Hi everyone! Back again! I’m still trying to recover from my mom leaving last week… but it’s okay. Only 3 weeks left and we’ll be reunited! Time flies when you’re living in a foreign country!
This week has been pretty chill. Monday was a lot of fun, as it was my mom’s last day in Paris, and we walked all around the city to make the most of our day. We walked around the Eiffel Tower, up to the Trocadéro, down to the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Elysées, metroed to Galeries Lafayette (aka the greatest view of Paris), ate some lunch, did some shopping, and finally went back to the hotel to take a little break. That night, we ventured to Montmartre (my favorite neighborhood in Paris) to walk around, see the little shops, and eat a delicious dinner at Adelaide. I mean, seriously, I’m never forgetting that truffle risotto. Due to our 22,000 steps that day, we went back to the hotel to have a relaxing evening and watch a movie before having to say goodbye the next morning. Her hotel had an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower from the balcony, so we sat outside to see her sparkle one last time before going to bed.
Tuesday, after our farewells, I went to my internship to get started on my tasks for the week. My boss gave me the day off on Monday to spend time with my mom, which I was eternally grateful for. After work on Tuesday, I had to go back to the apartment after my long weekend, do some laundry, grocery shop, and do a full reset for the week ahead. That night, my friends and I decided to go to the oldest cabaret/bar in Paris, Le Lapin Agile in Montmartre. The night was really cool, and we got to watch performances and hear a presentation on the history of the bar. Apparently, Picasso really liked the place when he lived in Paris. The more you know! Although I was having a great time, after 2 hours, I was so dehydrated and tired that I had to step out. After all, it takes 45 minutes to metro home, and I needed to sleep!
Wednesday and Thursday were relaxing, and I really focused on getting a lot of work done at my internship before the weekend. Before coming to my internship, I would say my leadership style was very direct; I like to take charge and get work done in a timely and efficient manner, with no time to waste. Though, as the weeks pass, I have seen my leadership style change and adapt to my work environment and the tasks I am asked to do. Now, although I take charge of my own personal tasks and get them done promptly, I have to dial back when in team meetings. I do not know much about the company compared to my coworkers, so instead of taking the lead in conversations and work, I tend to sit back and let them explain things to me. Whether it’s work events or projects, I try and take the backseat so as not to overstep my place at my company, and I let my coworkers tell me what they want me to do and when they want me to get it done by. This way, I am getting work done for them the way they want me to do it. However, when it comes to the individual tasks that my boss gives me, I try to take charge and show what I am capable of. Sometimes, after certain tasks that she has given me, I’ll ask her what else I can do, even if it’s something I’m not usually tasked with or something out of my comfort zone, and she is always impressed with the motivation and effort. One day, I even asked to create some content for the website, and even though she said I didn’t need to, she was appreciative of my motivation. I feel that I am becoming a better leader every day at my internship, as I have to balance all of my individual tasks, as well as team meetings and future projects my boss wants me to complete.
Thursday night after work, I ventured to the area around Notre Dame (one of my personal favorites) to find Shakespeare and Company, the famous Anglophone bookstore in Paris! I really wanted to get a book here that will always remind me of my summer in Paris, and there’s no better place than one of the most famous bookshops in the world! I got my book (though not the one I was originally looking for) and plan to read it before I leave (maybe even on the plane home, we’ll see). I also paid a necessary visit to the Panini Man down the street for my $4.00 panini and drink! We probably visit this man like 3 times a week, minimum. The deal is just too good to pass, and the paninis are FIREEEEE. My goal is to get him to remember me by the end of this trip.
After work on Friday, my friends and I met up for happy hour in the 2nd, got some crookies (yes, a croissant and cookie in one), and made our way to the Latin Quarter to hang out for the night (stopping for a panini from our guy along the way, of course). We also stumbled across this girl taking free pictures on the Seine and printing them into cute newspaper articles! We gave her a donation, and we all got a picture! It makes a perfect little souvenir.
Saturday and Sunday were busy, but so much fun! The gals and I met up for brunch at Cult to head to La Marche des Fiertés (Paris Pride Parade) near the Louvre! We walked around, walked in the parade, danced along with the crowd and the floats, and eventually ended up at the Seine to walk around and get food. Honestly, I was so hungry that McDonald’s sounded better than waiting at a restaurant, and we got some Happy Meals to go and ate them while sitting along the river. It was a perfect afternoon. We were so exhausted from the heat and a busy day that we all parted around 5 pm or a much-needed night of rest (no, we did not make it to our karaoke plans that night. Rain check).
On Sunday, I met up with Clare and Chloe for a self-guided tour of Le Palais Garnier, where Chloe (a pro at Palais Garnier facts) walked us around and gave us a little tour of the building. It was absolutely beautiful, and I still need to complete my bucket list item of seeing the ballet! I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that it will be impossible because the tickets have been sold out all summer, but when there is hope, there is HOPE! After the visit, I walked around, got some jeans at Zara (seriously, I need to be ripped away from that store), walked to Le Jardin des Tuileries, and walked around until I found a CARNIVAL! Yes, a true carnival. I felt like I was at home again. I should’ve gotten a churro, that really would’ve made the experience. My final and most anticipated stop of the afternoon was L’Atelier Parfum, where I bought 3 new perfumes to add to my collection at home. I simply couldn’t choose one, they all smelled so amazing. Luckily, the lady walked me around the shop and helped me pick out what suited me best (and she totally nailed it), and I walked out with the best-smelling scents I’ve ever had. I am SO excited to start using them. So far, probably my favorite purchase of the trip! Sunday evening, I walked to Parc Montsouris near my house to sit, journal, and enjoy the last moments of the weekend before being rushed back into a busy week at my internship! Some friends joined me (bringing me a $4 panini, of course) and we sat and chatted as the sun went down.
Although this week was a lot of fun, I have some very special guests coming to visit next week, and I will have infinite adventures to write about… so get ready!
Au revoir!
Hailey Krawczyk