The speed at which the days are flying past me reminded me of this funny phrase we use in linguistics to talk about syntactic processing (i.e. how there are a few ways you can read this sentence since some words have double meanings/can represent different parts of speech depending on context). I have already spent a week at my internship and have taken it slow when it comes to exploring Paris. There is a lot to see and a lot to learn, and I am honestly slightly overwhelmed by it all. But I have become accustomed to my routine and am very comfortable taking the metro around–I take pride in being able to find my way home from most places without my phone–which means that I should have more breathing room to understand how exploration and fun activities will fit into my schedule these next few weeks.

Regarding my internship, I am learning a lot each day! It has taken me a little bit to get used to long lunches and a slower schedule. My current project has taken me quite a bit of time as I work on it in between working as a guide for the student groups that visit. It still isn’t quite done, and the type of video I was supposed to find still doesn’t feel like it works quite well enough. A part of me feels like I could be working more efficiently, but I have to remind myself that I’ve been learning how to do multiple things around the museum such as guiding students and introducing visitors to the museum. I have already grasped much of the museum’s layout and how to instruct students of various levels on how to complete their scavenger hunts or questionnaires! In addition, I have gotten more comfortable and confident speaking to students, answering their questions, and generally being able to present myself more as a figure of authority.

In other words, I have been managing my schedule at my internship by taking things one step at a time. I can always get to my project of updating display information after helping school tours, fixing broken items, and other more immediate tasks. The interns’ projects mainly concern updating the museum’s materials anyways, so they already must be done when there are less visitors to handle. After all, it is most important to both me and my director that the work is well done, not just completed quickly. It has almost been a joint project, as he has also been trying to find other sources to update that section with. I think both of us might even do separate searches outside of work if we have time, since we both seem to be itching for a better resource than the one we have currently found.

Despite the struggles of slow progress on my project and an eventful visitor schedule, there is always something each day that reminds me how much I love working at my internship. Whether it is having the chance to educate curious visitors on a linguistics topic, getting students to listen to my instructions and ask me questions about the museum, or meeting new interns or some of the director’s contacts, I know I will always have a fun work day.

Then, outside of work, I have been mostly focusing on finding good food and relaxing activities. A few days ago, I visited a cat cafe in my neighborhood (I am not joking, it is only a 4 minute walk from my apartment and it is the best thing ever) with one of the students from the program. The moment I walked in and saw all the cats lying around, I think I forgot all the stress of my rush hour commute and unfinished tasks.

Another friend and I attended a perfume making class over the weekend. I made a replica of a perfume I quite liked with some changes out of fear the scent might end up too strong. The original I tried to copy is Amarige by Givenchy, so naturally I had to call mine Fauxmarige. 🙂

I haven’t been able to go to more of the larger group activities the other students have done last week, but I am glad we have been keeping contact with each other. It is still fun to see what they are up to each day and if anyone has an activity to recommend. I’m hoping that now I’ve worked out my schedule, I can have a little more time to go out in the evenings with them!

Somehow, I’m already a little worried about when I will have to leave Paris. But again, I simply need to slow down and remember to focus on what is directly in front of me. Even super small tasks such as finishing this blog post and then preparing for bed. Taking more photos would certainly also help me remember each day more; I could be much better at documenting what I have been up to in my free time.

Till next time!