THE NERD BLOG IS BACK!

by popular demand.

I had considered stopping the nerd blog upon return to France, but this city is too nice to not write about, and nerd blogging has become so much a part of my time here that I want to continue.

Much has happened since I landed a week ago at about this time. Canada was amazing. I can't sum it up except to thank everyone I saw (and thought of dearly) for a great three weeks. To say that it was tough to leave would be a huge understatement. I felt so much at home and it reminded me of what a great city Toronto is and how much I love my fam and friends. So thank you.

Back in Paris, I have been busy and happy and getting used to a new chapter of my life. There is much to report on, so here we go:

1. The new appy is wonderful. My new roomie is Adrix, a Mexican man who has been here a few years and works as a nurse at a hospital. Our paths rarely cross, but when they do, I practice my French and enjoy his company. He's a good roomie and a nice man. The appy itself is in a nice, trendy neighbourhood. The street I walk down every day is a pedestrian market street and I buy all my fruit and veg from the local vendors. I like that. The building has the smallest elevator I have ever seen - fun! I feel safe and happy here and it has everything I need. No complaints whatsoever about this new land. I love that I can have guests here, that I have my own space and can have my own agenda. For large and expensive presies, my addy is:
Emily Hincks
chez FAUVEAU
5, rue Salneuve
75017
Paris France

2. I love, love, love my job. I make good tips, enjoy being Canadian all of the time, and like getting better and better with carrying trays, mental math, etc. The customers are a real mixed crowd of regulars, Frenchies, tourists... I speak French to almost half of the customers, and English the rest. The staff is all really, really nice and I have made a couple of friends that I will hang with this Summer. Canada Day was very memorable. I worked from 6pm-4am and wouldn't have been happier doing anything else here. I am so glad to be working there and am already looking forward to my next shift!

3. Jessica Derventzis, a close friend from Queen's landed on Saturday. We have been having a great time so far. Lot's of tourist things, the highlight being my first time up the Eiffel Tower! We went at night and saw the city of lights from the top, and it was very exciting. We have also walked around a lot, had micmics, partied with other friends, and have eaten delicious crepes. Today we are going on a tour of the opera house and on a boat tour. And tonight we are having a party with all the peeps I know in the city. Maybe 10, including Marni hopefully, another friend from Queen's who happens to be in Paris right now with a gorup of students.

4. Eamonn is a friend from Queen's who is doing a med school placement here in Paris until the end of July. I met him my first afternoon back for beers on the Seine and we have seen each other almost every day since. He is living with his sister and brother in law here and doesn't know many peeps either, so we are good friends. It's awesome to recionnect with him and we've been having a good time. He's also joined the Jess/Emily train these past few days and has had 2 sleepy ovaries at my new place.

5. Raffi is great and trying to work as much as possible. He got into the second year of clown school, along with Viktor, which is great news for them both! Raffi has been full of visitors these days. His two sisters are here, as well as a friend from back home. Jess and I have hung out with them quite a bit, which has been nice. These are the first peeps from Raff's life back home that I've met, and they're all very sweet girls.

6. Tomorrow morning Jess and I leave for Portugal, where we meet Doctor. Jess' dad and step mom have a beach house near Lisbon and we'll be staying with them. I'm reeeeaaalllly excited for the heat and ocean. I'll be there for 5 days (no internet) and it will be a great little vacay! I'm back Monday morning for work that evening.

Phew! Those are the important updates. More to come, no doubt. I hope this finds you all well. Lots of love to Canada!

Signing off,
Hincks.