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.
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.
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