Happy New Year, everyone!
I don't know about you, but I feel like this year went by extremely fast (or maybe it's just because I'm getting older). It seems like just yesterday I was setting my 2024 goals... or trying to – I never quite found the time. So, in order to make the clock slow down just a bit, I thought I would take a moment to reflect with you on some of my accomplishments from this past year.
In previous blog posts I've spoken about imposter syndrome and how difficult it can be to celebrate our own successes. I've decided to fight back against this reticence and show you how empowering it can be to simply be proud of ourselves for the littlest and the biggest achievements. I've been living in France for over five years now, and it hasn't always been easy to navigate moving to a new country and building a life for myself here... so I'm going to give myself a few pats on the back now! You should all do the same!
My 2024 Accomplishments
CAP Cuisine, acquired
First and foremost, I finished my CAP Cuisine (culinary degree) and passed the exam with flying colors (mention très bien) – I was pretty happy with my smoked salmon and leek quiche, lamb stew and rice pilaf on test day. Well, I was mostly happy with the fact that I turned in something edible and didn't cut myself (too badly). It wasn't the easiest of journeys, and I'm so proud of the progress I made, all that I learned, and the friendships I made during my program.
A new challenge: my pastry degree After finishing my alternance at La Quille this summer, in September I began a new program, a Certificat de Spécialité in plated desserts, at a fine-dining restaurant just outside of Mulhouse. In between working at the restaurant and taking classes, I already feel like I've come so far, both in technique and confidence. Plus, the team at La Maison Kieny is a joy to work with, and I've been loving creating original desserts from specific basket ingredients at school. I can't wait to keep learning and growing!
A French driver's licence, finally I've had my driver's licence in America since I was 16 (passed on the first try), but since moving to France in 2019, I haven't driven consistently (or at all...) for five years. So, in 2024, I made it my mission to reclaim my independence, say goodbye to public transport and liberate my own personal Uber driver (a.k.a. my boyfriend). I failed – then quickly passed – my theory exam in April and began driving lessons in August. In between navigating roundabouts and priorités à droit and learning how to drive stick, I felt like a newborn baby taking the wheel for the first time ever.
And yet, after 23 hours of lessons – of crying and stalling and checking my blind spots – I passed my French driving exam on my first try in November, and I promptly bought my first car. I'd say that's a pretty big deal! It's absolutely changed my life so far, especially as I've regained my confidence in the driver's seat.
Hosting not one, but two gourmet English workshops
As an English teacher and now proud budding chef, my goal has always been to bring the two together, and in 2024 I managed to do so not once, but twice! In August, I hosted my first-ever English workshop and brunch at my previous workplace, La Quille. I cooked everything from A to Z and organized the activities for my 10 brave participants (English games, discussion questions and more). Then, in November, I hosted my second event – another foodie English workshop, this time Thanksgiving-themed, accompanied by all-you-can-eat comforting soups and pies. It was so wonderful seeing all of the nine participants (none of whom English was their first language) connect and become more and more comfortable with each other over a delicious meal. I absolutely cannot wait to continue hosting these original events that showcase both my experience with language instruction and my newfound technical skills in the kitchen.
Creating my small business
Finally moving forward and hosting these two English events gave me the kick in the pants I needed to register my small business as a micro-entreprise in France. It's a fairly straightforward process to register, but what comes next will be a bit more convoluted (once I start actually making money, in fact). Nonetheless, I'm so glad that I took this step – I feel more legitimate, and it will be important when I continue hosting events and growing with Une Bouchée A Day (stay tuned!).
Getting more involved in the Mulhouse community
Another exciting accomplishment this year has been my involvement in some new aspects of the Mulhouse community, in part thanks to my Instagram, and also thanks to my language skills. First of all, for the past year I've been recording English translations of the audio-guides for the free contemporary art museum in Mulhouse, called the Kunsthalle. It's been so much fun, and I'm so grateful to be a part of their awesome exhibitions and help make them accessible to everyone.
Secondly, I've also been hired by the city of Mulhouse to record the voiceover for a promotional video, which has been so so exciting (if not exhausting... how many times can I repeat one word before it's right!?). I love this city, and I'm happy to be a part of its future growth and cultivate relationships with its movers and shakers. Stay tuned for the video to be made public! And finally, I was featured on the "Ambassadors of Mulhouse" Instagram account as a notable social media brand helping to revamp Mulhouse's reputation around town and abroad. So cool!
Thanks for reading! Below are some more accomplishments from my friends and family, to hopefully inspire you (and simply because I'm proud of them too). Comment below or on my Instagram one of your 2024 accomplishments!
I received two promotions at work this year!
- Julien, 32, recruiter for France Travail
I passed the bar exam!
- Annamarie, 27, lawyer
I passed Step 1, the first really important exam to become a doctor.
- Ailish, 27, med student
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