I swear the 7.51 bus has now become the 7.56 bus. From a dataset of two. That’s quite some extrapolation. What’s the chance that a bus can be late in a specific way two days in a row? It’s something that requires the binomial distribution formula to solve… But I digress. I did like maths at school.
We gather together to celebrate today a whole month of my internship, and the fact that yours truly has opened a French bank account!
And also that A La Mère de Famille chocolate is quite good. As all of my colleagues usually bring sweet treats in to celebrate their anniversaries, or when they’ve come back from a holiday or work trip abroad, my elated self, having sat through the (rewarding) ordeal of the process of opening an account (which required 1. ID, 2. Proof of income, 3. Proof of address, and 4. A bank statement), thought that yes, today was the day to waltz into this library of foil, ribbons, cellophane, and quasi-lifelike marchpane fruits.
In France, if you are trying to open an account in branch, I have the impression that they want you to book an appointment first. This is possible to do by calling them, or, as I did, walking into a bank and arranging an appointment then.
Anyway – chocolate.
I am going to say this, that it is not very student budget friendly. However, the price definitely reflects the quality. These guys have been making chocolate since the 18th century, and they have the savoir-faire. Also, what is it with my track record (2) of French confectioners flirting with me? Or is it just that this is what they say to all the girls? The first time was in Tignes, with my buying nougat at a market in Val Claret, where I seem to recall that I was told I was pretty, and asked if I would come again, and this time, same smile, same attentiveness, same suave, smooth talking, and 4 extra wrapped chocolates added into my bag! Look, if I encounter this a third time, this is statistically significant. Ah no – Then, I would also have to conduct a confectioner-watching study, pen and notebook in hand, dressed in an appropriate Gadget-like trenchcoat and moviestar sunglasses (darling, I have no others), lurking in a corner, to see if that is just their way of selling this stuff that is lethal to the teeth, the waistline, and the pocket, but does give you temporary happiness. After that, I would have to compare the results using a chi-squared test, where the null hypothesis is that confectioners are all just charmers, and the alternative hypothesis is that I am a modern-day Truly Scrumptious. Talking of which, did you know that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was written by James Bond author Ian Fleming?
I pity the man who marries me. He will either have to be a statistician and deal with my starry eyes, or he will not have the slightest knowledge of statistics, and still have to deal with my starry eyes.
My colleagues enjoyed the chocolate.
This afternoon I did another training session on reimbursement processing in which I severely regretted having had but 6.6 hours sleep, and had to apologise to the accountant following several yawns. I’ve also noticed that when I sleep less I become both more forgetful and more anxious, which tracks. I said it before, and I’ll say it again – sleep is very important. I’ve also succeeded in locking myself out of the accounting software, which isn’t great, and will require some thought tomorrow, or getting in contact with Technical Support to beg for a new password.
Do not make a knot with your tongue that you cannot undo with your teeth.
In looking this proverb up I have discovered two things: 1) It is supposed to be the origin of the colloquial term “to tie the knot”, and 2) Apparently people can tie knots in cherry stalks with only their tongues and teeth, which is both bizarre and quite cool, and also not entirely innocent, as I further discover.
I discovered later today, when obliged to clean the residue trays of a particularly capricious coffee machine and rejoicing, because that is something I know how to do, as a catering assistant, that one of our managers also worked in a kitchen before becoming a research assistant, and subsequently a manager. It makes a girl proud.
Though I came home late from a very long day at work, I came home to another letter from my friend, who properly outdid themselves. I thought their last letter was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and then I saw this one. Folk are being put to shame.
And another dear friend texted me today about his internship, working in a zoo! This is insanely cool.
Another friend suggested we organise a party for my birthday, which is next Tuesday. Now, a party may be much, but I will think carefully on what I might be able to arrange. I’m thinking the theatre, or an exhibition, and dinner, but if anyone else has any suggestions for someone who is turning a year or so older than Cyrano was when he thought to confess his feelings to Roxane, please let me know.
All in all, it has been a lovely, successful, beautiful day. I hope it has been for you, too ❤
At Least Afloat 