Questions

Questions, questions and more questions

In English or in French the word is the same - question (although in French it's pronounced 'kestyon').

Some common questions that I have been asked over and over again (I'm not quite sure what to say now, and most of the time I find they are really stock standard questions which makes me think they don't know what else to say, or how else to comment, which is a bit disappointing).

1. So, when do you leave again?

I find it strange that friends are still asking me this despite the fact that I've mentioned numerous times and done numerous countdowns on my Facebook status. I leave this Sunday 19th!

2. How long will you be going for?

I have bought a one-way ticket so I don't really know how long I'll be staying but it will be for a mininum for 9 months.

3. Do you know anyone there (in France) already?

What have I been doing the last few months? Of course I have been in contact with people and networking and getting chummy chummy and all that because obviously I'll need their help when I move there!

4. So, do you speak French?

I am not the kind of risk taker personality that would move to a non-English speaking country 1) without knowing the language at least to an intermediate level, and 2) without having a job (or some kind of study) lined up. To me that's just plain stupidity.

5. How did you learn French? / Where did you learn it? / Are you fluent? and variations of those.

I learnt it at home by myself (which is well documented at the start of this blog), then I went to an adult evening college for one term/semester, then I did 2 terms/semesters (4 months) at my local Alliance Française (also documented throughout in this blog).

What exactly is 'fluent' anyway? This, I find especially hard to answer. Of course I'm not fluent so I usually say "I'm intermediate" or "nearly" or some crap like that. I mean there are more levels than just beginner and fluent! There is a whole massive range in between. It's like asking someone, "Are you tall or short?" Well actually, I'm neither!


In any case, I will be off in 3 days' time and soon I will be lounging around on a beach in beautiful Langkawi which I am REALLY looking forward to given I won't be experiencing summer for a really really long time. :(

The countdown is on!

Only 5 days to go until I jet off on my big adventure of a lifetime :) I'm excited and nervous and a little bit stressed at all the things I have to organize beforehand.

I've recently booked my hotels for Asia (my stopver), and bought my extensive travel insurance (which cost an arm and a leg as i wanted everything covered, and for a long period of time).

I know this might sound dumb but in a way I almost feel like I've got a terminal illness and I have to say goodbye to everyone and everything (all my favourite places, streets, beaches, restaurants, shops, etc etc) and cram as many activities in as I can before I leave. I don't want to be negative/morbid though, it's not a negative thing at all but that was the only way I could describe it. I'm very happy to begin my new life whilst at the same time loving my old one.  I want to make it clear that unlike many others, I am NOT running away from anyone or anything. I just wanted to try something new.

I've done so many cool things recently with my friends and my new boyfriend. I am exhausted but couldn't be happier. And now I only have more adventures to come...

Tomorrow night I'm seeing a pre-screening of Eat Pray Love and I can't wait! :D