The first 48 hours

Yeah so I managed to highlight this writing and no idea how to change it, sorrrryyy

Bonjour from Paris (finally) I am currently lying on my bed in my little annexe trying to process the past 48hrs. I will not sugar coat it, there have been some hard moments but there have also been moments that will stay with me forever. I am going to try and sit here and tell you everything from my first two days in Paris, I'm not sure I can remember everything but we'll give it a whirl.

( please imagine this said in big brother voice over accent ) Day one of Kate's Parisian adventure

So I am met from my Eurostar by D the dad and A & E, my little charges for the year; it was bloody terrifying, but E made it easier by talking to me straight away about the flag she coloured for me (super cool) and grabbing my hand. I was then thrust unceremoniously into Parisian life and onto a bus; sat next to E and behind D and A we embark on the hour journey to the other side of Paris, the 15th  Arrondissement or to me now, home. My new house is beyond cool, hidden behind an iron gate and through a courtyard from films is a converted cookie warehouse (when I have some alone time I'll snap some pictures for y'all to see) The annexe is at the front with a separate entrance onto the courtyard, I have a study, bathroom, bedroom and dressmakers dummy; all I need. How I'm describing it doesn't do justice to this house, I am in love with it. After seeing the house we went walking, lots of walking. D showed me just about everything around me now and so you all can get an idea if how 'in Paris' I am, it took me 10 minutes to walk to the Eiffel tower (it looms quite nicely over the area I live)  We walked back down the Seine, my second favourite river to walk alongside, we eyed up all the lovely houseboats and cruise ships. Next was the shopping centre, it's relatively new and one of the biggest in Paris, it's on my street, anyone who knows me knows this is asking for trouble. BIG NEWS though guys, 2 Marks and Spencer's in Paris, the biggest one is in said shopping centre- come at me M&S food when I'm homesick. After this was supermarket shopping and many 'honestly I'll eat whatever' from me and then for the Grande Finale, a trip to a Parisian bakery, it was all I imagined it would be. D asked which cake I wanted for dessert, I just pointed at one that looked tasty; well I shit you not that was one of my better food choices in life. It was a Paris-Brest, choux pastry and praline cream, as good as it sounds. Back at Chez Kate I had some time to unpack then dinner. Dinner was tuna fish and lentils, better then it sounds, cheese and our desserts (all washed down with fizzy wine). After dinner I (mum) and D went through a few more things with me, they invited me to sit with them in the living room but after hearing what I needed to I beat a hasty retreat into my sanctuary. I was definitely done for the day.

So whilst this all sounds super fun it was laced with moments of 'holy fuck what am I doing', 'shit I'm homesick already' and 'their going to sack me because my French is wank'. I had to give myself a stern talking to and lots of prayers but I know I can do this. Points of calm came from seeing messages from loved ones sent to me throughout the day and knowing none of you are far away. I have wanted to move to a foreign country for so long and France was the dream that this experience has kind of become me testing myself.

Day 2

Day 2 started with the whole 'when's the right time to go for breakfast' internal debate with myself, I picked my timing well and we were off to a good start. Next on the agenda, the Friday market down the street, it was amazing the fish stall blew my mind! D and I are huge on fresh produce and locally sourced, fine by me!! When we were home again D prepared lunch so I got my first chance to interact with the children, it was such a nice relief from remembering everything! For lunch we were joined by a friend of D's doing some work around the house; this was the first time sitting talking to someone who does not have a clue what your saying and vice versa. The internationally well-known language of shoulder shrugs, hand gesture and noises works, he was lovely. However that triumph was followed by a fail, we went to set up my bank account and again the woman spoke no English, my well-known understood language quite clearly was never taught to her. A low point was asking the children to translate but saying this we got there and I am now the proud owner of a post office bank account, albeit a French one. When I left the woman gave me a huge smile whilst I stumbled through my thank you, I think she appreciated the gesture... I think. My spirits were lifted once more when we went with D to see a man about a dog, honestly not a single clue what we were doing but it was super fun. The man puts the f in flamboyant and we all left with new bracelets he gave us, it was quite an experience and that bracelet will always remind me of my first days in Paris. Excursions were followed by games of dominos and Uno then dinner (exceptional pasta and fruit). D and I asked me to sit with them in the sitting room for a while but I escaped again to my room, I will join them but my brain hurts from all the French at the moment.

Today the feeling of dread and homesick have subsided, they are still there though. My sister called me brave today, she says brave I just say flipping crazy! Don't get me wrong though I am loving it and I am happy, D just told me how quickly the children have taken to me and how well I'm doing. Plus it's sunny and hot here, Paris at her best.

Anyway that's enough for now, I've bored myself talking here. Photos will all follow soon. X

The final few days...

It's Monday, on Thursday morning I'll board a Eurostar train bound for Paris to start the new chapter of my life, I still have lots to do (including pack which I hate doing). Instead of doing important things I am curled up on the sofa enjoying movie day with my sister and thinking back over a truly wonderful weekend.

Friday
I had my last shift in the Five Bells; a stereotypical Kent country pub full of locals who I've become rather fond of over the summer and who have become rather fond of me it would seem. It all started as a normal shift, I had a few drinks bought for me but that's nothing unusual in the pub. Then 9pm hit and a cheese board appeared, a regular had bought it all in after remembering how much I love cheese. My boss then unceremoniously pushed me out from behind the bar and onto a stool. I did not pay for a single drink the whole night and I was more than slightly merry. I was so touched by everything; the effort of all my favourite regulars to join me for a drink, the card signed by everyone and all the kind words and demands to return whenever I could. I was especially touched that my fellow barmaid I work Friday nights with gave me a present. I am so lucky to have landed such a fun job over the summer!

So much love in a card

Saturday

Saturday started very hungover, I was good for nothing most of the day! The evening was super fun though; all the girls came over for an indoor bbq and many drinks. These are the girls I went to school with, 4 years after leaving we can all still sit around talk and laugh for hours. I have shared some of the funnest moments of my life with those girls and I pretty sure that will continue for years to come; there's already talks of a Parisian new year. We were a lady down though, she's been travelling over America this summer and gets home 2 weeks after I leave, GUTTED! I was super spoiled by these girls too, a homemade Paris survival pack including a mug with all our group pictures on, an unbelievably cool homemade card which cracked me up and the cutest coaster with film from one of my favourite scenes in Pretty Woman. I had such a fun night, I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends, wherever I go in this world I know they'll always be there, on the end of the phone, through snapchat or for some rambling conversation on FB. 

One of my favourite ever pictures

Sunday

Sunday was family day, I got my wish of a long drawn out lunch, we didn't leave the dinner table till 4pm. We had yummy food (pot roast chicken, cookies and a cheese board) washed down with wine, beer and gin; it was so nice to sit around all afternoon chat with my siblings about this that and the other, I missed Sunday lunches at university and I'll miss them whilst I'm in Paris too. My biggest sister Rachael gave me a hangover mug which I decided to use for my beer (hair of the dog right?) and a super cool canvas tote for all my Paris market trips :) my littlest big sister made my the coolest banner ever! Jens is super creative and always makes me things for presents. I love my family stupid amounts and I'll miss them like crazy but I know I can always come home. 

Such a cute banner

So that was my weekend of goodbyes, so bittersweet! This time next week I'll be starting my first full week living and working in Paris, I keep having to pinch myself when I say that! Here's hoping I remember to do everything before I leave...

By the way my sister's both have blogs, here's Jen's review of the pub I worked in http://reviewthatj.blogspot.ie/2014/08/the-five-bells-eynsford.html and  here's Rachael talking about chicken  nuggetshttp://girlinthekentishkitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/grown-up-chicken-nuggets.html

I'll see you soon then

This time in a week I will be less then 24hrs away from embarking on the new chapter in my life. Feelings today are stressed and tired, I'm having to try extremely hard to regain my positive mental attitude that I'm usually annoying everyone else with.

I'm stressed because I've realised just how much I have left to do and having lost my car (more about that in a minute) I'm having to rely on my Dad again to chauffeur me everywhere, lame! Things seem to be costing money to, money I'm trying to save so I don't go to Paris penniless, that would not be ideal. I have been provided with an escape and distraction this week in the form of a group of six year olds and the church holiday club. My sister is running the group I'm helping with and she is insanely organised, so all I have to do is turn up and be enthusiastic and creative, I don't have time to worry in the mornings this week :) 

I'm tired because I still haven't caught up on sleep from the weekend; as I said last post that I was venturing back to Aberystwyth for one final time. Ventured is probably a good way to describe my journey to Aberystwyth, maybe the most stressful and longest ever; it started with my car blowing up on the M1 and finished with a rail replacement coach getting me to Aberystwyth 1 1/2 hours late. I left my house at 8:30am and touched down in Aber at 7:00pm, if that isn't dedication to my best friends I don't know what is!! The nightmare journey was worth it though, a weekend spent reminiscing and drinking. It was also just as hard as I imagined, I cried on my 5am train because I knew I wasn't going back to start another year there. Aberystwyth will ALWAYS hold an extremely happy place in my heart, I made so many memories there; I found some of the best friends ever, started relationships (and finished them), had some of the funnest nights of my life and somewhere along the way got a degree. On top of all of that it is a beautiful seaside town. I managed to rally my hungover self on Sunday afternoon to take a little wander round town and snap some of my favourite views and places in Aber.

How could you not fall in love with a town with views like this?

Seriously?

The Castle theatre, so many early mornings and late night here.

And finally Mill Street, my home for a year, the happiest home I had at uni.

I must just pay tribute to Bear and Robyn my two best friends remaining in Aber; Bear met me off the coach and had exactly the same plan in mind as me (food and a pint). We then proceeded to have a bloomin' good night out for her birthday, me and Bear excel in partying (we would've got a first if that was our degree). And Robyn because she offers up the empty side of her double bed when I go back, pays for my dinner and makes me free Lady Grey iced tea. Friendship with these two is effortless, the best kind.

Me, Bear & Robyn

So I had to say goodbye to those two last weekend and this weekend will be even worse; goodbye to my lovely pub that I've been working in this summer and goodbye to my girls here. I HATE goodbyes though, they're such a final thing, so I don't ever really say goodbye it's always just 'see you soon then'. As I enter my final week in the country I think I'll be saying this line A LOT.

Till next time readers x

2 1/2 weeks to go

Here it is, the start of my new blog. I've started this blog to keep everyone updated whilst I'm away but also to hopefully, by the time the year is up, help out other potential au pairs.

That's why I moving to Paris in 2 1/2 weeks time, to move in with a family I've only ever met through Skype and become their Au pair or 'big sister' as they like to refer to it as. I thought I'd start this now because it turns out the lead up to leaving is just as important as the leaving.

So I'm a 22 year old scenography and theatre design graduate, I graduated at 22 because I already had a gap year before uni. I had some crazy notion during that first gap year about Au pairing but never actually did it. Then 6 months ago everyone was getting their life together, deciding what to do after uni and all I had in mind is that when I left university I didn't want to move home. I thought about travelling, I thought about working for free throughout Europe, I thought about cruise ships; I basically thought about it all. I eventually decided I wanted to be somewhere for a period of time before moving on again, I particularly wanted to improve one of the three languages I speak awfully a little bit. So 3 years later I came back around to the idea of being an Au pair, this time I was determined to see it through. I love working with children and I've had a lot of opportunity over the years; through church activities, teaching dancing and in my first gap year I child minded a lovely little boy, I was in no doubt I could manage looking after children. I signed up to Au Pair World ( www.aupair-world.co.uk HIGHLY recommended) wrote a profile and sat back to see what would happen. I said I'd go to Germany because I speak German best, France because I freaking love everything French and Switzerland because why the hell not?? One week and 65 families applying to me later I was a bit stressed by the whole thing, how did I choose what family was right for me? Then I came across a family of four looking for a new 'Big Sister' a little girl who loves dancing, an older boy who love Lego and parents who love food and will pay for my French Lessons. Perfect!

Applying to be an Au pair isn't that easy though, the family have to get to know you, they are after all, inviting you into their house and trusting you with their children. So it was another couple of months, e-mails to and fro, a Skype session where I was so nervous I couldn't even say 'Bonjour' and then one boring Monday evening I received an e-mail asking me to go and be their Au pair. Getting a job has never been so exciting.

Fast forward to now; I've finished my degree, I've graduated, I've been working as a barmaid in a typical Kent country pub and I'm two and a bit weeks away from the start of my new adventure. People keep asking me if I'm nervous, honestly? I bricking it BUT I'm also excited beyond belief, Paris has been my dream for years now and I'm actually going to live it. 

The thing I'm least looking forward to is leaving everyone, I have an amazing family and some beautiful friends here, it's been super nice to be back this summer and have some time to spend with them all. Within the time I have left here I have 1 pub leaving do (I have become rather attached to my lovely Kent pub and will be tough to say goodbye), 1 family leaving lunch (one of those long, drawn out, boozy ones if I get my way) and 1 friends leaving BBQ (at which I intend on getting drunk and telling everyone I love them). Before all of that though I have an important trip to make, back to my university town of Aberystwyth, the place I called home for 3 years. It's my bestest friend's Bear birthday so what better reason!? especially when my other best friend Robs puts me up for the nights. I have a funny feeling it'll be tough though, going home after grad week was hard enough and I knew I was coming back but this will be farewell for a really long time. I'm not entirely sure I'll ever say goodbye to Aberystwyth, that place has some of the happiest memories of my life within it, I studied, worked, lived and played there; I only ever returned home for a week at a time so Aber really was home. My two best friends still being there is just an added bonus, I envy them for staying on for the summer and beyond, I really hope my Aber bubble never fully bursts.

In more practical news today I went into the bank to pay in some money and ended up having to have a loonnngg chat with the lovely Natwest people about what I should be doing, notes had to be made on my account and new cards had to be ordered. I thought it would be fine to just go to Paris and carry on using my bank card as normal, I was wrong. It's not too much hassle to sort out but I'm glad I have do it now. The thing is though, that wasn't even on my list, I still need to sort out my phone, get a tablet (sod lugging my laptop everywhere), buy new luggage, decided what to pack.... and so it goes on. In other words arrrgggghhhhh 2 and 1/2 weeks and I feel completely unprepared! (Instead of sorting more stuff out though I decided to write a blog, nice one Kate)

More updates to come, peace out.