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.