The washing machine adventure

The "cube"

Now that I am no longer living at my parents, I have to deal with more responsabilities. Laundry is one of them. That is to say, I have to stop going home every week end with my bag full of dirty clothes and let my mum do it for me. I used to do it, because I only lived  45 minutes away. But now, things are different. I have to do my laundry and Guillaume's. We basically spent the first three weeks cleaning our clothes on the sink. It was long, it hurt and it took days to dry. I thought (and I still do) that using the public laundry was too expensive and a waste of time. I finish class quite late and after class, I don't want to spend two hours waiting with weird people. So on my birthday, I asked for money so I could buy my first washing machine. But, Guillaume's grand parents offered us their old washing machine. Great ! I would save my extra money for later and we would have a decent way to wash our clothes ! 

So at the end of September, Guillaume drove to his grands parents to collect our new washing machine. I was really excited, I knew it was old, but I didn't know it was THAT old. When Guillaume went home, I asked him if he needed help but he said no. He walked through the door with a giant cube of plastic which dated back to the 50s and started to explain me how it worked: you had to put the water in it first (not too hot, not too cold), then you had to put the clothes on and close the door with a piece of steel, then you needed to plug it on. AND the cube needed to be near a sink or a bathroom to throw the water out. Easy peasy ! It took us about 30 minutes to do so and the noise was terrible. For a moment, I thought it was going to break the kitchen worktop, so we decided to move it into the bathroom. Terrible idea ... The pipe went away and the water ran on our kitchen floor. Same thing in the bathroom. It took us about an hour to clean and dry the place.

And its 60 years later version

I was really pissed and annoyed, because I didn't know how to tell Guillaume this wouldn't work. It was too big to fit on our bathroom and way too complicated to use everyday. I mean, I was not going to take two hours everyday doing all these steps to make it work and it was too dangerous (floods + plug = electrocution). On his side, he was upset because he drove a long way for nothing, wasted two hours making it work and cleaning and because he knew I was a bit disappointed. We finally looked at each other and ... honestly, I don't if the situation was that funny or if our nerves just broke down but we burst out laughing. The very same night, I ordered a proper washing machine online. Nothing fancy, but at least it works !

Letter to my Boyfriend #1

Before your departure to England - January 2012

Dear Guillaume,

When we first met, things were a bit complicated. I was not ready for a relationship and everything was confusing, but deep inside, I knew it was love at first sight. When I saw you that night, I felt something. There were thirty unknown people in that room and yet we talked for hours. I remember when you took my hand so I won't get lost in that nightclub. I remember the electricity in the air. After a few weeks, we started dating, but I wanted some time on my own so I told you I needed space ... But gave you my key anyway ! Then, my flat became yours and we have been dreaming of officially moving in together ever since. It was three years ago ... Then you went to England, I  travelled to Ireland, you moved to another city and we spent the summer appart. How many anniversaries, birthdays, celebrations did we miss ? I do not even remember, I stopped counting, because all that mattered was that in September 2013, we will finally be together. I have been working hard to enter my dream master, so I could study what I really like and move in with you.

Our first anniversary in the Île de Ré

And here we are, moving in together tomorrow afternoon. We talked about it so much I do not even realize this is actually happening ! I will start everyday next to you, have breakfast, lunch and dinner with you, fall asleep in your arms while watching a movie and lay down by your side at night. I won't have to be away from you anymore, and I won't feel alone in my cold bed during winter time. I won't be lonely, because you will be there. We won't miss my birthday, our anniversary or Valentine's Day because our schedules do not allow us to see each other. Distance won't be an issue.

First trip to Ireland together - April 2011

This sounds perfect, but I know it won't be that easy. I promise I will stay calm when you won't clean the flat, because I know I am too maniac. I promise I will share the wardrobe with you, because I know how many clothes I own ! I promise I will prepare you breakfast on Sunday mornings and yes, I will go to the bakery to buy french baguette and croissants, even if I am ugly when I wake up and hate rushing outside without any makeup on. I promise I will surprise you everyday, even after a long day at school, even when I will be tired or sick. I promise I will do my best to make you happy, to make you forget about the hardness of life, to make you feel safe. Because I love you and I promise I will always do.