Alrighty then.

What can I say? I am still loving Paris. Meeting some new people, connecting quickly with friends, sort of learning the language. Films, museums, bars, cafes. Wine. What else I can say is that sometimes, we need to trust our instincts much earlier. For quite a while now, I've recognized that I'm not in the most ideal living situation. At first it was, "the kids are just testing me." Then it was, "the parents just don't realize they're asking unreasonable things." And finally it's, "I will never consider you an equal because you work for me." Et c'est charrie--that's going too far (really bad translation).

I can't be both a member of a family and an employee when treated like a child and a subordinate. I can't work for someone who treats me as an inferior and expects me to be OK with that, let alone live with that person. My job is to care for the kids, who will never behave for me if they know their parent looks down on me. Conflict management suggests that we also can't begin to solve this problem until I can communicate with this person as an equal. At first I thought it was just me adjusting. Then I thought it was about communicating better. But the true problem is not my fault--the family is not ready for an Au pair.

So I'm trying to find a family that is welcoming and professional. And perhaps find myself somewhere that is not the only remaining household in France that supports Sarkozy? Just a thought. I've considered becoming a bum on the street, selling crocheted hats and giving English lessons for 20 Euro an hour. But alas, winter is coming. And I still have some faith that this "cultural exchange" can work. I know many girls who are happy with the families they found.

I'm looking this time around for a family in Paris; I could easily teach English lessons to regular clients, I wouldn't have to ride the train for an hour on the weekend, and I could even go to the movies on weekday nights. I'm also looking for a family that will put me up in my own studio; I am just too old to have a curfew or be told when to clean my room, I feel like I haven't been spending any time to myself (or time writing), and it'd be nice not to feel like a couch-surfer in order to stay overnight in the city. Having my own space would also create some necessary boundaries when it comes to the hours that I'm expected to work.

The search is slow-going, but I'm trying to be uber positive. So here are a couple pictures of some things that haven't totally sucked. A familiar face, beautiful sights, and new friends.


Sarah and Meghan trying not to get lost near the Notre-Dame.


The carousel from Amelie at Montmartre with the Sacre-Coeur in the background.


A view of the Eiffel Tower near sunset from the Montmartre.


Meeting new friends and hanging on the River Seine.



Rain and maps. Yeah. That's very Paris.


Some Halloweenish activity.


Heck yeah, water lilies.


"Dude... those are cymbals! They're real! Can we throw things at them?"


The Eiffel Tower lit in bleu for its anniversary.


Sure they're bad, but I still kinda like them sometimes.