Things you learn living in a small apartment

If you read my previous post, you probably saw the pictures of my new "apartment."  I know that it is technically a just a room where I can eat, sleep and shower all at the same time, but living in this small space has taught me a lot.

Your bed is a multi-purpose piece of furniture

Of course you use it for sleeping, but your bed has so many other functions that the average person doesn’t realize. Dining room table? Uhh, where else would I eat? Sofa? Absolutely, change the pillows around, and you have a new couch suitable for company. Closet? Hell yeah, I don’t put my clothes away.

Cooking is… an adventure

It’s a shame if you like to cook because frankly, it sucks.  Cooking requires a circus-like juggling act where you constantly rearrange your ingredients, prep space, and equipment.  Oh you only have hot plates? Even better! Just make sure you don’t burn the place down trying to make a simple bowl of pasta.

Doing dishes is even worse than cooking

This goes without saying even in larger apartments, but doing the dishes is even worse in a small space.  The juggling you do to cook is multiplied by ten, especially if you don’t have a drying rack. Also, everything gets wet. Everything.

Claustrophobia is real

You get stir crazy, end of story, but as long as you don’t cover the walls with news articles of local murders and claim to be God, you’re doing pretty well psychologically.

However, there are some positives…

You are forced to be a minimalist

A small apartment does not allow for clutter or excessive amounts of clothes.  You quickly realize what you need and what you do not.  Maybe this doesn't seem like a positive, but you will be thankful for your new-found minimalism when it’s time to move out.  Also, you can now tell people that their happiness relies too heavily on material objects without being a complete hypocrite.  P.S. you might lose some friends this way.

The smaller the apartment, the more you have to clean

Again, I know it’s not really sounding like a positive, but being forced to pick up after yourself constantly has major benefits.  1. You are almost always company-ready  2. Your apartment will feel bigger the cleaner it is 3. You are forming good habits that you will keep with you for the rest of your life… maybe.

You are responsible for much less

You don’t have to worry about the basement flooding or the tv in the guest room breaking because, oh wait, you don’t have any of those things!  As long as the electricity and plumbing work, you don’t have a care in the world.

So there you have it, that's what I've learned so far, and honestly, it's not so bad. My tiny apartment is all mine, and I can dance around naked or eat disgusting amounts of Nutella straight from the jar if I want to. We all know that these are the important things.

First week and a half in Paris

So I've been in Paris since last Saturday, and I meant to do a "one week in Paris" post, but that didn't happen.

First of all, I started working for my super awesome family which has been great! Their daughter remains completely adorable despite the occasional tears over having to take a bath.  Also, the family has been really accommodating and helpful since I've been here, so that has been very much appreciated.

Second of all, I finally moved into my apartment on Wednesday! Now when I say my apartment, what I really mean is my extremely small room and an area that I call my closet-kitchen-shower.  Mind you, I did not say bathroom -- that's down the hall and outside.  Did I mention that it is a seventh floor walk up? In case you were wondering what a room like this looks like, here are some pictures

Please do not take this description of my room as complaining, I absolutely love my place.  Not only will I get into super awesome shape from climbing the seven flights of stairs to my very own "apartment," but I also have this fantastic view from my window

... and this one from the street

Of course living in such small quarters will take some getting used to, but I am more than confident that I will be able to do it without a problem.  I am so confident that I am even going to try to cook a nice meal tomorrow using my two hot plates, so you have that post to look forward to.

As for what I have been doing for the past week and a half, well honestly, I've been sleeping a lot (jet lag's a bitch), but I have had the chance to go out a few times.  I went to my all-time favorite bar "The Cork" which is right on the Canal St.-Martin as well as a lesbian bar that Baudelaire used to frequent (I am not sure of any connection).  I also went to what I thought what going to be "Le Club du Fromage" which is a monthly party where everyone dresses up in costumes and dances crazily to outrageous music.  However, it turned out to be just a normal club that night -- still fun none the less.

Sorry for the post being so general, but I promise to post more frequently to avoid this from happening again!

The most annoying questions people ask you when moving to a foreign country

Okay, so you're about to move to a foreign country for whatever reason, and you're super excited! You tell everyone who will listen about your plans, your job, and your living situation.  After you have finished enthusiastically describing every last detail of your future life, you will inevitably be faced with at least one of these incredibly annoying questions:

Why would you want to do that?  

Umm I don't know, because I want to?  Because there are places outside of the US that are actually pretty cool, believe or not.  Because I've been studying French for the majority of my life, and I'm still not fluent.  This question always irritates me because whoever asks it, will never accept any reasons you give, and will always insist that life in the US is way better than anywhere else.  So just make something insane up, and have fun with it. 

When are you going to start your real life?  

I guess I missed the part where this isn't real life? Because I'm going to be an au pair, or a nanny, I get this question a lot.  I've learned that people view traveling and working non-professional jobs as a joke.  Some people in this world just aren't meant to sit at a desk from 9 to 5 -- they want to explore, be adventurous, and experience new things.  Maybe not forever, but maybe, yes, forever. Yes, I am a college graduate, but no I don't want to sell insurance or input data right now.  However, that does not mean that I am wasting my life away and am not a serious person.

OH MY GOD HOW MANY SUITCASES ARE YOU BRINGING??  

There is usually a follow-up question like: "Oh my God, how can you fit ALL your stuff in just two?? I would need at least seventeen." Nope just two, two is enough.

Are you coming home for every insignificant holiday on the calendar?  

St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, COLUMBUS DAY?? Okay, I fully understand why people ask about Christmas, but when people are shocked that, no, I will not be home for my birthday or Cinqo de Mayo, I always wonder if they understand the concept of living abroad.  There's no such thing as a quick trip home not to mention a cheap one.  

When are you getting your car shipped over? 

Okay, someone only asked me this question once, but it was by far the dumbest of them all, so it's making the list.  There's not much you can say to respond to this except:

How do your parents feel about all this?  

They actually want to lock me in the basement for the rest of my life and NEVER LET ME GO.  Umm they're pretty cool about it?  I'm an adult and even if they disapproved, there's really nothing they can do about it?  They want me to lead a cultured, fulfilling life where I'm happy and awesome?  I mean of course they're going to miss me, but it's kinda part of the whole growing up thing that we're all forced to do.  I'm pretty sure everyone I've ever told about my plans has asked this with the same pitiful tone, so *ding ding ding* we have a winner for the most annoying question EVER!

So there they are! I'm sure if anyone else is in the same situation as I am, they hear a handful of these on a pretty daily basis.  I'd love to hear more stupid/annoying questions that you've gotten or just know if I'm the only one who experiences this.  I love comments!