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lesmisloonyI realize that my last entry about my life was kind of... overwhelmed. Don't worry, things are going better and started going better that very day! Nilou the Nightmare Child occasionally listens to me nowadays, the mother applauded the first time I successfully made dinner without being asked, and I've gotten pretty good at getting my chores done and napping while the kids are at school. Still not doing many Paris things, but Ive seen Paris a lot already. This household type thing with meals from the stove and making kids do what I say is what's new to me. I feel like every year of my life I've learned something new that's made me better, and this semester's word is going to be something like boldness. I spend too much time worrying about bothering people around me or being in someone's way and hesitating outside doors, wondering if I can just sneak back to my room because it might be a bad time or I might interrupt a conversation or... whatever. I'm a hot mess sometimes and I need to get that together. This year will teach me that and how to do a better, more adult job of taking care of myself.
In the meantime, I met a few girls who were au pairs last year and are using creative means to stay in Paris this year. My favorite was one who got a student visa which allows you to work 20 hours a week and is making all her money under the table. She found a family who has her babysit 10-15 hours a week and in return instead of salary they pay her rent, like they have an apartment in Paris that she lives in. Because that's not a normal paying job, it doesn't require paperwork and doesn't affect the 20 hours of work available on her student visa. Plus she's giving music lessons or something on weekends... also under the table. So with that 20 hours a week I could get a job at a restaurant or store or something maybe, and if I wasn't paying rent that would mean I could totally live that way for a while. It's not a long-term solution, but it's a take it one year at a time solution. I haven't looked into this myself but she says a student visa you only need to enroll in, like, one class. Then again I was looking at a visitor visa, but for that all my work would have to be under the table...
In the meantime, I met a few girls who were au pairs last year and are using creative means to stay in Paris this year. My favorite was one who got a student visa which allows you to work 20 hours a week and is making all her money under the table. She found a family who has her babysit 10-15 hours a week and in return instead of salary they pay her rent, like they have an apartment in Paris that she lives in. Because that's not a normal paying job, it doesn't require paperwork and doesn't affect the 20 hours of work available on her student visa. Plus she's giving music lessons or something on weekends... also under the table. So with that 20 hours a week I could get a job at a restaurant or store or something maybe, and if I wasn't paying rent that would mean I could totally live that way for a while. It's not a long-term solution, but it's a take it one year at a time solution. I haven't looked into this myself but she says a student visa you only need to enroll in, like, one class. Then again I was looking at a visitor visa, but for that all my work would have to be under the table...
