Summer hiatus

Unfortunately my lack of updating is NOT because I am sunnin' it somewhere fancy (and reading Dosto). Summer has been two long months of internships and jobs, and (of course) socialising late and getting up early. In addition to that, I am leaving Paris in a couple of weeks to study journalism at a really good school in Lyon - I am super excited, but obviously nervous about moving. So loads of things to write about, loads of inspiration (especially as I am currently working on a "Last Days in Paris" project, aka doing all the cool Paris stuff I always wanted to do) but it'll have to wait for the rentrée. Below is a picture of my neighbour for the whole of August, checking I am doing my job properly and not just tumblring. Hello Notre Dame! A plus tard !

Photo via Instagram - follow me @fleurfleurette

Gingerbread men and lobster sushi

Long time no blog.

I'll admit I've been a bit busy actually 'living'. My English work experience was a dream, I published at least an article a day and even got to write a piece about fashion. 'The Differences between French and English Fashion', nonetheless. I went to court, reviewed an art exhibition, interviewed a film director, covered a murder and did a vox pop.

Incidentally, the vox pop was on 'how Bradford women are the worst dressed in the UK'. They actually came last in a survey done by Facebook. How embarrassing. So the newspaper was more than pleased to publish my own article, titled 'I live in Paris but I buy all my clothes in Bradford'.

In between discovering Gregg's gingerbread men on my lunch break, I managed to get a lot of shopping done. I just love English shops, they are so superior to the French thing. I went crazy in New Look and Primark, and also had brilliant time charity shopping. English retailing is sans égale, Paris should take note.

Although I have discovered a brilliant shop in Paris, called Hema. I literally dévalised the store for my lovely lovely flat. I am having such fun living in Paris, it's like a dream come true. I went to my aunt's last week, and we ordered sushi. I just had to have the 'Flower Power' one, made with real flowers and stuffed with fresh lobster! It was delicious and ever so civilized.

I am thinking of starting a personal blog, as I cannot really give this out as a professionnal website if I am warbling about shopping and sushi. But with school looming closer (er, tomorrow) and other activities to plan (various housewarming parties, salsa and yoga classes, learning to cook with Jamie O's books), I might be a bit short for time. Like all of us at the beginning of September..

Oh and I also got verbally attacked by a tramp when I was out celebrating my friend's 20th birthday. But I was very well-dressed so I think I managed to pull it off.. with an ear-piercing scream as he lunged at me followed by serious hair-tossing. To be pissed off in style, that's what you learn to do in France!

Bonne rentrée!

The Franglaise at work - part two

Here it is, the much awaited second work experience. Back behind a desk again, after a brief interlude packed with attending the Fête de la musique, the Gay pride and the Japan expo (lots of teenage-y things!). This is now my last day working at a local business magazine attached to the region's chamber of commerce, and I have published my first signed article today! Turns out I got lucky : the week that I have spent here has been jam-packed with interesting events. I was sent to cover a filming taking place at the office, and had to interview the director. With my little writing pad, I felt like Lois Lane. 

I am slowly starting to realize how important getting work experience is. I have heard countless tales of people spending a week doing the job of their dreams, and absolutely hating it. I was lucky to experience the reverse phenomenon : I loved every minute of it. My boss is pleased with my work, and I feel as though I am really made to be a journalist. It was just so thrilling, you know, the whole "saying my-name-shaking his hand-can I ask you a few questions" thing. And I just love, love, love to write (as if you had not guessed). I take such pleasure in the minute things, like making sure I use resonating words and that my sentences seem eloquent. Basically, just putting into practice everything I have learned in prépa. 

On the whole, this has been such a pleasant experience. I learnt all the journalistic jargon and tips, and published about a dozen short articles on the magazine's website. I really got to understand how a magazine takes form, and felt as if I was completely part of the team. Rendez-vous at the end of August, for the third and final edition of this year's The Franglaise at work : the decisive internship at an English local newspaper.

The Franglaise at work, part one

When exam results are in June and the torture only starts in September again, one has to find a way to occupy one's summer. And what is better than spending your days in an office, unpaid, and ignored by most of the staff? You got it, the Franglaise is on work experience.

After unsuccessfully trying to get a job as a waitress and salesgirl, I decided that as everyone was asking for previous experience, I would give them experience. Because France is difficult in that respect, contrary to the UK you cannot get a summer job easily at all. Employers all want you to be qualified and experienced, and when you are 15 and the only type of work you have ever done is babysitting, well you can just get lost. I am not only saying it because I did not find anything, it is the ugly truth. What's more, people generally do not care for fancy studies in basic jobs, they take one look at classe préparatoire littéraire and think we are socially-inapt bookworms.. which is not so far from reality, but come on, give us a chance ! So anyway, I managed to get an internship at a well-know French insurance company. And it may have sounded like I was complaining previously, but I do realize that I am extremely lucky to be here. Then again, I managed to get a spot by using a popular French method called piston, a.k.a. 'It is not what you know but who you know'. So here I am, at my own desk overlooking the avenue Matignon, feeling very pleased with myself.  Get ready for some serious I-have-drunk-too-much-coffee-and-am-starting-to-get-bored posts !