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Aloha!!

I’m starting this blog post by firstly saying sorry that I haven’t kept my blog updated in almost two months. I’m sorry for being so so rubbish, but here I am filling you in on the past two months which have been super busy!

Picking up where I left off, after we visited Palais des Beaux Arts, Lucie, Christina, Ellie, and I all went ice skating in Wasquehal! It was so much fun, and it was like Bambi on ice in real life. We had such a good time, and I haven’t laughed that much in ages! Ellie, I’m sorry I didn’t take any candids of you on the ice but thank you for taking mine <3

Then, one Saturday (when it seemed like Lille drained of Language Assistants) Lucie, Julia and myself took the train all the way to Lens to visit the partner extension of the Louvre. It was okay – not the best gallery I have ever been to, but the main salle was really spacious and more my type of gallery rather than the cramped exhibitions. After the museum we went for lunch to a little brasserie and we were amazed that this was a restaurant that DIDN’T HAVE MENUS!? You literally had to ask the waitress for what you fancied and she would do her best to get something similar to you. We all had steak (I obviously had mine with peppercorn sauce) and it was yummy scrummy in my tummy!

Then, surprise surprise, Greg visited and we celebrated our one-year anniversary and my 21st birthday! For our anniversary, we had a limit of £15 to spend on each other. So, I treated Greg to some new books – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Angels and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code! I love buying other people books, I think they are such satisfying gifts just to hold! Me, being the lucky devil that I am, got given a photo album with all the photos of me and my Greg from the past year! Is that not the sweetest thing you have ever heard in your life? So so kind of you, thank you so much Greg <3 And, if that wasn’t enough, the next day Greg and I celebrated part 2 of my 21st birthday celebrations and Greg gave me tickets to see Jon Richardson (my favourite ever comedian) and a Tiffany’s necklace! I was a literal heart-eyes emoji! I was so overwhelmed by all this love I cried, but I have worn it every day since and I love it. Greg, if you’re reading this (and you better be!) thank you thank you thank you! X

As 4 language assistants are all born in the same week (Julia, Beth, Lucie, and myself) we decided to organise a birthday meal at Fuxia so that everyone could get together and celebrate as one big group. We chose Fuxia because they have a really good reputation for Italian food. I treated myself to a goat’s cheese, pear and honey pizza which was so delicious! It was such a lovely evening and afterwards we all went for Crunchie Cake at Julia’s and we played Golden Gate. Best birthday party ever.

With the whole world shook by the news Donald Trump is actually the POTUS, Franny, Alisa, Kalen, Christina, and I took our disgust to Paris to protest against the Muslim Travel Ban. What a horrible rule to bring in, and I truly hope as many people protested as possible. After a day in Paris screaming about our disbelief and the prejudice going on in America, we decided to head towards Le Marais (the old Jewish quarter of Paris) and get some falafel! Best day ever, and I was so glad to get some of my social justice-related anger off my chest.

I managed to tick another country off my bucket list since I posted last! Me, Luke, Julia, and Becca spent a day visiting Luxembourg! As excited as you might think I sound – I’m not. It was pretty rubbish. If you go in winter everything is shut, so there’s nothing to do or look at!   So we spent most of our day looking in bookshops and in bars, restaurants, coffee shops, ANYWHERE just to make the time go faster! I personally wouldn’t visit again, but at least I can say I’ve been!

I’ve also been for birthday cocktails with Julia, Beth, and Lucie, visited Le Waf to celebrate Marley’s first birthday, and me and Beth had a girly afternoon of scrumptious salads, shopping, and getting our nails done to treat ourselves! I had my nails done silver and blue so that I looked like Elsa! But all this pampering must have been for a reason, I hear you say! Well, delighted reader, it was because MY FAMILY CAME TO VISIT! My mum, dad, Cara, and Lloyd all came to celebrate my Mum’s birthday (and to give me my presents!) and we had such a special day. For my birthday, my parents bought me and Greg a trip to Dublin whenever we like! We are so lucky. I bought my mum some perfume from a little parfumerie  by my house, and I think she loved it! To celebrate, we went on a huge bike ride, to Palais des Beaux Arts, and to Le Waf so that everyone would find something interesting to do! I had such a great time with my family, and I do really miss them when I don’t get to see them every day. I’m so grateful for everything they do for me.

Because my family were driving back to Wales, they offered to take me up to Liverpool so I can stay with Greg – how kind of them to pay for my crossing as well! I arrived in Liverpool at around 8:30 and Greg had cooked me the world’s best pie! Steak and ale, my favourite. After plenty of smooches, Friday Night Dinner, and vegetarian breakfasts we did our two favourite things: tea out at the new Mowgli on Water Street, and a cheeky hour at Ghetto Golf. We don’t need to go into the ins and outs of who won and who didn’t… (congratulations Greg!) After a fab time in Liverpool, we got the train back down to Birmingham for Mr James McKee’s 21st birthday! Joyeux Anniversaire! After an evening, night, and early morning full of pulled pork, gin and photo booths I had to get my train to London and Eurostar back to Lille. Crying. The whole way.

But since I have been back, our group of assistants have done some pretty fab things! On Wednesday 1st March we had a late Mardi-Gras/St David’s Day celebration over at Julia’s place! I was on pancake duty and cooked the best pancakes ever!!! It was so nice that everyone came together to celebrate my culture, so I organised a quiz all about the best country in the world: WALES. Did you know there are 3 sheep for every person in Wales? Or that the A5 is 181 miles long?

Last Saturday I woke up early and went all the way to Disneyland for the day with Jess Porter (who plays excellent games on the bus), Lucie, and Beth! We even planned our day so everyone got a ride they wanted. I really love the smaller quiet rides (think mum with toddler rides) whereas the others love the horrible, scary, throw you up in the air ones that terrify me. So I was a big girl and went on them all and I even held back all my tears when it felt like my stomach was doing flips! We had such a lovely time, and obvious I was basic and bought Minnie Ears!

Next weekend is Versailles! So I’ll upload after then!

Smell ya later X

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Post-Christmas Catch Up

Aloha!

It has been a looooong time since I uploaded to my blog, and after the most hectic two weeks I thought I’d come back and share all the wonderful things that have happened since I went home for Christmas!

Christmas at home was so nice, and it was so lovely to spend quality time with my immediate and extended family and all my girlfriends at home! The first piece of big news came on Christmas Day – I’m going to be a bridesmaid for Cara and Lloyd! Cara FINALLY asked! Not only that, but this now means I’m in charge of Hen Do Planning and getting the final order in on willy straws. For Christmas I was completely spoilt rotten by everyone so if you’re reading, thank you all so much!

After a peng Turkish meal to celebrate my sister’s birthday (cannot believe she is 29 – she is still 18 in my head!) my dad dropped me off at Manchester airport where I met Greg and we flew off on our first holiday together – NYE in Paris! What a totally magical experience. We even had a little snog on the Champs-Elysees at midnight J During our time in Paris we saw everything: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Mona Lisa, Notre Dame, Shakespeare & Co., Five Guys, Sacrée Coeur, Montmartre, and a looky-looky man conned us out of £5 for matching bracelets. After our little adventure in Paris, it was time to go back to Lille where it was FREEZING.

So, as school hadn’t restarted again yet me and Greg were free to explore Lille and doing some fun activities like binge watching different series, going on bike rides, eating bagels, and going to the cinema to see Sully! It was a really good film, and Tom Hanks is pretty-damn good in it! After catching up on a lot of sleep and cooking on my little hot-plate, it was time for Greg to go. Greg, I cannot wait to see you on the 25th and celebrate our anniversary and my birthday. I love you more than you will ever know.

So, after having a few busy days in work teaching all about WW2 and Liverpool me, Jess, Zoe, and Claudia took a little day trip all the way to Amsterdam! What a fantastic city. We tried to squeeze as much into the few hours we had there so we went to the Sex Museum (when in Rome, eh?), Vin Gogh Museum, a few little coffee shops for Dutch apple cake and Nutella hot chocolates, and just generally dossing around soaking up the city. I don’t know if it was because it was freezing or because I was tired but I think I need to visit the city in sun! Gals, if you’re reading this, thank you for a fab day!

Just in case any of you missed it, Monday the 9th was my 21st birthday! I am so old. Nothing spectacular except a 9-5, a lot of cheese, and a cheeky glass of cider! But Greg got me a gorgeous Naked palette which I just love! My family and friends made such a fuss of me too and sent me lots of cards, and everyone made my first birthday away from home so lovely so thank you! My birthday celebrations didn’t stop at a triangle of Brie – oh no! On Tuesday, my teachers threw me a grown up dinner party which was so lovely of them. We met at Emma’s and had delicious savoury tarts with salad whilst discussing the most grown-up of topics: politics in Britain. My teachers got me some gorgeous presents, too; including a Le Petit Prince mug which I have used for every hot drink since! If you ever read this Doriane, Coralie, or Emma: thank you so much for taking me in and making me feel at home!

Since then I have just been catching up with the whole gang. On Thursday night we all went to the cinema to see Collateral Beauty – the new Will Smith film. I just adored it. Don’t judge it on the trailer, the raw emotion in the film does not come through without the whole story! Then, we have been out for numerous hot chocolates and bike rides! Today I went to Palais des Beaux Art with Christina, Ellie, and Lucie which was so lovely and I saw another Delacroix and a Picasso which was exciting! Girls, thanks for the best day!

Apart from Greg’s next visit and celebrating my 21st properly, there’s nothing much planned – enjoy my pictures!

Smell ya later x

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Aloha!

I’m so rubbish at keeping my blog updated so here I am with a blog in two parts! Firstly, I’ll tell you all about the things I have been up to and general up-to-date life chat and then I might have a little ponder more broadly about the Year Abroad.

Part I:

So, since I have last updated a very special place has come into my life – Le Waf. It’s the first dog café in Europe and such a damn-funky place to spend an afternoon. You pay for the time you’re there and all your drinks are free! I know all dogs are cute, and I’m not even going to argue otherwise, but the gorgeous thing about these dogs is that they are so mild tempered as well. They truly do not care. For dogs, they are lazy! But I love it there, and I have to admit, that was the first time I publically cried on my Year Abroad – I was just so overwhelmed by all the beautiful dogs.

Secondly, I have put myself on a health kick and started running and cycling, and walking everywhere. I love it. Big shout out to J.C. my main gal for keeping me motivated and being a constant source of inspiration (even when I am accusing her of trying to kill me). Love you long time girl. But, I have found another positive of being sporty: gym clothes. So comfortable. I think I’m really in this for the clothes.

I have visited so many Christmas markets. All of them. My favourite is definitely Arras just for the sheer amount of candy floss they give you! It is also really sweet with lots of old fashioned stalls. To be completely honest, Lille market is rubbish. Isabelle took me though, and treated me to an afternoon of Raclette and mulled wine and I had so much fun! Isabelle is so lovely, and if she reads this: thank you!

GREG HAS BEEN TO VISIT! And we had such a fab time. Although I had to work about 30% of the time he was here we had some great days out. We went on a long bike ride, for several Bagelsteins, up Bellfroi Tower, to the Christmas market, for cocktails, to Le Waf, and to Brugge! Brugge was definitely my favourite day trip even though we slept late and nearly missed our train. It is such a romantic city and I’m so excited for my next visit there soon just so I can sample more waffles and beer. Greg, thank you for coming to stay and looking after me whilst you were here. Thank you for always being a complete darling.

Right this minute it is only 9 sleeps until I go home for Christmas and in this time I have lots to look forward to! Tomorrow I’m visiting chez Ellie, then a group of us are going to the cinema on Friday night, I am going to a tea party on Saturday at my teacher’s house, on Tuesday I am going to the theatre with Julia and Jess R, and then next week I will be packing, lesson planning (and continuous practice of my teacher stare), essay typing and sorting myself out to go home! I cannot wait.

Part II:

               Today has been a rubbish mood day, but that’s completely okay. Any student undertaking their Year Abroad who says they haven’t found things difficult at least once is a complete liar. It is tough, it can feel like a drag, and homesickness is completely real. No one truly prepares you with the to-do list of what to do if these hit, and you’re left to kind of fumble through. Admittedly, the adrenaline of being abroad helps you leave these lows relatively quickly but they can be nasty all the same. Living abroad makes you a different person. I have had minor breakdowns about the littlest of things that would usually be minute – such as today’s breakdown over my dental health from all the candy floss. Why do we not get informed of how vastly effected our mental health or our mood could be? I feel like students were supported through every other procedure of the Year Abroad process, from applying to classroom management; but, I feel like mental health wise it’s like being on your own in huge boat trying to stop it crashing but not knowing what you’re doing (I use boat as an example because I imagine there’s a language barrier there too with ‘portside’ ‘starboard bough’ etc.).  This isn’t a dig at any university in particular (miss you Liverpool), it’s the general consensus. I suppose it just feeds into the stereotype that mental health just is not discussed, like ever.

               Greg, thank you so much for listening to me sob down the phone when I’m down and keeping me in check when I’m being a little arse. Jess P, thank you for all your kind words that really help when I’m down – I really do appreciate them! And to my gorgeous coloc’ Claudia for the copious amounts of cake. I owe you one.

Smell ya later, bloggers x

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Hiyaaa!!

Here I am with my next blog post and set of photos! This week, I have worked two days and had a FIVE DAY weekend, so I profiter-bien of my time! This week, with special thanks to Julia and Ellie, I have actually written a CV. I’ve never had a proper CV before, so I suppose this is a big achievement. I think it’s time to start thinking about the future, internships and graduate jobs so that I am prepared for returning to Liverpool in September! I feel disgusting for selling myself, but in the true Machiavellian way, the end justifies the means I guess.

Also this week, I have finished reading Le Petit Prince, and made a start on La Femme Indépendante by de Beauvoir. Le Petit Prince was adorable, and I loved the illustrations. Speaking of illustrations, this week I have also bought myself a new watercolour set to paint with so that I can revive my interest in art. I have painted my doodle-house and posted it to my parents so that they can hang it on the fridge (hint hint!) and I found it so much fun. I’m glad I bought it, I feel like after my little blip a year ago I’m starting to find my feet again and engage with doing things I love.

Friday was une jour fériée here in France due to it being Armistice Day, so we all had the day off. So, a group of us went down to Paris for the day and saw EVERYTHING. In about 6 hours we saw 8 landmarks or places of interest. It was so much fun! (I say ‘fun’, I will forever rage about being charged 13 euros (!!!!) for a Big Mac meal) I met up with Linda, a correspondent from when I was 17, and she showed us Notre Dame and Shakespeare and Company which is my new favourite place. Downstairs, it is a bookshop which is set out a little bit like The Burrow with staircases, ladders, and alleys but then upstairs is a reading room, The Lovers Wall, an out of tune piano, different poetry books, and quotes littering the place. I was completely in love so I treated myself to a new copy of The Tempest which is my favourite Shakespeare play. When I paid for my copy, they stamped it with Shakespeare’s face. Plus, the bookmark they gave me had a dog on it! I felt like I was in a dream.

Yesterday, I went to Roubaix with the gang to a Vintage Weekender which was held at La Condition Publique. We had so much fun sifting through rails of vintage clothes and finding some bargains. I bought an oversized shirt, a Levi’s T shirt, and a jumper – deemed by Lucie to be a library jumper. After spending a small fortune, I came back and have caught up with chores and my to-do list!

Not a lot happening in my little world at the moment,

Nia x

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Just a little update

Soooo, hello there! Sorry for the huge delay in putting up the photos from the past few weeks – I have been super busy! My parents and Greg have visited, so this past week and a half I have been playing the tour guide and eating fine food around France.

At the very start of my Toussaint holidays, I visited Douai to stay with Jess Rushton for the night. After booking a trip to Paris and exploring Jess’ home we had a sleepover. I have never been more excited about sleeping under a duvet in my life. We ate Subway and watched Bridget Jones’ Baby at the cinema. My first time at a French cinema and I’m so impressed with myself that I pretty much understood it all! But was the ending supposed to be enigmatic or did I not understand? WHO WAS THE BABY’S FATHER?

My parents arrived last Sunday, and I have never been more excited to see two people in my whole life! They arrived with Yorkshire Tea, Vimto, and Wagon Wheels which are all of my favourites! They stayed in a hotel just around the corner from where I live, so visiting them and joining them for meals was easy enough. After an early start, we walked into Lille and they treated me to baguettes, barbepapa ice cream, and a little shop around Euralille Shopping Mall. I took them around the city and my dad specifically loved Vieux Lille.

On the Tuesday, my parents spoilt me rotten to a trip to Brugge. The most romantic city I’ve ever visited (shout-out to Beth Hine for tipping me off!) and the whole city is so picturesque. One thing I usually find, especially with Lille, is there will be a beautiful city centre and then the outskirts are pretty grim; however, with Brugge it just was not the case! Everywhere we turned, every little alley way, was more stunning and picture-perfect than the last! After a hearty lunch of croque-monsieur with salad and a coffee, we visited more of the city and spent roughly £15.00 on cheese from an organic shop! I bought some postcards and had a bit of a mooch, and then we drove back to Lille via Menengate. Potentially the most poignant thing I have ever witnessed! It was brilliant. There was a Welsh male voice choir, and we watched The Last Stand. I could not believe how many names there were of known-soldiers without a grave. Safe to say I cried. But, I also witnessed a little bit of humanity that day too. Behind us were an English couple from Wigan, and after chatting for a little second they explained they had been travelling all the war memorials in the area. About, fifteen minutes later a young Belgian boy walked up to the man (I forget their names!) and handed him a Poppy Cross with a handwritten note on it! He explained that his Grandfather had died during the Second World War and that he felt it his duty to continue to thank the British for their efforts during the war. Both were grateful, and it was a beautifully raw moment.

After spending my Tuesday crying in Belgium, on Wednesday mum and dad treated me (yet again!) to a big shop at the nearest Cora. I stocked up on soups, noodles, and anything else you can cook with just a hob. We went back to the hotel and I went to meet Greg. After hugging at the train station for about an hour we met my parents at Les Trois Brasseurs and went and enjoyed a diablo-grenadine or two and a fancy flammenkeuche. After putting my parents on the tram, me and Greg checked into our hotel and spent our evening watching Toy Story and I will be forever impressed at Greg’s Woody impression of “YOU ARE A TOYYYYY”. He can do the arms and everything.

We woke up super early the next day and joined my parents for breakfast at their hotel. I hold close that cheese is appropriate for every meal. Then, alas, after a teary goodbye my parents drove off to Calais to get stuck in traffic and take twelve hours to return home. So, me and Greg went adventuring and visited my little city of La Madeleine and I treated him to a raspberry éclair and showed him the schools I work in. Then, we walked all the way to the Jardin Des Géants and played hide-and-seek and looked at all the plants.  After a quick lunch of more pastries, we visited Euralille Mall and the town so that Greg could explore the city I live in! I took him to La Vieille Bourse and Vieux Lille and we just chilled and discovered new eating places – our favourite hobby!

On Friday, we visited the zoo and the Citadelle and had numerous debates about its uses and construction before we agreed neither of us actually know. We wandered around and laughed the whole time. Then Greg, the little romantic, bought me an apricot jam crepe! Apricot jam is the superior of all the jams. Friday night, we went out for dinner to La Réglade for yet more crepes, and we had cheesy-potatoey-bacony-goodness filled savoury pancakes! It was really chilled in there and we even had a few drinks.

Saturday, we had a lie in. Our adventures were all a little bit too much, and we were tired. Later in the afternoon, we visited La Piscine in Roubaix. 100% would recommend to anybody. It is set in an old swimming pool, with hundreds of sculptures and works of art all around. The only adjective I can think to describe it would be serene. The perfect day out was made only better by the fact that the café there was a Meert tearoom. Favourite location of Charles De Gaulles! Saturday night, we had a fancy date night and I wore my new olive coloured dress out for dinner. One of my favourite restaurants so far is Le Square d’Aramis and considering it is in the old town it is not too expensive. I had the ribs, and I have never ever been more humiliated than when the waiter bought over another wet wipe and two more napkins. I can try and be a lady, but sadly, I do not think the elegant life is for me.

Let’s quickly gloss over Sunday and say that Greg left and I was very emotional. What a whirlwind week! Greg, I hope you read this and know that I am so grateful that you came to visit. Thank you for demolishing 3 litres of Blanche with me. Thank you my notebook and my flowers. I love you so much, and I cannot wait until you come to visit again!

Since all my visitors left, I have become a hermit. I have barely got dressed and I have watched two series of Downton Abbey. Saying that, I went to watch Halloween movies at Becca and Lauren’s on Monday and ate and drank my way through their flat! Thank you so much for having me! Also, last night I went to Franglish (conversation exchange night at the pub to speak with some real French people!) with Ellie, Christina, and Amanda and had a blast. From being complimented on my lack of accent – which is one of my life goals – to meeting a few new people who made me laugh until I had to get off my tram at République.

Knowing me, it will probably be a little while until my next blog post because I start work again tomorrow and I am going to Paris next week so I will update then!

 À bientôt,

Nia x

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What a Wonderful (two) Weeks

Bienvenu chez ma blogue!

Finally I’m all set up on my blog with an actual internet connection! So, two weeks ago I moved to Lille, France completely alone - or so I thought. I feel like I should start off by saying a huge thank you to Becca, Lauren, Jess x 2, Claudia, Luke, Beth and Julia for making me feel so welcome, at home and ultimately very happy during my time here already. Friends who year abroad together, stay together. It goes without saying that the transition has been difficult - namely that they don’t sell proper tea here, but also because I have been very homesick, and this fab group of guys and gals have gone above and beyond to help me settle down. I will like every single one of your Instagram posts for the rest of my life.

It was so difficult to say goodbye to my family and Greg. I can’t believe how lucky I am that they threw me a surprise party! I cried until we were pretty much just outside Birmingham.  I cried when dad left me in my room by myself for one night. I cried when dad left. I cried when dad phoned. I cried when I couldn’t get through to dad’s phone. I cried because dad’s ferry was late.I cried because dad text to say he was back in Britain. I cried because dad didn’t text me to say he was home. All in all, the first three days I pretty much dehydrated myself from crying. Although yes, these two weeks have been turbulent and full of highs and lows, I have definitely grown up a lot. I even have a folder organised with all my different pieces of paper. The French truly are the champions of bureaucracy. There is a form for everything. Want a key to your classroom? Fill out a form. Want to visit the canteen? Fill out a form. Do you reeeaally want to go on the obligatory training days? Regardless, please fill out this form. 

But, regardless of all the misery that bureaucracy and homesickness has left me with, I have been on some pretty darn fabulous day trips. We visited Brussels and tried waffles, Belgian frites, and copious amounts of chocolate. We even followed TinTin on our horse drawn carriage tour (one of my better ideas). Lauren, Jess P, and Becca took me to the zoo one day when I was feeling dreadful to show me all the cute animals and cheer me up. From shopping and drinks, to Franglish and training days, we have done a lot in the short amount of time that we have been here. Can’t wait to start planning the Dam and Brugges. I’ve made such a fab group of friends and they are the type of friends who are always Keen for Cheese. What more could a girl want? It wouldn’t be a Nia-blog if I didn’t tell you about all the truly phenomenal food I have had here. I’ll start with Bagelstein - it is like Subway, but for bagels. Honestly, chicken and avocado bagels are making my life worth living right now! Also, since arriving here I have demolished a tonne of Meert’s chocolate eclairs , and raspberry eclairs, and lemon eclairs. If you haven’t tried them, you haven’t lived. Also, shout out to Jess Rushton for introducing me to Flammekueche at Les Trois Brasseurs. 

I start teaching next week, and I’ll be frank, I have never been more scared. I’m going to actually be in charge of students! All that aside, at least I can show off my new wardrobe full of teacher clothes. 

A bientot,

Nia