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!!
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.
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.
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
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| 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
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