so for the good things going on in life right now: today i conquered a whole new something...i ventured to ikea in the suburbs by myself. it was definitely a trek to go out to Timbuktu (which is an actual place in africa -- i have looked it up on google maps). anyways -- the lady i work for had bought some stuff for my apartment and i didn't really like the choices she made so i asked if i could make some exchanges and i was granted permission. I wish i could wait for mY navigo to come in so i wouldn't have to pay for a ticket on the train but alas i don't have time for that and i must prepare mY apartment for an arriving guest. anYwaYs-- ikea is a bit of a hike to get to but i did it and i think i might be going more often. let me explain. first of all -- when i first arrived in the town i had looked up directions on how to walk to the store and it didn't look so far to me and being an expert walker these daYs i thought it was doable. well -- its do able alright -- just not preferable. it was a 30 minute walk slightly uphill. like i said -- do able but no preferable -- and i was carrying some heavY items to return. anYwaYs i arrive and i'm immediately overwhelmed with choices. omgosh. so fun. going back tomorrow with a friend to help me choose. but besides ikea -- when i first arrived in this town i was walking around and i thought to mySelf -- i'm so glad that i moved out of the suburbs and into paris and the more i walked towards ikea i realized i kind of missed the suburbs. the area where this ikea is is so much like america it makes mY heart go pitter patter ...its in an outdoor shopping center with tons of affordable stores all in one place and restaurants and the like. there was a huge carrefour (like walmart) and a huge casino (the same) in the town and i miss those stores also as carrefour was the only store in mY town last year so we became very well acquainted. anyways -- i explored ikea on crack speed as i was very limited and made a few good choices and was very happy with the prices and peaced out. but not before buying some food. as most of you should know ikea food is supposed to be good and cheap and did i mention cheap? i only bought something quick to eat on the go but it was like a pizza roll thing for 1 euro. un real. anyways -- i did not choose a duvet cover so i'm going back tomorrow with a friend to hopefullY make a few decisions. and once my room is a little more put together i promise to show you my 100 square feet of bliss.
so on to next subject --- glasses! i finally bought new glasses! and was it quite the experience. first off i went with a friend who found a place that was open on a saturday so she could go with me incase the people didn't speak english which is always a possibility but not usuallY the case. anYwaYs --- we went to the eye doctor and i was a bit nervous the whole time as this is france and they do things differentlY than in the states. the doctor there was so nice and had studied in the states and was happY to speak english which was nice since mY comprehension of eye doctor terms is zero. so at the end of the appointment i had chosen a pair of new glasses and then he gave me the total for the glasses and the contacts and the number was horrifically high. it was awful. i was immediately stressed for the next few days. i told the guY i needed to think about it and figure out how to get moneY and then i'd come back and talk to him. he said he could hold the glasses for a few days and to come back and let him know mY decision. i waited over a week to go back and when i did i had mY decision to buY the glasses but not the contacts. when i had been with the doctor the first time- something that put me off was the fact that he was bargaining with me as if to get me to make a decision right then and there. i felt very pressured to buy the glasses and found it very weird that he was fluctuating on the price. when i went back the second time to talk to him about the money and buying the glasses i was going to ask him if he would do a payment plan or something and we ended up discussing that he would give me an even bigger discount and i could pay him some now and the rest later and he'd even give me a pair of contacts for free. i was dumbfounded and confused. this was totally awkward being an american. so in america the prices are the prices --- you can't really bargain on anything anywhere. here in france -- apparently its normal and acceptable to bargain on a lot of things and glasses being one of them. how strange for someone like me. in the end i am very thankful for some things the french do different and the fact that not only am i getting a huge discount making the glasses semi affordable to someone who had a budget like mine but also allowing me to pay over a months time. he told me that because i didn't ask for a discount and he knows i really needed it that he's happy to help me out but that when one day i am rich and can afford them that he hopes i pay full price. haha. whatever -- i am just so thankful for this man and his graciousness in my life. so tomorrow afternoon i get to go pick up my new pair of glasses . and guess what ya'll --- i bought them myself. i know that may sound silly but to someone like me-being able to afford my own anything helps me to feel more and more like a real adult when sometimes its hard to believe i am in the job i have and the life i live. i am determined to support myself without the help of anyone including my wonderful parents back home but i can do it and i'm ready to show you.
ok thats enough for today. have a great thursday my peeps!
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