So my week of working two jobs and 12 hours a day with no breaks and no social life is finally over. Thank God. No really, I am very thankful. It was one of the longest and most exhausting weeks (physically) that I've had in a long time and while it was quite the experience that I won't soon forget, its not really one I would choose to repeat any time soon either.
Last night I got the keys to my new apartment and a map explaining how to get there and find my way and so I set off on an adventure. Well, first I took a bunch of stuff and tried walking down the streets of Paris with everything the mom had purchased for my apartment so I'm sure I looked a bit silly. And then I waited for my friend at the metro but was so exhausted from the day and carrying so much stuff that I sat down and waiting for her and realized I looked like a homeless person in distress (albeit, a well dressed and supplied homeless person: I was carrying my LV bag and had all brand new items from IKEA). My friend arrived, champagne in hand, and we made our way to find my new apartment.
I don't have pictures but let me tell you, its nothing like the one I showed you earlier. Nothing. Its a lot smaller and way different in every possible way, but way cute at the same time. I walked in and thought instantly, I can live here! This can be my home! (Which is great because I was a bit afraid since I hadn't seen it yet). It's rather petite at 11m2 which is not much larger than 100squareFeet if you can imagine living in a space like that, you Texas people. I've definitely had to learn that not everything bigger is better since moving away. It has a shower, the same sink that is for the kitchen is for the bathroom, there is no toilet so I will be sharing with my hall mates (very common when living in the type of apartment that I will be living in) but its my space. I have a click clack. not a sofa bed, a ..... gosh, the english word is not coming to me... anyways, its called a click-clack in french and its not a sofa bed but the same idea. I actually have quite a bit of cabinet space which I think I am very lucky to have in such a small space and it has a view of the Eiffel Tower as promised. It's absolutely beautiful. I am one street away from a metro, soooo close, in a very secure, very beautiful building. I live on the 7th floor but there is an elevator which if you've ever been to france know that that is the golden ticket and such a blessing so I am very thankful I will not have to carry all my stuff up 7 flights of stairs today, or ever. The basic overall message is, its small but its going to be my home and I think I will be very happy being there.
There is a lot of stuff that needs to be purchased for this apartment as its completely bare. No one has been living in it for a while so the mom purchased some pots and pans, a few plates and silverware and a few odds and ends but definitely not enough to complete an apartment. The shower does not have a shower curtain so that shall be interesting when I need to shower, for the time being (there is not wal-mart readily available here and the equivalents to wal-mart in paris are not always stocked with random odds and ends for the home so acquiring one might be a bit interesting.). I will probably end up wanting a rug for the floor and a few more things to make it feel less "white" and more like Kara's humble abode! haha. But that can take time.
Anyways, I now have one hour to repack all my stuff before the father of my new family arrives to pick me up to help me move to my new apartment! I am so excited and a bit nervous (that he'll think i have too much stuff) but so ready! so ready!
Anyways, the point of this post was to say that one chapter has ended (again) and a new chapter is beginning and I couldn't be more excited for the future and what is to come. I had a great go with the family I worked for this summer. I had a lot of great times and made a lot of great memories, had opportunities to do and see places and things that I can't say I would have done on my own ever and for that I am very thankful, but I am also very excited that this summer is over and I can settle down, unpack, and get back into a routine of life. I am excited about starting French classes again in a few weeks (ha, we'll see how long that lasts) and to file for my new visa in a few months and to bond and make new memories with my new family.
So, i'm off to go dream (and pack) about my new apartment and how i'm going to decorate it. I have to say though, I am very thankful for those of you who continue to support me being over here. It helps the bad days to be a lot better, the good days to be amazing and I constantly can feel the love, even though there is an ocean and quite a few time zones that lay between us.
Oh, and on my last note: my other half and soul mate has returned to Paris for another year of crazy times. Maya, i'm sure I've talked about her, after having a Parisian hiatus and going to our homeland all summer, she has returned and I couldn't be happier. In her first 24 hours we already had time to make a million new memories to last us a lifetime.
Have a great weekend mes amies and ma famille where ever you are....
Love, MEEEEEE
No comments:
Post a Comment