the night before a long day in the church, not ideal but as it was a church member's party I wasn't the only one suffering which eased my hangover slightly! (That and cossiants and coffee).

So something I've been talking to a few people about recently is what I'm learning in Paris; and I'm not talking about French. Moving aboard to a big city has taught me a few things, first off that I don't think I could live in a city for a long time, I miss vast open spaces and fresh air. But beyond things like that Paris is teaching me about myself, I've realised some of the things I want in life and some of the things I have, I don't want. I've learnt to be calmer, adopt an air of sophistication about myself (don't laugh) but seriously, Parisians just take life in their stride; they are very loosely strung. I'm learning that I can survive amongst natives and not feel out of place. I'm learning the hard way why you see so many people out running in Paris (boulangeries on every corner play a big part in this) and that everyone kisses here. Yeah like seriously, at a party full of Parisians I was told off for being so bloody English for sticking out a hand to shake; you have to say you're leaving 10 minutes before you actually want to because you have to go round everyone for a kiss on each check before you go. I'm learning that I can speak as much French as I want, the moment I say my name the game is up, it is a very English name, the French people I meet struggle with the sounds in it, this hadn't even crossed my mind when I came! 

But beyond me learning I'm also loving every moment of teaching the munchkins, not just the English but everything else that they're learning having me as a big sister. From the little things like our weekend song (Calvin Harris 'Ready for the weekend) which we sing/dance tUoo every Friday but they now start it off not me. E is now as good as my mum at reply 'life isn't fair' to A's continual 'it's not fair' whines. I've taught them how to make Welsh Cakes and what they are, they want to go to Aberystwyth with me one day so we can buy some Welsh cakes from a popity and sit on the sea front to eat them. A is now quite the Narnia expert and E has discovered her inner indie girl and only wants to listen to the Verve and the Kooks. Past the little things there are bigger things, that I by no means have complete control over but can play my small part in teaching and changing.

 For A it's a more positive outlook on life, I call him my little Eeyore but he seriously just doesn't like doing anything, he grumbles about everything and it's very difficult to please him. He gets in trouble with me and his parents because his complete lack of enthusiasm leads to him being quite rude and difficult. I don't dwell on it with him and when it's just me and him, he chooses games etc; we found massive common ground with Narnia, I've had to remember how to play pokemon and I am quite an expert in our marble game now. I live for moments when he won't stop talking because he loves what he's talking about. He must struggle having only having girl au pairs and an extrovert for a sister so I never hold his Eeyorness against him; even on the really tough days I never let the sun go down on a grumble, we always make friends again in time for a bisous and hug after dinner.

E sat at the lunch table on Saturday, her pops wasn't there and when it's me and I we tend to sit around and put the world to rights. Our topic of conversation on Saturday was healthy eating, I is a huge believer in the power of fruit and veg and teaching children from a young age about food. E is 6, her parents and me spend the majority of meals telling her to eat; she is hugely fussy and takes little interest in the food on her plate. However what is served to her must be eaten, the children in this household do not waste food. I mentioned that I am a self confessed ex fussy eater, I think I was worse as a teenager but maybe my parents will beg to differ and then I told me of their niece, same age as E, living in the states, only eats chips and ketchup. Well I don't have to spell it out for you to imagine the physical difference between the two little girls. Then I heard the line that made my hear plummet 'but I'm much fatter then the other girls in my class', oh dear E. Me and I exchanged a look, took deep breaths and said in unison 'no you're not, don't be silly'; E is the most petite little thing ever, not even slightly fat. But I fear we were falling on deaf ears, at one point E decided she was fatter than me. Me and I have very similar builds, we're both above average height and have curves, I would love E to aspire to look like us but not unhealthily. E's mum has taught her so much about being a strong independent woman already (I was once told that 'I'll do what I want' when enquiring whether she would marry a prince one day), that I'm sure she will grow out of this stage but that doesn't stop it scaring me. I am extremely aware that I should always be the best woman I can be in front of E, I want her to grow up like I did, surrounded by amazing women that I could aspire to be, I don't want her to crumble to the pressures of society and fade into the background. 

So yes, passion and strength, that's what I'd like to leave a lasting impression in the munchkin's mind about.

One last thing, the family I live with are amazing, I was all worried about food and stuff for this week but I don't know why, the freezer is packed with ready meals and us 3 adults just sat around and had somewhat of a grown up picnic for dinner. I am extremely well cared for here.

and breathe...

IT'S MY HOLIDAY!!! That's right guys, I made it through the first half term. 10 days of peace and quiet ahead. Except it's not really peace and quiet; les enfants are still present until Sunday so no doubt I will still be summoned to draw animals in fairytale scenes when necessary. After that they're off on their holipops, bliss?? No, D&I are getting a new kitchen, so there will be workman everywhere and nowhere to eat. As previously mentioned my chambre has no kind of kitchen, all my food is provided for me however whilst there is no kitchen in the house and I'm technically on vacances I'm not 100% sure how it will work. Oh the joys of living in your employer's house. If anyone wants to come visit and take me for dinner, form an orderly queue and if anyone wants to buy me a ticket home for a visit, you do that, I will not stop you!! 

E decided she couldn't draw wolves so I had to instead....

So this last week and a bit have been tiring, after my birthday weekend I spent the first part of the week catching up with life. By the time I'd got my shit together it was Wednesday and those lovely French teacher's decided to strike, cheers pals. So I had E&A for the first time for a whole day, wow, even with all the baking I decided to do it was such a long day. 

We made Welsh Cakes 

Thurs and Fri involved work, a French test and lazy coffees avec amis, nothing terribly interesting though.  Friday was a pretty standard 'drink too much whiskey and stumble into bed at 6am' night. D delightfully arranged a really important meeting with the tax people, who needed to look around my quarters, on Saturday morn. Let's just say D had more then a laugh at my expense when I stumbled into the kitchen (probably still stinking of whiskey), sat nursing coffee till the men left then practically ran back up to the safety of my bed. Eventually I rallied, the weather in Paris was blooming beautiful on Saturday, sunglasses and shorts weather!! So I met Cath in the Marais for falafel and a vintage shop binge, essentially we just wandered around chatting for ages as per usual. Saturday evening was something new, Cath has Parisian friends and she invited me to go along with her to one of their fancy dress bday parties. Yes please! I ended up throwing together a 'land girl' outfit that quickly became a 50's pinup girl costume when I tried and failed to explain what a land girl was two too many times. The party was so fun though, these guys are warm welcoming Parisians who never make me feel out of place or laugh at my French.

Sunny Saturday

Sunday was a favourite of mine, after starting to attend an English speaking Anglican church here I have quickly found myself getting involved and helping out. Something about feeling super strange going to church and not helping out in a way. One way I've found myself getting involved with is, surprise surprise, the children! There's a desperate need for children helpers at the church, and considering all the experience I've picked up over the years I felt it was something I was placed in the church to help with. It was so much fun! All my worries and stress were forgotten for a few hours whilst I painted fish on aprons and sang songs about creation. It felt nice to be helping too. I ended up hanging about at the church all day actually, I had lunch with some of the other young adults that are really involved there and we escaped for a walk in the sunshine at one point; it's nice to spend time with people that I can share doubts or high points of my faith with but can also learn from and guide too. The evening service at the church is aimed at young adults, students, au pairs etc, it's the service I normally attend; this Sunday I was there behind the sound desk, help was needed and thanks to my degree it was second nature really. A lovely but busy day ended in a wonderful cafe called 'Breakfast in America', a group of us young people decided pancakes and French toast was needed, it was insanely good food and company. It was also a good breather before this week started.

This week that has been 3 full days with the kiddies. I. Am. Exhausted. As amazing as munchkin 1 & 2 are there are still a 8 year old who loves to wind his sister up and a 6 year old who gets wound up super easy by her brother (sound familiar Arding family??). Anyway we got there, swimming club every morning has been a blessing then Boxtrolls Monday afternoon (highly recommended film) baking Tuesday afternoon and tutor this afternoon have eased the full on days. We only had tears once and I only had to say stop about 56 times.... this is quite good going for us. But I can't complain, that's it for the holidays for me now, I know some au pairs working solidly through the two weeks!

I intend to spend my 10 days off seeing more of Paris and hopefully discovering new things! I still have a huge list of things I want to do and, like most cities, Paris always has something new happening. Wish me luck on uncovering some hidden gems x

I turned 23

So my birthday that I was worried about because I wasn't sure I'd enjoy being away, yeah didn't need to worry, turning 23 à Paris has been amazing.

Birthday time started on Wednesday, my French host family tricked me by telling me I was babysitting, really I was being taken out for dinner by them, to a bloody nice restaurant too. I am so so so blessed with my family, they truly do treat me like a member of the family. D is hilarious and knows everything, I is my soul sister and such an amazing woman et le deux enfants? Yeah I'm pretty attached to them. I'd also like to point out that I look like family, people think I'm the kiddies mum and I've also had aunt, it's becoming a bit of a running joke in the house now. Anyways dinner, friggin amazing, roast cod and millefeuille, très bien! AND I tried steak tartare and liked it; to put this into context 2 months ago I'd never eaten a steak but now I eat my beef rare as it comes, welcome to France Kate! Dinner avec Mon famille français was totally a moment where I felt like I am doing well here and felt like a family member not just an employee.

Next part of 23 was Friday morning I guess. First of confession time, I am a world war geek, I love anything about the two world wars so Friday morning I took myself off to Invalides to have a mosey round the army museum. Ok wow, Invalides is amazing beautiful and so worth a visit. Extra bonus is that it was free because of the whole 18-26 EU citizen thing, the lovely ticket man eyed up my passport and wished me happy early birthday, so cute. The museum did not disappoint, there's so much to see! There's a museum for Napoleon and some other historical army things too, it's a good few hours worth of stuff there. Old Napoleon is also laid to rest in the chapel there, in the most lavish style, never seen a tomb quite like it! Invalides would be a top recommendation guys, the architecture is insane and there's so much to do there especially if you're a history nerd too.

Napoleon's tomb

The chapels beaut dome

Part trois was Friday night with some lovely ladies, a few drinks or something, we all know how it goes with me.... It was super fun though, and as per usual I ended up rocking in in the wee hours. After having stopped to photograph le tour Eiffel looking all mysterious encase in cloud and early morning sky; I'm taking this moment to point out that my Instagram did not do that justice, if I hadn't been so drunk I would've realised how shit that photo was.

Then comes my actual birthday! Which started with brunch with Jodie and Natalie, inherited from Faye my predecessor; I have been super lucky to meet these girls and brunch was so yummy and fun. Then I spent the afternoon with Catherine and Bella mooching around Paris, dragging them into pet shops and drinking coffee, the sun was shining and I definitely thought 'there's no place I'd rather be' a few times. It was the perfect birthday day. Finally Saturday night, drinks at a friend who au pairs for children at the same school as mine and then drinks out with mainly school friends but a few extras. It was slightly more chilled then Friday and by this I mean I got the last metro home but I still managed to drink enough whiskey and tequila sunrises that is acceptable on your birthday! Aw it was all so wonderful guys, like definitely a birthday I won't forget.

On top of all of this I received so many beautiful messages from everyone, everyone at home, people here in Paris who couldn't make it out, family members, best friends etc etc. It's the beautiful thing in the modern world, it's so easy to write happy birthday somewhere and press send but so many were lovely personal messages, it filled me with lots of love and happiness! 

So thank you to everyone, thank you to those I saw over the course of the weekend. Thank you to those that I didn't get to see but sent lovely messages. Thank you to my parents and siblings for your love filled messages. Thank you to my girls back home for missing me :-) etc etc. One little 'happy birthday' can mean to world to someone, it can remind them that they're loved but also that you're there and you still care. So be kind everyone, say happy birthday as much as you can.

This or that?

I am sitting here writing this is some kind of major food coma; I just got fed the most amazing traditional Normandy dish, eggs, potatoes and cauliflower all topped with creamy,cheesy goodness. I was in food heaven, especially this yucky cold rainy Paris day. Yup that's right guys, Paris' beautiful Indian summer is over, I'm not complaining though, I was a bit sick of dresses with bare legs but mid September let alone October 1st .

This week has honestly been a pretty quiet week, most of us started classes this week and all the children's after school activities have started so I for one spent most of the week adjusting. My classes are brilliant, I can string together French sentences now and understand a lot more of what's being said around me. I do struggle with saying French words that are so close to the English version, 'quart' was the latest to be a pain in my ass. On the flip side, teaching the children English is going rather well, their sentences are starting to make more sense and in ils école they get chosen to demonstrate English to the other children. I had a moment whilst teaching them the difference between 'this' and 'that', I actually couldn't work out the answers for the exercise; if any of you meet my French charges and cringe at their wrong usage of 'this', sorry!!

We did Wednesday wine again this week but decided we had too much to celebrate for just wine so (cheap) champagne was drunk too, nope this was not a good idea; general agreement on Thursday, never again! I spent Thursday feeling beyond fragile and generally wasting a day. Friday was a pretty quiet one by my usual standards, a few drinks and home by half 1 but then I made up for it on Saturday. Saturday was spent wandering around department stores and a musées avec Cath, it was also the last sunny day in Paris. Then finally Saturday night, it was Nuit Blanche in Paris but I'm gonna be honest that not only do I still not really know what Nuit Blanche is, I didn't actually see any of it. Oops. Still a night spent out with proper Parisians (and Cath & Delaine sponsored by whiskey) was a pretty damn good alternative...

(I managed to bore myself to sleep writing this last night, it doesn't give me great hope that any of you will find this any more interesting...)

If any of you have missed my updates or subtle hints (or are just wank friends) it's my 23rd birthday on Saturday, I wasn't actually really looking forward to it till the last 24hrs. I am unlucky in a sense of where my birthday falls because it's pretty close to the beginning of the academic year. At school this was never a problem, I never saw it as a hindrance BUT then I went to uni and my birthday was about 2 weeks after arriving at university. I had made friends but no one like my girls back home and it was my first birthday away from any family, it was a strange experience. Don't get me wrong, I loved my Trefloyne birthday; there was a chicken nugget birthday cake for one but fast forward to my 22nd last year, my 90's birthday with the best friends I made a uni; people that know me so well, the two don't compare! (The middle birthday at uni was utter shite but we can all thank a certain ex for that). It's a completely different experience celebrating things with people who know you inside out, upside down and back to front. ANYWAYS yes I was super apprehensive about 23rd à Paris, will I actually have fun?? But some reassurance and making plans with some of the friends I have made here has left me looking forward too it. How often do you get a birthday in Paris anyway, I better make the most of it!!

E did me some beautiful artwork for my room today, she puts me to shame artistically...

Je parle français

I have now been a Parisian for a month, it is still the most exciting thing ever. This week has thrown it's fair share of ups and downs at me.

Thursday was a stressful day; everything went tits up with my French lessons and D phoned me at 9am to inform me to go to the new school I was going to be having lessons to take a test, merde. So I went and obviously answer about 1 1/2 questions which made me feel rubbish about my French ability all over again. I am also someone who needs important things like this sorted or else I stress and worry (somewhat of a flaw) so you can imagine what last minute test and getting the last place in a class was doing to me. Anyho, it of course sorted itself out! I had my first French lessons today, whilst I wasn't the best in the class I was by no means the least either, actually helped people at times. Onwards with positivity that I'll wow you all with my French skills soon.

Whilst Thursday was stressful I still found fun things to do. Thank goodness for Bella and her willingness to go find places with me, she met me after the test and we went to the Muséum national D'histoire naturelle (the natural history museum) another freebie for 18-25 ans. The museum is in huge grounds and has like 4 different buildings, we just went to Le Grande Galeries de L'évolution; a big room of stuffed animals, I loved it!!! We then had a lovely couple of hours at the Au pair cafe we go to, such a lovely chance to catch up and unload stress. Unsurprisingly I found myself drifting behind the bar making drinks (tea and coffee not pints unfortunately) old habits die hard!

 Le Grande Galeries de L' évolution

Friday was a quiet morning, I had washing etc to do, the children were a handful on Friday, A didn't want to talk to me and E was to hyper to listen, deep breath... but we got there. Such an encouraging moment when you think the English grammar you've been teaching for a week has gone unremembered then you do an end of the week test and both children ace it! I have hope for my teaching skills yet! Friday night was spent having homemade mojitos at Delaine's whilst watching the Eiffel tower sparkle in the distance. We then ventured to a bar recommended to us by D, not exactly my kinda place but we wandered (stumbled) around the corner to The Guinness Tavern where we were treated like princesses and sat listening to a brilliant live band till 5:30am. I managed to come home with a rose in my bag in place of my trusty map (luckily Bella had it!) and then proceeded to prove why my phone should be confiscated after a 'busy' night, yeah sorry about that, pretty sure you don't mind though . As you can imagine this made me fit for not a lot on Saturday, just about made it out for a couple of hours to wander down the Seine and meet the girls on Ille st Louis whilst they ate ice-cream and I photographed ducks.

Cheers birthday girls and Tim

This looks about 3amish

Lil duckies

Saturday night saw me venture out to the 'burbs for a birthday, Natalie's birthday to be precise, the wonderful youth worker of the church I've started attending, runner of Au Pair cafe and friend of my predecessor. It was such a lovely evening where I had some of the most encouraging chats I've had in a while, I needed that, sometimes you need someone to tell you it's all ok and you're doing fine. I met some amazing people on Saturday night, so many stories to share, many who knew the previous au pair from my family so it was easy to start conversations. Sunday was another lovely day, more exploring with Bella. We went to 59 rue Rivoli, a 6 storey buildings that artists get three month residencies in; it was insanely beautiful. It's free and we'll worth a visit. We then stumbled upon a French car boot fair thing and rummaged through vintage shops. A good day was made even better by an amazing evening service, I was so blessed to be there for that experience

I have missed home a lot this week. I've missed the people I left behind there, there's so much I want to show you all. I was also missing two of my best best girl's birthdays AND my brother's 30th, so sad. This is the one thing I hate about living away, missing the big events like this. I hope you guys all had the most amazing days!! Big love to you.