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

Amanzi Paris Eiffel Tower swimsuit maillot-de-bain

I just noticed that the stores are starting to stock swimwear now and that can only mean one thing... summer will be here soon. Yay! Except... I'm moving to France, which is going into winter :(

Anyway, I happened to find this cute swimsuit online. It's not something I would wear and I admit the prints are a little childish but there's still something very fun and whimsical about this swimsuit by Amanzi (a new Australian swimsuit design company).

Chichi: Paris, la tour Eiffel, une femme et un caniche... mais, oui !

Princess: Still on the French theme, they also have this Marie Antoinette-style one!