First Week, Check!

One week down 51 to go. This time last Saturday, I was a pool of my own emotions and exhaustion. Tonight, I am a pool of crêpes and exhaustion.

I just survived my very first dinner party...en Français. Who is proud?
The guests were lovely and they brought their two kids. I can't, for the life of me, remember any of their names but I went into swim mode. I introduced myself, told them where I was from, told them I understand most of what they say even though I might respond slowly, and then I was a full member of the pleasantries during dinner. I mean, I was quiet but I still got shit done.

Now, I feel like I've made some real steps. So, here are some things a person feels free to record after their first full week in a country.

• Europeans drive zippy little cars, in tight spots, LIKE they are in Fast and Furious or The Italian Job. I love it. 
• I was feeling super comfortable in their car. Then I realized today it's a hybrid. 'Splains a lot.
• There were some cool shoes and the would-be Walmart of France. Cheap, kinda lame, SUPER out there.
• Man bags...'nough said. It's a thing here. 
• At the park today, I was looking at a baby deer roaming around the arena. I thought to myself, as most people do, I have two ways of looking at this. Here is this setting, calm, serene, beautiful. This fawn is happy, it's content, it's eating, it's sleeping, it's skipping around like it's Christmas and it just found all its presents yada yada. OR I could embrace the writer in me and describe the scene as a complete skeptic. There lies the fawn, unsuspecting, ignorant, trapped. Its freedom rests in the very barbed wire fences that secure its compliance. It knows no other life. How foolish, little fawn. Your fate was determined before your mother was even born. 
• See the difference?
• I realized also, that I've only seen two kinds of people. Parents and their kids. No one my age yet. Good thing I look like I'm 15 half the time. 
• I feel like a fly on the wall sometimes as I observe the family, their routines, and their mannerisms. 
• Saw a dope ass bird show, where eagles soared legit above my head, and tiny little owls landed next to me.
• Lastly, the kids touched tongues in the car. Eléonore made them stop. Thank. God. Kigs are effing weird. 

So, that's pretty much it. I am full of beaucoup des crêpes. I have showered, shaved, and am ready once again for sleep. It cannot come quickly enough. 

P.S. At the park today I drank my first French beer. I didn't realize what it was when Antoine, the father, offered it to/split it with me, and I felt rude declining the half filled tiny plastic cup. Surprisingly delicious. Like Lemonade. 

Bonne nuit!

Day Seven

This morning I woke up late. And by late I mean maybe 15 minutes late but luckily no one else was downstairs or even moving. Point Dani. I enjoyed a petit déjeuner seul (breakfast alone) with the usual cup du café. It was magic.

Today, I wore one of my favorite dresses, took a shameless selfie, and then went outside to play football with le grand tricheur (the big cheater) also known as, Dimitri. Obviously, I was feeling extra sassy. So sassy, in fact, that I ended up being the victim of Dimitri's peeping eyes.
Yes, that's correct, he pulled my dress up at least 50 times. Boys will be boys.

Later on, Dimitri and I were left to our own devices whilst his mother and sister ran to the intermarché (supermarket). We made toast and once again he proposed to me, kissed me, and called me le meilleur (the best) in the world. He's really freakin' adorable when he isn't burping and screaming and, don't forget, cheating at soccer. We watched some videos that I have, and took pictures! When everyone got back we went, once again, to the pool. Public pools are super annoying, and even more so boring and annoying when you're watching a ton of people running around and you don't know what the hell most of them are saying. Ah, la vie d'une au pair.

I spent my very first dinner alone with the children, while the mother went to pick up her husband from the train station. It went GREAT! We talked, and joked, and they only made fart noises for like two minutes instead of ten tonight. Olympe (oh-lahmp) helped me put dishes away, they brushed their teeth, and I read Dimitri deux petit histoires until he fell asleep. Halfway through the second story he stopped, sat up, took my face and kissed my cheek. Then he snuggled my shoulder and fell asleep. I died a little inside.

I'm definitely learning more and more, and I cannot WAIT to see what this year has in store for me.

Fun with Photo Booth 

Rollercoaster

Yes, the next photo in the lineup was of his butt...

Some Links to the aforementioned:
What I Wore 
Foux du Fafa
Ringmaster by Maddie Charles

Day Six: à la piscine

This morning, I got to talk to my mom for the first time since I got here. It's great for two reasons, one I missed her and two it was the most I've spoken in 6 days. It felt amazing to be understood...I realize now that I'm saying my mother understood me. It's not a completely unreasonable possibility. I've made my peace with it. She's a good woman. LATER in the morning I was left alone with the children whilst Eléonore ran some errands. We all played quietly by ourselves. I didn't play, I read a book. I was sitting in the parents' room reading, when Dimitri wanted some paper so that he could draw. I didn't know where they kept the paper so I went into my room and retrieved one of my larger moleskines that has pages in the back one can easily tear out. As I was flipping to find said pages, I came across a random page in the middle with some inconspicuous tiny handwriting at the top.

It read:

"Dani, remember that one time you thought you sucked...you don't." dated 10.22.2012

Apparently almost a year ago I thought it would be a good idea to write myself a pep-talk. I came across it at the perfect moment. 

THEN we went à la piscine!! 

Maybe I peed in it, maybe I didn't. You'll never know, and I'll never say. Maybe Americans are the only ones who pee in public pools...or pools at all...

Some other things I've noticed is that I still don't like public pools. I don't care that they are French. Kids still run around the wet concrete, jump too close to the edge of the pool, and cannot FOR THE LIFE OF THEM follow the rules clearly stated on the water slide. 'Nough said.

I digress...

I played with the cat today, he's my boyfriend, it's sad, it's lonely, but holy god Ulghor is the man. We played today, and he goes out of his way to address me when he sees me. He also licks me, which is adorable until you see him throw up.

Fun Fact: Apparently, he jumped out their fourth story window in Paris and is like 40% metal machine cat. I dig that. He's like the Bruce Willis of cats. 

Day Five: round and around and around and...

around we go.

Today was a pretty slow morning. I read my book du jour "The Girl Who Played with Fire"
It's the second book of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy. They're so good. It's amazing to me that they were originally written in Swedish and then translated so that I might enjoy the plot twists, and witty-though psychologically tortured-characters. I got even further and I'll probably finish the last 60 pages in the morning.

The language got easier today, as it does everyday. I was really tired for absolutely no reason all day, so when Eléonore took the kids to the doctors office (I'm still not sure why exactly) it was nice to sit around, read, and kind of relax my mind. I also took some pictures.

I have been having really vivid dreams since I got here. Last night, I dreamt that Macklemore and I became friends and I made him sign a page in my moleskine. Then his flight got delayed and all this stuff so we ended up just talking all day. He finally wrote me an autograph and a long personal note on some paper towels that he somehow covered in wax so that the ink wouldn't run if they got wet. I don't even know. I also solved a mystery in my dream last night. Probably has to do with all the reading I've been doing.

I did end up showing Dimitri and Olympe some of my videos on YouTube. Well, videos I'm in. First I showed them my dance from Principia College Dance Production. "Ringmaster" by Maddie Charles. It was really difficult to explain the story behind the dance, in French, to children but we got there eventually. Then I showed them Chloé and my Flight of the Conchords tribute video "Foux du Fafa."

The kids watched it three times.

Ultimately, not much to report today. I'm happy and excited to experience more. (Apparently in French the word excited is a negative thing. Interesting.)

P.S. When Dimitri does push ups he basically just humps the ground while keeping his arms straight. It's freaking hilarious.

Day Four: hardest yet...

or so I thought.

I woke up feeling pretty lonely. It seemed as though it was finally sinking in that I was across the country from everyone I know and love. More importantly, in this case, I was far away from everyone who knows and loves me. It feels like drowning, but not as peaceful (or so they say).

I was feeling like the kids hated me, and that the mom was disappointed with her au pair selection. I texted my mom and her friend, Nathalie, and they shred some really uplifting thoughts with me.

They told me that I already had everything I needed. That I could never be somewhere that I wasn't prepared to be. My mom reassured me that I was ready for this. It was a huge life event but everything leading up to this moment has absolutely prepared me for anything this adventure could throw my way. Nathalie told me that the language barrier will get easier. All I need to do is express myself in the most kind and helpful way that I can, and I have a right to do so. In fact, I was created to do so, and I can do it effortlessly.

I was also nervous because Anna, Eléonore's sister-in-law, was coming over with her two kids and I didn't want to embarrass myself. Luckily, by lunchtime, everything was fine. Anna actually spoke to me a little in English and was really nice. Her kids are two years, and two months old. 

I've decided that babies are the same across the globe too, and they also all love me. Mathilde (the baby) smiled at me the entire lunch and laughed when I made faces. Easy, I know, but let me have this! 

I spent the rest of the afternoon playing soccer with Dimitri, he asked me to marry him, and then I got to finally spin him around. We're gonna be just fine. 

Today only solidified my belief in the language of love. It doesn't matter what spoken language we are versed in, when it comes down to it we are all receptive to kindness, joy, laughter, and love. Today was a good day to remember and practice that!

Fun Fact: Today is the day in Pitch Perfect when we see Beca save her first mixed track on her computer (8.27)

Day Three: First time out of the house

The sun is out today!

It's also really warm out, and it's beautiful. You'd have to be here. I've been thinking a lot about the word "publishing" since this morning. I think it's a pretty cool concept when translated into a personal self expression. What am I publishing about myself? What genre am I writing my own story/life in? Comedy? Tragedy? Teen's Choice Award Nomination? Still figuring it out.

So, we hopped in their super nice Lexus and went to the intermarché super (supermarket). I pushed the cart, the usual duties of a college grad, and Dimitri kissed me six thousand times. Après (after) we went to the park and I went on a spinning thing with Olympe and Dimitri made a tiny friend who WOULD NOT stop laughing as they went down the slide. I've decided that children, as a life form, are all the same no matter where in the world you go. They laugh, they cry, they freak out, and they love you for no reason. When we got home we had a delicious déjeuner (lunch) of thinly sliced steak that was pretty rare but SO good. I am loving the 4 meals a day and the food. And le fromage (the cheese) of course. After lunch, Olympe's friend Mary came over, so Dimitri and I played soccer. Il est un grand tricheur! (He's a big cheater). He plays by his own rules and it is impossible for me to score. NO MERCY!

Mary was really cute. Tiny and blonde and she did a lot of cartwheels. Again, all kids are the same yet very unique. Olympe can't do a cartwheel to save her life. When Mary had left I sat at the table and drank coffee and wrote in my moleskine. My nose was running a bit and Eléonore stopped and asked if I was crying or if my nose was running. It was super awkward and SUPER funny. She said their last au pair was good but she cried ALL THE TIME. I haven't cried at all. Point Dani.

At another point today, Dimitri surprised me by walking into my room, getting onto my bed next to me and showing me a huge book of Ferraris. He sat in my lap and showed me his favorite. It was adorable. I was not complaining. Later, when he saw me writing on my computer he asked if I was okay. It's just thoughtful and so cute.

I've decided that this was a good thing to do. Jumping into another country, culture, language is probably the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm handling it pretty well I'd say.

café and moleskine

Their beautiful house à la campagne

Day Two: Sink or Swim

This morning I was up and at 'em at 8:30. I read the lesson and took a shower. It was raining and freezing in the house, which didn't help how scared I was about the adventure I had just embarked on. I still felt pretty uncomfortable upon going downstairs and eating. But I realized that it's either sink or swim in a situation like this. I can't leave. I can't be rude. I can't just ignore them and hide (which, I'm guilty of doing sometimes) and what's more is that I don't WANT to hide. It's terrifying but I want to take on the next year full force. Sink. or. Swim. I plan on swimming.

"Embrace the process." Wise words from my friend's mother, and also the motto of our Prague Abroad 2011. Process. It's a really humbling experience to just sit and listen all day. I didn't talk very much but it can be peaceful just observing, learning, opening up one's self.

Dimitri, who is 5, called me "Danielle le plus Gentille" which was adorable and then he gave me a tiny toy jewel that I put on my phone. He's so cute. I want him to like me just so I can hold him all the time and swing him around. Olympe, who is 7 almost 8, and I played in her room. She told me my French wasn't bad but that it would get better.

Eléonore, the mother, told me that their last two au pairs said that within two weeks they were able to understand better and were more capable of responding. My friend's mom said the same thing. So, in two weeks hopefully I'll have a better grasp. Eléonore also told me that I was very courageous for coming to France. Courageous or a fool. I still haven't decided.

This afternoon, the kids got in a huge fight and Dimitri was making fun of Olympe and I started writing about it in my moleskine and at that EXACT moment, Eléonore said in French, "Danielle is probably writing in her journal right now that the kids are fighting, and they are crazy in France." It was hilarious, because that's precisely what I was doing. Then we ended up laughing at them because, well, they were being crazy.

Olympe and I painted a picture of a sun setting over the ocean, and she even included a rather detailed reflection. It was actually pretty sophisticated. Later on, I was putting the kids to sleep while their mom dropped their dad off at the train station and Dimitri kept asking me for something. Le phoque....uhh what did you just call me? Le phoque...I think he's swearing at me.

So, I did what all resourceful people do. I went into Olympe's room and after going back and forth in broken dialogue and miming we came to the conclusion that he wanted his stuffed animal seal. Un phoque. Génial! 
Boom. That's how it's done. Not a bad start.

By the way, this is Ulghor. He is the man.
He's pretty much in love with me.
Probably because I don't sit on him when I say hello.

Day One

Dear People,

For those of you who don't know, I am in France. Paris, France. I will be here for the next year or so as an au pair. It's terrifying and exciting and I'm convinced that after prevailing through a language barrier I will be fit to take on any challenge life throws at me.

D'accord. I can start at the beginning with the facts.

Today I touched down in Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) airport. After brushing my teeth, washing my face, applying deodorant and changing into a fresh shirt and Sperry's I was ready to meet my family. How ready can you really be?

They are beautiful. Even just to look at they were perfect. The parents are lean and tall with beautiful features. The children both kissed me hello and gave me a sign they had made. Then the French began.

The day consisted of formalities and the parents speaking to me in English as best as they could. We drove an hour from the airport to their "weekend house à la campagne for the week. School starts next Tuesday for the kids. It was definitely going to be a long week. I started thinking "I've made a huge mistake" as I went upstairs to nap after 24 hours of travel.

At dinner, the kids threw a tantrum and I was reminded that despite my discomfort kids were going to be kids, and parents will always be embarrassed of poor behavior.

This excursion to France started out as a right idea, and it can only unfold as a right idea. I have everything I need every minute, and great friends to talk to back home when I get the chance.

Bon Soir.

First Sunset in France.