HOME! (Plus French Xmas stuff)

I'm finally home! Woo-hoo! Merry Christmas everyone!

My last week in France before the Christmas Holidays was very eventful! With my one school in England I had only two days to work before I was home for the holidays, so why not make the most of France!

Tuesday I took a trip to Lille, as Julia, Nia and I had booked to see Le Petit Prince at the theatre! The day started with FOOD. What could be better!? Julia lives in Vieux Lille and knew the best place for a delicious, yet very healthy lunch: Le Pain Quotidien! 

The soup/stew was incredible, and we got all of this for just 12€!! I was really happy! We then had the whole day left before the theatre on the night, so Julia suggested running to the cinema (that started in 5 mins) to catch the next showing of Demain Tout Commence. For those that don't know, it's a very French film, but it includes a very famous actor, Omar Sy, who is in Les Intouchables. 

So after having a little cry, loads of laughter and literally an amazing experience for two hours...it was time to then leave the cinema. I cannot wait to get this film on DVD to show my dad! With English subtitles of course! For those in France: Get and see this! 

After a little chocolate shopping and none stop chatting about literature, Julia and I decided to buy each other a little Christmas present from Furet du Nord (The Northern France equiv. of waterstones//the best place on earth). I brought Julia Dora Bruder - Patrick Modiano, as it's still my favourite book to date! Julia then treated me to Laclos, which I've not been able to put down since! It was a fantastic day of books, food, films and overall French culture...but it still wasn't over!

After eating an incredible spag-bol with Nia and Julia, Nia suggested we cycle to the theatre. The velib' is the equivalent to Borris Bikes, you rent them and you use them as much as you like in 24hrs/a week/a month/a year depending on what you purchase. I was not calm about this idea at all, despite really wanting to do it at the same time. I don't think I'd rode a bike since year 8, and that was on the path, I was now facing French traffic, cobble roads and tight spaces to fit the bike in! But you know what, I'd do it again. I want to say a big thank you to Nia, who had so much confidence to know what she was doing (and the direction!) and to literally tell me to "trust her" that i was going to be fine. Thank you so much!

The Little Prince was performed in the Theatre Sebastopol, next to the Palais de Beaux Arts in town! It was fantastic. The set was breathtaking, along with the well thought out costumes and fantastic actors. Sadly the narrator was caught a few times reading his lines off a scrap of paper (what?!) but minus that it was one of the best theatre performances I've seen! I'd really recommend going to see a French play, it's an incredible experience.

The rest of the week consisted of work, sleep and getting my suitcase ready! It was exciting to finally see Marie and Charlotte again before Christmas...AND I GOT PRESENTS! It was an incredible final night to spend in France.

Our French flag tree!

It was then a day of travelling before a lovely reunion in Birmingham with Matt! It was so exciting to see him after four months! We then headed home for a HUGE Chinese with my family, it was such a lovely evening!

Sunday and Monday also ended up very action packed - with a huge family trip to Trentham Gardens with food, more food, Christmas decorations and of course pretty shops! Sunday night was also fantastic as I saw my bestfriend from home Annabel! We had a huuuuuge catch up and she brought me the best Christmas present (THANK YOU!)

Monday was another big day, travelling to Birmingham with Ash to meet Matt from work. Sadly the place Matt recommended for lunch was closed, so we ate a Five Guys instead - no complaints here! The day was then the struggle of being too interested in Matt's work place and colleagues, whilst trying not to be the biggest distraction in the world! Then it was time for date night! Matt had booked Nosh and Quoff - a lush restaurant in Birmingham! Officially stuffed but treated better than the Queen herself, we headed home for a well deserved rest! I've literally had the best time (and so has my belly!)

This is Matt grumpy that I keep taking too many photos!

It's been fantastic to be back at home, to have been missed and to be treated so much! I'm enjoying every moment and cannot wait...NOT LONG UNTIL CHRISTMAS NOW!!!!!!

I'll catch up with my blog after the holidays now, with lots of photos and excitement. Until then, Joyeux Noel, Happy Christmas and see you for the next part of my year abroad in 2017.

Top 10 Reasons why I love le Nord

With only a few days left before the Christmas holidays, I've started to really think about what I love about the North of France and my life here. Not everything relates to being in the North, but if you're considering a new place to travel, or maybe a year abroad, perhaps I can convince you! Bienvenue chez les ch'tis!

1. Les Français du Nord are the most welcoming and friendly people I've ever met. 
   Of course, there are exceptions, bien sûr, but, in general, you will be welcomed with open arms into the North. I'm involved with three families currently - My family with Marie, Isabelle and Julien; Caroline's family and then my tutees family. Each one makes me feel like a huge part of their lives and never leave me feeling alone! They're also unbelievably kind and generous, with meals, presents, free lifts, advice and conversations that will last for hours. They make my life in France, not only helping me to improve, but reminding me how much I love French, le Nord and being part of their lives.
   
2. EVERYONE says hello to you in all the shops! No matter if you're getting bread or a sassy new dress for New Year's Eve, all shop keepers welcome you into their establishments! So maybe you don't have French families, but you can find a little bit of happiness from this very Northern greeting. I've been told many times that this doesn't exist much outside of the North and often you can be ignored, or even just stared at when walking into other places in France. My favourite boutique for jewellery has actually allowed me to have a little friendship with me and the shop keeper!
   
3. You get invited to MANY meals. This is really true and also very common in the North of France. I found it so kind, yet a little strange, that colleagues I'd spoken to only once, were asking me to their houses to meet their families and eat food with them! This is traditional in the North apparently, as it's a friendly way to meet new people and truly get to know who you work with! Looks like January will be busy for me (and also impossible to shift the Christmas weight!)
   
4.  The food, wine and cheese just keeps on coming. OK so this maybe just France in general, but you never leave the table feeling empty. You may have to wait sometimes until the dead of night to eat, but when you do, my god it's great. The North, like the rest of France, has its delicacies, but I love how you are constantly served more and more until you pop. Aperetif is also a genius invention I need in my English life. It's a drinks starter. You have a drink to start your meal that will be a completely different one to your main. Maybe a cocktail, a liqueur with champagne, or just champagne before your main wine. But most of the time in houses you have 2 or 3 glasses before you reach the table. Fantastic! The wine here is ACTUALLY decent. I think before now I hadn't lived.
   
5.  FAIRE DE BISE! Kissing on either cheek (we do once on each cheek) is the most affectionate and loveliest way to say hello and goodbye to your friends. I get given them to stay goodnight and good-morning here too. HOW CAN YOU NOT FEEL LOVED WITH THIS?!
   
6. People here say SORRY they can't speak to you in English, because you're trying so hard to speak French. This is really true, I often get told my French is incredible and that the other person is so sad or so sorry they can't speak any English. Little do they know I'm grateful for this! It's so kind when Matt comes to stay that everyone makes an effort to speak as much English as possible - like we aren't the foreign ones who should be trying hey!!!! Basically French people are too too kind here!
   
7. CULTURE IS EVERYWHERE. You can't walk far without admiring the architecture, the shops and the fashion, the FOOD, the language, the BOOKS, the museums...need I go on? My favourite thing to do is wonder round (as long as it isn't raining!). I really love exploring, even if it's just my little home town! The North has some wonderful places to explore from giant museums, to the most amazing bakeries!
   
8. EVERY MISTAKE I SEEM TO MAKE IS SEXUAL. Yes so most mistakes or "you can't say that" is due to sexual connotations. This makes me cry with laughter when I'm told this. It's really true that the French language is far more romantic than anyone truly thinks! It's really beginning to show when most mistakes involve sexual connotations though...FRENCH NEED TO CALM DOWN! "Ça m'a fait plaisir" NO. JUST NO.
   
9. FRENCH LITERATURE. OK I couldn't do my favourite things without a geek moment. The libraries, bookstores and even little book markets are INCREDIBLE here. Some bookstores like Furet Du Nord in Lille has 7/8 floors(maybe more I can't remember!) and nothing makes me happier than exploring all of the French literature sections. I also really enjoying talking about the books I read, as it often creates a few shocked and confused faces. I think they think I'm completely crazy, but that's also ok with me.
   
10. You make friends for life. Truly. They say that you cry twice in the North - when you arrive (because it's so bloody cold) and when you have to leave. It's a place that really has touched my heart,  I think saying goodbye for good will be too hard, so I'll forever have to keep coming back. Home isn't always a place, it's a feeling.

Louvre Lens and Bruges!

What a weekend! It's now my last one until I go home (how strange!) and what an amazing time it's been!

 

Friday - Louvre Lens!

I would recommend to anyone who loves museum to visit the Louvre Lens! It's free with the "pass d-education" you can get from a secretary at school, all you need is your passport photo ID! The museum has many different exhibitions on all year and this time it was the "Mesopotamie" Expo, an exhibition on the first civilised humans and what they created!

I gave tours in French to the 6ème who loved listening to the information, as well as helping them to fill in their little booklets set by the history department! I think it was really worth the half an hour trip, as the expo was full of really interesting artefacts, information and it's big enough to spend a good few hours looking round!

weirdly looks like a pregnant guy?!?

I love museums in France, it's not only a great opportunity to gain some culture, but you also get to read a lot in French and understand their history! The Expo isn't on long (until January) so get yourself to Lens if you want to see it! If you can't get chance, the Palais de Beaux Arts (see my post on this!) is another fantastic opportunity to see art and history rolled into one, in the centre of Lille!

Friday night involved lots of Dominos Pizza and incredible company. Luke, Becca and Lauren plus a lot of vine videos and of course, French million pound drop, games and just gossip is always a fab combination! I loved the evening and slept so well (god bless you girls) ready for our trip to Bruges!

Saturday- A day in Bruges!

After a great night's sleep, Becca, Loz and I arrived at 4 Cantons to go to Bruges with CICE Voyages (huuuuge shout out to Jeanne, who gave me this website that now EVERYONE uses!). We met up with Julia and her two friends from home, a lovely group that made the hour fly by! Luke we really missed you and hope you liked your prezzie!

I really loved Bruges, just as much as last time...if not more! I cannot thank Becca and Lauren enough, helping me to find my wee christmas presents, walking more miles than the proclaimers and helping me explore such a cool city.

As you can tell, it's big scarf weather!!!! It may have been chilly but the Christmas markets were fantastic. It's INCREDIBLE to think Lille is only 1 hour away from such a beautiful and different country! 

The Christmas Markets were magical, full of food and decorations as well as the beauty of the lights that surrounded them! It was a real Christmasy weekend and I've never felt happier! So a huge shout out to my pal Luke, for the personal reasons... what a hero.  I was, however, really sad for my French this weekend. Every single Belgian I met couldn't speak French....we were in the Flemish part you see! So English it was...but we did manage to convince a shop keeper I was French...so plus and minuses! 

The hot chocolate tea room - The Old Chocolate House - is a MUST when in Bruges. Here we had hot chocolates the size of our faces, and for Loz, a beautiful cup of tea with its own tea pot! It was a perfect little place to sit, drink hot chocolate, eat chocolate and catch up on the warmth (and a sit down!) I think we really did earn it after all our walking! My hot chocolate was a white hot choccy, with cherry cream and cherries (The cherry blond I think it's called) it was amazing. I wouldn't say it was overly priced, as you really do get what you pay for. I fully recommend this amazing little shop. Possibly a place to start writing your new book, poem or just ponder life!

My favourite part of Bruges, compared to Brussels, is the fact that all the little side streets are beautiful too. You can literally - which we did - walk around Bruges for hours just nosing into its small streets at its shops, bars, pubs and restaurants, an artist's dream I'd say.

This weekend has really taught me that if you want to start your novel, start it in this beautiful city. Or if you want the best beer to drown your artistic sorrows...also start here. 

I've also cemented a wonderful friendship. Sunday led to Christmas day: meatballs, mash, green beans and gravy - Lille style Christmas but DELICIOUS! A huge thank you to Becca and Lauren. I'll be feeling lost without you guys this week after being inseparable for so many days. Never have I felt so welcomed and loved so quickly. LIVE IT UP GLASGOOOOOOOO

So what's next? Tomorrow I'm back at work, but not for too long now! This week I'm off to see the Petit Prince with Nia and Julia (so excited) and then it won't be long until I'm running at Matt in Birmingham Station! C'est la vie. I couldn't possibly be more excited. 

SEE YOU ON SATURDAY BLOXWICH

xxx

JR

Christmas Countdown, Cold and Cheesy Snaps!

It's a pleasure to be blasting out the Christmas tunes as I'm writing my latest blog update! The Christmas playlist is on every morning on the way to work (thank you Matt for spotify!) and it's getting ccchhhhhiiiilllyyyyy! Fortunately for huge scarves, hot chocolate from Germany (Merci Eloise!) and amazing Christmas lights in Douai!

My personal favourite is the penguin, it means I've arrived safely off the train!

Last weekend I spent from Friday to Monday morning at Caroline's house (my Prof)! It was an absolute pleasure to feel part of her family as always, spending the evening eating and of course drinking aperitifs! Highly important cultural rule now...I'm going to miss this! Saturday was a huge trip to Lille to help the family do their Christmas shopping, and they kindly invited me to Tiger Wok. For those that don't know, it's a buffet restaurant where you pick all kinds of veg, meats (including FROG!) and then have it fried with noodles in a giant wok! It's incredible and now my favourite place to eat! I also got a cocktail (Sacré Caroline!) The day was so lovely, and I never feel far from home when I have this family. I'm really lucky! I'm going to be really sad not seeing them for a whole month! I've made friends/families for life!!!!

Can you spot the frog's legs?!?!

Sunday was a day of lesson planning, helping Eloise with makeup tutorials and then relaxing! I really enjoyed not having to be up early on a Monday too! Overall a fantastic weekend...possibly coming home with TOO much alcohol sorry Eurostar..

It's nearly CHRRIIIISSSTMASSSSS! Which obviously means beautiful decorations, food, food and more food...as well as Christmas Markets! Friends at work often said the Arras Christmas markets were a MUST as it's now in the top 5 of the Xmas Markets in France! Jess P suggested we go and I couldn't refuse! We asked the other assistants and Luke, Becca, Lauren, Nia and Claudia all joined us! Shout out to Lauren for meeting me so early for "quality Loz and Jess time" so much love!

The famous 4?

Santa's Groto how adorable!

The markets of course, are nothing like the Birmingham ones, but sooooo much better than Lille! It's a pretty big market and I even found it far more traditional and lovely than the Parisian ones (sorry Paris!) So it's a MUST if you're in the North! I really enjoyed the day out, especially busting some moves to Christmas songs with Jess too!

The day however was FREAKING FREEEEZING! So temperatures are really dropping in the North (welcome to England?), but I'm still aiming to really enjoy myself as much as I can despite the cold! My scarf is now my new best friend *soz Matt* and thankfully my trains put London Midland to shame!! They're always so clean, quick, and 9/10 on time!!!!! I really enjoy how modern they are too, some even have sofas inside?! Us English have to take all the positives!! A little fact, today Paris has made ALL it's public transport free....lucky sods! But this is due to the pollution...oops.

So how's my language going? Well I've mastered the "fluency and comprehension" so tick tick tick, but the accent is driving me crazy. RUE or ROUE?! I hate the "OU" sound. This is causing so much problems. As much as Isabelle is amazing at training my language, this "OU" sound never seems to stick, and even when I'm thinking I'm pronouncing it right...I'm not. Today, however, may have changed things for good! When sitting in the staff room writing up an idea for a quirky literature article, I was introduced to Martine, possibly the saviour of all my problems with pronunciation! After telling me my French was incredible, I replied with my normal response "Wow thank you so much, but actually it sucks. My accent is awful and I want to be like une française at the end of the year...but I'm very strict with myself..my OU and U's are awful!"

This lovely lady then said to me hold on, let me think about this for a second, leaving me to continuing my writing. The strangest thing was to hear this woman clicking her tongue and making small noises to herself..I did honestly think something was wrong. The next thing I knew she's produced the most wonderful thing for me:

I just so happened to have bumped into a woman who had spent the majority of her life helping younger children with pronunciation problems and speech impediments. I couldn't have been more grateful, as a complete stranger, she sat with me, showing where to place my tongue (weird but it works!) and why, for all this time, I was going so wrong. So now, I have to practise!!!!!

WORKWORKWORKWORKWORK - I'm really enjoying myself as I've started working in a Primary School now in Biache too! After only 1 hour of being there I've received adorable drawings from the kids, telling me they loved me, English and of course, Winny the Witch! My other classes have really taken to me too. With Max sending me videos from the Radio Studio, my Mom of Xmas decorations, they're really lapping it up! I'd recommend doing this, anything authentically English, that isn't some boring text book, really makes my lessons jazzy!!!! Thank you family for always being so supportive!

So tomorrow I'm off to the Louvre Lens in Lens with Biache, giving students tours in FRENCH. Nothing better for the CV is there!?! I'm then off to spend the weekend at Lauren and Becca's IM SO EXCITED GUYS! Can't wait! We are off to Belgium Saturday and then having a Christmas day Sunday! Next week I'll be seeing Julia and Nia for Le Petit Prince at the theatre, then meeting Vanessa for lunch too! What better way to spend the last 8 days?!

See you soon Bloxwich!

JR

xxxx

Yet another exciting weekend!

I'd been looking forward to this weekend for ages! Zoe, a friend from University, was coming to visit Lille! Luckily Caroline had to leave early Friday which meant leaving work at 4pm and not 5pm (THANK YOU!), allowing me to get to Lille to meet Zoe and have a quick stroll around the Grand Place!

We then met up with all my other assistant friends (shout outs to Nia, Jess, Becca, Luke Julia and her boyfriend Khal, Vanessa and Adam!) and decided to go to the famous Spoons: Les 3 Brasseurs - OF COURSE! After a lot of food and maybe too much booze, we headed toward the little Christmas Markets! When you come from Birmingham, these would seem less impressive....yet still lovely to walk round even if there wasn't too many stalls! After more to eat we then decided to go for more drinks - where Lauren and her boyfriend Ross joined us! Except half of us didn't go for drinks....

Jess showing so much sass infront of the wheel

"mes filles"

WE WENT ON THE BIG WHEEL!

I was quite nervous - the seats were swinging in the air! But when we got on the wheel my whole mood changed! I really enjoyed it - much to Zoe and Vanessa's scared looks and clinging on a bit tighter than normal!!

Don't look down.....

                                                                          

The night ended with more drinks and chats before getting the last train back to Douai! Having Zoe was lush, we ended up staying up till 1ish chatting and gossiping - a real girly sleepover! Of course with New Girl involved!

The next day was very cultural and exciting! We went to the Palais de Beaux Arts, a beautiful art museum in Lille for only 4 euros for students! We explored so many different rooms we even got lost at one stage! It's a really good experience for anyone who loves art! 

                                                                               

We then carried on to Nottinghill cafe to have hot sandwiches and cakes! The rest of the day involved wondering around Lille and old Lille showing Zoe some of my favourite spots! We then went to a little creperie for tea, which involved a tartine maroilles - bread, lots of cheese, ham and then a huge jacket potato...so after thinking we we're going to die after this huge meal, they then brought us 7/8 scoops of icecream each!?!?! It's now become my favourite restaurant...but also has given me a food baby I think!

 Sunday involved watching the latest Harry Potter/JK Rowling Film: Les Animaux Fantastique. OK so it isn't Harry Potter, but it was amazing, especially for 6 euros! We did a whooooole lot of walking after more and more French food that Isabelle had kindly left us! We went around the whole of Douai, and if I do say so myself I was pretty proud of my town that day shining its autumn colours!

With watching New Girl, crying together at how funny it was, as well as all our French culture, 89 Malbz did well on tour of Lille!!

A huge thank you to all the assistants and Zoe of course, for a fantastic weekend! I'm extremely lucky to have you all in my life and it's making the year abroad even better!!!! Roll on next week together in Arras and Bruges!