tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87494474226880426322024-03-13T15:22:52.021+01:00An Au Pair in ParisTravel. Lifestyle. Beauty. Croissants Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-2464588079434048522016-06-28T13:01:00.000+02:002016-06-28T13:05:13.563+02:00A letter to my MP regarding Brexit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Below is a letter I wrote to my MP back in the UK regarding the UK referendum to leave the EU. It is the real letter, I really sent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Olv0V0WRWyI/V3JZ07bPHTI/AAAAAAAAArE/3xfK6Akj3wcIW7YBrMRbHFG7ArIzgQN1wCLcB/s1600/Europe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Olv0V0WRWyI/V3JZ07bPHTI/AAAAAAAAArE/3xfK6Akj3wcIW7YBrMRbHFG7ArIzgQN1wCLcB/s640/Europe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Dear Jo Stevens,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
This may surprise you, but I do not currently live in Cardiff Central. I lived and voted in there as a student at Cardiff University, studying law. At the moment I have temporarily left Cardiff to do a <i>stage (</i>educational placement) in France, where I came to improve my French and therefore improve my chances of employment. I am one of the many British people using their free movement rights to live, work, and study in the EU, and as you can imagine the results of the recent EU Referendum, where my postal vote for 'remain' was sent to Cardiff, have upset me. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Firstly, leaving the EU has fundamentally altered my career prospects. The potential loss of free movement of workers and loss of access to the single market, or having severe restrictions placed upon them, seriously damages my potential employment and the potential employment of many of my generation. I am 26 years old, I have 3 qualifications from Russell Group universities (UCL in London and Cardiff University), I am healthy, I am adept in three european languages (French, Spanish, and Greek) and I have a good work ethic. I should be entering the workforce, contributing to society, paying my taxes, and moving the economy, and my life, forward. I have since had this opportunity pulled from underneath me. I know this for a fact. On the morning the results of the referendum were announced a potential employer here in Paris called me to say that my interview had been cancelled, as the position was a permanent placement and they did not know what my immigration status would be in two years time. I was too much of a risk for them. I was forced out of the labour market before lunchtime. How is that fair? </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
The second point is that I feel European. I was born a week after the fall of the Berlin wall, and have only ever known a Europe of ever increasing unity. The flag of Europe with its twelve stars is as much my flag as the Dragon of Wales or the Union Jack. Now I am being told to give it up. I do not want to give it up. I am a proud European citizen; being European is a core part of my identity, and it cannot be ripped from me any more than my Welshness. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
My Welsh identity is in my blood and in my bones. It travels with me. It is in my pride when I sing <i>Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau</i>. It is when I support us in the rugby and, surprisingly this year, in the football. It is my mother's recipe for <i>bara brith</i>. It is the memory of my grandmother teaching me the words to<i>Calon Lan</i>. I am proud to be Welsh, but 'Welsh' is not what is written on my passport. My Passport says British. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Right now looking across the channel from my home in Paris, I am not proud to be British. I see our politicians in Westminster making us look like fools on the international stage. I see them putting their personal political ambitions and internal party squabbles before the needs and fears of an electorate that has been shaken to its core. I see that they have mislead and misinformed the electorate about what was possible once we left the EU, and furthermore they have no plan for what lies ahead. I see the rise of racist and xenophobic hate crime on the streets and on social media. I see the pound plummet, and know that my savings, and those of many others, go with it. My British passport gives me no pride in this moment. I am a European, and if other Europeans such as Polish, Romanian, French or Spanish are not welcome in the UK, then I am not welcome either.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
So I must ask myself a question, to what benefit do I keep that British passport? Is it in my interest to return to the UK? France just overtook the UK as the fifth largest economy because of a slump in the market directly related to Brexit. Practically speaking, if the UK does leave the EU, it is more in my interest to stay here and work towards French citizenship than to return, especially as the UK has become, in the last few days, a country I do not recognise. This will mean I am able to remain a citizen of Europe. I assure you, however, I will take my Welsh identity with me when I go. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
I am not the only one thinking this way. Many of my British friends in Paris feel the same, and they are like me - under 30, well educated, looking to enter the jobs market. A friend of mine here has already agreed to marry her French boyfriend to enable her to achieve citizen status in just 2 years. One of the key issues that Brexit was fought over was immigration. I fear that one of the prices of our decision will be emigration. Emigration of the young, educated, and able to work. Our best and brightest will leave the UK with a gap in its workforce it cannot fill.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
So I implore you, do what you can to stop a Brexit happening. You were a solicitor and know that this referendum (unlike the Alternative Vote Ref.) was only ever advisory, never legally binding. If Parliament is sovereign, as the doctrine tells us, then you as an MP have the power to vote it down. We will be embarrassed, we will have our pride hurt, we may have to return to Brussels with our tail between our legs to receive a scolding, but we may yet hold on to a brighter future. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
If it is never put to the House of Commons, then I beg you to vote for another general election. We elect our MPs to stand up for us, to act in our interests, and to handle the matters the we, the electorate, lack the experience, knowledge, and time to fully investigate. Not everyone can be a constitutional scholar, and there are some politicians who have used the lack of knowledge and time of the electorate to their advantage, misleading and misinforming them on key issues relating to our leaving the EU. That is a complete betrayal of their constituents. It is also a betrayal of the integrity of the House of Commons, and of Parliament. A general election is needed for the electorate to hold them to account. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
I recognise that this is a difficult time for all politicians, and that the Labour party finds itself in disarray. But please, I urge you and your colleagues to come together and focus on reassuring the electorate and acting in our interest. Now is a time for unity, and putting aside personal politics. We the people are frightened, confused, and facing uncertain times. We need our MPs to remember why we elected them - to stand up for us.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Yours with the upmost sincerity, faith, and hope,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Emily Thomas.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-85928312003736853242016-06-24T18:01:00.001+02:002016-06-24T18:02:07.475+02:00So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So the UK has voted to leave the European union.<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
I don't even know what more I can say.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoADuVOYlxo/V21WY5afS8I/AAAAAAAAAqs/S6vgJXM6kxQY7DSw0n7gy8_38Fd64eFrgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RoADuVOYlxo/V21WY5afS8I/AAAAAAAAAqs/S6vgJXM6kxQY7DSw0n7gy8_38Fd64eFrgCLcB/s640/IMG_2398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
52% of the votes cast on the 23rd of June called for the <b>UK</b> to leave the <b>European Union</b>. On the 24th, a country and its expat community woke to the shocking news that<b><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887" target="_blank"> everything has changed</a>.</b><br />
<br />
In the last 24 hours, we have devalued our currency, had our Prime Minister David Cameron resign, two of the home nations (Scotland and Northern Ireland) are considering leaving the United Kingdom, and we have had a prominent member of the Leave Campaign make some tasteless comments about an MP who died last week, before the whole leave campaign admitted that many of the things they promised might not happen.<br />
<br />
Now the voter's remorse has set in, and <b><a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/i-really-regret-my-vote-now-the-brexit-voters-who-wish-theyd-voted-to-remain-a3280361.html" target="_blank">some people are wishing they had voted to remain.</a> </b><br />
<br />
But it is too late. That's it.<br />
<br />
Well not quite. Firstly - because of the Doctrine of Parliamentary Sovereignty which states that only parliament has the right to make binding laws in the <b>UK</b>,<b> <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/green-eu-referendum-not-legally-binding-brexit-2016-6" target="_blank">a referendum from the people is not legally binding.</a></b> Parliament can choose to ignore it. However it would be political suicide so it is an unlikely outcome.<br />
<br />
Secondly by 9:00 am this morning there was already <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/131215" target="_blank"><b>a petition to hold a second referendum.</b></a> That is even more unlikely. We are not doing this again.<br />
<br />
Thirdly - MPs may yet vote for another general election. A referendum isn't legally binding, but an election mandate would be. Some are calling for a general election now that the Prime Minister has resigned. If enough MPs were elected promising to remain in the <b>EU</b> it would mean the referendum result would be inferior to their elected mandate. We would pretend it never happened. Again a risky strategy.<br />
<br />
But perhaps what is most interesting is what is going on now. A number of prominent leave campaigners seem to be back peddling fast. See, our withdrawal from the <b>EU </b>depends on us activating <b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/24/britain-votes-to-leave-the-eu-what-happens-now-that-brexit-is-a/" target="_blank">Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon</a>.</b> This is the part of the treaty that governs a country leaving. It was created to be deliberately vague and difficult to understand in the hopes it would put people off (Also nobody has ever left before so there is no precedent). But what it does say is the member state must make its decision legally and then notify the EU of its plans to withdraw. Then there are 2 years of negotiations.<br />
<br />
What seems to be happening is a stand off. The <b>EU</b> is demanding the <b>UK </b>move as quickly as possible, but in his resignation speech, David Cameron said the decision to activate Article 50 would be left to his successor. Boris Johnson (a likely candidate for the Prime Minister's Job) has said there is "no rush" to activate Article 50. The <b>EU </b>cannot force a Member State to activate this. So we are in a stalemate.<br />
<br />
As for me I am just horribly upset. I have to admit I burst into tears several times today, because I believe my future has just been sacrificed on the altar of xenophobia, ignorance, and lies. I have already had a job interview cancelled on me for a company developing a "learn English" app for french speakers because my "ability to work inside the <b>EU </b>is in doubt." when I asked who they would be getting in to work for them if they had no British people they replied "Americans, Canadians, Australians..." I was thrown out of the jobs market by lunchtime. What a bright future.<br />
<br />
To my many European friends, and the rest of Europe, I say this. Please don't hate us. The vote was so close - <b>48% of the UK desperately wanted to remain with you!</b> Many of us are trying to find a way around it. I don't even know if I will go back to the <b>UK</b> permanently or try to make it here in France. I have to wait and see what the conditions of my stay are. Any offers of marriage to anyone from an <b>EU</b> country would be gratefully received...<br />
<br />
I am so, so sorry. I am deeply and profoundly saddened by this rupture between us.<br />
<br />
But I will try to look at this with the knowledge I have gained over my time living in the EU as an au pair:<br />
<br />
We, the <b>UK</b>, have spent the last 40 years behaving like a toddler with the <b>EU</b> constantly stamping our feet and whining. The <b>EU</b> has acted like our au pair, soothing us, placating us, and trying to keep us disciplined, like an extra parent. This referendum was us throwing the toys out of the pram assuming we'd get them back as always. But now the au pair has lost her patience and we are on the naughty step, in the cold, with our pocket money taken away and no longer allowed to go to our friends' houses.<br />
<br />
And the only thing left is to teach the children to sing this song, like one of the most famous nannies in the world ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kxjwb5cXTI0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kxjwb5cXTI0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-76605163914399784542016-06-22T12:53:00.000+02:002016-06-22T13:07:03.191+02:00I had a dream. Brexit viewed by a Brit in France.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last week I had a dream<br />
<br />
I dreamt that the UK voted to leave EU. I dreamt that the French <i>Police National</i> came to my house, demanded I pack my things, and escorted me to Gare du Nord where I was held with other "illegal immigrants" who had come to France under EU free movement. We were kept in pens as we waited for more and more British people to arrive from across France, and were guarded by Police 24/7 until the British Gov't could arrange for us to be deported back. It took forever because the system was backed up with all the retired Brits coming back from Spain, as well as the other 2 million british people living across the EU. We were not allowed out of the pens to buy food, and our bank accounts were suspended. All our employment had been terminated because we were now "illegal immigrants." Some were sick and pregnant and couldn't get treatment because we no longer qualified for French medical benefits and our EHICs were void. We were hungry, cold, and mocked or pitied by the French passing by.<br />
<br />
Then I woke up, and realised it perhaps wasn't a dream...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqJEa9XQ52M/V2ptpDAUG6I/AAAAAAAAAqY/xNL2I28PEZQcam8nDtciG005A-a0efEzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TqJEa9XQ52M/V2ptpDAUG6I/AAAAAAAAAqY/xNL2I28PEZQcam8nDtciG005A-a0efEzQCLcB/s640/IMG_2317.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Flags Fly High</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know (/hope)that is not how it would go down if we left EU, but as an expat it was genuinely gut wrenching, and I woke up clammy and nauseous.<br />
<br />
Full Warning - This blog is goign to get long, and involve discussions of EU law and politics. Not for the faint hearted. I promise a blog about face cream or museums soon. I'm so sorry.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>As young person making the most of my European free movement of labour rights, I am of course in favour of remaining in the EU. Being born in 1989, I have only ever known a Britain in the EU, and I see no cognitive dissonance between having a british and european government, because it has always been that way for me. I acknowledge that it is inefficient and sometimes cumbersome, but as an institution it deals with a huge volume of legislation and work stemming from 27 member states, so it isn't exactly surprising if you are logical about it. I have used my free movement rights multiple times. I have studied the EU in depth at university, passing exams and papers on the topic. I even studied abroad at a European university as part of the Erasmus scheme, where the EU paid my tuition fees both to my univeristy in the UK and abroad, and gave me a generous bursary every month to do so. I have received benefits - both the physical money-related kind and the more general kind - as an EU citizen during my time here in France. I speak multpile European languages, have friends across the continent, and enjoy being able to hop accross the continent as and when I please. I feel the EU is a positive thing, and leads to greater understanding between peoples as well as tangible trade and economic benefits.<br />
<br />
But if you have watched the <b>Brexit</b> (British exit) news coming out of the UK at the moment, you would not think that British people felt that way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I recently went back to the UK to deal with family matters. I knew from watching the French news, and readng the online papers, that things were getting tense in the UK, that people were nervous and the polls were showing that the referendum could go either way.<br />
<br />
But I was not prepared for what met me when I got home.<br />
<br />
From the moment I touched down, I was nearly drowned in the riptide of bile and poison that streamed from every media outlet and the mouths of almost every major politician. I heard nothing but anger, hate, scaremongering, poorly researched arguments, and outright lies. And it was every day, on the televeison, on the radio, in the papers. Every day, from breakfast until dinner time.<br />
<br />
You have to understand, that is not normal for British politics. We are normally a fairly calm, relitively boring (in a nice, stable way) political system. Yes we have a far right party and people with extremist views, as many countries do, but these were not a few people with extreme views pouring forth this misinformation. It was the Prime Minister, it was members of the government, it was the BBC. The atmosphere was completely poisonous and the undercurrent of apoplectic rage that pervaded even the smallest village was like walking through thick fog. I found myself repeating the phrase I had heard on the radio repeatedly - "where is my country?"<br />
<br />
But what shocked me the most was the way in which the political leaders blatantly, and without shame, mislead the public. Not everyone is a european law scholar, not everyone has the time to research the complex procedures and political negotiations that have formed and govern our relationship with the EU. The avergae person cannot be expected to have that information, and those with power over the political and media spheres know that, and have taken advantage.<br />
<br />
From my studies and my time using my EU citizen rights, I know how dull, dense, complex, ardous, and infuriatingly time consuming dealing with the European institutions is. But that does not give politicians (who do have the time, resources, and knowledge to find the facts) the right to lie. And they have lied. Repeatedly.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the things I have heard said by referendum campaigners:<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>"EU citizens are coming here to use our NHS. It's benefit tourism."</u></b><br />
<br />
Nope. Not true.<br />
<br />
Accroding to <b>Directive 2004/38/EC,</b> If you stay in a country for under 3 months, all you need is a pssport and an EHIC (which covers medical reimbirsement between EU member states) to get seen by a medical professional. If you are staying in a country for over 3 months, you need to prove to the government of the country you are staying in that you will not be an unecessary burden on the state. I have done it myself here in France. I had to prove I could pay the health insurance fees before they allowed me to stay. It is the same in the UK. And if you don't prove yourself capable of not being a burden, the country can expel you. It is not perfectly implicated, but legally holds water. See more <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_2.1.3.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a><br />
<br />
The Court of Justice of the EU even ruled last year in <b>Case C-67/14</b> that you cannot go to another member state and hold several short term jobs just to qualify for benefits. The country has a right to deny that person social welfare. More info <a href="http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2015-09/cp150101en.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.freemovement.org.uk/dano-and-the-exclusion-of-inactive-eu-citizens-from-certain-non-contributory-social-benefits/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/11/germany-deny-benefits-welfare-jobless-eu-migrants" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>"We'll be able to govern our own trading rules, and control who we trade with."</u></b><br />
<br />
Well yes and no. In fact more no than yes. The rules and legislation concerning trade with and inside the EU are phenominally complex. It is one of the most complex and advanced trade agreements in the world. However it really depends on a few things.<br />
<br />
If we want to maintain any kind of trading relationship with any of the EU member states in the single market, we are still goiong to have to conform to the regualtions and rules set down by the EU. That is non negotiable. Norway and Switzerland have to concede to the regulatory barriers of the EU, and so will we. You still have to pay a single market membership fee, have to conform to EU regulations, but what you are not able to do is influence the creation of those regulations as a member of the EU. Otherwise we will have to agree to not sell our goods and services inside the EU.<br />
<br />
Access to the single market also requires states to accept free movement of people. This falls under the immigration debate I will deal with later.<br />
<br />
We may decide we do not want to be part of the single market and act as Australia or India do when trading with the EU. But that doesn't take into account the many international businesses who currently have their european headquaters in the UK who will leave for Dublin or Paris, or another European base. They use the Uk as a convenient point of acces to the EU, and once they go, what exactly are we offering?<br />
<br />
It is possible to take our trade negotiations back, but thre is a strong chance we will find ourselves the poorer and weaker for it. More <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-referendum-uk-immigration-statistics-freedom-of-movement-a7044041.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/31/what-happens-next-if-britain-votes-to-leave-the-eu" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>"Its undemocratic. I don't want to be controlled by a load of uneleceted comissioners."</u></b><br />
<br />
No. Wrong. It is not undemocratic.<br />
<br />
The Commission is unelected - true. But who is it responsible to? Who are those unelected commisioners accountable? The european Parliament which is entirely elected by the citizens of the EU every 5 years. Just as our Prime minister is accountable ot Parliament, so too is the Commission accoutable to the European Parliament. The European Parliament can cenusre Comissioners, just as the British Parliament can issue a Vote Of No Confidence to the current governement. The amount of members (MEPs) is decided by the population size of each country, and the UK currently has the 3rd highest (joint with italy) number of MEPs in the Parliament with 73 out of 751.<br />
<br />
It is also true that most policy and laws start with the Commission, but that is because it is essentially the executive branch of the EU government - like the Government Ministers and Prime Minister in the UK or the Presdient of the USA. We do not choose our Prime minister, he is chosen by the party who wins the elecetion and the rest of the government is chosen from inside the parliament. The European Comission is the same. But, as the legislative Branch, the Parliament has no right to tell the Executive branch what its policy direction should be. It can suggest, it can petition, but it cannot tell. All it can do is vote against a measure to have it thrown out. it is more or less the same system of checks and balances that many democratic nations follow domestically.<br />
<br />
I feel this is more to do with voting turnout. Turnout to European Parliamentary elections is notoriously low across Europe, but especially in the UK. In Britain the turnout was just 34.3%, down from 38% in 2004. Because Elections (and to be honest the work) of the Eu are poorly advertised in the UK, we feel disenfranchised when we really aren't. In France the EU flag is everywhere, next to the Bleu Blanc Rouge, on all official buildings and in the street. They publicise the work of the EU, somethign which is rarely done in the UK. The perception is that we have no say, but the fact is we do - we just have to use our voice.<br />
<br />
See a more detailed overview <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ftu/pdf/en/FTU_1.3.2.pdf" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>"I want to be a siovereign nation. I want My country back. Immigrants. Terrorism. GRRRR"</u></b><br />
<br />
Of all the arguments this annoys me the most.<br />
<br />
The UK is a sovereign nation. Just like France, Germany, Sweden, Romania, Poland. Everything the EU gets to control in the UK is only because the UK Parliament has allowed it. Nothing from the Eu is implemented in the UK without our governments consent. We are allowed to have a referendum and vote to leave becuase we are a sovereign nation. End of story.<br />
<br />
The "take your country back" argument is the most stupid of all for several reasons.<br />
1) leaving Eu doesnt mean we'll stop Free Movement Of People - see the argument about trade.<br />
2) Leaving the Eu wont affect how many refugees or asylum seekers we have to take in - those are governed by other domestic laws and other international treaties. We will still have to deal with the Refugees in Calais. Also anyone who is crossing the sea in a rickety boat to escape war probably won't care whther we are politically part of the EU or not. It's low on their priority list<br />
3) Your country? Who are you and why is it your country? If you claim to be Anglo-Saxon, well your people only arrived here in the 5th century AD. The Romans were here before you, so maybe this country belongs to the modern Italians? If you read the Vindolanda Tablets, you will see that there were Syrains living and Dying at Hadrians wall long before the Anglo-Saxons arrived, so why are we denying the Syrian refugees a place to stay in our country? And lets not forget that before the Romans came the celtic people who still reside predominantly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I imagine those parts of the UK have a very different idea of whose country it is compared to someone calling themselves Anglo-Saxon. And any way, since then we"ve had Jewish, Dutch, French, and Russian immigration to the EU, not to mention immigration form the commonwealth and former colonies. Our kings and queens have been French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Russian, and mix of all of the above. Stop looking for a 'golden age of pure Britishness." It never existed.<br />
<br />
For an excellent analysis of the dishonesty on both sides of the campaign, this video from European Law researcher Professor Michael Dougan is well worth a look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/USTypBKEd8Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USTypBKEd8Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
The level of discourse and debate surrounding this referendum has been shocking. The lies and the bile have made me profoundly ashamed of the way my people are behaving right now. And moreover they are acting as if the rest of Europe (and the world) cannot see how the UK is behaving. Believe me, from here in France we can see everything that is going on, and the UK has not covered itself in glory. If we do leave, it is very hard for me to comprehend how we are going to negotiate with a Europe we have so profoundly offended and stabbed in the back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iAgKHSNqxa8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iAgKHSNqxa8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
This was never more evident than last week when the English football fans in Marseille for Euro 2016 chanted <b><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/10/england-fans-violence-marseille-police-european-championship" target="_blank">“Fuck off Europe, we’re all voting out.” </a>-</b> they then all recieved free mediacl care as European Citizens. Oh Irony. And perhaps nothing more clearly shows the divide between even the home nations of the UK on the mater of Brexit as the Wales fans ( my people - cymru am byth), allegedly singing "we're voting to stay" after topping Group B, ahead of compatriots England.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, it is hard to overstate how poisonous at malicious the narrative has become in the UK. You can taste the tensions in the air, and everyday stories of encounters bewteen remainers and leavers in the streets filters through to france, and the whole world can see the caps-lock ridden screaming matches on twitter. Both sides have stirred up these tensions deliberately, and have actively fanned the flames between the two sides, as facts and the undecided voters get forgotten in the fury. A few weeks ago, I was speaking to a fellow British au pair here in Paris and I said I ws amazed that no one had been seriously hurt yet.<br />
<br />
Then Last week Member of Parliament Jo Cox was<b> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/16/eu-referendum-live-osborne-brexit-budget-leave-tories" target="_blank">killed in the street </a></b>by a man who gave his name in court as "Death to traitors; Freedom for Britain." No one is in any doubt that it is connected to the EU referendum campaign.<br />
<br />
She was an ordinary MP, not one of the major players who had been shouting form a soap box, but an ordinary person who had been elected to public office and was trying her hardest to make her country better. She didn't shout about it, she quietly and consistently tried to make a difference and push her country forward. That is the British politics I recognise, and her death just shows you how far this referendum has taken us from that politics.<br />
<br />
The leave side was very quick to distance itself form the individual, though he was later found to have links to many Far Right political action groups who had campaigned for Leave. They quickly threw around words like "mentally ill", but he was an individual domestically radicalised to act in the name of a political ideaology. That is terrorism, and it seems <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/20/jo-cox-killing-thomas-mair-to-face-judge-under-terrorism-protocols" target="_blank"><b>he will be charged as such</b></a>.<br />
<br />
The rage and fury somewhat calmed down after the murder of Jo Cox, but it is still very much present under the surface. But I believe that rage is misplaced. It should not be directed at each other, but at those in power who abused their position, who mislead the people they are elected to represent, and who fanned the flames of hatred amongst the people of the UK. They capitalised on the people being underinformed, scared, and frustrated, and it lead to the murder of an innocent woman. When this referendum is over, I hope we do not forget their behaviour, and we do not allow them to do this to us again.<br />
<br />
In her maiden speech Jo Cox said "we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us." And that is fundementally how I feel about the EU. It was created after two wars that threatended to destroy the continent. It's goals are peace and cooperation. I believe we are better off working with people across the EU to find a better and more peaceful future that benefits all of us, not better off driving a wedge between us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u3OQRnJ1zrQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u3OQRnJ1zrQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
But it is out of my hands. I already sent in my postal vote and now we have to see how the rest of the UK feels this Thursday. What will happen to me? I don't know. Will I have to leave France? Will I take French citizenship to stay and work here?<br />
<br />
My future and that of my country hangs in the blance, and no one know what will happen. But for now let us not say goodbye, but as they say here in France - <b>Au Revoir.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/ZxAg1NPT5LwU7_LLSxoLnWI5XmrRg3a3wCKgB/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/ZxAg1NPT5LwU7_LLSxoLnWI5XmrRg3a3wCKgB/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-12291725610341127192016-05-30T21:24:00.001+02:002016-05-30T21:25:14.224+02:00L'As Du Fallafel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are plenty of fancy restaurants in Paris, delightful cafés, and boulangeries where you can grab a lunchtime baguette the size of your arm. But sometimes you just want something a little different. The french may be renowned for their gastronomy, but there are two types of food that the Parisians do not handle so well - vegetarian food (or at least some form of it that does not involve cheese) and spicy food. After filling up my arteries with<i> crêpe au fromage</i> when I need a savoury hit on my touristy travels, I was aching for something with the crunch of vegetables. In addition to this, I was craving something with a bit of a kick.<br />
<br />
So I headed to the historic Jewish district of Le Marais and joined the throngs of people queueing at <b>L'As Du Fallafel.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4lkeqV0h6A/V0yRgDvMB5I/AAAAAAAAApk/pKKhKOygtRcFNh-J5Ra7-pMRqyTEHn8wgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u4lkeqV0h6A/V0yRgDvMB5I/AAAAAAAAApk/pKKhKOygtRcFNh-J5Ra7-pMRqyTEHn8wgCLcB/s640/IMG_2179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The Marais district of Paris is one of my favourite areas. The architecture is noticeably different, having been the aristocratic stronghold of Paris until the 1700s. After they moved out it became a commercial centre, and still today there is some amazing shopping to be done in The Marais, with plenty of big brand names alongside independent boutiques. The area is also one of the centres of Paris' LGBT community, adding another dimension to it's history of diversity.<br />
<br />
And of course, the area has also been long associated with the Jewish community in Paris. It is worth visiting the beautiful art nouveau<i> <b>Synaguoge Agoudas Hakehilos</b></i>, which was designed in the Art Nouveau style by Hector Guimard, the man behind the iconic Paris Metro station signs. On a more tragic note, throughout the district there are constant reminders of the atrocities many members of Paris' Jewish community endured during the occupation of France by the Nazis. There are many plaques on the walls of gardens, listing the names of those transported to the concentration camps, many of them young children.<br />
<br />
After the Second World War ended, the Jewish community reestablished itself here. There is the <i><b>Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme</b></i>, and many fascinating shops and sites relating to Jewish culture to be seen. Furthermore, this is without doubt the place to come to sample traditional Jewish foods from the multitude of delis and bakeries. Or like I did for some amazing falafel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gahTdoGA1E/V0yRwhC5HAI/AAAAAAAAApo/EedPyBTJdkgkHtfLotIo0wjv1clP_FRuACLcB/s1600/IMG_2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gahTdoGA1E/V0yRwhC5HAI/AAAAAAAAApo/EedPyBTJdkgkHtfLotIo0wjv1clP_FRuACLcB/s640/IMG_2180.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also it is recommended by Lenny Kravitz. Really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i>L'as du Fallafel</i></b> is located in the "Pletzl" Jewish quarter. The ancient winding streets fill up quickly because this place is super popular. In fact the crowds get so big they have instituted a terrifying queuing system based upon coloured tickets. You need to decide what you want before you queue, join the queue, desperately try to grab one of the men running up and down the queue with the tickets, then place your order. Then it seems they decide who they want to pluck from the queue and send to one of two window. To be honest I don't possess an advanced degree in mathematics, so I don't know how they were doing it.<br />
<br />
However, let me tell you what you are going to order - you are going to order the '<b><i>fallafel special</i></b>' for 6€.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27KOR5EIaDA/V0yS3FbD8xI/AAAAAAAAAp4/80x9bStusGgLqiKT3GXsZJX5mLtiOnJowCLcB/s1600/IMG_2182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-27KOR5EIaDA/V0yS3FbD8xI/AAAAAAAAAp4/80x9bStusGgLqiKT3GXsZJX5mLtiOnJowCLcB/s640/IMG_2182.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oh yes. That is what you want.<br />
<br />
I cannot describe how good this was. Let's start with the bread - SO SOFT. not soft like that cheap white bread that returns to dough when you squish it. No. Pillow soft. The aubergines are grilled to perfection, not slimy but substantial and still with a little bite.<br />
This softness is complimented by a generous portion of fresh tomatoes and crunchy coleslaw.<br />
<br />
And the falafels are so perfect - crunchy outsides, fluffy centres, and spiced to perfection. And before you think that the only falafels are the ones on the top, you are wrong. They put one lot of falafels in the bottom of the bread, load it up with other ingredients, then put another helping of falafels on the top. Yes! Falafel all the way to the bottom - that is your money's worth!<br />
<br />
The whole thing is topped off with cool yoghurt dressing and spicy sauce (you can decide how hot).<br />
<br />
I have had some pretty great meals here in Paris, but without a doubt this is one of the best. And at only 6€, what is not to love?<br />
<br />
Ok, the queueing system is a mess, but it's not terminal. The only other drawback is if you are in Paris for only a short time, it is not open during the day on Saturdays because they (like many other places in the Marais) observe Shabbat. But for a casual Sunday stroll, why not pick up a falafel special and then head to the beautiful Jardins des Rosiers and make a picnic like I did with a friend? It is pretty much perfect.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/ZxAg1NPT5LwU7_LLSxoLnWI5XmrRg3a3wCKgB/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/ZxAg1NPT5LwU7_LLSxoLnWI5XmrRg3a3wCKgB/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details</u></b><br />
<br />
L'As du Fallafel<br />
34 rue des Rosiers,<br />
4e<br />
Paris<br />
<br />
Mon-Thu, Sun noon-midnight<br />
Fri 12n-4pm<br />
Sat 6pm-midnight</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-51257764311692636292016-04-10T14:22:00.001+02:002016-04-10T14:24:57.251+02:00T'aimes le flânerie?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The sun is shining over Paris today, for the second weekend in a row. That's it, I'm calling it. Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to learn a new french word.<br />
<br />
<b><i>flâneur</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGJl5WldKVI/VwpEIw8PZCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/I_stxK9QslgpptDywSYChWVrrsb_2PYLQ/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGJl5WldKVI/VwpEIw8PZCI/AAAAAAAAAoU/I_stxK9QslgpptDywSYChWVrrsb_2PYLQ/s640/IMG_1835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A <b><i>flâneur</i></b> is someone who strolls around, observing society and soaking up the atmosphere. Balzac described <b><i>flânerie</i></b> as "the gastronomy of the eye", and Baudelaire explained it thusly:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>For the perfect flâneur, for the passionate spectator, it is an immense joy to set up house in the heart of the multitude, amid the ebb and flow of movement, in the midst of the fugitive and the infinite. To be away from home and yet to feel oneself everywhere at home; to see the world, to be at the centre of the world, and yet to remain hidden from the world...</i></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
—<i> Charles Baudelaire, "The Painter of Modern Life" - Originally published in Le Figaro, in 1863.</i> </div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
First of all I want to set the mood on this post. Please play this music as you read, and if you can, drink a strong black coffee.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fCsNg6XB3dg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fCsNg6XB3dg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
For me the perfect place to start your first <i>flânerie</i> is at Notre Dame. Head for <b>Metro Châtlet</b> and cross the <b><i>Pont Neuf </i></b>for an amazing view of the mediaeval heart of Paris. You can walk through the <i><b>Marché aux Fleurs </b></i>and see the rows and rows of freshly cut and potted plants ready for sale. On a Sunday this becomes a bird market too - with the occasional rabbit up for sale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTOPxraw21U/VwpE8Z9FbmI/AAAAAAAAAog/qCxC8-mxPBozUuljRK3uMhgsNceHQqMnw/s1600/IMG_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTOPxraw21U/VwpE8Z9FbmI/AAAAAAAAAog/qCxC8-mxPBozUuljRK3uMhgsNceHQqMnw/s640/IMG_1821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Because the <b><i>Île de Cité </i></b>is free from <i>gratte-ciel <b>(</b></i>sky scrapers), you can really see how blue and clear the sky is. Even if you don't go inside, to see the intricate stone work lit up by the strong spring sunshine is something that you can't miss.<br />
<br />
As you absorb the amazing gothic masonry, walk down the right hand side of the cathedral. Here you will arrive at Square Jean XXIII, dedicated to Pope John XXIII, who was pope from 1958-1963. Here you can lounge on benches situated under cherry trees and watch the rest of paris roll by. You have an amazing view of The Seine on one side and the beautiful walls of Notre Dam behind you. The gardens are filled with flowers and everyone from <i>grandmères</i> with children and beatniks with saxophones is making the most of the sunshine with you.<br />
<br />
If you can tear your self away from the <i>jardins</i>, stroll east and cross over to St-Louis en l’Île. Here is the most famous ice cream shop in Paris - <b>Berthillion</b>. It may look like a hole in the wall, but every Parisian know that this is where to get the best ice cream in Paris. Be prepared to queue, but do not worry - your patience will be richly rewarded. There are over 70 flavours. Some are typical ice cream flavours (chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel) and some feel very French (coffee, <i>marrons glacés</i>, and <i>Agenaise</i>, which is Armagnac and prunes). In addition to this they have a rotating menu of seasonal flavours as well, so whenever you go there will be something to tempt you<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uy27watth0/VwpE8ZDyvCI/AAAAAAAAAok/3vnYqJ_yBmIgBlg-C3ayKnNJ2CBJIoIMg/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2uy27watth0/VwpE8ZDyvCI/AAAAAAAAAok/3vnYqJ_yBmIgBlg-C3ayKnNJ2CBJIoIMg/s640/IMG_1822.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSuAPM2BSc/VwpE99JvIlI/AAAAAAAAAoo/M2N5VFZNBGgIyfEAUrq7QlwS008EPDhxw/s1600/IMG_1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSuAPM2BSc/VwpE99JvIlI/AAAAAAAAAoo/M2N5VFZNBGgIyfEAUrq7QlwS008EPDhxw/s640/IMG_1825.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
So with your ice cream in hand, head for the water. You will not be alone here, tourists and real Parisians collide as everyone strolls along the river banks. The dock areas are rammed with students, bohemians and<b><i> Bo-Bos</i></b> (bourgeoise bohemian - the French version of hipsters) reading poetry out loud or playing guitars. The smell of cigarette smoke is often punctuated by the smell of something a little more potent and the occasional wine cork popping. <i>Ne panique pas!</i> Even though the Police HQ is located nearby, they will not be coming - they know this is just how it goes on the banks of The Seine on a sunny day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QAO11DJSBU/VwpE_cmWYUI/AAAAAAAAAow/4HqDG_E3bHkNCV76HmFORzpv0HS4K6zog/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0QAO11DJSBU/VwpE_cmWYUI/AAAAAAAAAow/4HqDG_E3bHkNCV76HmFORzpv0HS4K6zog/s640/IMG_1831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My favourite thing to do is head back towards <b>Notre Dame</b> and <b>Pont Neuf,</b> especially in the late afternoon. You walk into the sunshine, and the whole of Paris seems golden in the sunlight. Even after my worst weeks, when the kids have been evil, I've been bumped into countless times on the Metro, and had arrogant Parisian business men shrug at me when they knock over my coffee in a café, this gilded version of Paris always reminds me of how lucky I am to be living in this city, even if for only a short time.<br />
<br />
So indulge your eyes (and maybe your tastebuds) and enjoy<i> un peu de flânerie avec moi</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-33017619569874276912016-04-08T17:27:00.001+02:002016-04-08T17:42:43.509+02:00I'm an au pair, not a mother in training<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What I am about to say may surprise you. It may even offend some of you. But I think it's worth being honest about, as it perhaps goes against many of the stereotypes of being an au pair.<br />
<br />
I'm not really interested in being a mother. I'm not even that interested in children.<br />
<br />
Ok, I can almost hear the gasps and angry comments being thrashed out on poor unsuspecting keyboards - let me explain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTnX0iLq0Dc/VwfLH9Ma3ZI/AAAAAAAAAn4/2_El-VmxvGw3oZvmDaGULP3r9XR77cuqw/s1600/paris%2Bau%2Bpair%2Bkit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTnX0iLq0Dc/VwfLH9Ma3ZI/AAAAAAAAAn4/2_El-VmxvGw3oZvmDaGULP3r9XR77cuqw/s640/paris%2Bau%2Bpair%2Bkit.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm just looking forward to the day when my handbag isn't full of compote.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
So I want to caveat this piece with a little warning. This is not an indictment of anyone who has made the choice to be a mother. Mothers are great, I even have one (hi Mum, if you're reading this). What I am about to say has nothing to do with other people's choices. If you want to be a mother, go be a mother. Maybe finish school and make sure you have enough money to look after you and your children properly, but otherwise you go do what you want. That being said, it's not something that interests me at all.<br />
<br />
Ever since I was a teenager my aunt and cousin have constantly asked, whenever I have seen them, "So do you have a boyfriend?". Innocuous enough. But lately I can tell that a lot more people I know are thinking the same thing. Wondering when I'm going to settle down and sort my life out. Since I became an au pair, one theme has constantly been raised - "So are you having a practice run at being a mother?"<br />
<br />
Well no. No I am not.<br />
<br />
Yes as an au pair the largest part of that job is childcare. But I wonder if the male au pairs get asked the same question? (Yes male au pairs exist. They are rare creatures. Like a unicorn but with compote and a vaguely resigned look on their faces when they are the only boy in an au pair French class. ) I have also had experience being a teacher for children between 6 and 11. However I have never EVER been one of those people who go all gooey eyed and start drooling over tiny babies. The window of a Baby Gap has never made me wish I had someone to put in those tiny outfits. The smell of the top of a baby's head does nothing for me. Believe me, I know. I've had friends almost push their infant's head up my left nostril, but I just don't 'get' it.<br />
<br />
Even with slightly older kids, I don't seem to have that weak spot. Take the four year old I look after for example. He can have moments of being cute, seriously cute. He wants cuddles and kisses, and he wants to sit with me and talk about his day. He has those big brown eyes, and a sweet little smile that makes him look like butter wouldn't melt. Some people (the host parents included) seem to think that these things make up for all the naughtiness and chaos they create (not that the host parents would know about that because they only see him for half an hour in the evening). Perhaps something deep in human biology means that the memories of all their <i>bêtises</i> is overpowered by a rush of hormones every time he looks at them with those big brown eyes. But I never let myself forget that he has a capacity for incredible evil. Even when he is being super sweet, this is the same kid who broke my iPhone, and who stood in the middle of the hallway and pooed his pants when I said "No TV." My resentment will not be overpowered by those eyes.<br />
<br />
Perhaps this is, as my Aunt would probably tell me, because I haven't met the right person yet - the one who I would want to start a family with. Maybe. However I don't necessarily see a correlation between my romantic status and my parental status. There are plenty of couples out there who enjoy their child-free lives, and there are plenty of single parents who love the rich experiences that parenthood offers.<br />
<br />
I have, however, also been a 'never say never' type of person. There seems to be a great tension between the "I know what I want" and the " I don't want a baby YET" camps. It is not my place to tell any of them how to think about whether they want children. From my perspective, I don't want to get sterilised or take the more permanent courses of action. I can say with all honesty that I know that in this moment I don't want children, but I also know myself well enough to say that I am a changeable person who is constantly evolving and prone to impulsiveness and making big changes to my life. So maybe one day I will end up with a kid,but it is not something that I lie awake at night thinking about. It is not something I am planning my life around, and if you so much as mention my 'biological clock', you can expect a hefty amount of side eye from me. You have been warned.<br />
<br />
What I am sure of though, is that I have no desire to have a child because that is my role as a woman or, perhaps more accurately, because society tells us that bearing children is part of 'having it all" as a woman. Oh hell no. Don't even try to raise that argument with me, unless you are ready for a verbal slap down of epic proportions.<br />
<br />
It does seem that statistics show I am not alone in this field. In the USA more women than ever are opting to not have children. The census data from 2014 (<a href="http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-tps33.html" target="_blank">find it here</a>) shows that nearly 50% of women ages 25 to 29 did not have children. For women women ages 30 to 34, the statistic was 28.9%. And overall the census data revealed that 47.6% of women in the USA who were aged 15 to 44 did not have children in 2014. This was an overall increase from 46.5% in 2012. There were several hypotheses put forward including the fact that women are becoming more successful in the work place, and that drops in fertility rate tend to coincide with drops int he economy, so the 2008 recession may have contributed to this (<a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/10/12/in-a-down-economy-fewer-births/" target="_blank">link here</a>). Of course we must also take into account that there are many out there who are unable to conceive and are not childless by choice. But what is clear is that the numbers of women who are happy to put off having children until later, or forever, is on the rise.<br />
<br />
Does this make me an unfit au pair? Well obviously I don't think so. Sometimes, the person who is best suited to a job is one who is not so emotionally involved. It's why surgeons don't operate on family members, and why lawyers shouldn't represent their friends - that emotional tug you feel makes you less effective at your work. So too with children and au pairing. The person who is easily won over by big eyes and cutesy pouting lips is not the person you want to be in charge of your children's discipline. You want someone who can make sure that homework gets done, that will have the kids in bed, that won't let the rules slide just because one of the kids has started crying.<br />
<br />
So many families ask for someone to be 'a big sister' or 'a best friend' - but really when you actually do the job, that's not what an au pair should be, nor is it really what the parents want. Besides, some kids see their parents so little that you can't rely on them to be the disciplinarians when they get home, you have to suck it up and get on with it<br />
<br />
Kids are fine. They can be cute and they can be evil. Will I miss mine when I leave in 3 months time? Yes of course. Will I be looking forward to the day I get one of my own. No. Will I be looking forward to a 9-5 job, a bottle of wine and whatever I want on the television?<br />
<br />
God, yes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-50165059346004753912016-03-23T09:00:00.000+01:002016-04-07T10:44:56.734+02:00L' Éventail Bar-Restaurant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>L' Éventail</i> </b>means two things in French. First of all it means a fan, the type you hold in your hand and use to stay cool. But it can also mean something else - the range, usually price range. So, cool and price range - something to consider when considering what may be one of my new favourite places to grab a bite to eat in Paris, <i>L' Éventail </i>Bar-Restaurant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uv6vKBCOnCU/Vu2EcVTVzhI/AAAAAAAAAmo/duI9mnSMzusLld1WLcsXwuFkBarNJLzhQ/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uv6vKBCOnCU/Vu2EcVTVzhI/AAAAAAAAAmo/duI9mnSMzusLld1WLcsXwuFkBarNJLzhQ/s640/IMG_1791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>It is one of my favourite things, when you stumble upon a great new place by accident. You didn't read about it online, it wasn't recommended by a friend. You were walking around a <i>quartier</i> you've never been to before and suddenly felt that pull to go into this new place and - BAM- new favourite. I love that.<br />
<br />
That is exactly what happened to me last weekend. I was looking at the areas of Paris I didn't know well enough and decided to go to <b>Oberkampf Metro</b> and have a walk around. I had arranged to meet with a friend, but she was running a little late, so I strolled around the area looking for somewhere we could grab coffee. As it turns out, I didn't have to look far. <i><b>L' Éventail </b></i>is right next to the Metro exit.<br />
<br />
When you walk in to <b><i>L' Éventail,</i></b> you know this is not a traditional Parisian cafe. With exposed stone walls, painted plaster, mismatched chairs, restored industrial light fittings, and a grand piano being used as a table, it feels more like the latest hipster haunt in Brooklyn, or London's Shoreditch. This is part of Paris' new wave of restaurants and bistros, who aren't afraid to look internationally for inspiration and who are determined to dust off the image of the snooty and arrogant waiter judging your choice of wine.<br />
<br />
The staff were really friendly and relaxed, especially the bartender who kept breaking out into some seriously sweet dance moves, including twerking to Nicki Minaj's Anaconda. The music was varied, including ska, punk, disco, pop - matching the pictures of the various famous musicians on the walls, all edited to be holding, you guessed it, fans. The atmosphere was so calm and relaxed, and the clientele really varied. Some people on a date, two friends catching up, a writer redrafting his work, a family enjoying a Saturday afternoon out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZU5LpBuTjw/Vu2EvOIl_FI/AAAAAAAAAms/2SV1fGyTrW8dd9mETDJNrOK2f9cuNYRqQ/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZU5LpBuTjw/Vu2EvOIl_FI/AAAAAAAAAms/2SV1fGyTrW8dd9mETDJNrOK2f9cuNYRqQ/s640/IMG_1788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The food was great too. There were a variety of <i>formules</i> available, and I went for the <i><b>Formule du Midi</b></i> choosing '<b>Entrée + Plat</b>" for <b>14,50€</b>. A very reasonable deal. The menu really does offer a range of foods and a great price - I guess that's where the name comes from. My <i>entrée</i> was a vegetable soup including carrot and sweet potato. It was absolutely divine. It may be Spring in Paris, but it is still cold and this soup warmed me down to my toes. So creamy. So perfectly seasoned. And look at the super-crunchy mini croutons!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6RfP9HtOX8/Vu2JqzHk4VI/AAAAAAAAAnM/yEZK2-OY9tgKdtKSxu2sbQM094P55Y9Ig/s1600/soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j6RfP9HtOX8/Vu2JqzHk4VI/AAAAAAAAAnM/yEZK2-OY9tgKdtKSxu2sbQM094P55Y9Ig/s640/soup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My plat was an Italian twist on the French classic, steak tartare. The thing about steak tartare is that you can tell if it isn't fresh because prepared raw meat left sitting around for ages is going to start tasting a bit off. This was fresh. The Italian twist came from blending pesto with the meat. The pesto was very herby. It danced on the line of overpowering the meat, but was just about safe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjS2arfe_5g/Vu2GNlSLj2I/AAAAAAAAAm8/x8LUpUnea2s7qxlsVjgtYfIFa62XJliTg/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjS2arfe_5g/Vu2GNlSLj2I/AAAAAAAAAm8/x8LUpUnea2s7qxlsVjgtYfIFa62XJliTg/s640/IMG_1782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It came with an adorable mini frying basket of chips, which were thickly cut, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. No 'French" fries here! The salad leaves were crispy and, you guessed it, fresh and had a light mustard dressing. In short this was a good twist on the classic, and showed the restaurant's commitment to using fresh ingredients.<br />
<br />
At night the atmosphere changes and the place hosts bands and DJs as well as an impressive range of cocktails printed on - fans of French puns get ready - <b>a fan</b>! Oh you funny french people. But there's nothing funny about the prices which are far more reasonable than you will find in other bars.<br />
<br />
I haven't been there in the evening yet, but if its as good as my experience on Saturday afternoon, I'm sure it will be a great night. A great range of food, decent prices and a cool atmosphere? I'm a total '<b>fan</b>'.<br />
<br />
See, I can make puns too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Details</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
L' Éventail Bar-Restaurant<br />
28, Boulevard Voltaire<br />
Paris<br />
75011<br />
<br />
<b>Phone</b>: 09 80 96 55 66<br />
<b>email</b>: leventailparis@yahoo.fr</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-36653073785988521212016-03-19T14:59:00.001+01:002016-03-19T16:15:10.075+01:00La Vie Est Belle: Avène Cleanance Range - The Secret of French Beauty Rituals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you read some of my last posts (<a href="http://anaupairinparis.blogspot.fr/2016/02/when-things-go-wrong.html" target="_blank">here</a>) you will know that the kids have been giving me major stress lately. One of the side effects of all this stress has been that my skin is terrible! I have had break outs all over my face and neck, and they have lasted for weeks without calming down. I know things like the lack of sleep and the insane amount of chocolate I eat to stay sane contributed to that, but even though I've tried to clean up my act, my old <b>La Roche Posay Effaclar<i> </i></b>(review here) just wasn't cutting it. My host mum swears by <b>Avène</b> products, so I thought I would try some too. But I wasn't just going to change face wash. I was going to start washing my face like a real Parisienne. I was going to start a full cleansing ritual with <b>Avène's Cleanance</b> range whilst on my holiday in the Alps, to make my pampering complete!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QumLJr2Yv3k/Vu1X30tHu2I/AAAAAAAAAmY/-C37deBXtZcRu1PpBLz8oCYK1T1vRZC2Q/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QumLJr2Yv3k/Vu1X30tHu2I/AAAAAAAAAmY/-C37deBXtZcRu1PpBLz8oCYK1T1vRZC2Q/s640/IMG_1578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b>Avène's Cleanance</b> range is for blemish-prone and oily skin types, and is designed to cleanse and purify the skin. They outline a basic ritual on the box and on the website. I have done my best to follow this day and night (which for someone as forgetful as me is not so easy).<br />
<br />
<u><b>1) Cleanse with Cleanance Gel Cleanser</b></u><br />
This is a bright blue gel in a clear bottle. Unlike most french skin cleansers which come with a pump or flip cap, this has a twist cap which to my surprise was still possible to open when wet. The gel is paraben free and claims to respect the skins pH. The gel is not as foamy as I expected, and at first I wasn't sure that it was working as I could not feel the oil and gunk washing off. However when I washed it off, I was surprised to find that my skin felt cleaner than I expected, but not dry or tight.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2) Spray a fine mist of Avène Eau Thermale over your face.</u></b><br />
I confess I did not do this exactly right. If you want to know why I am not the world's biggest fan of facial water sprays read my review of <a href="http://anaupairinparis.blogspot.fr/2015/10/la-vie-est-belle-evian-le-brumisateur.html" target="_blank"><b>Evian Facial Spray </b>here</a>. So instead of buying a whole new one, I have been using what was left of my Evian spray. I know - I'm not getting the full effect blah, blah, blah. Look at it this way, at least I'm not being wasteful!<br />
<br />
<b><u>3) Tone with Cleanance MAT toner</u></b><br />
This comes in the same minimalist packaging as the cleansing gel, with the same twist cap. It uses monolaurin (I didn't know what it was either - apparently it is in coconut and breast milk, and acts as an anti-microbial. You learn something new everyday.), combined with absorbent powders to mattify the skin. Unlike many toners this didn't sting, or give that tightening sensation that you sometimes get. It also helped remove the last little bits of waterproof make-up and oil off my face face. So far, I'm impressed.<br />
<br />
<b><u>4)Apply Cleanance Expert all over the face</u></b><br />
Of all the products in the range, I have to say this one was the most confusing. Is it a moisturiser? Is it a treatment? Is it both? What is it? The website claims that it is "more than just a moisturiser" and it will regulate sebum production, reduce spots and blackheads, limits the spread of acne causing bacteria, and soothe redness and inflammation. Wow - sounds like a wonder product, if all that is true.<br />
I used it as if it was a normal moisturiser, and was expecting my combination skin to over dry in places and my super oily t-zone would over power it. So far it seems to be working. My skin is not as oily as it was and my dry patches are not too dry. For the first time I'm not using a deep cleansing masques twice a week. That being said, I am thinking about switching to a moisturising mask once a week/every two weeks. Whilst my skin doesn't feel painfully dry, it feels like it could use a little extra hydration.<br />
<br />
Overall, I have been impressed by this range. My face is no where near as oily as it used to be and, although there are still a few deep blemishes which have not disappeared, I can see that the breakout has been reduced.<br />
<br />
I know - I was on holiday in the Alps. I'm sure all that fresh mountain air combined with high altitude sunshine and strong mountain winds battering my face on the ski slopes helped. So is being removed from <i>les petits monstres</i>. That being said, I have continued to use the products after I returned from my holiday, and so far the breakouts have been kept under control - unlike the children I look after.<br />
<br />
As for the ritual itself? I have to say it felt pretty luxurious to do it every morning and evening. The repetition of the ritual is almost hypnotic and soothing. That's not surprising when there are many studies showing that rituals, no matter how big or how small, can increase focus, and calm someone in a stressful situation (read more <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-rituals-work/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.bps.org.uk/news/repetitive-behaviour-reduces-stress" target="_blank">here</a>). Whether it was the ritual or the fancy French products, there is something incredibly pleasing about making your morning and evening skincare more than just a quick lather of some face wash, a slap of moisturiser, and off you go into the world or to bed.<br />
<br />
There is something more about the element of luxury. It's something about the way the product looks. The packaging of the brands of toiletries in French pharmacies is all different, but it has one thing in common. Sleek, minimalistic packaging that looks almost clinical. It inspires a sense of confidence in the product, as if it were something a doctor would prescribe. Yet it's simplicity is so obviously designed for appearance and not clinical identity, that it looks chic. Go to your local pharmacy and look at some brands - <b>Avène</b>, <b>La Roche Posay</b>, <b>Eucerin</b>, <b>Bioderma</b> and more. They all have the packaging design equivalent of a Scandinavian Architect's favourite chair - clean lines, functional, and pleasingly simple. And just like that chair, these products come with a price.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I've spent to long at the top of the mountain and the lack of oxygen is making me ponder on the psychology of the design of a bottle of moisturiser.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps what I'm trying to say is this - sometimes a little luxury goes a long way to making us feel a lot better. I know there's a lot of au pairs out there who stress a lot over their work, and who are letting it get the better of them and their health, especially over the two week holiday. To them I say - Treat yourself. Maybe it's not fancy face wash that floats your boat, but give yourself a little luxury. Book a cheap ticket to somewhere new in France. Go out for a meal, buy a cheap scarf covered in Eiffel Towers. Whatever it is, do it. Believe me you've worked for it<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtudsZA0RChHme1oQrVULh68QYg/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The article <i><b>Why Rituals Work</b></i> by Francesca Gino and Michael I. Norton first appeared on the <b>Scientific American </b>website on 14th of May 2013 and was accessed by the author on 19th March 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Repetitive Behaviour Reduces Stress</i></b> first appeared as a news article on <b>The British Psychological Society</b> website on 7th of November 2011 and was accessed by the author on 19th March 2016.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-69752790114426484942016-03-01T09:39:00.007+01:002016-03-01T09:41:39.033+01:00Nuxe Bio Beauté High Nutrition Body Lotion For Sensitive Skin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On my recent trip to the Alps, I made a promise. I was going to practice a little self care and try to repair a little of the damage that my body had undergone since coming back to au pairing in January. I went on a mini-pharmacy binge before jumping on the TGV and picked up a few treats to boost my apres ski regime. My first choice was this - <b>Nuxe Bio Beauté High Nutrition Body Lotion</b> <b>For Sensitive Skin.</b> After receiving an entire handful of free samples of this in a Monoprix para-pharmacy near Notre Dame, I decided to go out and buy the real deal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4S27k4hHPo/VtVU2dgVx7I/AAAAAAAAAl4/yBqZJC2wKVY/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4S27k4hHPo/VtVU2dgVx7I/AAAAAAAAAl4/yBqZJC2wKVY/s640/IMG_1642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
If you have read my earlier posts, you will know that I am a big fan of <b>Nuxe</b>. They are a pharmacy brand, but they always seem to have an attitude of luxury - however this may just because they make those oh so pretty shiny golden body oils advertised in all the pharmacy windows. This lotion is part of their <b>Bio Beauté</b> range, which aims to bring organic ingredients and effective products together with no mineral oils, no artificial colouring agents, no parabens. This lotion is designed for sensitive skin, using natural cold cream and extracts of sweet almond, beeswax, and rosewater (all organic). It is supposed to nourish the skin, and help reduce the signs of dry and red patches. I thought this would be perfect to help soothe my skin after being blasted by wind and snow on the top of the mountains. I bought this product from <b>Parashop</b>, 53 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris - a chain of pharmacies that are often offer a better price on many of the luxury skin care brands than other pharmacies. They have not paid me to say that, it is a genuine tip.<br />
<br />
Now I have to confess - I don't like almond based products. I have an intolerance to almonds, so eating anything containing them has a pretty nasty effect on me (though using them on my skin has no effect). Consequently the smell of almonds is one of my least favourite smells - a shame since it is one of the most frequently used scents in luxury bath products and toiletries. However, the smell of this lotion did not make me feel physically ill. It was very light with a honeyed edge, and was so subtle that after a while I forgot about it. It takes a lot of effort to overcome my loathing of almond scents to ty a product, but this one really did win me over.<br />
<br />
The texture of this lotion is also super light. Most creams for dry skin are usually very heavy or leave a greasy film on top of the sin for ages afterwards - who doesn't hate the sensation of putting jeans over legs covered in heavy cream? But this cream was really fluid and absorbed really quickly. Its perfect for use all over your body after just jumping out the shower or bath.you don't feel like you have undone all your work scrubbing in the shower by covering yourself in something greasy, and your clothes will not stick to you afterwards! Amazing!<br />
<br />
As for the results? I'm really pleased. It's probably not the most intensely moisturising product available, but it will keep your skin soft with regular use. It helped to sort out my dry elbows, and some dry patches that have been caused by the central heating in the flat, but I have been using it everyday. I can imagine for anyone suffering from really dry skin conditions, this alone may not be enough. However, it has kept my skin really soft after experiencing some seriously harsh Alpine weather - sub zero temperatures and being blasted by wind and snow. Considering the extreme conditions, this product has been great and was worth the price.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-12087309768516485622016-02-28T18:52:00.001+01:002016-03-19T15:07:11.832+01:00An Au Pair Out And About Special- Haute-Savoie Region & Chamonix Valley<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Winter in Paris has been cold and dry. The skies are grey, the rain comes down hard, and even the chicest Parisian is running into the nearest shop to protect their cashmere scarf. As I have mentioned before, things have been quite stressful with the family for a few weeks, and I needed a break. Luckily I had pre-arranged with the family to have a week off while the kids spent the first week of their holidays with Mamie and Pappie in Biarritz.<br />
<br />
Many people would no doubt choose somewhere hot & sunny for a break away. Good choice. However I have always been a fan of cold weather holidays and I needed some physical exercise (there's only so much cardio running around after the kids can give you). So I headed south-east, for the fresh air and exercise capital that is the French Alps. Specifically I headed for the <b>Chamonix Valley</b> - home to the first Winter Olympics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lLG08Qsks1k/VtMvrHQqS2I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/nU0c3tAAW2A/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lLG08Qsks1k/VtMvrHQqS2I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/nU0c3tAAW2A/s640/IMG_1528.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
I jumped on the <b>TGV</b> (one of the most comfortable trains I have ever been on) from <b>Gare-de-Lyon </b>and headed for Geneva in Switzerland. At the airport, I got into a hire car and headed back across the border into the <b>Haute-Savoie </b>region of France. Haute-Savoie is a department in <b>Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes</b>, South-Eastern, along the borders of Switzerland and Italy, and home to Mont Blanc - the highest mountain in The Alps and the highest mountain in Europe outside the Caucuses. The area is filled with spectacular scenery and a mix of forests and mountains. It is a real winter wonderland and about as picturesque a place as you could hope to go to escape the pressures of Parisian life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1G-ztbuLm0/VtMvyYg-Q1I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/QCh9B7mDLT0/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1G-ztbuLm0/VtMvyYg-Q1I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/QCh9B7mDLT0/s640/IMG_1602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The centre of Les Houches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am clearly not the only person to think this, as the area was filled with Parisians enjoying the first week of the school holidays. I even met another au pair in the ski equipment rental shop. The guy helping me fit my boots asked me my job, and when I said I was an au pair in Paris he looked at me and asked<br />
<br />
<i>"Où exactement?"</i><br />
<i>"Seizième"</i><br />
<i>"Dommage."</i><br />
<br />
And he proceeded to tell me how the kids from <i>seizième</i> are the worst behaved, he knows because he sees so many passing through the shop and in Chamonix. I remained diplomatically silent at this, but it is true that the Chamonix valley is a popular choice for Parisians looking to enjoy some winter sports.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTSANBdtScM/VtMvrHVWpsI/AAAAAAAAAkU/ffTy0ESA89M/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTSANBdtScM/VtMvrHVWpsI/AAAAAAAAAkU/ffTy0ESA89M/s640/IMG_1524.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was staying in <b>Les Houches</b>, a ski resort fairly low down the mountain, where a lot of families with children go to start teaching the kids to ski and snowboard. I was staying in an old, traditional chalet, with some quite unpredictable hot water in the bathroom. But the view alone made any cold showers entirely worth it. Wow - completely breathtaking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mr9-xb13-Ho/VtMv6EjHR1I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/dNiYUxLn7e0/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mr9-xb13-Ho/VtMv6EjHR1I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/dNiYUxLn7e0/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC8UkWGs8H4/VtMvy3UacpI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/FS07FhYYK14/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC8UkWGs8H4/VtMvy3UacpI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/FS07FhYYK14/s640/IMG_1654.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The weather for the first day of skiing was completely spectacular. But it was a little more unpredictable for the rest of the holiday. It ranged from brilliant sunshine and temperatures edging up to 20 degrees celsius on the top of the lifts, to zero-visibility and winds blowing horizontal snow into your face. Part of this can be explained by the <b>Foehn Effect</b>, a famous weather condition in the Alps caused by warm winds on the downwind side of a mountain that cause rapid jumps in temperature, snow to melt quickly and rain to fall hard. When this happened we jumped in the car and drove through the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy and the <b>Courmayeur</b> ski resort, where the weather is amazingly different, and brilliantly sunny. Its 30 minutes drive and no passport check to move between the countries - if you buy a week long ski pass for the Chamonix Valley a day in Italy will be included.<br />
<br />
Spending six hours a day skiing is of course amazing exercise, so you would expect that all those croissant-related kilos would be falling away - that is until you know a little about Savoie cuisine. <b><i>Raclette, fondue, tartiflette</i></b> - dairy is one of the big exports of the Haute-Savoie region, especially the famous <b><i>rebluchon</i></b>, which is an amazingly delicious but quite smelly cheese.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Pierre Chaude</i></b> is one of the local specialities (though it is found all over the world) where thin strips of meat are placed on a hot, salted stone or piece of metal with burners underneath, in our case duck, beef, and chicken. It is served with sauces, for us it was a herby hollandaise, garlic mayonnaise, and creamy pepper sauce. This one was found at <b>Le National </b>in Chamonix, a restaurant formerly known as being a haunt for English mountaineers. Its not the highest quality restaurants in Chamonix, but its good value for money.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yi2NJw1nA5Y/VtMvukkiFoI/AAAAAAAAAkg/xhaySYmMkgY/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yi2NJw1nA5Y/VtMvukkiFoI/AAAAAAAAAkg/xhaySYmMkgY/s640/IMG_1567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apologies to all vegetarians reading this blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are many cafes and rest stops along the ski slopes, or at the foot of the mountains. One of my favourites is <b><i>L'Arrêt Bougnette,</i></b> at the base of a red run in <b><i>Vallorcine/Le Tour</i></b>. Here I had an amazing <b><i>tartiflette</i></b> - which is a Savoyard variation on gratin made with lardons, onions, potatoes and loads of rebluchon cheese. It's not health food, but after hours on the slopes it is what you want. So bad, but so good.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGdGISvQSEo/VtMwJ1D9mOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5R2L-jVUfGY/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGdGISvQSEo/VtMwJ1D9mOI/AAAAAAAAAlI/5R2L-jVUfGY/s640/IMG_1601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks simple, but you have no idea how good it is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chamonix is full of shops. Most of these focus on ski, snowboard, or mountaineering gear. A lot of these shops are expensive. But being one of the top destinations for the Parisian (and international) chic set, there is also a <b>Chanel</b> and <b>Louis Vuitton</b> in the city centre. But be warned, there are also a lot of tourist traps - both cheap shops and poor quality restaurants. Stay aware.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tg58045QJI/VtMvySnudbI/AAAAAAAAAks/czHIPjENsRs/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tg58045QJI/VtMvySnudbI/AAAAAAAAAks/czHIPjENsRs/s640/IMG_1617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the street art is classier here.<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is a stunningly beautiful region of France. A real winter wonderland, but even if you come in the summer, there are plenty of hiking and mountaineering routes to get you out in the fresh air. There is plenty of excellent food, but you will have to burn those calories doing outdoor pursuits rather than dieting because it is not light cuisine.<br />
<br />
As for me, the skiing and fresh air has really boosted my mood. But now I hurt like hell, partly from the amount of exercise my unfit body was doing, and partly from a few nasty falls (parts of me are entirely blue and purple). I can't recommend this beautiful region enough, and if you have to choose a holiday, why not forget the sun, and head for the snow?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh2wS3lDKUU/VtMy2i8WGlI/AAAAAAAAAlc/PyT8KB5VmpY/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh2wS3lDKUU/VtMy2i8WGlI/AAAAAAAAAlc/PyT8KB5VmpY/s640/IMG_1538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For more information on the area, check out <a href="http://www.chamonix.net/english">http://www.chamonix.net/english</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-48692677331869211852016-02-21T17:49:00.000+01:002016-02-21T17:49:00.580+01:00When things go wrong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you read a lot of au pair blogs you may well have the impression that working as an au pair in France involves a lot of sitting in cafes, drinking cafés noisettes and occasionally swanning around a museum looking profound. Certainly, this is true to an extent, we do get to do this. But we also work really hard and, as far as jobs go, it can vary wildly from life enriching experience to a living nightmare. Just like any other job, how bad it gets will vary depending on your office (the house), your boss (the Host Parents), your coworkers (the kids), and your contract. However, suffice to say, when it gets bad it can get really bad.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that the blog has not been updated much recently. That is because my experience has been going through one of these difficult times. Consequently I have not felt motivated enough to write much and I have felt even less motivated to go out and experience things in a worth writing about. But this blog is meant to be an honest account of my time as an au pair, and I guess the best and most honest thing to do is tell you about how bad things have been.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_VnjImIaM8/Vsnmt1y0lhI/AAAAAAAAAjw/eXhlRFXnUas/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_VnjImIaM8/Vsnmt1y0lhI/AAAAAAAAAjw/eXhlRFXnUas/s400/IMG_1370.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
First and foremost I want to stress something. I really love the the family I work for. The host parents are very considerate and they have done an amazing job to make me feel welcome in their home, which cannot be an easy thing for anyone to do. The kids can be amazingly sweet, and when they are they are lovely to work with. But as with all things, there are highs and lows, and recently things have been low.<br />
<br />
The root of the problem is with the kids. For the most part I feel very sorry for them. They have been uprooted form their home in London and moved to Paris over the summer. They must be feeling slightly displaced and they must be missing their friends and life in London. Although they are half French, they attend an international Spanish school and the church attached to it, so I imagine they do not feel very French even though they live in Paris.<br />
<br />
The little boy has been sick recently. This is a long term thing, and has been going on for a while. He had a few days of school last term, but in the last month he has been off school for several days, and moreover the school has called the parents to go pick him up. Although they are the ones who are called, I am the one who goes to pick him up. This means leaving my french classes early, or abandoning friends in the middle of what is normally our time off. Au pairs are normally limited in their contracts to maximum 35 hour weeks, but I have been going way over that looking after they little boy. Although the parents try to take time off in the mornings/afternoons to be with him, this is not always possible, and think the little boy is upset that it is me not his parents with him when he is sick. What he does enjoy is the sleeping all day and the TV that he is allowed to watch. In fact it got so bad that he now says he would rather stay home and watch TV than go to school - something he didn't say last term. This switch to hating school means that mornings are now impossible because he lies down and will not put on his clothes or shoes, and constantly says that he will tell his teacher that he is sick and has to go home. The parents are not around in the mornings, so several times I have had to half drag a screaming and crying 4 year old to school. We have not been on time for school once in the last 2 weeks, even though we live around the corner. Impossible.<br />
<br />
The amount of attention the little boy has received because of his illness is now affecting the older Sister. Last year her brother was in nursery and she was constantly doing activities such as sport and drama. This year she does 2 activities during the week, and her brother is in the same school as her. They even share a bedroom, which in my opinion, is not good for an 8 year old and 4 year old. She is constantly sharing her space with him and has very little privacy, and I sympathise that this must be frustrating for her. I feel she is becoming jealous and lashing out accordingly. She constantly provokes her brother and envies that he is too young for homework and so can spend more time playing for her. She is consequently lashing out at me, being insolent, sulky, and at the drop of a hat a previously quiet conversation will turn into a fully fledged tantrum.<br />
<br />
The girl is also not doing so well at school and I suspect that this may be part of the reason for her bad behaviour. She is not very self disciplined, and rushes through her homework focussing on finishing it rather than absorbing the information. She has received several very low marks in French, Maths, and English. I feel exceptionally responsible for the English result - Part of the reason I am here is to keep the kids speaking English now they have left London. Consequently, when she fails English, I feel as though I have failed her. Moreover, I used to be a teacher at a school in London. Whilst her mother should be in charge of checking her Spanish, and the dad is in charge of helping her pass French, I can help her with the rest. Yes her maths and science are in Spanish textbooks, but a) I can read Spanish and b) those topics do not change their facts just because they are in a different language. I can teach her multiplication, and the answer will still be the same in English, Spanish, or French. However, as soon as I point out that I was a teacher and know how much work she needs to put in, her personality switches and a full blown tantrum happens. I am quickly exhausted and the fight to finish homework gets more exhausting as the week progresses.<br />
<br />
I think a lot of the problems also stem from the fact that they do not see much of their parents during the week. The mum leaves before the kids wake up, and arrives just after I usually put them to bed (the 4 year old needs a lot of sleep, the 8 year old needs less, but they share a room so what can I do?). Sometimes she can go up to 3 days without seeing the kids. The dad is there for half an hour in the mornings, but usually arrives after they are in bed. I say usually because the little boy has figured out this pattern and is now refusing to go to bed. He will stay up for his parents and as soon as they come back it is 2 hours of "<i>je suis pas fatigue</i>", "<i>j'ai mal au ventre</i>", "<i>J'ai faim</i>" "<i>Je veux une histoire avec Papa/Maman</i>" - anything that will get the Parents attention. His longterm sickness is a problem with his ear - no 4 year old is <i>'mal au ventre</i>' 10 days in a row at 21:00 despite eating a huge meal. He is manipulating them.<br />
<br />
The Parents' response can be very frustrating. On the one hand I completely understand that they do not see the kids very much during the week, so they feel guilty and want to compensate for their absence with lots kisses, cuddles, and affection. I really do understand that. On the other hand their refusal to enforce punishments I have given during the day or a refusal to be angry with the kids is just making the bad behaviour worse. It undermines any authority I have, because the kids just wait until Mum and Dad get home to ask for something and the parents cave immediately.<br />
<br />
So after a month of this happening, the kids refuse to accept that I have authority over them, and nothing gets done. The 4 year old is running around the salon screaming at 23:00, and because he goes to bed so late he is impossible to get ready for school in the morning and the bad behaviour and frustration continues. The girl cannot sleep because her brother is keeping her awake (again - stupid shared bedroom) and so retaliates by hitting him and trying to provoke him without us noticing. The minute I (or her parents at the weekend) catch her doing it she screams the house down. I have been late to several French classes (which cost a lot of money) to stay with the sick little boy, and have been working overtime like no-ones business. I am so exhausted that by the time I have finished dealing with the kids AND doing the washing/cleaning/chores that I have been allocated, I just want to sit quietly for a few moments. Therefore at the weekends I am staying in my room avoiding the family, but being next to the <i>salon</i> I can hear the weekend round of screaming (gosh I wish I had a live out position now). I feel exhausted and stressed out, and like I am going round and round in a downwards spiral of chaos. My skin is breaking out, and all I want is a good night's sleep. Another side effect is that I am not seeing as much of Paris as I had hoped and I have nothing to blog about!<br />
<br />
The good news is that I have recently had a series of long discussions with the parents, and I think (hope?) that they are about to get strict with the kids. But better than that, the grand-parents are on my side! They have been staying with us recently, and the <i>Mamie</i> (<i>grand-mère</i>) was shocked at the behaviour. She sat down with me for some tea and sympathy, and she agrees that it cannot continue. So for the first week of the holiday, the kids are going to Biarritz with their grandparents to learn some manners! Yes! <i>Mamie</i> to the rescue! I hope that by this time next week the kids will be perfect angels and saying their "<i>merci"</i>s and "<i>s'il vous plait</i>"s.<br />
<br />
And how am I celebrating this week of freedom? By taking some much needed time for myself. I feel like I need some fresh air and exercise to relieve my stress. So, like many French people at this time of year, I'm off to the Alps for some skiing, some sleep, and some Savoyard cuisine! I'll be returning to Paris refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to blog. Don't worry, I'll be making some time to do some writing while I'm out there too, so stay tuned for a lot of pictures of snow and raclette.<br />
<br />
So I'm off on the TGV to Geneva, and then on to Chamonix! I can hear the <i>vin chaud </i>calling my name already.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>À plus!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-80309747227567718472016-02-07T16:03:00.000+01:002016-02-07T16:22:51.776+01:00Odyssey Salon de The and Crêperie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Take a walk under the gothic spires of Notre Dame, stroll along the banks of the Seine - how chic. How Parisian. But take a right, and head down Rue Dante, and suddenly everything changes. No more Gothic spires, no more chic designer shops - it's wall to wall nerd heaven. <i>Bandes dessinées</i>, l<i>es figurines, truc de cosplay</i> - its all here. Since they released The Force Awakens, the world has gone Star Wars crazy and we have had about 3 months of Star Wars Mania. If you still haven't had enough Star Wars, Rue Dante is where you can go to get something to satisfy your hunger. Let's take a trip to a galaxy far, far away and <b>Odyssey Salon de Thé & Crêperie</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vMoSvcYxGo/VrdVV3aafZI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/JXDqL9hW3Pk/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vMoSvcYxGo/VrdVV3aafZI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/JXDqL9hW3Pk/s640/IMG_1382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
From a distance it looks like a standard shop front, but as you get closer you will see the windows are full of stormtrooper helmets. In fact the whole place is designed to look like the inside of a spaceship. I immediately thought was of the "Death Star Canteen" sketch by British comedian Eddie Izzard. So maybe that's why I was grinning like a fool when we entered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Bq03xebtbeU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bq03xebtbeU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
The other reason could be that this place goes all out - the menu is in alien languages. It is also available in English or French - they must get a lot of tourist traffic from Earth and from galaxies far far away! Though it seems there are a few unwelcome customers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFGkJLgMVho/VrdXZOL6A2I/AAAAAAAAAjI/bXnHznidYY4/s1600/Star%2BWars%2BMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFGkJLgMVho/VrdXZOL6A2I/AAAAAAAAAjI/bXnHznidYY4/s640/Star%2BWars%2BMenu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There are also fake windows showing views of space, and light sabres on the walls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZNyfGg9yQ/VrdVWKqP4mI/AAAAAAAAAiU/2xU9AljgjMY/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZNyfGg9yQ/VrdVWKqP4mI/AAAAAAAAAiU/2xU9AljgjMY/s640/IMG_1381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is even a screen showing trailers and clips from lots of sci-fi films.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVBTtvSqDYg/VrdVZWjKXwI/AAAAAAAAAjE/HPDWzz_z3VU/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVBTtvSqDYg/VrdVZWjKXwI/AAAAAAAAAjE/HPDWzz_z3VU/s640/IMG_1396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Every crêpe or galette is named after a planet from a sci-fi series. I ordered a <b>Gallifrey</b> gallette (Home planet of timelords in British series Dr Who) which had diced bacon, emmental cheese, walnuts, roquefort cheese, and came with a dressed salad. Fellow au pair Lucie had a <b>Dagobah</b> gallette (named for a planet in Star wars) which was emmental cheese, mushrooms, tomato, caramelised onions, and again, a dressed salad.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LX4TJx1b1M/VrdXt8zS3gI/AAAAAAAAAjM/IijceE89gI4/s1600/My%2Bcrepe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LX4TJx1b1M/VrdXt8zS3gI/AAAAAAAAAjM/IijceE89gI4/s640/My%2Bcrepe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gallifrey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2moaggGsRng/VrdXzeZOZ2I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/a3gCvovU_Xw/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2moaggGsRng/VrdXzeZOZ2I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/a3gCvovU_Xw/s640/IMG_1390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dagobah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The gallettes were filled with ingredients, right to the edges. And the buckwheat pancakes were cooked just right - not too thick, not too thin, not burnt around the edges. They were also the perfect size - big. Both of us were feeling a little bit 'delicate' after late nights, but as soon as we smelled the savoury scent of freshly melted cheese, we demolished these galettes really quickly. The salad, although very simple, was fresh and crisp with a sharp mustard dressing that helped to cut through the large amount of cheese we were consuming.<br />
<br />
As you would expect from a crêperie - there was a full drinks menu including <i>cidres</i>, <i>bieres</i>, and wines alongside the standard hot coffees, teas, and soft drinks. I took a <b>diabolo</b>, which you may not know is a bit of a classic cafe or crêperie drink for children in France. It mixes lemonade with either sirop de menthe or grenadine. If you want to make it more grown up you can add a splash of lager, but I was not feeling up to it that afternoon. I took a grenadine version which was delicious and refreshing (and also bright red - amazing fun).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NNiEFatItA/VrdVWT_zvNI/AAAAAAAAAjE/8bpfC-gzh4U/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NNiEFatItA/VrdVWT_zvNI/AAAAAAAAAjE/8bpfC-gzh4U/s640/IMG_1383.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our devouring of the meal was made to feel even more epic by the fact that the soundtrack to Star Wars was playing at the time. You too can feel like a Sith Lord on a lunch break as you annihilate your crêpe to the Imperial March.<br />
<br />
What was interesting was the variety of customers here. As we arrived a large children's birthday party was leaving. As we were there various groups came through the doors: Students (foreign and French), older couples, families out for lunch, tourists sight seeing. But everyone was given a cheerful greeting by the staff, who were very attentive and quick to answer questions and bring the food over. As we left even the cook in the kitchen leaned out the porthole to wave as he said 'au revoir!" The staff couldn't have been more pleasant if we were being presented with pancakes by the loveliest pilot in the galaxy Poe Dameron.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdKIzKBWH50/VrdZ_8f9OiI/AAAAAAAAAjY/2caEZifEr_U/s1600/Poe_Dameron_infobox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdKIzKBWH50/VrdZ_8f9OiI/AAAAAAAAAjY/2caEZifEr_U/s320/Poe_Dameron_infobox.png" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No comment needed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really enjoyed my lunch here. Yes a crêpe on the street could cost you 4€, and these are double that or more. But what you get here is a beautifully fresh pancake, filled with ingredients and a happy atmosphere to enjoy it in, with just a hint of nerd kitsch! It is a wonderfully fun place to have lunch, and if the conversation ever gets boring, you can watch a load of stormtroopers blast their way through a spaceship on the big screen. I would definitely urge anyone who has been hiding their nerd side togo and treat themselves to a pancake here.<br />
<br />
<b>Details </b><br />
Odyssey Crêperie<br />
6 Rue Dante<br />
Paris<br />
France<br />
Earth (no really - it is on their business card)<br />
<br />
<b>Tel:</b> 01 77 12 06 70<br />
<br />
<b>Facebook: </b>https://www.facebook.com/odyssey.paris<br />
<b>Website: </b>http://www.restaurant-odyssey.fr (available in French, English, Spanish, Italian)<br />
<b>Instagram: </b>@creperie_odyssey</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-59240881983429681262016-01-17T20:27:00.000+01:002016-01-17T20:40:15.814+01:00The best apps and podcasts to get you learning French.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So as part of my new year resolutions, I promised to put more effort into learning French. Perhaps it's because my family are fluent in English, but French does not seem to be progressing as quickly as other people's. So I have turned to technology to try and push my French forwards. Mostly because some days the only time I have to myself is the 20 mins on the metro.<br />
<br />
Here are a few of my top picks of the best apps and podcasts out there to help improve your French. And I have to add - none of these app/podcast makers have paid me for these reviews, they are only my opinion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_9Ai3XBzM/VpvuET1lmhI/AAAAAAAAAh8/bS8WKR6S_KU/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO_9Ai3XBzM/VpvuET1lmhI/AAAAAAAAAh8/bS8WKR6S_KU/s400/IMG_0733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><u>1. Duolinguo.</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/94/Duolingo_logo.png" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
Ok so most of you have heard about <b>Duolinguo</b>. It's the app that tries to get you to treat language learning like a game. Complete with points, rewards and levels to advance through, it really does make language learning fun for those of you with a competitive streak. It helps you with reading, writing, listening, pronunciation and grammar. It will by no means make you fluent, but it will, through constant repetition, drill vocabulary and constructions into your head. That being said some of the sentences it creates can be a little strange, with my favourite so far being the euphemistic sounding "<i>Il a un petit requin.</i>"<br />
For more bizarre <b>Duolinguo</b> phrases I would recommend the tumblr <a href="http://wtfduolingo.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">WTFDuolinguo</a><br />
It is available in the iTunes store.<br />
<br />
<b>Pros.</b><br />
This is a genuinely fun way of learning a language and it really does encourage you to try and maintain your streak. Also it is free to download, and can be used for many languages simultaneously.<br />
<br />
<b>Cons.</b><br />
The voice recognition is a little weak and is easily confused. It will sometimes say you did not get something correct, when actually yours may be a better sense translation. Also, as you have to progress through the levels, you may find yourself having to complete many levels of vocab before you get to work on, say, prepositions. This is frustrating if you have something in particular you want to work on.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. Babbel+</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://press.babbel.com/shared/downloads/logos/Babbel_PlusLogo_Box-1.jpg" height="123" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Babbel+ </b>has been around for a while, but over Christmas was the first time I actually saw it being advertised on the TV both in the UK and in France. What I like about <b>Babbel+</b> is the way in which you can use it on multiple platforms - i.e. not just on your phone, but also your iPad and your computer through the website. <b>Babbel+ </b>offers a wide range of ways to improve your language. Aside from the standard 'Beginners" "Intermediate" and "Advanced" course options, it also offers other courses on pronunciation, in-depth grammar, vocabulary, listening, and idioms. Again, without real-world re-enforcement, this will never make you fluent, but it is by far one of the better apps out there for language learners. However this increased depth and range of material comes at a cost.<br />
It is available at the iTunes store and on their <a href="http://www.babbel.com/" target="_blank">website</a><br />
<br />
<b>Pros.</b><br />
The sheer range of ways of improving your language skills is impressive. Whether you are new to French or and advanced speaker looking to refine your language skills, this app contains so much material, you will find something to entertain you.<br />
<br />
<b>Cons.</b><br />
Cost. I am learning French and Spanish (ah the joys of a bilingual family) - these two apps are sold separately and subscription to the French course does not entitle you to another language. All courses must be paid for separately. Subscriptions are offered in monthly pacakages with 1 month costing you 9.95€, 3 months costing 19.95€ (6.65€ p/m), and a year 59.40€ (4.95€ p/m). Warning - these subscriptions auto renew on iTunes, so make sure to unsubscribe if you don't want to be charged every month.<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. Memrise</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.languagetsar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/MEMRISE.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
This is one for all you vocab junkies out there. Whilst grammar is offered, it is far more useful for increasing your vocabulary. The app works by using Mems - imaginative ways of thinking about the word you are learning - to make sure the language stays rooted in your brain. These Mems could be anything from cartoons to pop-culture references. Most are user submitted, so the quality of Mem varies wildly, and remember that what works for others may not work for you. Every time you learn something new you "plant a seed" and every time you do something to develop that memory that seed "grows".<br />
Find out more at their <a href="https://www.memrise.com/" target="_blank">website</a><br />
<br />
<b>Pros.</b><br />
If Traditional learning methods from the classroom (learning words by rote etc.) have never worked for you, using Memrise might.<br />
<br />
<b>Cons.</b><br />
I did not feel particularly encouraged to use Memrise regularly. Perhaps this is because I have studied languages at university and prefer traditional methods. But also I think It may have something to do with the fact that the quality of user-submitted Mems varies wildly, and is not always helpful.<br />
<br />
<b><u>4. French ETC.</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Music/v4/4f/96/e8/4f96e82d-6114-8dbf-c919-a6c551ea7a85/cover170x170.jpeg" data-pin-nopin="true" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is actually a podcast/website combo that I have found to be particularly effective. The course is run by Anne - a qualified French teacher who offer a range of paid for and free services that cater for a variety of levels in French. The "Free" option of the course offers a wealth of material for users, including several podcasts. I personally subscribe to the following:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><i>Tel-Quel</i></b> - an advanced podcast offering french "as it is", using clips from radio and TV and specialised vocabualry</li>
<li><b><i>Mot du Jour </i></b> - offers idiomatic words and phrases to make your French more natural, very useful for phrases you hear on the metro, or that are useful with the kids. My recent favourite being "J'en ai ma claque!."</li>
<li><b><i>French Verbs </i></b>- if, like me, you are a grammar junkie, or have experience with foreign langauges, this podcast which offers verbs (common and uncommon) conjugated in the présent, Futur Simple, Passé Composé, and Imparfait is really helpful. I like listening just before bed, to get those conjugations into my brain for the next day.</li>
</ul>
<br />
As you can imagine, the paid course offers lots more including exercise, grammar sheets, transcriptions of dialogues, and more. All of this is available by creating a membership on the <a href="http://frenchetc.org/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Pros.</b><br />
The free material alone is amazing. Everything is offered first in French, then in English, and Anne's voice is clear and comprehensible. She also has an excellent knowledge of idiomatic English, so you always feel you are getting the best possible translations.<br />
<br />
<b>Cons.</b><br />
Yes - It's the dreaded paywall. Many of the extra materials are hidden behind the 'paying members only' wall. That being said a paid subscription is incredibly tempting. I know its not easy for au pairs - who are often only paid 80€ a week to pay for a subscription to multiple language courses, but having listened to Anne for 2 months now, I think my next monthly payment is going to spent on a subscription.<br />
<br />
<b><u>5. RFI Journal en Français Facile</u></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://is5.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music7/v4/b9/8c/aa/b98caab1-9c82-ce96-53af-7c626db74008/source/600x600bb.jpg" height="200" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="200" /></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
So I was put onto this podcast by my au pair friend Lucie. This is a daily podcast offered in 'simplified French". Why simplified? Well this podcast is designed for the international Francophone community, not just Parisiens. They receieve submissions from journalists trained in Canada, Belgium, Morocco, etc - so to avoid dialectical confusion, they keep it to the most basic level of French. That being said, this is still a current affairs programme and consequently the material covered is complex and the French, though simplified, is not easy. It also goes at native speaker pace, in other words - super fast. Find out more at the <a href="http://www.rfi.fr/" target="_blank">RFI website</a> (available in French and English) and on the iTunes podcast service<br />
<br />
<b>Pros.</b><br />
It's free and it will keep you up to date with the news that the Francophone world is talking about. It is mostly France centric, but also has news from around the world. Also, every Sunday edition has a "Phrase of the week" section relevant to that week's news, this is of course explained in French.<br />
<br />
<b>Cons.</b><br />
It is not the easiest podcast to get into. Even after a few months of listening, they still go so fast that I sometimes miss half the news. I have learnt that the easiest way of dealing with it is to more or less let the news just wash over you, and try to pick out a few key phrases or pieces of vocabulary here and there.<br />
<br />
So there you have it, my guide to some of the best ways to improve your French just by using your phone! It really couldn't be easier. I hope you get a chance to check some of these out, but moreover I hope they help you get your French to the next level!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-15673947095564716582016-01-02T03:34:00.001+01:002016-01-02T03:34:12.426+01:00Happy New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I hope you've all had a wonderful break over the Christmas period. For those of you who stayed withe your families I hope you had fun learning some new French Christmas Traditions. For those who did not have to stay with their host families, I hope you got to enjoy some peace and quiet!<br />
<br />
Sadly the holiday is almost over, and soon it will be back to Work and School. But it's New Year's Day, so I'm going to recover from last night's celebrations and reflect upon what I learnt about being an au pair in 2015, and what I can do better in 2016.<br />
<br />
Time for my Au Pair New Year's Resolutions...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7s187VWpu4/Voc1v7oWuMI/AAAAAAAAAhg/AaHeZKmMtCk/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7s187VWpu4/Voc1v7oWuMI/AAAAAAAAAhg/AaHeZKmMtCk/s640/IMG_1284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b><u>1. Try harder to learn and use French</u></b><br />
The family I live with lived in London for a long time and are fluent in English, even the kids. Whilst this is very convenient for telling them off and bedtime stories, it doesn't help me to improve my spoken French. So from now on I am going to make an effort to speak more french at home, and make myself learn new vocabulary every week.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2. Wake up earlier.</u></b><br />
I am not a naturally early riser - more of a night owl. But more than early mornings I hate that feeling of being rushed off my feet. When I can't have any breakfast before taking the kids to school with my face unwashed and wearing yesterday's t-shirt while they refuse to put on their shoes. By waking up earlier I hope to have everything prepared for the day ahead before the kids start getting underfoot and maybe even fit in some yoga. Or an extra cup of coffee.<br />
<br />
<b><u>3. Get Fit.</u></b><br />
I think the croissants are starting to get to me. Also I need to improve my stamina to keep up with the 4 year old.<br />
<br />
<b><u>4. Get things done faster.</u></b><br />
I discovered this just before the holidays. If I can focus my chores into a timed routine (e.g. at 8:25 am I will load the breakfast things into the dishwasher for 10 minutes) I can complete them more quickly. This means I get more done in the morning and have more time to do whatever I want for the rest of the day.<br />
<br />
<b><u>5. See more of Paris.</u></b><br />
One bad habit I definitely slipped into towards the end of last year was giving into the urge to slob out. I would be so tired from being with the kids that any free time was spent sat in bed eating so much <b><i>Milka</i></b> that I lived in a permanent state of chocolate based shame. I don't want to realise two weeks before I finish au pairing that I have missed seeing most of Paris but almost finished every series on Netflix.<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>6. Think about what's next</u></b><br />
This one is a bit more open ended, but I have to think about where want to go next. Do I want to return to the UK or stay in France? Should I stay as an au pair or try to find a more permanent job? Do want to move on somewhere else. Spain could be nice or somewhere further afield? I hear Chile is beautiful...<br />
<br />
Whatever your plans are for 2016, I hope it is a brilliant year for you and you get everything you want.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">Bonne Année!</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-58826440905736541432015-12-16T12:05:00.001+01:002015-12-16T12:05:07.181+01:00Champs Elysées Christmas Market<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Or if, like me, you loathe crowded spaces and shopping its time to get your game face on and reluctantly trudge around desperately trying to find something to take home for Christmas. This is made all the more difficult by the fact that your whole family wants something "from Paris", a city famed for luxury and chic, and your au pair wages just won't cover a Chanel coat for everyone.<br />
<br />
The one upside to this time of year is that is more or less acceptable to consume hot alcoholic beverages in public at anytime after midday under the ruse of 'being festive". This helps to take the edge off the dreaded christmas shopping stress to the point where elbowing strangers in the stomach to get to the last box of macarons is almost bearable.<br />
<br />
So in the spirit of christmas, and drunken public disorder, have you checked out the Christmas Market on Champs Elysées?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3S7CATFHFc/VnFEDjmm7OI/AAAAAAAAAhI/SZVV07G0CXw/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3S7CATFHFc/VnFEDjmm7OI/AAAAAAAAAhI/SZVV07G0CXw/s640/IMG_1200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
There are several Christmas Markets around Paris at the moment. However, Champs Elysées is perhaps the most special because of the Illuminations that lead all the way up to Arc de Triumph. Even if you have adapted so well to your new life in Paris that you moan <i>"mince alors"</i> every time there is a queue at the <i>boulangerie</i>, are death staring lost tourists on the Metro near Trocadero, and answer enquiries for directions with a Gallic shrug and a mumbled <i>"là-bas"</i>, I am sure the lights on Champs Elysées will still make your heart flutter. You can't help but look at all those sparkly lights leading up to the landmark Ac without feeling your soul sing at the thrill of christmas in Paris. It also helps that at night you can't see the <i>crotte de chien </i>on the pavements.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZrl6xULQoI/VnFECuzpQCI/AAAAAAAAAg4/jEnIq1gD8XI/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CZrl6xULQoI/VnFECuzpQCI/AAAAAAAAAg4/jEnIq1gD8XI/s640/IMG_1193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Market itself is a real mix. The overwhelming first impression is of food stalls. There is food everywhere, but not all of it is equally good. Beware of the many stalls selling crepes for 7€, except that they are all pre-made and only offer sugar, nutella and marron options. If you are willing to hunt a little further, you will find some stalls making fresh. I found one making fresh galettes. It was still 6€, but at least you can see it made in front of you.<br />
<br />
If you hunger for something a little more hearty or decadent, you can head to the marché gourmand, where over 10 French regions are represented, including Brittany, Burgundy, Alsace, and Provence. Here is where you can get your hands on <i>escargot</i>, poisson soup, <i>raclette</i>, and even <i>foie gras</i>. Of course they are selling the Breton traditional warm cider, and the <i>Apres-Ski </i>classic <i>vin chaud.</i> You can even find a stall for the Antilles serving tropical punch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFxufURXlg/VnFD_Ch3xrI/AAAAAAAAAgM/HVIG8vH2yug/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFxufURXlg/VnFD_Ch3xrI/AAAAAAAAAgM/HVIG8vH2yug/s640/IMG_1182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwyGZdOFhtk/VnFEBkHUl8I/AAAAAAAAAgk/Z-8FdBRCiz8/s1600/IMG_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwyGZdOFhtk/VnFEBkHUl8I/AAAAAAAAAgk/Z-8FdBRCiz8/s640/IMG_1190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I had a glass of vin chaud with my friend Lucie, her 30cl cup costing 5€, and my 50cl cup costing 7€ (with the justification of the fact that have caught a rhume from the kids, so I needed more as this was practically medicine). It was absolutely delicious, and although perhaps more than you would pay in a bar for drink, totally made the rest of the shopping experience more fun by being slightly tipsy. Just like with the food, there are lots of places selling vin chaud, but not all are of the same quality. Le marché gourmand has the best, served straight out of brass cauldrons. This was very much worth the price.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Shfg7TZSSQ/VnFEAATkRXI/AAAAAAAAAgY/0lhBlv7EY04/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Shfg7TZSSQ/VnFEAATkRXI/AAAAAAAAAgY/0lhBlv7EY04/s640/IMG_1187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is also, for reasons I haven't quite worked out, a huge Hungarian pub and food stall. They sell everything from large glasses of Hungarian beer, to giant sausages and huge bowls of traditional soup. You can eve gnaw on a pig knuckle. This place is really popular, and the smell is absolutely incredible. There is a bit of a wait time, but the staff are very energetic and smiley. Everyone here was really enjoying their food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1RPb5MNuok/VnFD-OeNgBI/AAAAAAAAAgI/5qxYcbwp4BE/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1RPb5MNuok/VnFD-OeNgBI/AAAAAAAAAgI/5qxYcbwp4BE/s640/IMG_1175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As for the shopping? Well it really varies. If you walk around for long enough, you will see that there are several place that are selling the same things. A lot of this stuff has 'made in china' stamped on the back and is being sold at varying prices to unsuspecting tourists. But if you are willing to look a bit harder, there are some genuinely lovely stalls selling unique items. Some of the better stalls were selling things like soap. This is of course a very traditional French industry, with many makers placing traditional and contemporary scents side by side, and offering deals if you purchase more than one bar. Excellent if you are looking for a few truly French small presents for friends or family members.<br />
<br />
If you are looking to spend a little more money, there is also Les Chalets Artisanaux. Here you will find artisans from around Paris (and some who come from further afield) to sell unique handmade items. Everything from ceramics to jewellry, and fabrics to paper-craft is here. Yes it is more expensive, but if you are looking for something special I would really recommend it. There are some really lovely items here, and the artisans are very happy to talk about their products.<br />
<br />
There also plenty of fairground rides and activities for children, including a stand where they can send a letter to Père Noël. There is a large ice skating rink playing a frankly bizarre selection of music. I have to say the award for the most bizarre attraction goes to the Michael Jackson Thriller Zombie Christmas haunted train. I have no explanation for the existence of this ride, but I am quite pleased that someone was mad enough to think it up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dv1zwZhoT0M/VnFEB-ivrxI/AAAAAAAAAgs/uDnOnQrWtNM/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dv1zwZhoT0M/VnFEB-ivrxI/AAAAAAAAAgs/uDnOnQrWtNM/s640/IMG_1191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And if you want a tip from me about how to navigate the stalls, here it is. You will hear a lot of tourists at the market. They will speaking loudly in their own languages, and many of the vendors will hear this and immediately put on a stony French expression and the transaction will proceed in silence with a lot of pointing and hand gestures. Some may even switch to English, German, or whatever, to try and make a sale. Do not be tempted to fall into English, or your native language. Break out your French. I was amazed at how much the vendors (particularly the artisan and food vendors) changed attitude when Lucie and I started talking in French.<br />
<br />
Although they could tell that we weren't French (haven't yet nailed my pronunciation and accent), they immediately became more talkative and animated. They offered us more help and didn't mind us touching the products, whilst a couple of people speaking loudly in English were swatted away when they tried to pick things up. We were also offered a few free samples. The whole transaction became more enjoyable and they constantly complimented us on our very good French. Was it a tactic to make us buy more things? Probably, but when you are slightly drunk and a little exhausted after 3 months of au pairing, there is something incredibly heart-warming about a genuine French person complimenting you on adapting to life in France. It warms the cockles as much as the wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ltG1zP9lHg/VnFD_Ie0KbI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/RUr0mCiFVt4/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ltG1zP9lHg/VnFD_Ie0KbI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/RUr0mCiFVt4/s640/IMG_1177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So take a cup of wine, stare at the lights, and let the magic of the season melt your heart a little, before you get on the Metro and start hating the tourists again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-27507986790944501822015-12-15T17:24:00.000+01:002015-12-15T17:24:00.053+01:00La Vie Est Belle - Clinique Repairwear<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You may remember about a month ago I turned 26. I wrote a post about being an older au pair. Well here is one of the things they don't warn you about having your mid-twenties crisis - you start thinking about whether your moisturiser has anti-ageing properties.<br />
<br />
Then you start investing night cream.<br />
<br />
It's all downhill from here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WjzCZBQXkU/Vmr4T397_wI/AAAAAAAAAfo/sAqRF5ZBu4Y/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WjzCZBQXkU/Vmr4T397_wI/AAAAAAAAAfo/sAqRF5ZBu4Y/s640/IMG_1138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Ok, so I am going to talk about two products here - the<b> Clinique Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream</b> and <b>Anti-Gravity Eye Cream</b>.<br />
<br />
So firstly the night cream. This is a gel cream that claims to define the appearance of facial contours and smooth and firm the look of the neck and chest as well. You have to spread this all the way down to your chest, because it is designed to firm up what the french call the décolletage. It is designed to be used at night when your skin is most receptive and to ensure that you wake up with luminous skin.<br />
<br />
I like a lot of <b>Clinique</b> products. Their eye cream and their chubby stick lip colours are amazing. But this product was really disappointing. I particularly hated the texture of this. Whilst I normally love gel-creams because they feel so much lighter and fresher than heavy creams (which with oily skin are my nemesis), this just felt really sticky on my skin. It sat on top of my skin for ages, which made me worry about it all wiping off on the pillow before it got to work.<br />
<br />
When I woke up in the morning, my skin still felt slightly tacky and sticky. Not pleasant. Finally, I noticed no improvement in my skin's texture or condition. My dry patches were still dry, nothing felt firmed or 'rejuvenated', and I perceived no increased luminosity at all. If anything I just woke up with my skin feeling clogged. Overall this was a huge disappointment.<br />
<br />
The <b>Anti-Gravity Eye Cream</b> however is a different story. I have very deep set eyes, with a very deep eyelid crease and am prone to heavy dark circles (lack of sleep from au pair related stress not really helping this one). The cream claims to lift and firm the look of skin around the eyes and help relieve dark circles and small wrinkles. It has quite a creamy texture, and is supposed to be used in the morning as well as the evening. I am a big fan of <b>Clinique's 'All About Eyes' </b>cream for daytime wear, but was looking for something a little stronger for the night.<br />
<br />
Whilst I do not yet have lines around my eyes, I definitely noticed a difference. Even after a reduced night's sleep, my eyes did not look terrible. The circles were less dark and less sunken. Although it is not a magic wand, it certainly feels like the skin around my eyes is plumped, and I can pass for almost human. Although it is fine for night-time, I do not wear it during the day as it has a slightly heavy texture which does not mix well with oily/combination skin AND makeup. However I am impressed with this eye cream.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I am still a little young to be worrying about anti-ageing creams so much. But it never hurts to be prepared. Maybe I'll think again when I'm thirty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0Paris, France48.856614 2.352221900000017748.6894645 2.0294984000000178 49.0237635 2.6749454000000177tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-63477377002654754662015-12-12T12:30:00.000+01:002015-12-12T12:31:15.353+01:00La Vie Est Belle - Sephora Poudre exfoliante métamorphose<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, so you knew it was coming. How can a girl write a beauty post from France and not mention <b>SEPHORA</b>?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a77hNLh5trw/Vmr26aZh32I/AAAAAAAAAfY/_Ka2SDoJ7No/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a77hNLh5trw/Vmr26aZh32I/AAAAAAAAAfY/_Ka2SDoJ7No/s640/IMG_1125.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's beginning to look a lot like christmas in Paris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, it's time to admit to my addiction.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
So <b>Sephora</b> is the cosmetics shop with a cult following in France and in the USA. Despite its popularity in these countries (and others such as Spain, Brasil, Italy, Greece, Poland, and Malaysia) it has never made the leap across the channel to the UK. Not that there aren't cries for it to do so. So you can imagine that I jumped into the <b>Sephora</b> experience headfirst and have quickly become addicted.<br />
<br />
What is interesting about <b>Sephora</b> is the way it balances stocking ultra-luxe brands such as <b>Lancome</b>, <b>Clarisonic</b>, <b>Clinique</b> etc, with its own range of highly efficacious yet cost effective products. You can buy the new <b>Bobbi Brown </b>palette for 77,90€ alongside your regular cotton wool face pads for 1,50€. The monochrome theme of the shop makes everything look chic and sleek, and the staff are (at least in my experience) always polite and glamorous - or, you know, normal Parisiennes! This means that you always feel you are indulging in a slightly luxurious retail experience, even when you are just buying eye make up remover for 5,50€. This is probably why I am there so often, even if it is only to buy face wipes. Yes I could get them in the <i>supermarché, </i>but <b>Sephora</b> is just so damn pretty!<br />
<br />
My first venture to <b>Sephora</b> was because of a very particular problem. I could not find a decent exfoliator anywhere. Every time I went to the <i>supermarché</i> I looked. Not in my local small <i>supermarché</i>, not in the huge one at Victor Hugo, not in the <i>hypermarché</i> I went to with my host family's Mum one weekend. Nothing. there was one <i>Gommage au Visage</i> which turned out to be just a face wash with a few grains in it, but nothing that gave a god scrub. Then I started in the Pharmacies, thinking that I was so desperate to shift the dead cells of my face I would be willing to pay pharmacy prices for a brand like <b>Avéne</b> or <b>La Roche Posay</b>. But while searching through many different sizes of Pharmacy in different arrondissements, I still could not find a good facial scrub.<br />
<br />
Then, while walking around one weekend, not far from my house, I came across a huge <b>Sephora</b>. I recognised the name instantly, having read about it on numerous beauty blogs from other Europeans countries and the USA. I thought I might as well give it a go. I walked in past the numerous stands of makeup and headed for the green section called <i>Soin</i> (care). There I found their <i><b>poudre exfoliante métamorphose</b></i>, which promised a good scrub for 13,95€.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKUfJTVRNUA/Vmr3B_iCn5I/AAAAAAAAAfk/kwYkLApDkg4/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKUfJTVRNUA/Vmr3B_iCn5I/AAAAAAAAAfk/kwYkLApDkg4/s640/IMG_1158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What is interesting about this exfoliator is that it comes in a powder form, dispenses like salt (that is honestly what they call the pot it come in - <i>flacon salière)</i> and can be used two ways. Firstly you can use it by itself, shaking it into your palm, mixing it with water and then scrubbing your face. This provides a deep clean, and can be done once a week. If you want a more gentle experience, then you can shake a little into your hand and add it to your normal face wash to add a touch of exfoliation to your everyday routine.<br />
<br />
I have never used an exfoliator like this, so trying both methods felt very strange. I first tried it with my <b>La Roche Posay Effaclar </b>face wash. It in no way inhibited the way my face wash foamed, but provided a little extra texture and made me feel as though I had experienced a thorough wash. Although I could feel the grit of the powder, it wasn't unpleasant. Overall it was a good experience, and my complexion certainly looked brighter and clearer afterwards.<br />
<br />
Then one day I decided to have a day relaxing at the house. As I was staying at home, I thought I might as well try a deep scrub. So I sprinkled some powder into my hands, added a touch of water, rubbed my palms together to create a light foam, then proceeded to scrub my face. This time I really felt it. This was the deep scrub I had been searching for. The sensation was a little strange at first, like rubbing your face with very fine sand that is for some reason bubbling slightly, but when you wash it off - wow. It was like having new skin! The texture felt refined, and it was so, so soft! My skin was a little red afterwards, but my skin is super sensitive and it faded quickly. I removed the excess with a little toner, and then put on a thick layer of ultra-hydrating moisturiser (remember I was staying in the house for this day). Within an hour, my skin was glowing and it looked so good I didn't even wear any concealer when I left the house later. Wow!<br />
<br />
This is not like any exfoliator I have used before, but it really works. I like that you get to determine the level of exfoliation, and that you can make it part of a daily routine or a special treatment. Although it is more expensive than many of <b>Sephora's</b> own brand range of <i>soin</i> products, you use so little (even for an intensive scrub) that the powder lasts for ages. Again, the fact that you determine how much to use means you can fit it to any budget.<br />
<br />
I don't know why there are so few exfoliating products available in Paris. maybe I was looking in the wrong places, or maybe it is just not a thing that forms part of the French beauty routine. But what I do know is that I am a big fan of this product. If you feel the need to get the city grime (and the odd bit of play-doh) out of your pores - this is the scrub for you.<br />
<br />
This will not be the last product from <b>Sephora</b> I review here - believe me I am making my way through the range. It is also a great source of reasonably priced little Christmas gifts for friends and family back home who enjoy pampering themselves.<br />
<br />
Oh and the free samples are amazing. In case I hadn't convinced you yet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0Paris, France48.856614 2.352221900000017748.6894645 2.0294984000000178 49.0237635 2.6749454000000177tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-79145490508263853912015-12-11T16:57:00.000+01:002015-12-11T17:20:50.234+01:00An Au Pair Out And About: Hôtel des Invalides, Musée de l'Armée<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After the <i>attentats</i> that struck Paris, I decided to go on a temporary hiatus. It is very difficult to write about life in Paris when almost every day is overshadowed by such extraordinary events. Two weeks after the events, the whole of France watched as President Hollande delivered his address to the nation, commemorating those who had been killed alongside some of the families involved. He made this address from <i>Hôtel des Invalides</i>, a place filled with military symbolism for France. Some people in France criticised the choice of location, the talk of being at war, and the politicisation of his actions. I feel ill-equipped to discuss the politics of the situation here, as I am not as well versed in French politics as I should be by now. I however, went to <i>Les Invalides </i>just before the attacks happened for a look around, and thought I would share a few things<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAxgNcTSVl8/VmrfmCCdI0I/AAAAAAAAAdk/HyCRRnWlO3M/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VAxgNcTSVl8/VmrfmCCdI0I/AAAAAAAAAdk/HyCRRnWlO3M/s640/IMG_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i>Les Invalides</i> is not one building, but a complex of different buildings including a museum, facilities for war veterans, a working church and the tomb of some dead guy - maybe you've heard of him? I think he's called Napoleon Bonaparte? Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
<br />
The building was created by Louis XIV in 1670 as a hospital for sick or wounded french soldiers. This aspect of the complex is still in use today as part of the complex is home to <i>Institution Nationale des Invalides</i>, The french government agency in charge of caring for war veterans. The facilities include a home for wounded veterans, research into prostheses, and a hospital. More information can be found (in French) <a href="http://www.invalides.fr/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-kt_mIfCnk/VmrfoFEf1yI/AAAAAAAAAdw/LeTdOqHFN-I/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-kt_mIfCnk/VmrfoFEf1yI/AAAAAAAAAdw/LeTdOqHFN-I/s640/IMG_1015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is lots of history to <i>Les Invalides</i>. In 1789, rioting Parisians took the cannons from the army stationed here to use against the Bastille. in 1840, Napoleon Bonaparte was entombed here. You can visit his tomb today. Enter from <i>Place Vauban</i>, and go to "<i>Dôme des Invalides</i>" (The Dome Church) where you can see the burial site of Napoleon, alongside many other important French military burials.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZp80qZoUKY/VmrfvTfEQ3I/AAAAAAAAAeU/YT-v2GWsBfs/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZp80qZoUKY/VmrfvTfEQ3I/AAAAAAAAAeU/YT-v2GWsBfs/s640/IMG_1025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is something very imposing about <i>Dôme des Invalides</i>. Perhaps this was partly because of the time that I was there. On the 11th of November, there is a national holiday in France for Armistice day, and just over one week later you could still see some flowers that had been left by President Hollande, albeit tucked away behind a pillar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvR3KXWV3PY/Vmrfwu99ExI/AAAAAAAAAek/J0yUpHQ8q9U/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pvR3KXWV3PY/Vmrfwu99ExI/AAAAAAAAAek/J0yUpHQ8q9U/s640/IMG_1027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Napoleon's tomb is very impressive, surrounded by a guard of Caryatids and friezes detailing everything he did. He has friezes explaining the laws he made, the social changes he wrought, and the battles he won. The friezes talk about creating the Code Civil, increasing religious tolerance, and creating an empire for France.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXMdWh8l6GE/VmrfucNq3uI/AAAAAAAAAeM/bW53x5UMquw/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXMdWh8l6GE/VmrfucNq3uI/AAAAAAAAAeM/bW53x5UMquw/s640/IMG_1023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sJ0n74gu6w/Vmrfx2Yc4-I/AAAAAAAAAfA/LeWEDT2dL-s/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_sJ0n74gu6w/Vmrfx2Yc4-I/AAAAAAAAAfA/LeWEDT2dL-s/s640/IMG_1030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>Dôme des Invalides </i>is not the only church in the complex. The Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides was designed to be for everyday use. It contains many of the trophies taken by French armies throughout history, and it is still a working church today. Whilst there I saw it being prepared for a wedding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CM9aK31JouE/VmrfuRGQ1hI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/8TL72n8Yi0Q/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CM9aK31JouE/VmrfuRGQ1hI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/8TL72n8Yi0Q/s640/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiyhmxm5CXo/Vmrfsc6BtZI/AAAAAAAAAeE/r8hrr0vasOI/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yiyhmxm5CXo/Vmrfsc6BtZI/AAAAAAAAAeE/r8hrr0vasOI/s400/IMG_1018.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Finally I went to the <i>Musée de l'Armée</i>. This museum is so big that I didn't get to see all of it. It contains suits of armour, scale models, and authentic equipment.<br />
<br />
The most recent part of the museum is located in the basement. It is a gallery dedicated to life of General Charles De Gaul and utilises a lot of multimedia from the period, including photographs, radio speeches, and films. At the entrance to the gallery they give you a headset (which are available in many languages), and as you move around the headset automatically plays the relevant audio for the exhibit you are looking at. Unfortunately, aside from the fact that many parts were not yet available in translation, the headphones did not seem to work very well. They found it difficult to pick up the signal from exhibits, and often played the wrong piece of audio. Although much of it was very interesting, I became very frustrated with the technology failures and moved onto one of the more traditional parts of the museum.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-dQmO7rh6E/VmrfzpzIH_I/AAAAAAAAAe8/3rPCFEQV5io/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-dQmO7rh6E/VmrfzpzIH_I/AAAAAAAAAe8/3rPCFEQV5io/s640/IMG_1031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The last thing I visited was the floor of campaigns from Louis XIV to Napoleon III. I have never seen so many swords in my life. There was even the taxidermied body of one of Napoleon Bonaparte's horses. To be honest, after wandering the corridors full of swords and guns for almost an hour, I was so overwhelmed that I had to go back outside. I didn't even get to see the section dedicated to items from the Middle Ages to 1643.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd-R--hM0SY/Vmrf4jwOz-I/AAAAAAAAAfE/VmPZ10IH4cQ/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd-R--hM0SY/Vmrf4jwOz-I/AAAAAAAAAfE/VmPZ10IH4cQ/s640/IMG_1034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The <i>Invalides</i> complex is huge, and even though I spent a good few hours here, I didn't get to see anything. On my next visit I hope to go see some of the items from the Middle Ages as well as The Museum of Plans-Reliefs, a collection of historical models of fortified cities and campaigns carried out during the reigns of Louis XIV and Napoleon III. If anything the museum suffers from having so much content, that it can leave you feeling overwhelmed by information and artefacts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS5fYCI4nD8/Vmrfp4R9ISI/AAAAAAAAAd8/ba3FgNoB-_A/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS5fYCI4nD8/Vmrfp4R9ISI/AAAAAAAAAd8/ba3FgNoB-_A/s640/IMG_1017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
There is quite a nice restaurant here, and the gift shop has some lovely souvenirs. I bought some christmas decorations to take home including a Napoleon to hang on my parents' Christmas Tree.<br />
<br />
Overall, this is a brilliant museum, but don't try to do it in a rush. You need a whole day for this one. And if you've ever wanted to see Napoleon's famous hat, this is the place to do it. They have 5 on rotation, as we were informed repeatedly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Helpful Information</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
The Army Museum is open every day.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 April to 31 October: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm</li>
<li>1 November to 31 March: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
The museum is located on Esplanade des Invalides side, 129 rue de Grenelle<br />
<br />
<u>Nearest Metro Stations are </u>:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>La Tour Maubourg station, line 8 </li>
<li>Invalides station, line 8 </li>
<li>Varennes station, line 13</li>
<li>Invalides station, RER C</li>
<li>Saint François-Xavier station, line 13</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Prices</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Full price: €9,5</li>
<li>Reduced price: €7,5</li>
<li>The Museum ticket includes admission to:</li>
<li>the Army Museum's permanent collections</li>
<li>the Dome Church and tomb of Napoleon I</li>
<li>the Charles de Gaulle Monument</li>
<li>the Museum of Relief Maps</li>
<li>the Museum of the Order of the Liberation (closed for work until June 2014)</li>
<li>there is reduced price admission for everyone, every day from 5 pm in summer and 4 pm in winter, as well as Tuesday nights</li>
<li>Under 26s from EU states may enter free of charge.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For more information see the website here <a href="http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html">www.musee-armee.fr</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-87245445134869170062015-11-14T17:45:00.000+01:002015-11-14T18:57:41.481+01:00Nous Sommes Tous Parisiens.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't really know how to begin.<br />
<br />
I have written and rewritten this so many times. Sometimes I want to make it funny, to try and lighten the mood. Sometimes I am angry. Sometimes I am so sad that typing the words brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes I feel as though my opinion is so insignificant in the great scheme of things that I shouldn't post at all. Sometimes I feel that it would be dishonest, considering the purpose of this blog is document my time in Paris, not to write about it. Most of the time I am so confused I don't know how to put the words down. So I will just write what I can see, what I can feel, and what I hope.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OunX72qqk9I/VkdkPzNx8gI/AAAAAAAAAc8/am7Krr7ehS4/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OunX72qqk9I/VkdkPzNx8gI/AAAAAAAAAc8/am7Krr7ehS4/s640/IMG_0967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - Jean Jullien (<a class="account-group js-account-group js-action-profile js-user-profile-link js-nav" data-user-id="1851229334" href="https://twitter.com/jean_jullien" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #8899a6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span class="username js-action-profile-name" data-aria-label-part="" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 13px; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="color: #b1bbc3;">@</span>jean_jullien</span> </a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Paris is quiet this morning. There are very few people in the street. The silence is so heavy it is like the people are wearing it. The silence tells you everything. Grief. Anger. Shock. Confusion. The events of last night have passed, and as I write we live in this strange 'tween place. Is it over? Are there more attacks to come? We don't know. We feel like we are waiting. Waiting for something else to happen, waiting for it to be over.<br />
<br />
I cannot inform you about the perpetrators any more than your preferred news channel. I cannot tell you anything else about the who, why, and how of what happened. I have no special insight into these attacks. I have no theories about the reasons for the attack. I don't want to condemn anyone, I don't want to accuse. Something terrible happened here last night, and rather than repeat the details you can find on the news, or stand on a soapbox to blame a group I know nothing about, I want to tell you what I have seen in Paris today.<br />
<br />
Here in the west of Paris, further from the attacks, life is starting to begin again, but it feels like a different city. People are out on the streets, often in groups - whole families, sometimes two friends, most of them are holding hands. The <i>supermarché</i> on our street is full to bursting. Partly this seems normal - most Parisians do their shopping on a Saturday, but it feels more full than normal. Some may be panic-buying, afraid that, like with the Charlie Hebdo attack, someone will resurface to resume the attack. Other seem like they are acting out of defiance - they will not be scared into hiding in their homes by an act of terrorism.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Elsewhere in the city there are signs of the great generosity of Parisians. Last night the hashtag <b>#PorteOuverte</b> was used by Parisians to offer safe houses for those who were trapped by events and could not return home. Now the hashtag <b>#DonDuSang </b>is trending as they line the streets to give blood. When le Président de la République urged solidarity, the people of Paris took it to heart. They are giving their homes and their blood to help others. I am moved and genuinely astounded at their generosity. </div>
<br />
I can see into the flats opposite from my balcony, and everyone is on the phone, calling loved ones. Someone on the balcony waved at me. We have never spoken before. My host family have called friends and family around France and Spain. I have called my family in the UK and have received messages from friends in the UK, Greece, Spain, The Netherlands, USA, Japan and more. There are friends who I have lost contact with after university, and some who I haven't spoken to since secondary school messaging me to ask if I am ok. Yes we are shocked, and sad, frightened and confused, but we are also united in these feelings. Friends have arrived at our house here in Paris and we are cooking food, pouring wine, and consoling each other. We are all feeling the same things, so we can all stand together.<br />
<br />
Wherever you are in the world, the news tonight will show the same footage. You will see flashing lights, police, and bodies. They will talk about terrorism, they will talk about motivation for the attacks, they will ask the same questions - "Who is behind this?", "How can we stop them?", "why are they doing it?". You will see world leaders offering words of condolence, words of solidarity, words of war. What you may not see is that suicide attacks in Burj al Barajneh, Beirut, that killed at least 41 people yesterday. They will probably not get the same media coverage, the same statements from world leaders, the same sympathy. As someone who lives in Paris, I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to them. I hope those affected are now safe, cared for, and with those they love. I hope that in the absence of words from governments and media, they are still hearing the same words I have heard spoken here in Paris, between friends, between family, and between total strangers:<br />
<br />
<i>"Tout va bien avec vous?"</i><br />
<i>"Ça va?"</i><br />
<i>"Tu es hors de danger maintenant?"</i><br />
<i>"Tu me manques."</i><br />
<i>"Je t'aime"</i><br />
<br />
Life as an au pair is strange. We come to a country to learn about the culture, to live with the families, to share in the French experience. I don't doubt that there are many au pairs in Paris today who feel scared and very far from home. But you have a family and friends here too. They feel as you feel. They are as scared as you, and for them their home has profoundly changed. Today I hope you do not feel like a foreigner in Paris. Today I hope you feel what I feel,<br />
<br />
<i><b>Je suis Parisienne. Nous Sommes Tous Parisiens.</b></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-70753261784583445312015-11-13T14:28:00.000+01:002015-11-13T19:15:55.961+01:00Turning 26 - I'm an old au pair.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So yesterday I turned 26. Yes, the slow descent to 30 has begun. With the vast majority of au pairs being in their late teens and early 20s, I find myself firmly in the category of older au pairs. There's not much in life that you can be 'too old for' at 26, but au pairing can sometimes feel like one of them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwE1i3bsUhk/VkXjj4FSo9I/AAAAAAAAAck/s_iWXDd7QIg/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SwE1i3bsUhk/VkXjj4FSo9I/AAAAAAAAAck/s_iWXDd7QIg/s640/IMG_0958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no sarcastic comment - this was a genuinely nice cake made for me by the kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Take for example my French class. Whilst learning to use the comparative 'plus/ moins', my age suddenly became the topic of much discussion. When we were each saying the year of our birth the majority of the class were born around 1995 -1997. Then I announce my birthday year of 1989. This caused a huge uproar. Most of it was good natured joking, but some of the other au pairs seemed genuinely surprised. In fact the reaction I received more than any other was of sympathy. I'd like to think I am a relaxed person, and that I didn't take too many of the comments to heart, I know that 26 is not that old. However it felt odd to me that somebody would feel sorry for me for being 26.<br />
<br />
I understand many people would like to be in more stable jobs by now, or would like to be settling down. It's a matter of personal preference and where you have planned your own life to be. Personally, those things are not high up on my list of priorities. I enjoy travel far more than I enjoy the idea of settling down in a flat I can barely afford right now. I'd rather be looking after kids than stuck in a dreary office. And I love that I am able to see a foreign country and learn a foreign language whilst still living in relative comfort. I'm not overly attached to staying in one place, and I don't need many material possessions to live. I'm happy where I am, thanks. I have my undergrad degree, two postgrad degrees, I have worked different jobs, and have travelled the world. I have done my best to make the most out of my 26 years. Please don't feel sorry for me.<br />
<br />
The thing that I keep coming back to is would I want to be an au pair at 17-21 years old? To be honest the answer is no. Much of what the position involves - disciplining children, confronting parents about issues with confidence, effective time management, creating balanced meals - are skills I only acquired when I was in this age bracket. I gained all my self confidence, language skills, and domestic competence whilst I was at university, when I lived abroad as a student, and when I worked in customer service in retail. I am at my most confident now, I am more competent than I have ever been now, and I am at my most capable now (Though let's be clear, I am not the most confident or competent person in the world by any means). If I was au pairing for an 8 and 4 year old when I was 18, I would be a constantly panicking, clueless wreck. I would be going back to my room every night and crying. I do that sometimes now, but at least I have learned how to medicate with tea, biscuits, and Netflix.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgfgYNqcLVY/VgQXkvEG6NI/AAAAAAAAARA/5_xi2BwKw4Q/s1600/netflix_web_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YgfgYNqcLVY/VgQXkvEG6NI/AAAAAAAAARA/5_xi2BwKw4Q/s320/netflix_web_logo.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As ever - this blog is brought to you by Netflix<br />
It's the only thing keeping me sane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
I applaud any 18 year old who is out of home for the first time and doing their best as an au pair. You clearly are more capable than I was when I was 18. You have a great deal of my respect, and I am amazed at your sense of adventure. That being said, I feel there are some major benefits to being an older au pair, and it is not all doom and gloom for those of us who have taken up the job later in life.<br />
<br />
<b><u>1) Early nights</u></b><br />
Here's the truth. When you get over 25, there are sometimes when you just want an early night. If I'm having a late night, it's probably because I'm binge watching a TV show, not because I'm dancing all night. Everyone likes a wild night out partying, but sometimes that bed just looks so inviting. And then there's your laptop just begging for you to watch one more episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. - hey if I watch with French dubbing it counts as language practice, right? Early nights can be the best! Let the younger au pairs freeze themselves to death waiting for a taxi in the wet streets of midwinter Paris because the metro is closed, I am toasty warm in bed and not ashamed about enjoying an evening in.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2) Enjoying going to class.</u></b><br />
When you are not under pressure from school, learning actually becomes more fun. The motivation for language classes here is entirely different. It's not about making some grade or passing a test, its about learning to live. You are learning to communicate with other people, to navigate around a supermarket, to deal with a bank. It is much easier to learn a language when you live it, rather than from a text. Plus, when you get past the dancing and groping in a nightclub stage of life, it's nice to know that you can go out and spend your free time having genuine conversations with people.<br />
<br />
<b><u>3) Knowing if you are ready for kids.</u></b><br />
I hate to talk about the biological clock, but here it goes. Younger au pairs are here for the travel and language opportunities and to have a good time. If you are slightly older, the question of "do I want to settle down and have children now or in the near future (or at all)" may have crossed your mind. That is perfectly normal and natural. Au pairing is actually a great way of testing yourself, as you spend so much time in loco parentis. For me it has totally clarified that I do not want kids at all right now, or even possibly in the future. I love the kids I work with, but do I want my own - no not really. Maybe that will change, but at least I can say I have a reasonable idea of my capabilities when it comes to raising a child, and use that to make any life changing decisions.<br />
<br />
<b><u>4) Not giving a s**t.</u></b><br />
Ok, maybe that's a bit crass - but it is also true. When I was 18, I was a shy country girl from rural Britain. I was naive, and to be honest, terrified of the world. After university, living abroad, postgrad, law school, work - I am not afraid anymore. At 18, I would have been terrified to take 2 kids on the metro, I would have been terrified to go to the bank and speak French, terrified to have to deal in Spanish at the school. Now I don't give a damn - and I mean that in the best way. Now I just give it my best shot, try my hardest, and if it doesn't work out it is not the end of the world. I don't let it ruin my day. I would have been unable to do that at 18.<br />
<br />
<b><u>5) Knowing your limits and your priorities.</u></b><br />
This ties into number 4, but goes a bit further. For example, when you are older you know that if you go out drinking all night, you will still have to deal with shouting children at 7:00 am the next morning. You can't hide in bed, because you have a job to go to. Second of all, you know where and when to make a fuss. You can let the small <i>betises</i> go, but know when to punish the really bad behaviour. You don't get too stressed over the parents being stuck in traffic, but have the confidence to put your foot down when their repeated lateness gets in the way of you going out and enjoying what should be your free time. In short, you have learnt to prioritise the stresses and the enjoyment in your life to the point where you can get the most out of your time as an au pair.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Yes I am 26, and maybe some au pairs might think me old. I don't care. I'm enjoying myself and perfectly happy with where I am. If, like me, you are finding yourself too old for 3:00 am vodka shots before waking the kids up for school, I more than happy to join you for a glass of wine and a film. If you are 19 and worried I'll turn out to be a killjoy, you don't have to invite me to your next all night rave. I will not be offended. Go enjoy yourselves. You're only young once!<br />
<br />
But please wear a coat and text me if you'll be back after 1:00am...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-84314900679759268152015-11-07T22:56:00.004+01:002015-11-07T22:56:45.011+01:00Money Matters - How much is an au pair worth?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Money. No-one likes talking about it.<br />
<br />
No-one ever said that being an au pair was a way to get rich quick. Yes you are paid, but part of your payment comes in the form of your bed, food, and use of the washing machine. While this is amazing and incredibly generous on behalf of the family, it is difficult to convert into cold hard cash. In a city like Paris, where life is pretty expensive, that can be a problem for a young person who wants to see it all. I was getting by on my payments, not seeing everything, but seeing at least one interesting thing a week, when I got a shock.<br />
<br />
On one of my last blog posts, someone mentioned that they felt I was being underpaid for the amount of work I do. A quick survey of other au pair friends and colleagues on my French course confirmed that I was being paid at least 5€ less a week than anyone else, in some cases 10€ less. That's when I finally sat back and thought about money seriously.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRs010CRCZQ/Vj5vavj8aKI/AAAAAAAAAb4/UkAj2RmambU/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRs010CRCZQ/Vj5vavj8aKI/AAAAAAAAAb4/UkAj2RmambU/s640/IMG_0936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
When you sign a contract with a family the only advice on payment that you receive is a guideline from the French Government on the minimum payment as dictated by law. What is harder to find out, without sounding creepy and messaging multiple au pairs on Facebook, is what the <b><i>actual</i></b> rate of payment is. This is something you can only find out when you get to Paris and hear from other au pairs how they are paid.<br />
<br />
Partly I think this is because money is actually hard to quantify in terms of value when you move somewhere new. 75€, the amount I was offered by my family, sounds like a substantial amount, but that is without me having lived in Paris which, as I have said, is very expensive. Hey, I come from a European country with an entirely different currency. 75€ is equivalent to £53 a week - not much. The family agreed to pay my Navigo costs and they are great about making sure that they buy me toothpaste, shampoo, and any food I would like. The issue is that somewhere like Paris (where even national Museums have entrance fees) 75€ is a week is going to limit the amount you can do. You can't get lunch with your language partner and hit the museums at the weekend with enough to buy yourself a new jumper now that it's getting colder. First world problems? Yes! But Paris is a first world city with first world costs, and I want to get the most out my cultural experience here. Plus I am a 25 year old adult with interests, hobbies, and passions. There is only so much enjoyment I can derive from watching all the children's French language disney films. After working a 30 hour week with screaming kids, I don't just <b><i>want</i></b> to go out and see Paris, I <b><i>need</i></b> to get out the house. My sanity is at stake!<br />
<br />
The second difficulty with regard to wages as an au pair, is that you have to stand back and critically assess <b><i>how much you are worth</i></b>. I can't speak for other people, but for me this was, and remains, a deeply uncomfortable process. Perhaps I have low self esteem. Perhaps my inherently British self-deprecation is making me resist it, but it is something I had to do.<br />
<br />
Every family is different, and has different demands. There are many au pairs who do not work weekends, and many who do. There are many who work mornings, and many who don't. Some au pairs care for 1 child, some care for 4. some have a room in the house, some have a studio apartment far away from the family (and the noise). This great variety of needs is one of the things that makes assessing your worth in cash difficult, as it is incredibly hard to draw comparisons. Nonetheless, when I looked at what I was doing, I felt I was working harder (or at least more) than some au pairs and being paid less.<br />
<br />
I take the kids for a minimum 1 hour 45 minutes in the mornings. Sometimes the Dad is there to help, but sometimes he is not. The Mother always leaves for work before the children are up. I help them with breakfast and get the washed, dressed and shod (old word for putting on shoes), before walking out the door towards school. I then do some shopping and make sure there is enough food/toothpaste/washing powder in the house. I return and take my breakfast while loading the dishwasher and putting on a load of washing. Every Monday and Friday I do a thorough clean of the communal areas (Kitchen, bathrooms, living room). Then I may have classes or a free day. After school I do homework (in Spanish for my children's school - not the language I came here to learn, but I muddle through with my GCSE level Spanish) and entertain the kids with arts & crafts, games, and the always disputed chores, before cooking dinner, bathing the kids and getting them ready for bed. I sometimes even cook dinner for the parents.<br />
<br />
I put particular emphasis on the homework for a good reason - I used to be a teacher. I used to teach English and maths to children aged 4-12 in London for £18 (25€) an hour. I also taught history and Latin. this experience was one of the things that made the family choose me over other au pairs. I have not only helped the eldest girl to write and read at a much higher level in English, helped her pass multiple tests in French (not my strong point), and taught her 2 units of maths (including all the times tables), but I have even taught the 4 year old how to write, and am teaching him to read and count. In the last week he has gone from not knowing what an hour is to telling the time correctly. I'm not saying I'm the best teacher in the world, but I think it goes beyond the basic level of supervision of an au pair. In context, that level of effort would cost the parents a lot more if they hired a private tutor in Paris. In addition to this, the parents only have 1hr with the kids when they come home (providing that the kids don't act up at bedtime - which they always do) so if they wanted to teach the kids any of the above it could only happen at weekends. I felt like I had put in a lot of effort into helping the kids, and was consequently not being recompensed accordingly.<br />
<br />
Is this selfish? I mean, a family has given me a place in their home, and at their dinner table - shouldn't I be grateful for whatever I get? I am grateful. Deeply so. However I am here on cultural exchange and as an <b><i>employee</i></b> too. I should be paid fairly for the work I put in, which in my case is a lot. So I asked for a raise. I asked for 5€ more a week bringing me up to 80€ a week. This is probably one of the most uncomfortable requests I have ever made of someone. It is definitely one of my worse moments as an au pair, and that includes the time I accidentally left a pair of jeans in a whites-only wash and turned the little boy's vests blue. The Dad was ok with my request and said he would talk to the mum, whom he thought would be less receptive to my request. So I went to bed on Friday night, not knowing what her reaction would be, whether I would get more money or be asked to leave.<br />
<br />
And do you know what, dear reader?<br />
<br />
I got it!<br />
<br />
Maybe I really am worth 5€ more a week...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-58183243280032047642015-10-31T16:02:00.000+01:002015-10-31T18:10:54.693+01:00An Au Pair Out And About: Hallowe'en Special! Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's Hallowe'en! And to celebrate here is a special spooky edition of An Au Pair Out And About - <i>Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle!</i> How is a natural history museum spooky? Well I'm specifically going to be looking at<i> les Galeries d'Anatomie comparée et de Paléntologie</i> - aka the bone rooms!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQZ4TQRwlbE/VjTUgHYO6kI/AAAAAAAAAa8/rrXvAAp_7IU/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQZ4TQRwlbE/VjTUgHYO6kI/AAAAAAAAAa8/rrXvAAp_7IU/s640/IMG_0722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonjour. My name is Pierre, and I am your hell hound guide for today...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Ok, so one of the things which annoys me most about the museums in Paris is how much you have to spend to go to them. I know I have probably been spoiled by spending my student years in London where the majority of Museums are totally free, but it still annoys me. What I find especially annoying about Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle is that you have to spend money several times to get into different galleries. For me that is really too much. However, those of us in possession of a student card and are under 26 (only 2 more weeks of that for me!) will be able to get in at a reduced price to many galleries, and sometimes for free.<br />
<br />
Although the main galleries of the natural history museum will cost you money,<i> Galeries d'Anatomie comparée et de Paléntologie</i> are free for under-26s. Being next to the incredibly beautiful <i>Jardins des Plantes</i> means that this is a great way to while away a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.<br />
If you enjoy pretending to command an army of skeletal animals that is.<br />
To me, that sounds like the perfect date...<br />
<br />
The immediate impression of <i>les galeries</i> is that this is a very old part of the museum, that hasn't really been redesigned since the middle of last century. The galleries themselves resemble a large school hall with multiple levels. They are not very big, and full of dark wood which adds to the gothic feel of the place. The floor space and the walls are covered in skeletons, or other parts of dead boys, and it does feel a little cluttered. Unlike the main galleries, there are no computer screens, no interactive exhibits, and very little in the way of explanation and information. What you get are glass cases full of bones. And sometimes brains... <b>spooky</b>!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-js55H-wxSyk/VjTUVbc84tI/AAAAAAAAAZk/r085qfQNUG4/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-js55H-wxSyk/VjTUVbc84tI/AAAAAAAAAZk/r085qfQNUG4/s640/IMG_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm... braaaaiiins...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That being said, there is something quite fascinating about all these remains. On the ground floor are skeletons of everything from tiny turtles,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7KNvyu9dODU/VjTUW9bGSQI/AAAAAAAAAZs/Wh6k2owKdps/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7KNvyu9dODU/VjTUW9bGSQI/AAAAAAAAAZs/Wh6k2owKdps/s640/IMG_0703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
to giant whales,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-20xpmgBxEN4/VjTUgc3u3tI/AAAAAAAAAbE/7c_CaxVEaIw/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-20xpmgBxEN4/VjTUgc3u3tI/AAAAAAAAAbE/7c_CaxVEaIw/s640/IMG_0712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
to buffalo that you sort of wish you could ride into battle<br />
.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-siY4zO_PTnU/VjTUTxqZGrI/AAAAAAAAAZU/xF4jXy3qv88/s1600/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-siY4zO_PTnU/VjTUTxqZGrI/AAAAAAAAAZU/xF4jXy3qv88/s640/IMG_0696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On the next floor up is the palaeontology section, which has all the dinosaur bones. And I totally did not hum the Jurassic Park theme whilst standing under the diplodocus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXq5nFE6UKo/VjTUiPPtDcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/DchOdHJUcxs/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXq5nFE6UKo/VjTUiPPtDcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/DchOdHJUcxs/s640/IMG_0718.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dumm..dudududu dum dum DUM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dinosaurs are brilliant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRWolKfNtsE/VjTUdeuoknI/AAAAAAAAAa0/06r4OZn0hJk/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRWolKfNtsE/VjTUdeuoknI/AAAAAAAAAa0/06r4OZn0hJk/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is even the leg of a woolly mammoth with real hair!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZPtyBw0efQ/VjTUdyf9agI/AAAAAAAAAa4/o169cS0eeIY/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZPtyBw0efQ/VjTUdyf9agI/AAAAAAAAAa4/o169cS0eeIY/s640/IMG_0719.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many 'bad wax' jokes I could be making.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you are feeling brave, the museum even has a cabinet of 'travesties' - aka abnormally formed foetuses. Because things were just not creepy enough.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaPIlY4mDZ4/VjTUhqo81NI/AAAAAAAAAbU/iSsMdWPOw4s/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaPIlY4mDZ4/VjTUhqo81NI/AAAAAAAAAbU/iSsMdWPOw4s/s640/IMG_0723.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, I live in your dreams now...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And of course a (badly photographed - I apologise) cabinet full of the grinning skeletons of human foetuses. Embrace the macabre!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmJpLYW35Tk/VjTUa8oNQ-I/AAAAAAAAAaU/bxxYZM2CjC4/s1600/IMG_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TmJpLYW35Tk/VjTUa8oNQ-I/AAAAAAAAAaU/bxxYZM2CjC4/s640/IMG_0709.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They look happy because they know what they are having for dinner. Your screams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, it is not the most contemporary of museum galleries in Paris. I imagine this is a part of the museum that hasn't had some TLC in a long time. It feels a little bit like stepping back in time. However, if you enjoy feeling like you are going into Dr Frankenstein's laboratory, or if you just have a thing for the gothic and the grotesque, then it's pretty enjoyable.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is always something fascinating about a room full of skeletons, that I find hard to resist, and as a whole I found the museum to be very interesting. Because everything is piled in together, it is very difficult to break up your visit here. There is no cafe, and the toilets in the basement are very old and small - possibly the most horrifying thing in the whole visit! Considering you can get in for free, and that the surrounding area if full of cosy restaurants to compensate for the lack of cafe, it is a good way to spend some time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will give you a fair warning though, fellow au pairs - this may not be the best place to take children. Aside from the lack of computers and interactive exhibits that you find in most museums to distract children, there are also a few graphic 19th century models of dissected animals. I found looking at an orang-utan with its chest cracked open a little difficult, so I would not recommend it for the little ones. But If you are looking to rustle up some fearful frights for the grown ups this weekend, or an excuse to cuddle up with some one special, this is the place for you!<br />
<br />
Joyeux Hallowe'en tout le monde! Stay Spooky!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-74909260863418112542015-10-30T23:43:00.000+01:002015-10-30T23:43:24.345+01:00La Vie Est Belle: Klorane Shampooing Sec à l'ortie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, I have said this before but it bears repeating. I am all about minimal effort when it comes to beauty products. There are very few products that I think are essential products that I would use everyday. A face-wash, a good moisturiser, brown mascara and a concealer are my everyday products. I can get quite happily by with just them, and one other thing.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Dry shampoo.</u></b><br />
<br />
I love dry shampoo. It is a godsend. Anyone who has fine or oily hair knows that there is nothing more disheartening than waking up the day after your shower and your hair is already lank at the roots. I have tried several brands, to varying success. I am a big fan of <b>Batiste</b> original formula, but find the added volume version too sticky and the overly fragranced versions overwhelming. Here in France I have been unable to find <b>Batiste</b>. I was using <b>Timotei Pure</b> which I bought from the local supermarché, but it was very heavy and left me looking grey and flat. But now I have discovered <b>Klorane</b>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s2aOL13ZZE/VjPx8rQ5N2I/AAAAAAAAAY0/gOOzCMmWeFI/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s2aOL13ZZE/VjPx8rQ5N2I/AAAAAAAAAY0/gOOzCMmWeFI/s640/IMG_0884.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Klorane</b> products for hair and body are available in the UK from <b>John Lewis</b>. I have seen them there before and have been recommended them by friends who have sensitive scalps. Like many of the beauty products found in France, <b>Klorane</b> has its origins in a pharmacy, and uses a scientific approach to botanical extracts as the foundation of its range. There is one drawback though, these products are rather expensive in the UK, and are quite expensive here in French pharmacies at 9€ each (and available as a double pack for 15€).<br />
<br />
That being said, this is without a doubt the best dry shampoo I have ever used. You spray it onto your hair, leave it for 2 minutes, then brush it out. The powder looks a little grey at first but brushes out really easily. The smell is not strong, but light and fresh. It is part of <b>Klorane's l'ortie </b>(nettle) range. Nettle is often used as a treatment for excess sebum (I was even told by a old lady to rinse my scalp with stewed nettles to get rid of oil. I never did).<br />
<br />
But this is the amazing part, even when using dry shampoo I normally have to wash my hair every other day to get rid of the oil. Using <b>Klorane</b> shampooing sec I was able to last 2 days after washing my hair and could have gone for a 3rd (but I was going out and wanted to be sparkling). I have never had such great results from a dry shampoo. My hair stayed bouncy and fresh-looking for 72 hours! This hasn't happened to me since before I hit adolescence. I just gave my hair a quick spritz in the morning, and carried on as normal. There wasn't even a build up of powder on my roots. They did not go grey, feel sticky, or become weighed down and flat. I was amazed.<br />
<br />
Yes this is an expensive product, more than I would ever normally pay for dry shampoo. But this stuff works. And if it means less frequent showering, maybe my hair will start to regrease more slowly anyway. In short, I am a huge convert to this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone who uses dry shampoo as part of their regular beauty regime . </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-81922948406107154162015-10-28T09:00:00.000+01:002015-10-28T09:00:05.432+01:00The Au Pair Weight Loss Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you want to look good next summer when you head down to the French Riviera? Or perhaps you were thinking of taking another au pair position next year, further from the city, and closer to the sea. If so then you will be wanting to get in shape and loose a few kilograms. Well with the new "Au Pair Weight Loss Plan" you can get ready for next summer. I used to go to the gym every day and saw slow results, but I have been following the diet for two months and have dropped two dress sizes. Read on to find out more<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwtVprWKBM/Viz0ZLqd7bI/AAAAAAAAAX8/c0ZEaAiSn3c/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHwtVprWKBM/Viz0ZLqd7bI/AAAAAAAAAX8/c0ZEaAiSn3c/s400/IMG_0730.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, you really can eat pastry on the Au Pair Weight Loss Plan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b><u>1) Increase your Cardio levels.</u></b><br />
This is one of the easiest parts of the au pair diet. You don't even have to motivate yourself - the children will do it for you. Walking them to school and back? Cardio! Going to the park? Cardio! Dash to the supermarket? Cardio! Running in the house? Follow them - it's cardio! Whenever you feel as though you have five minutes to yourself to relax, don't worry - The children are bound to have a new form of cardio worked out for you.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2) Do you even lift?</u></b><br />
Weights are a key part of dropping a dress size. They keep you burning calories long after the workout is finished. Again, this is an easy part of the au pair lifestyle. Did you know that the average 4 year old is 14-18kg? Have you ever lifted one into the bath? Or picked up when it was crying? Congratulations. That's you lifting. Do you do it several times a week? Congratulations, thats your reps. Now do them every day, every week, for the rest of your stay. Feel your arms and back tone up.<br />
<br />
<b><u>3) Diet.</u></b><br />
The diet element has two parts<br />
<br />
<b>Part 1 -</b> eat what the kids eat. When cooking for small children every night of the week, you are constantly trying to hide healthy food in it. So eat the same healthy (albeit disguised) food as the children in the same portions. These will be smaller than the adult sized portions you are used to and aid in loosing weight. But there are times when the kids will eat something so sticky, so sugary, so bizarre (Frozen vanilla snowball breakfast cereal, Oreos dipped in Nutella then hot chocolate, all that compote) that you will be put off eating for quite a while. Go with it.<br />
<br />
<b>Part 2 -</b> Eat a lot of pasty. Chances are in the morning you don't have time to sit down and have proper breakfast. So grab something from the <i>boulangerie</i> on the way back from school. trust me, a couple of times a week won't matter. Have you seen how much cardio you are doing?<br />
<br />
<b><u>4) Caffeine </u></b><br />
Caffeine is your friend. Embrace it. Hold it close to you. There are many times when you will have so little time that you will have to chose between food and caffeine. You will choose caffeine. That is ok.<br />
<br />
<b><u>5) See Paris.</u></b><br />
Paris is not the biggest city in the world. London, for example, is much bigger in area. But like all good capital cities there is lots for you to see, so get out there! you will walk for kilometres just moving through the Metro stations. The more you see, the more you will walk, the more weight you will lose. The distances you go will surprise you.<br />
<br />
<b><u>6) Sleep.</u></b><br />
Sleep when you can, for as long as you can. Children at school? Have a nap. Got to be up at 6:30? Go to bed at 21:00. The only way you'll keep your sanity is by being well rested. And whats the point of having your amazing new au pair body, if you're too exhausted to show it off?<br />
<br />
Have you all been noticing the effect of "The Au Pair Plan"? So many au pairs can't believe how much weight they've lost since they've started work.<br />
<br />
Please know - this is a joke. Do not attempt extreme diet plans and stay lovely and healthy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8749447422688042632.post-68730890696897492732015-10-25T12:32:00.003+01:002015-10-25T13:18:33.556+01:00Holiday Hell and the frustrations of being an Au Pair.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So by now most of you have been au pairs for at least 1 month. You dealt with<i> La Rentrée</i> and you've finally sussed out what the kids like and do not like to eat. You've got your <b>Navigo</b>, and you've finally mastered enough french to get what you need. You have perfected the Parisian street style (black trainers, dark jeans, trench coat, scarf) and can walk with enough speed and confidence for people to believe you're local, or at least not try to drag you into their restaurant. You think you have it sussed. But now you are halfway through the first set of holidays, you have been working a 60 hour week entertaining the children while the parents are at work, and you've definitely caught some kind of illness from one of the kids. You are ready to scream. What has happened? Get ready for the rant...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HolfqbL4ZI/Viy9YtG56YI/AAAAAAAAAXs/arik3AAKXBo/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HolfqbL4ZI/Viy9YtG56YI/AAAAAAAAAXs/arik3AAKXBo/s640/IMG_0800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This week I am feeling a lot of sympathy with the horses on the carrousel at the Jardins d'Acclimitation - going round and round in circles. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Well first of all, in a country where many workers are limited to a 35 hour week, you have gone well above your contract hours this week. You are probably exhausted. Have you been sleeping well? Probably not. If not because you are an adult and a 21:00 bedtime seems ridiculous, then the stress alone is probably keeping you up. Let's face it, despite what many families say on their profiles at the agency or on the website, nobody's kids are perfect. The holidays are the perfect crucible of long hours, autumn colds, and lack of entertainment to bring out the worst in every child. Constant screaming, demanding, and entertaining can really exhaust you.<br />
<br />
I don't know what you've been doing this holiday, but I have done hours of arts & crafts, we've been to Jardins d'Acclimitation, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, activities at Palais de Tokyo Art Gallery. I have spent hours dragging the kids around on the Metro whilst they cry and tease each other. We've had colds and stomach bugs, shouting fits, and a total refusal to do homework (which as they go to a Spanish school, not French, is really testing my language limits). By Friday evening I was ready to cry with frustration.<br />
<br />
I wonder if the levels of frustration increase with age. For example, I am not a young au pair. I am 25, I have 2 postgraduate qualifications and have spent almost 7 years living by myself, away from a family home. I am used to being independent and taking care of myself. Returning to a family environment is quite a shock. I've gone from glasses of wine and Netflix marathons with housemates, to compote and cartoons with kids. Grown ups living together respect that someone may want a lie in on a weekend, children get up at 8:00 am on the weekends and want to play, or at least have someone make porridge. When you stub your toe in your own house, you can swear as much as you like, now you are confined to biting your lip and trying not to say anything in any language the kids may pick up. You can't set your own timetable and you can't even cook for yourself because everything has to be something the kids, if not the entire family, will like.<br />
<br />
Here's an example. This Friday I was ill. Really ill. I had a fever of 38.9 degrees celsius, my head was pounding, and I couldn't eat because my stomach hurt so badly. Any normal 25 year old in my position would have called in sick to work and spent the day in bed. I live where I work, so I got up 5 minutes after the dad left for work, and realised I was ill. However, by this point the eldest child was already up and demanding breakfast. The youngest proceeded to remain asleep for another 3 hours, during which time the 8 year old demanded constant entertainment and diversion quiet enough not to wake her brother. This left no time for me to take a shower, or even fetch a paracetamol. Then the 4 year old awoke, and the process began again. Afterwards I had to put on the Halloween Party/Dia de Los Muertos fiesta (part of their holiday project from the Spanish language school) that I had promised, so an entire day of arts, crafts, and cooking followed. The mum arrived home at 18:00, and I went straight to bed. It wasn't exactly restful, as a whole evening of screaming and <i>betises</i> followed, which I could hear through my door as it comes off the sitting room. Repeat this scenario as I lie in bed on Saturday morning. I would have given my left arm to be in a hotel, or even back in my student residences.<br />
<br />
The holidays also put a stop to any semblance of independence. There are no language classes to meet people your own age, or to provide any mental stimulation. You really start to miss the opportunity to pop out for a quick coffee and a chat. You can't even pop out to the <i>supermarché</i> by yourself, so even picking up some more milk becomes a fight because the mum did not leave enough money for milk and some of those chocolate puddings that you want - so put them back, or so help me...<br />
<br />
This has made me so envious of any au pairs who 'live out' - able to go out and come back when you want. Totally separate from the kids. Even if I get lovely meals with the family, I would love a bit of privacy. And the opportunity to have a glass of wine and watch a film by myself.<br />
<br />
And that is the last point. Money. I don't know how much everyone is earning, but I earn 75€ per week, flat rate. When you have your bed and food provided by the family that sounds like a lot of money. But Paris is expensive, and even going out once a week for a nice meal, or for a museum and lunch, cost quite a lot of money. Let alone the fact that I really need some new t-shirts and have my mum's birthday coming up. I also have to pay my own phone bill. It can feel really limiting. Particularly when after I turn 26, I won't be able to get any of the free entries for students. Perhaps it's just me, but this drives me insane.<br />
<br />
Look, nobody said being an au pair would be easy, but nobody described just how stressful it can get. I'm so sorry for the rant, but I would like to know if any of you experiencing this frustration? How do you cope with the expense? Are you coping with the holiday stress and do you have an opportunity to get away from it?<br />
<br />
Bonne chance for week 2 of the holidays!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-in7xJ60qLPY/Vf6lJg_BP9I/AAAAAAAAAQY/Ay_xtyJtuds/s1600/Bisous%2Bsignature%2B.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01475154895337670522noreply@blogger.com1