C'est Ma Direction

Firstly, listen to the song- it’s so COOL!

 http://youtu.be/Q-RLDwF4aBA

Secondly, I chose this as the title of my last blog as I felt it was quite apt . Given that this song was one of the ‘songs’ of my Year Abroad,  and on saying goodbye one of my colleagues quoted the song by saying to me ‘It’s your direction’ which I can’t argue with. This year has truly been an incredible part of my life and my direction. Lots of pages have turned and now it is time for the final hurdle of getting my degree and deciding on my life direction.

September 1^st 2011 seems so long ago.  It’s crazy to think that 11 months ago I arrived with my mum; innocent, naïve and unaware of what France had to offer me, and trekking across Paris into the countryside not to find what I expected. And yet, the year has been  better than I ever imagined. I will never forget my first week of getting to grips with things, nightmares, coincidences and challenges. Blowing the fuses trying to make a cup of tea. Sharing a shower with a stranger. Not realising that the trains stop after 10pm. Eating greasy canteen food. Being hit on by drunken guys. The funny incident with the ‘Bank Man’ - with whom I actually ended up being with and going on holiday with…  So many stories and memories I’ll never forget and which have made me see life differently.

Working at HEC was an experience in itself. I had to adjust to working hours and a working schedule. I may not have had the most interesting/busy job but I did learn a lot of new skills and thanks to my friendly colleagues I could speak French every day and improve all the time. My fellow stagiare friends also played a big part in my stay there. Without them, I couldn’t have enjoyed my placement at all. We were a family together, looking out for each other but more importantly having FUN. Batiment J became a bit of a party block and there are some moments I will never forget, such as finding a key attached to a bra outside the building! All the pre and post POWs, film nights, pizza, corridor parties, toilet problems, fights over the microwave,watching the world go by on the balcony.. I am so grateful to have lived with these people, and I feel particularly blessed to have had such a kind, lovely, fun and like-minded co-douche  next door to me. I will miss them all very much.

As much as I complained about not being in the centre of Paris, I have still managed to get out and see a bit more of it. It is a shame that it wasn’t directly on my doorstep however, as I feel I could have experienced a less touristy Paris and discovered all the little places you wouldn’t discover otherwise. I never got that true experience of rush hour commutes or late night drinks in street cafés but I did experience being in a relationship with a French man, and also wild HEC parties and celebrations! I have seen Paris by day and by night  and have probably saved a lot of money by not living in Paris itself!  There is too much to see and do in all cities, I’ll just have to come again!

Being in France offered me lots of other opportunities too. I have managed to travel around a bit; Bruges, Loire Valley, Havre, Rennes, St Malo, Mont St Michel, Reims, Carnac, Correze… and equally a holiday in Morocco and Egypt aha! But this year I feel I have accomplished more than I would have staying in England.

 If I hadn’t have come to France, I ( probably ) would never have:

-          Experienced an open bar for as little as €5, nor experienced the infamous CUSSON dinners.

-          Discovered what a real ‘Nuit Blanche’ in Paris is.

-          Sang in a Glee club

-          Done Zumba

-          Seen Audrey Tatou turn on the Christmas Lights

-          Run a half marathon

-          Worked at the worlds ‘number 1’ business school

-          Been to a Gala near the Opera

-          Conquered my fear of rides

-          Seen Sarkozy give a speech

-          Seen Kanye West and Jay-Z in concert

-          Been to a French rap group concert

-          Discovered Speculous

-          Made so many friends and contacts

-          Learned how to hold a baby in one arm and do everything else with the other!

-          Tried surfing

-          Eaten mussels which I collected myself

-          Stayed in a castle

-          Seen an Opera

-          Eaten fois gras ( meat in general! :S )

-          And last but not least, If I hadn’t of come to France this year I would never have  (buckets ready) …Fallen in love …

Yes, this year abroad was not just beneficial for my degree, but it has played a vital part in my life and given me skills and experiences for life. Someone once said to me that a year abroad is the best year of you r life. And I wouldn’t argue with them. Equally, someone once said to me that spending a long time in a different country opens your eyes to the world and different cultures and makes you more open-minded. It’s true, I see things differently now and believe that anything is possible. I have also been told that once you get back to your home country, you notice things you never did before, and you question why nothing is as adventurous as being abroad. This I have yet to discover.

But if there is one thing I have learned from being here this year, it’s that you have to just go for it all the time. No matter what it is, don’t hesitate, don’t over analyse, just take every opportunity you get. I believe that things do happen for a reason, and so when a chance passes you by its only right you pursue it.

I am going to miss my year abroad. The daily routine, being with my colleagues, singing in Glee club, hanging out with my neighbours, chilling at my boyfriends, going into Paris, the amazing Zumba teacher, free bread with meals, French music…

I won’t miss:  trains ( lack of them, waiting for them, running for them, missing them), my green and wooden HEC room, weird men talking to me, everything being closed all the time, getting to the till at the supermarket and realising I haven’t weighed my fruit, UHT milk, Haricots, worrying how to get back, waiting till gone 9 to eat dinner, the dreaded HILL of Jouy en Josas.

Then after my internship I spent 6 weeks au-pairing, which again was another totally different experience but a great one all the same. I have experienced what French Family life is like and got to stay in very luxurious places! It definitely helped to stay that little bit longer to get my French up to this level. I can now confidently listen to conversations, watch films, read articles and understand everything, but I still have trouble getting out some sentences verbally. I just really hope that I won’t forget it all once back in England!

So now it is time to go back to being a student and graduating. Argh! But as the song quite rightly says, it’s ‘Ma Direction’ and I have no worries or doubts at all about what the future may hold for me. I have 100% enjoyed this year and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could. I am sad to leave it all behind but equally I have missed Southampton and being a student, and of course, I have missed my family and friends at home!! I am going to look into doing a Masters in Interpreting once I have my degree, or perhaps coming back to France to find work! I will treasure the memories of this year forever. Thank you for being a part of it with me by reading my blog, I hope it has been interesting for you!

Finally, a little anecdote to end my last blog. After all, it wouldn’t be a Ruth blog without a ‘weird guy’ story! On the train from Brives to Paris, I was sat at the window with a young lad next to me. He starts quizzing me about where I am getting off, what I was doing in France etc and we have some small talk. He annoys me quickly, as I just wanted to get on with my reading and sleeping for the 4 hour journey! So after a few moments of conversation he passes his phone to me, on which he has written a message; ‘ tu es très belle’… arr isn’t that nice?! I don’t really know what to do or say so I just smile nervously and say ‘Merci’. But then, a few minutes later I am just looking out of the window hoping he’ll stop talking to me, he puts his hand on my knee!!!!!!! I immediately turn to look at him and say ‘what the hell do you think you’re doing?’ to which he says ‘can I?’. Obviously I say ‘No! I am not interested in you and have a boyfriend anyway’. His response, ‘ It doesn’t matter, I have a girlfriend too, who cares?’…!!  So then we spend about 5 minutes arguing over whether it is right to be touching other people when you are in a relationship, and I gave him some very disapproving looks. Thankfully, I didn’t have to spend the last 3 hours next to him as he got off a while after. But I did have to laugh. Only me, hey?

Vive La France! 1^st September 2011- 17^th August 2012. 

Au-Pairing Adventures!

Ok, I couldn't not write a blog about how my summer work , because there is just too much to tell and I have had some amazing experiences! So this will be the penultimate blog (sob).

Week one 

My first week with the family was quite a challenge. Mum, 4 kids plus a friend and I had a 5 hour drive from Versailles down to Brives-la-Gaillard where we spent the first week in the family chateau. I'm not kidding, it's in the middle of the countryside surrounded by cows and fields, with vegetable patches, a swimming pool,  tennis court, you name it. The house is very grande. Imagine banquet rooms, or like something you walk around when visiting old heritage houses. Complete with cobwebs and lumpy mattresses too! The Mum's parents were there, along with some other daughters and friends who came and went during the week. Mealtimes were always a home made and fresh and a big thing, time spend together, which is actually quite French anyway. Endless supplies of bread and cheese!! But equally, fresh vegetables and salad every day too. Unfortunately I didn't get to see much of Brives as I had a lot of responsibility over the baby. Others would pop out for the afternoon or whatever but I had to stay in a lot. One evening, I got to drive (!) to the nearby lake and had a pleasant jog around, but that was the only time I got out! Weather was up and down, sunny but not really hot enough to swim, and a few showers of rain too.

Looking after the baby wasn't actually that hard. It's the same routine each day and he is the most well behaved baby I know. He rarely cries and he sleeps all through the night. Only problem is that he pukes all the time, so my left shoulder was constantly white and sticky with regurgitated milk! The 5 year old is a but more challenging though, he doesn't want to listen to me. And the 9 year old had a friend so naturally they want to just run around having fun! The 13 yr old is nice, at least. The grandparents are quite old, and the Grandma has dementia which means every 5 minutes she asks me ' Has he had his bottle yet?'... 'Are you not cold?' which can get a bit annoying. There are only so many polite smiles and nods you can give in a day.

But honestly, what a great way to start au-pairing, I was very spoilt. It was nice seeing the countryside instead of busy Parisian suburbs.

Week two 
After a 7 hour drive up to Brittany ( it was tough ), we arrived in Baden where we stayed at the Dad's parent's holiday house. Again, just wonderful.  Big, but more modern and comfortable, with lots of rooms, a big garden which backs onto a golf course, lush pool and the best Grandma you know. A little 2 year old cousin was staying there too, so even more children to look after! She was adorable though. I had a nice room with a double bed which didn't dip in the middle!! The weather was glorious which meant lots of afternoon's in the pool and sunbathing. Hardly relaxing though when you have two 9 year old boys chasing you around the pool with water guns! I got my revenge though, always fun to push boys in the pool! The house has much more to offer for the children than back at the castle so they can keep themselves occupied a lot of the time. The Grandma is much more 'with it' and active, she's quite young actually. Always on the go, cooking, helping with the children, running errands. I have was very welcomed, and she even 'vous' me!

It was easier to get out running in Baden as the house is by the sea gulf and golf course. It's wonderful being able to get out and see boats and horses and  local fisherman bringing in their catch. The weather for our first week was gloriously hot and sunny- some days it was even too hot to eat outside!

Then for the first weekend in Brittany we went to stay with the Dad's Grandma in St Malo. Oh My Gosh, I thought the castle was impressive... this was just a whole other level! Situated on the coast of St Malo, a huge white mansion with freshly trimmed flowers surrounding it.Huge lawn, and lots of secret little paths which led down to a purpose built little house just above the sea with changing rooms and a shower. You walk out of that, and you are literally in the sea. It was beautiful, on the Sunday morning I went for a run and then straight into the sea for a refreshing dip. The Great Grandma (80 something) swims in the sea EVERY DAY between 1st may and 30th November. She says that's what keeps her alive!

As for the interior; Imagine walking onto the Titanic ship. Grande rooms with china all over the walls, silverware, glassware, old fashioned chairs ( again, like something you see in museums), guns on the wall, old sailor outfits... We stayed downstairs ( the bottom deck, if you like ) where my room opened out to the pool. I had the baby cot with me and agreed to have him for the weekend which wasn't a problem at all as he is such a good baby!!

You could tell this woman was very rich and old fashioned. Children had to eat before the adults. You had to dress for dinner. No hands under the table at dinner time. Even two Polish house maids who respond to a bell would wait on us! I felt so out of place.

We visited Dinard market and St Malo which was beautiful and so much better than the first time I went during my rainy weekend in Rennes! We just spent two nights there, then headed back to Carnac where we stayed an extra few weeks.

Week 3 and 4
Again, just back at the house in Brittany with more family members and more lovely and active Grandparents! We had lots of afternoons by the pool and trips to the beach. The mornings were easier with most of the children going off to Windsurfing or Surfing lessons. One day I even went to try my hand at Surfing myself! I had never done it, and to be honest it's because I have a little fear of waves. But I gave it a go. Well, I say surfing, I never actually braced myself enough to try standing up, so I guess you could say bodyboarding haha!

One evening we went to hear some story-telling as there was a festival in the village, and it was very interesting because the two ladies who performed also did it in sign language too. It was very funny and very well performed. I took the 5 year old and his 2 year old cousin to see the 'kids' story-telling the next morning, which was equally as pleasant and fun to listen to.

I was given one weekend off, during which I went back to Paris. It was great to have the break and I was able to watch the first weekend of the Olympics, I literally spent all weekend lying on the sofa watching TV haha! There was a big screen outside Hotel de Ville where I watched some swimming, but then it started to rain to ended up in a brasserie to watch the games. Same brasserie Saturday night and Sunday night in fact!
It has been interesting seeing the Olympics on French channels, as obviously all the focus is on their country and the games they are participating in- I couldn't really follow GB unless I looked online! There was some light banter with the family regarding medal comparisons between GB and France which was fun, but thankfully Team GB sailed ahead in the medals count! Although, hats off to France for such a good start of Golds!

During the last week in Brittany, the weather wasn't as nice as we had lots of showers of rain. But we made the most of it when we could. One morning we went 'fishing' ( scraping at the low tide with a spoon ) at a nearby coast, which actually turned out to be more fun than I expected. We turned over crabs and allsorts and we even got enough mussels to eat for tea that night! Never thought I would get that chance!

I feel honoured to have witness a traditional Breton parade which happens once a year in the little village. It consisted of people dressed up in traditional Breton costumes and doing their little dance to bagpipes ( which I thought were Scottish but hey ho), then a little rally through the streets of old fashioned cars, followed by tractors and then a little Breton band came through to finish. It was very cute and a great way to spend my last day there.

Week 5/6

Another drive back down to Brives to stay back at the castle. This time is was just me, the mother, the daughter and the baby so the trip was easier. And we spent the first 5 days without boys running around everywhere! The house was filled with lots of other relatives though, we were about 20 at the table every meal time. Coincidently, the aunt was married to a Mauritian and so the cousins were all born and have grew up in Mauritius ( I am half Mauritian too ) which was nice, they were all very friendly and we got on well. Made me realise how little I know about my origins really. 

I got to see an Opera for the first time in my life. It was held, get this, at another château which belonged to the sister of the father of the Dad's family!! A stunning setting, with the Opera held in a little barn, it was really spectacular. They were an English group, and we even bumped into them at the market one day so I had a little chat with them. It was a special performance with a little commentary in between which helped with the understanding- much needed as it was all sung in German! 

I was given half a day off on my last Saturday to explore Brives a bit. We all went to the market together in the morning which I loved, and then I stayed in the town wandering around, sight seeing, browsing, chilling in the sunshine. The last week in Correze was very hot, mid 30's each day. But I was the only one wanting to be outside in it, ' Once I'm in England , I won't ever see the sun again!' I used to argue. 

The monday was a very important day. Apparently every year there is a village 'rally' for families to participate and the winner of each rally has to organise the next one. And this year it was my family who had all the organising to do! The morning started off with breakfast at the lake for 150 people, followed by a tour around the lake with stand every few meters with games/activities/challenges for each team to do. I had to stay at home with the baby for this part unfortunately but I heard it was a success. Then, all the families came to the château for a picnic in the gardens. It was lovely seeing the place so full of happy children running about. More games and challenges for the teams to do too. The theme was The Olympics so activities were based on that. In the afternoon I got to participate with a family, going to another village church and having a quiz on the area. And to finish off the afternoon, we had a guided tour in a grotto/cave type thing. It was very interesting, with  crystals and even bats! The evening consisted of a 'soirée' in another village hall which had a beautiful view overlooking the never-ending Correze valleys. Paella and tart for 150 people, music and dancing. I was on baby duty for the first part but once he was asleep I could join in a bit more ( don't worry- I kept checking up on him!) and the party went on until 2am. It was heart warming seeing so many families all together, dancing, having fun. A lovely evening and very well organised on the family's behalf! 

The last few days were not too hard, I enjoyed it. On the last night I made them Yorkshire Puddings ( first time in my life!) which went down well, and they spoilt me even more with some little gifts to say goodbye and thank you, and hand written messages from the kids- which bought tears to my eyes! I said I would be free next summer too and the mother said I am definitely welcome to come again! 

So, has this experience put me off having children?! Well, if all 3 month old babies are like Olivier I will happily have several, as long as they stay at that age! haha. As much as little ones are hard work, being with this family has made me realise that families are so important, and I may not have 4 children but I know I will have children one day. I have learned so much in 6 weeks, and even seen a newborn baby discover his thumb, hold himself on flat feet, and have his first swimming pool dip,which are moments so just can't create yourself.

Sorry this blog has been so long,just so much to tell. Photos to come- there are just so many! 

Ruth