The Braderie of Lille

Every day is different

A challenge in its own right

New things to be learned

Fresh paths to be taken

Sometimes wrong, but often right

The weekend gone by

Came the braderie to Lille

The biggest flea market in Europe

2.5 million People passing through

“I’ll take it for 4€”, “Ok, it’s a deal”

My wonderful dad arrived

Thursday morning, excited yet exhausted

What an amazing time was to be had

Little did he know

All his emotions would be tested

We laughed and we cried

We frowned, yet in wonder and disbelief

We shared incredible times

Photographing our way through the weekend

I imagine on Tuesday that his bed came as a relief

The nights I worked full speed ahead

In the restaurant that is La Ducasse

Hungry tourists demanding their share of mussels

Along with gallons of beer

I wondered how long they could last

During four days I lived a split life

Balancing love and work evenly

Profiting of every minute with loved ones

Yet committing to work with a passion

Not a feat achieved easily

Now I can breathe a sigh of relief

Structure will return back in to life

The overwhelming effect of the braderie withdraws

I can again, cosy and relaxed at night

To sleep seven hours, what a surprise!

But most importantly, thank you dad

For your incredible presence across the border

In our lives here in Lille you touched many

Here’s to October with you, mum and Ben coming

When everything will be in more order.

So happy when dad arrived :-D

Rue de Bethune (main pedestrian shopping street) in the Braderie

Dad all smiles ... His t-shirt attracted plenty of attention :-)

The Braderie was even outside La Mission Locale !!!

Heatwave

It’s been so damned hot … I never NEVER expected to see temperatures reaching 37 degrees in Lille but trust me, it did!!  Now it's nicely levelled out in the 20's with the odd bit of rain (strangely refreshing).  Hopefully it will hold out during this weekend (the braderie).  The braderie is the biggest flea market in Europe... wow! And I'll be working in the restaurant... our body's are going to hurrrrtttt.

Two weeks ago I was in Paris, and the heat was astounding.  It was 37 / 38 but with the added humidity of a huge polluted city, it was uncomfortable to say the least… Certainly no sunbathing hehe.  Saying that, I had a great time there seeing a friend I met in Lille last time I was here.  Imagine sitting on a quayside with friends until 2.30am, in strappy tops because it’s such a nice temperature… Reminded me of Barcelona!

Quayside in Paris

Other than that, I had a great holiday.  I spent it mainly at home (Villeneuve d’Ascq next to Lille), and really made the best of loooong sleep ins, lots of sports, good company and very healthy eating.  Trust me it does a lot of good to spend 2 or 3 weeks focussing on your body.  I’ve started losing weight and feel much healthier... you can never underestimate how good that can make you feel.  I have also started playing basketball now and again, jogging, swimming, use my scooter a lot and just bought roller blades! Naturally the roller blades are the most fun (though the diving board at the swimming pool comes pretty close).  I even did some gymnastics and capoeira in the park …

I started back at the restaurant a week and a half ago and la Mission Locale a week ago.  It’s taking a while to get my mind back in shape but it’s going well.  At La Mission Locale, I met two young people last week who are searching for long-term voluntary projects, and who would like to leave in January.  For this they have to find a project by the 1^st October (there’s really tight deadlines), so I’m helping with CV’s and motivation letters, as well as the general research.  The database can be tricky seeing as it’s all in English.  What you have to remember is that the majority of the people writing the project descriptions are not usually native English speakers either, so trying to translate in google translate (or such like) is not always effective.

Right now I'm ridiculously excited because my dad will be arriving in Lille in around 18 hours.  His big adventure will involve checking out the braderie (and lots of photos ;-) ).  I know we will have a fab time (but by Monday we will be exhausted hehe).

Will update you after the braderie .... there are no words to describe the crowds and the atmosphere ... maybe the photos will demonstrate !!!

I've attached below a couple of pictures of the wall I decorated with posters and postcards in our office, as well as my little desk :D

Take care and have a great 2nd half of the week !!!! :D



My desk :-) I use the knife to stir my coffee hahaha



Ain't it pretty ? hehe



Chaotic Travel

The metro …. That thing that we all hate yet love at the same time! We spend so much time travelling every day on this hot, sweaty underground tube.  We complain constantly, yet it’s so blooming useful! So let’s consider the pros and cons.

Pro’s:

• Journey’s can be twice as fast
• It is so regular
• It’s really not expensive
• It allows time to enjoy your book (whereas normally you just wouldn't find the time)

Con’s:

• Hot and sweaty
• No one smiles … Life ain’t that bad … Come on now people ;-)
• It can feel expensive (yeah yeah I know I said it isn’t, but y’know…)
• It’s just no fun at night with drunkards
• People are ruuuuddeeeee

Haha even today, there were loads of free spaces so I took 2 spaces to myself.  An elderly lady gets on and insists on sitting next to me, purely so that I had to move my legs.  Then on the next journey, there was the moment where the obese person insisted that they could fit in between 2 people (which evidently they couldn’t…)… yes this also happened to me today.  It just heightens the sweaty hotness, and what’s more, you feel it would be rude to move, so you sit there wedged in lol.



Rant over.

On a happier note… I’m being very productive today here at La Mission Locale de Lille ;-) I have:

Lots of planning and research done = check. 

Lots of previous volunteers contacted = check

Eaten healthy (very important!) = check

Grammar workbook on the table (with intention of studying) = hopefully a soon-to-be check (though possibly uncheck at a later time … grammar is never fun haha)

5 a day keep the doctors at bay !

Living life day by day

Well there’s another month down and how quickly it is going (literally 2 months of my project are finished today) … no wonder 6 months was too short when I did my European Voluntary Service here !!

I’m really starting to feel like my French is improving massively now.  Just as a quick example … Last night I was in bed reading a book in English.  When I put that down, I started thinking in French just before I went to sleep.  It was so strange to realise that my head had flipped like that from one language to another.  When I think about it, I only speak English now when I’m teaching, typing online or skyping my family.  It has even reached a point where in English conversations I sometimes mix words up haha … That’s funny when that happens!

My Service Civique voluntary project is going really well as well now.  I have plenty of tasks to be doing with the project I am focussing on, and really it’s just that I’m trying to choose where to start! It’s so great being able to help other young people like me who just want that opportunity to experience something new abroad whilst learning another language.  I find the English workshops really fulfilling too, when they learn something new or gain in confidence in their speaking ability.

In terms of my living situation, that is all sorted out now too :D I will be living in a town called Villeneuve d’Ascq, just outside of Lille.  It’s only 20 minutes commute in to work and is next to a really nice park with lakes, so I’m happy ;-)

For now I’m going to head off and crack on with some work, before heading to Wattrelos, a nearby town, for a presentation at their Mission Locale this afternoon.  Anyhow, below I have attached some pictures of the lovely park … hope you enjoy and keep smiling ;-)

Already half way through the year !!!

So where is 2012 going?? I feel like we must still be in 2011 because I just don’t know where I’ve lost the time haha.  Although I have to say that 2012 has been pretty exciting, having lived in 3 countries in the space of 5 months ;-) But now I’m definitely settled in France for the foreseeable future.   I’m out of energy to move country anymore (and love Lille), although trying to find my own apartment here is zapping my energy too I have to say lol.

A recent excursion to Dunkirk :-)

At the moment on my project at the Mission Locale I’m really starting to get stuck in and have more and more tasks to do.  As well as delivering English workshops regularly, which seem to be successful and I really enjoy doing, I’m also going to be doing much more.  For example, to promote our European Service within the Mission Locale, I suggested that I create a blog for all the volunteers that I will manage.  It will include testimonies and pictures, as well as information about upcoming events etc.  I’m just starting the process but trust me, when it goes live I’ll let you know :D

Taking everything one step at a time !

There are many other ideas we are working on, many of which are in the pipeline but truly in early stages, so it’s exciting to be able to contribute… Ok I’m quite sure that this year is gonna fly by too! Can you believe that I’ve already completed my first month here?! That’s one twelth of the time or 8.33% gone for any geeks out there …. I’m not a geek …. Honestly ….. Oh dam, you got me ;-)

As well as the Mission Locale, guess what, I found another job :D I was determined to have a larger income to live more comfortably, whilst meeting new people and improving my French.  I figured the best way to do this was to work in a bar or restaurant… And I found an awesome restaurant !!! It’s called La Ducasse and it’s on the busiest night-out street in Lille.  And you guessed it… it’s busy ! But I would recommend it to anyone coming to Lille as a great traditional meal out J The fact that it’s all traditional meals however means that the majority of the vocabulary I have to use is new, making it a huge challenge but one that I love so I don’t mind, and hey, I can sure as heck have a great laugh with customers. Check out the website:

http://laducasse.fr/

The only problem I have right now is housing … I’m determined that by the end of this month I will have my own place in the centre of town … So this could be a busy 2 weeks !!! The reason for needing to move is that the place I’m at now is not so….. desirable… and I didn’t particularly enjoy having a knife pointed at me the other night my a homeless child because I wouldn’t give her my pizza!! There’s something to add to my list.  Having been harassed in the ghetto in Florida before however was slightly more menacing… Either way, I value my life ;-)

So for now, I’m gonna carry on planning the blog and my English classes, and I shall update you soon … By which time I hope to have my own place :D :D :D

Take care everyone and keep smiling !!!

Back in France Land !!!

So maybe it’s true … I like to keep you on your toes ;-) I was in France, then England, then Poland, then back to England, and then BACK to France! Although let me assure you, for at least the following year I’m now nicely installed into life in France, and more specifically Lille!  It’s difficult that for the past year I’ve not been anywhere for longer than 6 months … I now admittedly would like some stability.

So a quick break down of how I ended up back in Lille… The short version is I came to visit friends for 5 days and during that time came to visit everyone at La Mission Locale where I did my European Voluntary Service, at which point Yves (the boss hehe) asked if I would be interested in coming back… Naturally I said yes, returned to England and waited upon news.  In the next week I had already had an interview lined up, got the job and the next day on the evening, was given the ultimatum … come to Lille the 24^th April for the interview… And just to make it clear how quickly this all happened… I visited Lille in April! I received news from Yves the 20^th April (!) and arrived the 24^th… Rather spur of the moment with all my luggage naturally, but a risk very worth taking all the same.

With all my bags ... how my back hurt ...

 So what am I doing here you may be asking? I am actually doing another voluntary project with the same organisation with a programme called the "Service Civique" (Civil Service).  Part of my project will involve helping to find projects abroad for young people who would like to volunteer with the European Voluntary Service.  For all those that are departing I will be helping with pre-departure training, including English conversation workshops.  I will also take part in promoting the European Sector of La Mission Locale de Lille where I am based, through the use of Facebook and other means, to ensure that young adults in the area understand the mobility opportunities that are available for them.

I have to say, although I was ready to leave England, leaving is never an easy thing to do.  Normally you need time to sort out your affairs, ensure you are all ready in terms of packing, seeing people etc and need to make sure you are in a completely settled state of mind… None of which I had / was hahaha.  I had 3 or 4 days for everything … Moving out of an apartment, booking tickets, seeing as many people as I could, organising where I would stay in Lille, going to the bank, packing and much more.  It was a rush but, as they say, sometimes in life you just have to “grab the bull by its horns”, because it’s your future!

With friends and mum before leaving

I managed a lovely leaving meal with family and a few close friends before leaving.  I had my parents and brother to see me off at the station.  It’s emotional and can be difficult not to see your family, that much is true, but needs must.  I am excited about the journey I’m now beginning in Lille and am so glad I made the decision to come back again!

Awwwww me and mum at the train station

Bye, bye England !!!

But didn't leave without a HUGE ice cream ;-)

My life this year!

Sooo... It's been a ridiculously long time since I blogged !!! I can't believe it myself actually :-O And to be quite honest, since the last time I blogged, soooo much has happened !!

First thing to say is..... I'm back in England !!! And.. I brought a French girl back! LOL.  Unfortunately, I have to say that Poland didn't work out for me.  It really wasn't what I had expected and when that happens, if I'm not happy, I don't really see the point in living that unhappily... so I left.. and invited the other au pair back with me haha... Hence why Marine (from Perpignan in the South of France) now lives here in the North East of England with us !!

Me and Marine - 1 of our first weekends back in England.

When I got back to England, I found a job teaching online, but that didn't work out either.  What can I say, I like face to face contact where I can really engage with people, rather than just hearing their voice. That's why I really enjoyed the English workshops I ran in Lille... because I could get to know people and build relationships... I still speak to many still today !

A week or 2 after stopping there, I found a job working in a restaurant in Yarm and I've now been there a couple of weeks.. I actually enjoy it, it's got a great atmosphere and it's great exercise hehe ;-) Just hope to get more hours soon.. Rent to pay and all (I live with 2 girls in a flat :D ).  I'm living in Eaglescliffe at least for 6 months... figured time to pay back some debts ;-)

I've also started rowing again and loving it this time! I'm starting to get my fitness back and enjoying being in a boat (well when it's sunny!). I'm hoping to start racing very soon and maybe even win some things again (it's been a long time lol).  Who knows...maybe even Women's Henley again this year... It's been 5 years..... wow!

At the moment I'm SOOO looking forward to my hols in Lille in a weeks' time... I've honestly missed that place and the awesome people! It's just a shame I only have 6 days to enjoy it... But hey, what can I say, I'll make the best of every minute ;-)

That's just a quick catch up for now... I only have internet now and again when I take my laptop either back to the parents or to a free wifi spot hehe...

I hope you are all well and loving life ;-) ;-) And everyone in Lille.... See youuuu SOOOOOOOOONNN :D  (et des gens a la ML de Lille.... Jespere qu'on pourrait se voir?!?! :D)