Nice, France

I’ve always wanted to learn French and move into a small town in France since I left Club Med Cherating Beach in 2010. Perhaps my experience dealing with a lot of French people there made me curious how it’s like to live in France. No, not Paris. I want to experience living in a small town where I can get my coffee and fresh baguette from the same boulangerie every morning, then go to my French class, maybe hike or explore neighbouring towns on the weekend. You know a girl can dream. I took few French courses in Jakarta then Singapore but I always knew one day I’m going to pack my bag once again and learn French in France maybe for few weeks, months, or a year. In the beginning of 2018 I found myself browsing more about learning French in France. I even asked couple of my friends which city would they recommend for me to learn French. A good friend of mine suggested Nice. Just because French Riviera has always well known for great weather all year and I can explore Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur from Cannes, Antines, St Tropez, etc. Of course at that time I was just daydreaming, never really took it seriously. Then last June 2018 I found myself craving for new challenges so bad. I’ve been doing the same thing at work for almost 3 years, even though I love music and my job so much but I just wanted a big change, I wanted to to grow, learn new things and meet new people. I was too scared to quit my dream job, give up all my privileges, step out of my comfort zone and start all over again even all the signs told me it’s time to move on. Well in the end I made the right decision. Always choose growth over comfort. Plus one of the benefits of starting over; you can always look at your bucket list and see if there’s any dreams you haven’t pursued yet so it’s time to make it happen. I have a long list, from the countries I’ve always wanted to visit, my next goals, dream companies, dream jobs, and of course learning French in France. Now or never, right?

A week before I left Asia for Europe I sent an email to some of the French schools around France. In less than 24 hour, one school in Nice replied me all the information from course fee to accommodation. They also sent me a picture of my dream studio apartment ( with a KITCHEN ), only few minutes walk to school, close to the beach, close to the city center and there’s even one pole dance studio in the area. PARFAIT! See that’s the beauty of life, right when you let go, magical things happen. I love my new home, new school and new routines there; French lessons everyday from 8.30 am - 2.30 pm, grab coffee and crepe with my girls after school at our favorite cafe Pop-O-Thym ( Jean Marie the restaurant owner is the sweetest man ), then grocery shopping, cooking. I didn’t have kitchen in my old apartment in Singapore so after almost three years eating outside, it was soooo good to cook and prepare your own meals even though I’m not a good cook. On the weekends, I’d go out and explore neighbouring towns from Cannes to Menton. Here in Nice, I learned not only French but also how to improve my photography and get better at pole dance. Only 15 minutes walk from my apartment, I practiced pole dance twice to three times a week with bunch of fearless, strong girls at French Pole Riviera. I remember the night I visited the studio, Juliette the studio owner and students welcomed me with huge smile, arms wide open and so much love. One of the students who happened to be an artist was so kind to invite me to his art studio and made a special pole dancer statue for me. Never thought in a strange place like Nice I’d meet new family; from businesswomen who never stop improving themselves to passionate dancers, teachers, students…My short adventure in Provence Cote d’Azur was nothing short of magical. Once again a friendly reminder that if you decide to settle for less, you deserve less. But if you’re brave enough to embrace the uncertainty of life, chase some things that you can’t stop thinking about, focus on yourself and put your happiness first, you really never know what’s waiting for you in the corner. This city and everyone I met along the journey have been my favorite highlights of 2018. I can not wait to return to Provence Cote d’Azur sometimes this year, or maybe other cities in France. I always believe this is just the beginning, and what’s coming next is going to be even bigger and special.