Normandy vs WGHS

Approaching the end of my working and my stay in France, it has occurred to me that I have spent more than a couple of conversations with members of staff trying to explain why this school is so different from the school I went to.

Back on the exploration bug

I begin writing this as my French bank card is once again refused. Try not to start me on this topic if you ever happen upon me in real life or have means of contacting me. My bank here has a €160 limit on debit card spending every seven days. Except it isn't a Monday-Sunday limit, and it is incredibly annoying. I will not go on on that note.

'Tis the season!

And thus I will be spreading the happiness this time around! Do not expect the same soon, I have some serious real world issues floating around my head that I wish to discuss.

Appreciation and anticipation

Either because you enjoy these posts, or because you haven't seen my constant plugging on various social media sites, you may have noted my absence of late. Two and a half weeks, in fact. I do apologise.

Picking up almost directly where I left off.

I did walk those three kilometres to school. I wish I'd taken the bus, or at least stuck to the route I'd got used to taking.

I'm still alive.

It's felt touch and go at times. No, I jest.

Where to begin...

Well it's been a busy few days, that I cannot deny. Yesterday was the first day I haven't gone outside, and instead I filled it with paperwork that is so typical of France, I just can't explain it. If any other assistants here are reading this, I'm sure you feel my pain.

La vie en Haute-Normandie

Yesterday could so easily have gone terribly from the moment I got up.

"Ça va, mademoiselle...?"

I know I only updated yesterday afternoon, but even a few small tasks can provide enough entertainment for a blog post (or probably more).

Arriving in France

Journeying to France was not as easy as I thought it would be. There was me telling my mom I'd rather get trains than fly because it would be a simple trip...

On the eve of my departure...

I sit here listening to the most British music I own. It's not on purpose.

I promised this post a little while back.

Alright, what am I doing?

This is a massive question. And I'm not even talking in a philosophical, what-am-I-doing-with-my-life sense.

I am down to a single digit number of sleeps (eight) until I leave for France and although I have sent forms to a few places for other people to sort out for me I have yet to do almost anything productive towards properly preparing to move to a foreign country.

Wait, I lie. Today I bought a few necessary toiletries and cosmetics in the supermarket.

In which I am rather patriotic about the Olympics.

We're a somewhat self-deprecating nation and London 2012 is over.

Now there's a statement.

The Potter Tour

Although I haven't shown a lot of the tour (footage was banned...), I made a short vlog about our trip out. If you're into Harry Potter at all, then you really should go and visit. The £28 entrance fee might seem steep but for what you're getting and seeing I don't think it's overpriced at all!

Weight in the UK

It has been an awful long time since I updated here. I have found myself inundated with things to do, and this has been pushed to the bottom of the pile.


But for my return to the site, I've gone for a large topic which often dominates my life. Don't be surprised if you learn one or two things about me you didn't know before.

Why Jaguar Land Rover has really pleased me today.

And it isn't just that I adore Jaguar cars, and particularly new ones, or come from Wolverhampton. The news of job creation should be enough to make anybody happy, and rightly it has, when today Jaguar Land Rover announced a new car plant in my home town.

After the company's previous cuts, the £335 million investment in the area does not simply mean "Fantastic, there are 750 new jobs in Wolverhampton, so 750 people can get off the dole", it really does mean something more positive in many other respects. 

The north/south divide. A take from the middle.

Every Northerner knows that the Southerners have all the money, and Southerner knows that The North and its inhabitants are covered in coal and dirt for twenty-four hours of every day. Right?

And if you're from the South, you're obviously from London and the surrounding area, and if you're from the North, then there's only one accent you can possibly have, and that's "northern". Correct? 

Not only are you rich and a Londoner, but if you're southern, you're a snob, and the North... Well, what can I say? It's just grey and rainy up there.

When it comes to stereotypes, Every one of you northerners and southerners has it easy. And here's why...