These past few weeks have been a long consistent headache, but finally the Paracetamol is working and everything is falling into place.
So it all boils down to this: We’re moving to Paris. Because of this, our plan to fly to Beijing/Vietnam had to be sacrificed (inverted smiley icon)
The days have slowed down for me since I’m no longer looking for a job. I’ve temporarily abandoned my driving lessons because – and I won’t lie – of Laziness and Fear. Pure, unadaultered laziness. Crazed, heart-stopping fear of my teacher, who slaps my thigh when she “thinks” I have my foot on the goddam accelerator when in reality it’s her foot’s fault (she was too busy chatting on the phone to realise that it was she who was doing all the accelerating). And from the Gospel According to Murphy, the minute I stop looking for a job, I get 2 callback interviews, both for positions I wanted and felt I had a chance of getting, both of which I had to turn down. Driving instructors, rejected interviews – just another day in the life…
Box
The good news, however, is that when Julien arrived the other day, struggling down the hall, rousing me from my sprawled-on-the-bed-can’t-move-because-of-the-heat half-vegetative state, he had in his arms…
“Boxes!!!” I cried happily. “Excellent! Are they big enough?” I started folding one.
“And hello to you too,” he said pointedly. “I hope we still have bubblewrap. If you didn’t pop them all.”
“Of course I haven’t,” I said, conveniently leaving out the truth that I had cut for myself a square of bubblewrap a few months back. But this action is justified by the fact that I can get very nervous for no apparent reason.
But anyway, Boxes are Good. Boxes mean that we are moving. Boxes mean not staying put. And most importantly, boxes mean change.
And if you have boxes at home but aren’t really moving house anytime soon, you can sit in it and pretend it’s a spaceship! It’s fun, and I’m 27 years old.
Hem
Whenever I tell people we’re moving to Paris, I get sympathetic looks, gentle tsk tsk tsk tongue-clucking noises, and worried shoulder pats. I know I’ll miss certain things about Aix-en-Provence: the great weather, the laid-back lifestyle, Cinema Mazarin with the art flicks in Version Originale. Or that bar along Cours Mirabeau that serves gigantic chilled glasses of iced tea (bigger than the biggest Nescafe café garapon). Even the madness spending an hour trying to find a parking spot on a Saturday afternoon, and those “Manhattan’s HotDog – New York-style Hotdog!” stands that one can find everywhere. And of course, all the friends I’ve made here.
What’s going to hurt the most is to leave our apartment. Sure, our residence is a bit Los Paranoias with its monthly codes and never-ending regulations, but it has a pool and a tennis court and I know that unless I become a trillionaire overnight, it’s just not going to be the same.
Haw
But in the end, I’m relieved we’re moving. Julien groans whenever I mention our move, but I can only think of the opportunities Paris can offer me, job-wise and culture-wise. At this point in my life I don’t think I, and I don’t think we, can stay in one place for three years straight. Aix-en-Provence is a small town, and though not lacking in charm, it can feel small from time to time.
The thought of being able to meet old friends from Manila in Paris excites me. The fact that I’ll be able to visit Musée Pompidou’s exhibits thrills me. The idea of the ‘free museum entrance’ every first Sunday of the month clinches the deal. And think of all the companies that need a serious CV bombardment…
I know I will complain bitterly about being Paris once Winter rolls in. I’m aware of the astronomical rents and the lull of spending a good part of the day underground, taking the Metro. One place isn’t better than the other. But the most important thing is Change.
26 comments
Makis says:
Feb 11, 2007
Seeing those boxes made me sad
But the thought that we can meet up in Manila is exciting as well! But change is always good – even if it means Paris – it’s a sure way out. I’m really happy that you’ve made your escape plan to reality! Tchin tchin to a successful escape!
Irene says:
Feb 11, 2007
OH. MY. GOD. you’re moving to Paris???!!! that’s GREAT!!!!!!!
Christine says:
Feb 11, 2007
yay, may kakilala na ako once we visit Paris! (kelan kaya yun????) good luck on the move, Kala. I wish I was like you — no ties, no strings, nothing to stand in your way. You can just get up and uproot yourselves! haaayyyy
Kat O+ says:
Feb 11, 2007
I was gonna say, “OH. MY. GOD.” but Irene beat me to it. Then I was gonna say, “Haaaay” but Christine beat me to it. Hahaha… I totally love Paris and I envy your transience. I’m having such a hard time convincing the hubby that we CAN move to London and live there for a few years. Yes, even with a baby. Yes, even with two (not that I’m pregnant).
BTW, my favourite restaurant in the entire world is in Paris. We found it by accident, trying to find a Lonely Planets recommendation which wasn’t where it was supposed to be and kind of just slinked in to this really cozy little place with a dumbwaiter and…a dog. Any other time and they hygienic implications alone would have appalled me but at the time, it was like we were part of someone’s family. And there were NO hawkers!
apol says:
Feb 11, 2007
If this were Lost (the version set in France), you’d be Kate, always trying to escape; and I’d be Mr. Echo, getting through life in strange lands by clubbing people hard on the head. (Although, really, I’d much rather be Sawyer and spend my time looking in the mirror salivating and saying, Shet! Ang guwapo!!!) We should have one of those deep, insightful, ohmygod-can- we-get-any-more-angsty sessions sometime soon.
Junnie says:
Feb 11, 2007
ok ok, where were you and julien when i was gallivanting in paris? when all i talked to with my broken French (to think Bon Jour, Bon Soir and Merci, were the only words i knew) were the used books sellers…?
we should have traipsed around the Eiffel and painted “Bawal Umihi dito” on one of its post? or i going up to Montparnasse and you going up to Sacre Couer and us waving to each other?
so now, you know what we’d do when i visit Paris soon.
Happy moving. We’re doing it too.
(me sobra ka bang box diyan?)
tommpouce says:
Feb 11, 2007
Just finished a 2-hour lesson, and I can SOOOO relate, except I’d play Mr Echo on my instructor (light up that smoke and I light up your beard, tell me once more that I’m going too fast and you won’t ever be able to say anything again…)
Have you already found a place to stay in paris? What triggered the move, Julien got an offer there? I wish you the best in this one-way trip, Paris is a great city if you can put up with the small incoveniences.
And I definitely hope we’ll be able to meet sometime!!! It’s one of my regular destination and I know a couple of places a 27-year-old playing Captain Harlock in an interstellar cardboard box may enjoy :-p
Good luck with the move anyway
Lynneth says:
Feb 11, 2007
Welcome to Paris Kala! This is just so exciting! Another cool pinay in the neighborhood. When are we meeting?he he he…
kala says:
Feb 11, 2007
Makis > you’re right, change is always good! We will soon swap our own escape stories, but the stories i am dying to hear are your mommy stories! malapit na!
Irene > it is great, the excitement is mounting each day, although it’s still being clouded by our fears of not finding an apartment in time. But hey that’s the great thing about moving.
Christine > yep, it’s a really nice feeling to be able to do things like that *snapping fingers* Like you guys did as well when you moved house, di ba? Anyways, yeah, when you visit Paris, tell me and we’ll have a blast getting drunk on wine and people watching (for you – shopping. hehe)
Kat > You HAVE to tell me where this restaurant is, if ever you remember. Was it a French cuisine resto? Awww, I’m sure that you guys can move to London, or anywhere you want, in fact. You’ll just have to use your all-out convincing skills and play your trump cards right…;-)
Apol > I’d be glad to be Kate since she’s the apple of Sawyer’s eye… although Sayid isn’t too shabby himself, but with Shannon gone… (Lost talk) Lost is the best excuse to see fit, tanned, naked from the waist men, running around the beach. Yowza! Am always game for an angst session, because my angst runneth over.
Junnie > Ok, I’m game with the “Bawal Umihi dito” plan… just make sure you have your running shoes, ok? So we can run, run, as fast as the wind, from the polizeiiiii. (ba’t naging german???)
tommpouce > that’s exactly the problem, we still don’t have any place to stay. Since Jul is completing his preavis we won’t have a lot of time to look for a place. Am hoping to have the luck we had in getting our Aix apartment, but that’s a long shot. And I’m going to take you up on that offer to discover Paris. In our interstellar cardboard boxes. You’ll take a box too, right?
How many hours of driving have you had? Are you close to getting your permit? lucky you!
Lynneth > around 2 1/2 months more to burn here till we move. we definitely have to meet !!! Yay!
pinayhekmi says:
Feb 11, 2007
Good luck on the impending move. Change is scary and necessary at times. But you seem to really be cool with that. (Hugs)
kala says:
Feb 11, 2007
Pinayhekmi > thanks! I think that one of the reasons why we are so cool with the moving is because we don’t have a lot of things to call our own – all we need are our two computers, a Wifi connection and my robot Mahmud, and we’re off. We don’t even have a bed, hehehe. In a way we were looking forward, preparing for this a long time ago.
ladycharlie says:
Feb 11, 2007
change is good. although, quite frankly, i feel your bitterness about paris … i never really liked that city. at the beginning, yes, but the more i visit for work or for pleasure, the more i find the resolve of not living there. but since you are moving there, you will be just a eurostar trip from me so maybe my opinions about the city will change!
tommpouce says:
Feb 11, 2007
oh, and it’s paradise city for inline skating!!! Every sunday, Bastille, 2pm. And every friday, montparnasse, 9pm (or is it 10?)
26 hours done, probably 10 more required. Keep a box on the side for me, and a broomstick, in case we have to fight evil aliens.
kala says:
Feb 11, 2007
ladycharlie > yeah, i felt the same way. During all my visits to Paris, one month was the longest I stayed, and that was after I’d done the tourist thing. In such a short time I couldn’t wait to get away. I think it was due to the fact that we were staying in hotels, living out of our suitcases, and didn’t have the comforts of our own place. I suppose this time it will be better. And yeah, whenever you come over, let’s meet up!
tommpouce > ah, you read my mind. I was a bit worried that we couldn’t do any more inline skating, convinced that there are no piste cyclables there, but Julien told me that there are loads of pistes where I can go skating. That is, of course, if it isn’t raining, snowing, hailing, or being too warm to do any physical activity. So, maybe we should go blading one time!
Dontcha worry, I have a broom with your name of it!
Gel says:
Feb 11, 2007
Happy for you!
Now, when I fulfill the honeymoon dream to go there with Ron(hopefully early next year *fin-gArs crossed man!*) then you and Julien should take us out for a nice french feast. Would you believe I have yet to claim french food as one of my favorites…here’s the chance!
Oh, let’s bask in the presence of the Hermes doorway that snubbed Oprah!
chinita_jill says:
Feb 11, 2007
oh wow…paris! i thought of all the museums and thought, swerte ni kala!
good luck with the move! have you read “a year in the merde”? could be a good welcome book to paris 
kala says:
Feb 11, 2007
Gel> Whoa, seriously, early next year?! Honeymoon as in that thing that happens AFTER the wedding?!! YES!!! Am crossing my fingers!!! We will definitely meet. No more of that thing like last year’s booboo, where we were both in Paris but couldn’t meet up. Yay!
Chinita Jill > I know, all I have to think about are the museums and I get psyched up about living there. PLUS!!! All the bands that hold concerts in Paris *hugging myself*
Haven’t read “a year in the merde” but with a title like that, I think i’ll try to find it
kat says:
Feb 11, 2007
Aix-en-Provence sounds like a gorgeous, picturesque place –your apt w/ the pool sounds perfect! but i know you’ll have tons of fun in Paris! and i’m sure find an equally suitable flat to boot!
thanks so much for your compliments and thinking i’m a cool mom! haha..i’m far from it, especially when i smell like spit-up and have huge dark undereye circles! but thanks for making my day!
kala says:
Feb 11, 2007
Kat > I think the spit-up and eyebags are inevitable, but you manage to pull it off, stylishly may i add!
haze says:
Feb 11, 2007
huhhh, this make us sad
we’ll be missing you a lot guys! these means no rollerblading in Toulon, no tennis during WE, no afternoon swimming during summer, get together (pinoy food tripping w/o you)…
Paris is not my preference too but let’s just see the positive side of moving there ! A better job for Julien, more possibilities for you to find a job, there are more Filipinos living there, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee & museums
…Goodluck to the two of you Kala and Julien we will surely miss you!
We can then visit you sometime in Paris !
Next year if you are free to visit Corsica it’ll be our pleasure to have you there!
ruth says:
Feb 11, 2007
i wish i had boxes to pack, too… haay, inggit ako! oh well, goodluck with the move! am excited for you! i hope paris will be good to you…
nicole says:
Feb 11, 2007
change is good for the soul. have a ball, have a grand time searching and getting lost. as anais nin puts it beautifully – life contracts and expands in proportion to one’s courage
on to the next chapter
AnP says:
Feb 11, 2007
goodluck with the move. hope the powers that be in some paris office would be wise enough to snap you up.
Pia says:
Feb 11, 2007
Paris will be lucky to have you both. Best of luck! Change can be a great thing.
duke says:
Feb 11, 2007
best of luck with the move.
I’m glad you are excited with the packing. I hope you will equally excited with the unpacking part!
analyse says:
Feb 11, 2007
uy, bon demenagement! paris will surely open doors of opportunity for you, goodluck!