Salut, everyone! How’s summer? What have you been up to? France has been hit with some crazy hot weather lately but we’re managing just fine with our new bedroom a/c unit. As some of you might know from following along on social media, my family came to visit back in June and we went to Provence for the week. Then it was back to the daily grind. I wanted to check in and say hey, so HEY…. if you feel like commenting below with the best and worst parts of life lately for you, I’d love to read about what’s going on in your life. 😉
So yah, sometimes life gets weird. And stressful. And busy. And fun. All in one. You have ups and downs. Frantic and calm periods. Times when you feel like you’re on your game and times when you can barely manage to stay focused. I think I’ve felt all of those in the past couple of months.
Here are the best and worst parts of my life lately:
Coming in for landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Best parts
Feeling motivated about blogging and my online space
I’ve never had a problem with motivation and Oui In France, but when you show up to something every day for years, it’s only natural to have some fluctuation in your energy level toward any given project. Lately, I’ve felt even more positive than I normally do and even more hyped up about blogging and creating in general. That’s thanks to supportive friends and family, seeing some results from consistent, targeted efforts I’ve been putting in behind the scenes, and if we’re being honest, a little bit of luck thanks to the heatwave in France and the slight traffic boost that came my way because of it.
Interesting work travel and projects
Ridiculously sweaty after climbing a crazy hill in the Jalouzi neighborhood. Good thing you can’t really tell in the pic.
This can go both ways, but right now I’m enjoying being busy. Two weeks ago, I got back from an amazing trip to Haiti and traveled with a super fun team of colleagues. I wasn’t there to be a tourist and unfortunately my colleagues got to see the beach the day after I left, but I still had a blast. And that’s funny if you know me because I HATE THE HEAT and, my gosh, was it hot and humid in Haiti. I took the first day to just accept it, realize everyone else was sweating their butts off too, and then got over it. Strangely enough, the heat really wasn’t an issue after that first day when I made that mental shift.
Jalouzi, Haiti.
I’m off again Monday for most of August to some more hot places I’ve never visited. I enjoy new opportunities and challenges, but it’s also a trade-off. It means I’ll be away for our wedding anniversary and 3 weeks is a long time when you have commitments at home. But I’m grateful for the opportunities and the work projects are definitely a highlight of my summer.
Upgrading to premium economy
OK, so for me this was an indulgence. For those of you who travel often or have big travel budgets, this may not sound very special, but let me preface this by saying I have only ever flown coach up until last week. But on my way back from Haiti to top off a fantastic trip, I upgraded my economy seat on the way home to Premium Economy and it was sooooo worth it. I needed to be able to sleep after such a busy week and to avoid jet lag, and I got a solid 5 hours of sleep on the way back over the Atlantic.
Premium Economy seats on Iberia, Miami to Madrid.
The main differences between regular Economy and Premium Economy are that the seat is a little bigger with more leg room and that it reclines a little bit more making sleep a much more likely possibility. Also, the service is a little bit quicker and you get some extra in-flight amenities. I can’t even image what business class would be like. One day…. the real problem is that after spoiling myself, my 9-hr flight this week in coach is going to feel rough.
This is a multi-way garment called the Chrysalis Cardi from Encircled and it’s awesome.
Some new clothes
I picked up some new easy, breezy pieces from two of my favorite ethical brands, prAna and Encircled, that I knew would come in handy for my work trips and couldn’t be happier. It’s the little things, right? Ethically-made clothing is the name of the game for me right now. More coming soon on Encircled, a Canadian brand I’ve had my eye on for several years now and only finally bought something from last month.
Worst parts
I love how being an adult is just saying “But after this week things will slow down a bit again” to yourself until you die
— Kramski (@kramski) July 8, 2019
Being super busy at work
It means I haven’t had time for other things, specifically my YouTube channel. I hope to change that come September. I could film a simple video of me talking to the camera, but part of what I want to bring to the channel is something else and not just me talking to the camera in my house. I don’t want to film the same types of videos I could film back in NYC. I want to actually give the viewer glimpses into life here. The problem is that to produce a video like that is a multi-day process and there’s just not enough tiiiiiiiiiiiiime.
Bad health news for several loved ones
This is one of the hardest parts of life anywhere I think and certainly isn’t specific to living abroad. Getting bad news or uncertain news about a loved one’s health sucks. And about 2 loved ones? That’s anxiety inducing. Being physically far away only complicates things. Being away on work travel while things need your support at home can be really hard as well, so yeah, F you,timing. Anyway, you do the best you can and take it day by day. Deep breaths…
One last thing. It’s OK to go through whatever you’re going through. Life is never perfect and easy. It’s OK to feel things your way and talk about them. Just because others have it worse doesn’t mean you should minimize what you’re feeling, not to yourself and not to those close to you. It’s OK to feel. I read something today that resonated with me and it went like this. “Just because the person next to you is in a full body cast doesn’t mean that your broken arm doesn’t hurt.” Exactly.
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Have a wonderful rest of your summer and see you soon. Talk to me in the comments!
xx
Have a good trip and try to stay safe and sane! I was thinking of your AC this week when I came across a new kid in town-AirFreez. It’s a portable AC unit, it”s worth to ckeck it out on the manufacturer’s website.
Thank you and checking out AirFreez now!!!
Finally completed the task of going through my storage unit in Seattle and what items I chose were packed and picked up for shipment to NImes. It was a totally stressful 6 weeks deciding what to keep & ship, what to sell and what to donate. Now I still have to get an apartment! Fingers crossed, but everything seems to be coming together for this transition.
Wishing you a smooth move! Bon courage!
Life is full of ups and downs, good times and bads all we can hope is there is more ups and good times then downs and bad times. Travelling is amazing when things go to plan, have a marvelous time
wow!! so many great things and amazing pictures.
Thanks for sharing this.
Hope everything works out with your loved ones! It’s so hard not being able to be there 🙁
I’ve heard loads about Encircled and it looks really fun – they make some great lookin’ products. Flying is so expensive enough as it is (still can’t get over what I paid to get back to the States this summer (!!!) that I can’t imagine going fancier than coach, but if you can or that’s important to you, more power to ya.
Bonjour madam Diane, quand j’ai commence lisant vous blog, je ne penserais pas comment plus lucky j’etais cela je fais etudie cinq ans avant en voyage francais. You are helping out a lot of people, well done, even silly old man 60 and in Tasmanie.
Hello from Rennes. I loved seeing your pictures from Haiti. I also know it can be difficult to have health concerns in your family, especially when you are not geographically close. I love your last comment and as a nurse it is something I have told my patients.
We are currently dealing with Visas, the possibility of buying a house in France and planning for hubby’s ankle surgery in October.
Take care!