Tag: life

Elopement marrigae in NYC and sightseeing
Hannah Wilson

Change of Plans: NYC Elopement

2 Comments Diary, Travel

Moving to France to eat croissants and macarons all day might sound “easy” or “spontaneous,” but it actually takes a lot of planning and, how do I put it? …logistical manoeuvres. There are a few ways to get here: as a student, as a student/au pair, as a worker, or as the family member of a European person. The option that made the most sense for Erik and I was to become family members, i.e.: get married.

Up until last week, we had been planning on marrying in Sweden, Erik being a Swede and all. We had the tickets bought, we had plans for me to finally meet his family, and we were about to leave in less than a week. However, when we found out that some documents we sent hadn’t been deemed “official” enough, we had to make a sudden change of plans. It’s not like we have all the time in the world, either – there’s a definite timeline to apply for residency, which is constantly hanging over my head.

Our solution? New York City.

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Hannah Wilson

Visual Diary: Tourist or Resident?

Comments Diary

It’s been nearly a month since I’ve arrived in France, and one question has been rolling around in my mind constantly – am I a tourist, or do I live here? I think the answer to that question is a definitive, neither.

Paris doesn’t have the same angelic glow it has when first laying eyes upon it, the boulangeries and rows of pretty buildings now feel normal. I still find it charming and beautiful, but the sense of adventure and discovery and exhilaration one feels when traveling to new places is definitely lacking.

I’ve been splitting my time between touristy outings, household tasks, and establishing new routines; Finding a favorite bakery, becoming familiar with the layout of the nearest Monoprix (A french supermarket), and learning to do laundry without a dryer. I also play a lot of video games and watch a great deal of TV. I take sporadic trips into Paris when I’m feeling energetic, but the bulk of my time has been spent doing “homey” things.

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Hannah Wilson

This Week…

Comments Diary, Paris

What have I been up to this week? For starters, I got a new pair of shoes at Printemps, which I am very pleased with. I also met up with some friends, did some exploring, and some more “settling in.”

Last Friday I met up with a friend from California and her roommate, who are both studying abroad for the semester. We did a little vintage shopping, and I found myself a perfect-fitting tartan mini skirt at Espace Kiliwatch. I love this store. Yes, it’s wildly overpriced, BUT it has the best stock, and really is très cool. Rue Tiquetonne has a handful of really unique shops, all with an urban vibe – plus, it’s narrow and extremely charming.

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Hannah Wilson

Visual Diary: Exploring Versailles

Comments Diary, Versailles

Today I decided to explore my new town a bit more, get familiar with the streets, scope out restaurants, and make mental notes of essentials like dry cleaners and bakeries. It was quite brisk out, with a freezing wind on the larger boulevards, but as long as I kept a quick pace, it was manageable.

Here is my visual diary of the day, or at least half of it. The remainder I spent watching Kiki’s Delivery Service under a blanket.

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Hannah Wilson

The day has come / what to wear to the airport

Comments Diary, Style

The day that I’ve been anticipating for an entire year is finally here! Moving to France. It’s a huge step, and although I feel the butterflies, I also feel a sense of calm. The kind of calm that comes when everything feels right – like it’s all going to work out. I had a bad week of worry, fear, and anxiety, but I’m glad to say that at this point, I’m feelin’ gooood.

Deciding what to wear on an international flight has always been a slight dilemma for me. I want to be comfortable, but I also want to look like an international woman of mystery. On top of that, I have to wear the heaviest and bulkiest things in my wardrobe, since they take up too much space in my limited suitcase space. With all this in mind, this is what I came up with:

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Hannah Wilson

Why being 23 is the worst

Comments Diary

BuzzFeed was right – 23 IS the worst year of your 20s. We all know it because we hear it all the time – life after college is tough. It’s the great unknown, the first real step into making your own life. Yes, leaving home for college at the fresh young age of 18 is a major step, but in many ways, your activities for the next four to five years are largely determined by parents and degree programs. It’s after college, though, when stepping stones become nonexistent, and there isn’t any clear goal in sight.

Maybe if you chose nursing or some other pragmatic major, things make a little more sense for you, and finding a job just happens naturally. But for those of us who choose majors in the liberal arts, the path seems much more obscured.

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