I am working on saying au revoir to this city I have called home for the last 4 months. I have begun a love affair with Paris that is far from being over. I have had the opportunity to live in what I think is the most beautiful city in the worlds, and meet very interesting people I would have not otherwise had the opportunity to encounter. In short, I am very home sick and very much looking forward to be surrounded again by my friends and family. I do not think I will be leaving this city never to return, after all, I do not think anybody who has ever called Paris home would be able to leave never to return. I absolutely love this city as much as one could love a place. I was given a final tour by car last night, and seeing the Eiffel Tower, which I have more or less seen everyday since I have been here, all lit up on the Parisian skyline, brought tears to my eyes. I have grown in this city, and will not be going home the same person I was when I left. Paris will always be a part of me, a big part. I know I will be returning which makes the goodbye a little easier. I can not wait to one day bring my children here, and remanence on all the memories I made here with them. Despite the times when I wish I would have never taken part of this crazy French journey, looking back I wouldn't take a minute of it back. Paris, je t'aime toujours et pour toujours.
XOXO,
Mandy
PS - I will be posting my final thoughts upon returning to the states, of what I learned and ect. Stay tuned for my farewell blog.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Help I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
I woke up early and optimistic. I wanted to go to a museum full of Claude Monet's and spend the afternoon marveling in all that is impressionistic. I woke up, got dolled up (I mean when you have a date with Mr. Monet, you have to look your best) and set off. On the walk there I took a terrible fall. Skinned knees, hands, the whole sha-bang. It was a pretty terrible sight. To those in the park that witnessed it, hats off to not coming help me, as I sat in the dirt in agony. In their defense, I don't know that if I was picnicking in the park on a lovely afternoon I would have been the kind Samaritan running to help either. I pulled myself together, washed my hands off in a water fountain and limped to a bench. Bawling the entire time. I think I messed my left ankle up wonderfully. My first instinct in that moment, call my mom on the other side of the world for help. Not that she could do anything, and it didn't help me at all to have her woken up in worry. I grimaced my entire journey home, and wore sunglasses, to hid my running make-up. I think I will be returning to the states earlier than Sunday now. There is no point in me staying here, when I can barely walk, meaning I won't leave this house. Now I have to race the clock and ready myself to leave. Whoever finds the remainder of the stuff that I won't be able to fit in my luggage to bring home will be one lucky bum/dumpster diver. :) I realized on the way home, I will be that old lady who falls a ton and breaks every bone in my body- hips, elbows, ect. I really need to get a grip on this whole walking thing pronto.
XOXO,
Mandy
XOXO,
Mandy
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Easter in the French Countryside and ect.
Its been a while since I've blogged, so I'll just start from the country.
We left late Friday night and got to the countryside by 10:30 pm. I was given a quick tour of the house. I got to pick from 4 rooms for which I would be staying in the duration of the weekend. I was expecting a little country cottage, but got a country estate, complete with 2 living rooms, a huge garden and all the fixings.
When I woke up Saturday, we had breakfast, then went into town to go to the market. The town was like Venice. (Or what I think Venice would be like, seeing as I've never been there). It was old and had canals everywhere. It was also the city where pralines were invented. I was informed that they even call it the Venice of France due to all the waterways. I was disappointed to know that no on actually used the canals anymore, this city had streets and sidewalks. So no Gondolas, but amazing all the same. We got veggies and cheese at the market, then went on to a supermarket to get the rest.
Out in the countryside, you either have markets and little specialty stores for example- butchers, fish mongers, cheese shops, bakeries, ect. Or you have HUGE super markets. Imagine a huge Walmart. Selling everything from groceries to outdoor furniture, and clothes to electronics. Where is the inbetween? It was interesting to not only go to the small scale market then jump to the huge supermarket all in the same morning.
We got back to the estate, and I sat down to a good old English book. It must have been the country air, because as soon as I sat down to read, I fell asleep and was out for a good 3 hours. What a nap! After all, napping is my favorite.
The rest of the weekend was filled with much of the same, reading, relaxing, all the things a good weekend away from Paris consist of. I even got to feed baby lambs from a bottle. How un-parisian can I get in one weekend? :)
Easter was nice, we went to church. There is something depressing about how I have experienced how the French celebrate holidays, or their lack of celebrating for that matter. On the other hand they would probably find it overwhelming the extent we go for holidays in the states. Maybe its a part of growing up, where holidays seem less celebrated, but especially so in France.
On Monday I decided to be brave and go for a walk before we left. I was given the most simple directions to follow for a nice 30 minute walk in the French countryside and still somehow got my self lost. Nothing like being lost in the middle of no where, with a phone that just ran out of minutes. I ended up retracing my steps and made it back to their house. Funny to look back on, not so much during the actual event.
On the way back to Paris we stopped in on Elisabeth's parents house. Her mom was a retired artist, and the house was full of amazing paintings. What a talented and fun lady. She was exactly what I imagine when I picture a retired artist grandmother. Fun and lively and way to cute.
Back in Paris, I just relaxed last night. Today I woke up and did laundry, while talking to the cat who likes to jump through my window. I had put of laundry for far too long, and realized I was completely out of clothes. The de Rostolan's don't have a dryer so I was at the liberty of rummaging through the clothes I never wear and decided on bright purple tights and a gray knit dress. Sometimes I don't know what I was thinking when I went shopping, but clothes is clothes, and who in Paris do I have to impress?
I went to trusty old Tuileries, and sat there reading for a good portion of the afternoon. It was rather crowded for a Tuesday afternoon and I sat by a young man with crutches. Since I was there for 3 hours or so, I got to see 3 of his girlfriends. It was like clockwork, one would leave, only to be replaced by another girl 15 minutes later, where he would begin to kiss and ect. (in France despite being in public, there is alot to the ect.) until she would get up and leave and another would come in. I know people like him exist everywhere, I have just never witnessed the bang bang bang of seeing all three of your girlfriends in public in the same spot you had been sitting all day. People watching is alot more interesting in Paris, because people are as open if not more in public. You get to dive into the lives of them, if even for an afternoon. Poor girls.
Still don't know what I will do tomorrow. Suggestions are appreciated.
XOXO,
Mandy
PS- While in the countryside, I got a voicemail from Gabrielle, listening I thought it would be like I miss you, wish you hadn't gone, but NO. She was wondering when I would get her the cell phone I bought here, because she wanted it. I won't be answering because I still do not know how to say never you spoiled brat in French. The girl is asking for an iPad for her 10th birthday (and will probably get it) and she is calling me on Easter to demand a stupid phone I bought. #1, no 10 year old should have a phone, #2, I quit there, partially because she was so awful so hearing from her to ask me for something was not welcomed.
PPS- I just received an email from Sandrine, letting me know a neighbor informed her that while they were away a young lady came to the apartment with me. She was concerned that not only had I not asked but also that a stranger should not have been allowed into the apartment. Don't know what I'll reply, but not only was I never told not to allow anyone in, its over and done with. I don't work there anymore, and there is no way Lucy (the young lady) posses any threat to them. I don't understand how these people think.
Anyways, home Sunday. Can't wait to be back!
We left late Friday night and got to the countryside by 10:30 pm. I was given a quick tour of the house. I got to pick from 4 rooms for which I would be staying in the duration of the weekend. I was expecting a little country cottage, but got a country estate, complete with 2 living rooms, a huge garden and all the fixings.
When I woke up Saturday, we had breakfast, then went into town to go to the market. The town was like Venice. (Or what I think Venice would be like, seeing as I've never been there). It was old and had canals everywhere. It was also the city where pralines were invented. I was informed that they even call it the Venice of France due to all the waterways. I was disappointed to know that no on actually used the canals anymore, this city had streets and sidewalks. So no Gondolas, but amazing all the same. We got veggies and cheese at the market, then went on to a supermarket to get the rest.
Out in the countryside, you either have markets and little specialty stores for example- butchers, fish mongers, cheese shops, bakeries, ect. Or you have HUGE super markets. Imagine a huge Walmart. Selling everything from groceries to outdoor furniture, and clothes to electronics. Where is the inbetween? It was interesting to not only go to the small scale market then jump to the huge supermarket all in the same morning.
We got back to the estate, and I sat down to a good old English book. It must have been the country air, because as soon as I sat down to read, I fell asleep and was out for a good 3 hours. What a nap! After all, napping is my favorite.
The rest of the weekend was filled with much of the same, reading, relaxing, all the things a good weekend away from Paris consist of. I even got to feed baby lambs from a bottle. How un-parisian can I get in one weekend? :)
Easter was nice, we went to church. There is something depressing about how I have experienced how the French celebrate holidays, or their lack of celebrating for that matter. On the other hand they would probably find it overwhelming the extent we go for holidays in the states. Maybe its a part of growing up, where holidays seem less celebrated, but especially so in France.
On Monday I decided to be brave and go for a walk before we left. I was given the most simple directions to follow for a nice 30 minute walk in the French countryside and still somehow got my self lost. Nothing like being lost in the middle of no where, with a phone that just ran out of minutes. I ended up retracing my steps and made it back to their house. Funny to look back on, not so much during the actual event.
On the way back to Paris we stopped in on Elisabeth's parents house. Her mom was a retired artist, and the house was full of amazing paintings. What a talented and fun lady. She was exactly what I imagine when I picture a retired artist grandmother. Fun and lively and way to cute.
Back in Paris, I just relaxed last night. Today I woke up and did laundry, while talking to the cat who likes to jump through my window. I had put of laundry for far too long, and realized I was completely out of clothes. The de Rostolan's don't have a dryer so I was at the liberty of rummaging through the clothes I never wear and decided on bright purple tights and a gray knit dress. Sometimes I don't know what I was thinking when I went shopping, but clothes is clothes, and who in Paris do I have to impress?
I went to trusty old Tuileries, and sat there reading for a good portion of the afternoon. It was rather crowded for a Tuesday afternoon and I sat by a young man with crutches. Since I was there for 3 hours or so, I got to see 3 of his girlfriends. It was like clockwork, one would leave, only to be replaced by another girl 15 minutes later, where he would begin to kiss and ect. (in France despite being in public, there is alot to the ect.) until she would get up and leave and another would come in. I know people like him exist everywhere, I have just never witnessed the bang bang bang of seeing all three of your girlfriends in public in the same spot you had been sitting all day. People watching is alot more interesting in Paris, because people are as open if not more in public. You get to dive into the lives of them, if even for an afternoon. Poor girls.
Still don't know what I will do tomorrow. Suggestions are appreciated.
XOXO,
Mandy
PS- While in the countryside, I got a voicemail from Gabrielle, listening I thought it would be like I miss you, wish you hadn't gone, but NO. She was wondering when I would get her the cell phone I bought here, because she wanted it. I won't be answering because I still do not know how to say never you spoiled brat in French. The girl is asking for an iPad for her 10th birthday (and will probably get it) and she is calling me on Easter to demand a stupid phone I bought. #1, no 10 year old should have a phone, #2, I quit there, partially because she was so awful so hearing from her to ask me for something was not welcomed.
PPS- I just received an email from Sandrine, letting me know a neighbor informed her that while they were away a young lady came to the apartment with me. She was concerned that not only had I not asked but also that a stranger should not have been allowed into the apartment. Don't know what I'll reply, but not only was I never told not to allow anyone in, its over and done with. I don't work there anymore, and there is no way Lucy (the young lady) posses any threat to them. I don't understand how these people think.
Anyways, home Sunday. Can't wait to be back!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hope Yall Are Still Interested
I am closing the au pair chapter of my life, and figuring out what the next one will be. I woke up this morning when I wanted, good thing France is still on vaca, so I don't feel too bad. I made some toast and sat outside with Tiphane *sp*. I so do not envy how stressful getting into college is here. I know we think its hard in America, but you have no idea.
I went to the Louvre to give back a book I borrowed from a friend. Just incase I decide to leave here, I need to tie up the little loose ends I have. Then I went on a crazy search for the American Church. They put up adds for babysitters (not au pair, don't worry, I am not doing that again) and tutors, from English speakers. Since Elisabeth offered me the room till Lucie returns, might as well explore my options before I make a decision. Don't worry yall in Texas, I am still leaning towards coming home. I have never been a very good mooch, I feel too bad.
You would think after 4 months living in this place, I would be able to find a church and then be able to get home, but no. I walked for what seemed like an hour in search of a metro. Then when I found it I discovered I had past 2 stops before I got to the one I got on. Not a proud moment.
I came back to my new home, on a new line, but it feels warmer than my last home. They actually want me here beyond the means of exploiting me. Novel idea. I applied to the tutoring jobs/after school babysitting, with SET HOURS and CONTRACTS! Amazing, I am slowly restoring my faith in the working society of France.
Then I got changed and met up Kara and a new au pair friend, Maya for Mexican food. The restaurant was 19 stops from my new home, and even further for Kara. It is amazing the lengths us Texas girls will go to to get some Mexican food. :) We talked, drank Corona and had a good time.
Now I am home, in a new "home" sitting at Lucies desk.
I really do hope yall are all still interested in my life sans au pairing, I'll try to get some drama in here somewhere, not with the deRostolan's but I'll search else where. Maybe I'll find a French boyfriend or something juicy like that.
XOXO,
Mandy
I went to the Louvre to give back a book I borrowed from a friend. Just incase I decide to leave here, I need to tie up the little loose ends I have. Then I went on a crazy search for the American Church. They put up adds for babysitters (not au pair, don't worry, I am not doing that again) and tutors, from English speakers. Since Elisabeth offered me the room till Lucie returns, might as well explore my options before I make a decision. Don't worry yall in Texas, I am still leaning towards coming home. I have never been a very good mooch, I feel too bad.
You would think after 4 months living in this place, I would be able to find a church and then be able to get home, but no. I walked for what seemed like an hour in search of a metro. Then when I found it I discovered I had past 2 stops before I got to the one I got on. Not a proud moment.
I came back to my new home, on a new line, but it feels warmer than my last home. They actually want me here beyond the means of exploiting me. Novel idea. I applied to the tutoring jobs/after school babysitting, with SET HOURS and CONTRACTS! Amazing, I am slowly restoring my faith in the working society of France.
Then I got changed and met up Kara and a new au pair friend, Maya for Mexican food. The restaurant was 19 stops from my new home, and even further for Kara. It is amazing the lengths us Texas girls will go to to get some Mexican food. :) We talked, drank Corona and had a good time.
Now I am home, in a new "home" sitting at Lucies desk.
I really do hope yall are all still interested in my life sans au pairing, I'll try to get some drama in here somewhere, not with the deRostolan's but I'll search else where. Maybe I'll find a French boyfriend or something juicy like that.
XOXO,
Mandy
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
No longer an au pair
It was so hard to say bye to the kids. Elsa kept yelling au revoir ra-ra. I cried. When I sat down with the family, they acted as if they had never done anything bad to me, I wasn't overworked and they wanted to work with me to find a common ground. I started to feel bad, especially with the kids all around. I really love those children, as bad as they all were. That job is over, I am pretty sure on that.
The DeRostolan's don't want me to give up on France, and have offered me Lucie's room until she returns from the states in July. As nice as they have been without a job, there is no way I could impose on them that much. They convinced me to go to the American Church tomorrow and look for English tutoring ads, but even with an income to pay them, I know the cost of living in Paris, and there is no way I could make that simply working a couple of hours a week as a tutor. I don't know what to do.
I have already let one family down, by quitting and leaving the way I did. I do not want to let another down. I know being an au pair is not the job for me. I am not sure about much of anything at this point. It's funny, I came to France trying to figure out what to do with my life, and I am now more confused than ever.
XOXO,
Mandy
The DeRostolan's don't want me to give up on France, and have offered me Lucie's room until she returns from the states in July. As nice as they have been without a job, there is no way I could impose on them that much. They convinced me to go to the American Church tomorrow and look for English tutoring ads, but even with an income to pay them, I know the cost of living in Paris, and there is no way I could make that simply working a couple of hours a week as a tutor. I don't know what to do.
I have already let one family down, by quitting and leaving the way I did. I do not want to let another down. I know being an au pair is not the job for me. I am not sure about much of anything at this point. It's funny, I came to France trying to figure out what to do with my life, and I am now more confused than ever.
XOXO,
Mandy
Wow ok.
So I am being picked up tonight at 8:30, I was planning on talking to S and J-F before that, but somehow they are getting home after I leave. When talking to S on the phone she had mentioned that she would need help watching the kids and I was totally fine with coming during the day to watch them until my flight next Thursday. J-F said I would not be needed at all anymore. I was ready to face my fears, confront them, but instead they are cowering, and just letting me go. The mention of legality in failing to produce a contract I think scared them to that. Again, I have to leave without saying bye to the kids, and will forever be told stories about how awful I was, but this time I wasn't running or hiding. I sat here all day waiting for S to return to talk about things. J-F knew good and well I would be leaving at 8:30. This experience is coming to an end, alot easier than I thought it would. At the same time I feel cheated, the least they could do is have a conversation with me to my face. At least I am going out of this 4 month French craziness, with an amazing family.
XOXO,
Mandy
XOXO,
Mandy
Round 1.
J-F just got home, the rest of the family gets home tonight, he had work. He came straight from the door to my room. He saw the bags that I was packing and acted confused. Then he said he didn't see why I was leaving. I told him, I thought I made a very reasonable offer to work 36.5 hours a week, and they turned it down, and on top of that told me I would never have privacy. He asked me where I was going and when I planned on leaving, I said tonight, that I would get picked up by the deRostolan's if they were fine with me leaving so suddenly. He said do whatever I want. Score. Then he said that S and he had calculated out my hours and as of now I wasn't working much over 30 hours a week. He asked me what I considered working, and I said anytime I had to be here for the kids. He apparently doesn't agree with that definition. Round 1 went ok, they will gang up on me tonight when Sandrine gets home. I didn't cry this round, until Josephine came to talk to me after. I wish I could just poof and be gone. I don't do well with confrontation.
XOXO,
Mandy
XOXO,
Mandy
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