Updates on plates

Hello internet. It's Sarah. Sorry for not really writing anything interesting of late. I didn't want to.. So I didn't.

1. It was my Birthday last Sunday! (Hoorayyyy.) and I am now 19 years old (wooooo). It was a little weird to have a birthday not at home. Instead of running downstairs and open presents with mum, dad, james and poppy I was running to catch a bus to go to work. But it was great. Presents and cards came sporadically in the post, which was cool because it means I get to feel loved over lots of days rather than just on one.. It was also weird not to be with my friends from home for my birthday. For instance, I think this was the first birthday in about 15 years that I have spent without seeing Jess Gall. Oddd. But I did have a really lovely time anyway. We went to Billy Bob's on the Saturday night and consumed lots of alcohol (I didn't have to buy ANY drinks which was super fun) and danced and laughed and wore lots of lipstick. Then we went back to our apartment and drank and danced and laughed some more. Also someone broke our loo seat.. Awkward. I then had work really early the next day, exhausted and hungover, which was the source of much amusement for my co-workers. So that was great. Then, that evening, Jade, Rosie and Chiara came over to re-watch Tangled with me and eat cake and drink wine, which was also lovely. AND then on Monday Riikka and I went for Sushi and got given a complimentary glass of wine and some nibbles and things. So yes. I had a really nice time.

2. My Dad came to visit last week! It was great! We spent the first evening exploring Disney Village, because I was keen to show him where I work. We had starters and cocktails at the Rainforest Cafe, a pint in the Sports Bar, hotdogs and icecreams at Annett'es (where I work) and then more drinks later at Billy Bob's - although Dad was a bit perturbed by the Line Dancing Lesson that was going on there that evening. The next day, we had an early start and headed into Paris, which I absolutely loved. I had been to Paris once before, but I was young, it was pouring with rain and I don't remember much. This time however, I was absolutely struck by how FRICKIN AMAZING this city is. Oh my god. Seriously internet people, it's beautiful. The roads.. The squares. The buildings - their roofs. I have never been so enchanted by a city before. I felt like I was walking along the Seine in a daze. I doubt there is very much I can describe about Paris that hasn't been described before, but, I'll just say that all the time that I was there, I couldn't stop picturing myself living there - in some arty studio, on the 5th floor, with no lift, with flowers and washing lines outside the window and Paris on my doorstep. And I'll admit, when Dad and I got a coffee in the window of a cafe by the Tour St Jacques, I definitely felt the part. The whole time, as I sat looking out, I kept thinking to myself "I'm DOING IT!!!" - haha as though I was in a film or something. But it was lovely. Mostly we just pottered around, walked down the rues and alleys and popped into the Musee de Cluny (which I got into for feee) for a "quick look" - which ended up being a 2 hour browse. It was a tiring but wonderful day, and I can't wait to get back out there! It was also lovely to see Dad. I miss my family a lot. <3

3. I feel like my French is improving a lot. Well.. quite a lot. It's difficult, because I only really speak English with my friends outside of work.. But in work I'm kind of forced to give it ago. It's difficult because I'm able to mostly understand everything that people say, it's just I get nervous when it comes to replying because I am so aware that I must sound like a three year old. It's also tiring feeling like an idiot the whole time. At home I love playing around with words and abbreviating and punning to my heart's content. Here, it's definitely not possible.. Actually now I say that, I did make a joke yesterday.

quelqu'un: Sara, quel est ton âge?

moi: Ohhh… Cinquante-huit ans.

quelqu'un: Quoi?

moi: Ouii… je mange très bien.

It was hilarious.

Trust me.