January 8, 2021

Friday

We love Fridays! This was a big day. I had another appointment with a bank to see about opening an account. I’ve been struggling since I arrived to get an account open because many of the institutions in the area don’t want to deal with the extra paperwork that comes with an international account. I have been denied by several banks because I do not have an NIF number (a number every French person has that serves as their tax ID). We received news before Christmas that another American assistant was able to open an account with the Banque Populaire, so we took the next available appointment on January 8th. We also unearthed another key piece of information- adding two zeros to one’s social security number would allow it to function as a NIF. Who knew?!

I took my time getting ready. I wore my favorite sweater, did my hair, and put on my favorite earrings before heading out to meet Mme Bodet. She waved her crossed fingers at me and declared, “Today’s the day!” We picked up her son for his eye appointment and dropped him off before heading to the bank in the center of Pont-Chéruy.

The appointment was short and sweet. After 20 minutes of scanning paperwork, answering questions, and nervously tapping my foot, I at last had a bank account. I can access it online, through an app, and use a debit card! Things I took completely for granted at home, now seem like a luxury! I am so happy and so excited.

We picked up Mme Bodet’s son and walked down the street to my favorite boulangerie to pick up lunch for him. I got myself a little sandwich and a tarte aux pommes to eat later on. We dropped her son off at school and went upstairs to drop off my account number with the secretary. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get paid by the end of the month! I really hope I can get something soon, I’m running out of cash!

At the boulangerie, I saw a set of the little glass beads you put in your galettes des rois for New Year’s. They come in sets of around 10 pieces and can feature different cartoon characters or animals.

Finally at home, I settled in to watch the news and eat my lunch. I enjoyed the treats that I bought for myself in town!

I spent the rest of the day writing, working on French, and getting organized. In the evening, I decided to try out a new chicken recipe. I’m not a huge chicken fan, thanks to the UM dining halls. However, one week it was the only meat available so I picked some up. I tried a recipe for a dry mustard rub. Shockingly- it turned out great! I paired it with the last of my sweet potato fries. I watched “The Help” on Netflix while I ate.

I got to watch a scary movie with a friend over Netflix Party and chat with another on the phone later in the night. It was a nice and relaxing night.