I'm currently in the process of setting up my own business, as I've mentioned here before. The hard part has not been the French bureaucracy, which I honestly thought would be the real nightmare, but the confidence that I need to take a job and just get on with it.
I've done hundreds of translations inside businesses, advising people on how to word their correspondence, their presentations, their reports, but I just can't seem to find that same confidence to work alone.
Admittedly, it has only been three weeks since I got my auspicious numero de SIRET, but I can't help thinking there are stacks of other translators tapping away more quickly, more effectively and more confidently than I can.
I'm also using the two days a week I have supposedly to concentrate on my business to see family, friends and take short trips. I'm in England at the moment visiting my family and it's so lovely not to be flying in late on a Friday to leave two short days later.
I've been playing with Chloe today at "hidey-boo," her 11-month old charm sweeping away any thoughts I had of applying to more agencies, catching up with old clients and generally networking.
Blood is thicker than water, but I've a feeling my bank balance is going to be getting thinner if I keep this up!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Fairy Godmother
My gorgeous little niece Chloe is being christened in May, and my sister has asked me to be her godmother. I'm really honoured that she asked me, especially since I'm already the Auntie.
Not being entirely sure what the role of a godmother entailed, apart from wearing a big blue cape and brandishing a starry wand, I did some research on my good friend wikipedia. Wiki told me that traditionally, the godparents provide the religious education for the child and that legally I don't have any more right than the next person to take care of the child, should anything happen to her parents.
So, up to now, I'm responsible only for the religious education of the child. Well, not being entirely clueless Bible-wise, I don't mind that. The only thing I'm wondering about is when all of this religious instruction will take place? As I live in France and Chloe lives in the UK, it's not like I can pop over for a Sunday school class once a week.
Anyway, my sister considers all this as symbolic, so there's no real pressure on me to interpret what the Bible may or may not say about sugary chewing gum before bedtime or roller-blading without a helmet.
Now all I have to do is find a god-mothery hat.
Bibbedy-bobbedy-boo!
Not being entirely sure what the role of a godmother entailed, apart from wearing a big blue cape and brandishing a starry wand, I did some research on my good friend wikipedia. Wiki told me that traditionally, the godparents provide the religious education for the child and that legally I don't have any more right than the next person to take care of the child, should anything happen to her parents.
So, up to now, I'm responsible only for the religious education of the child. Well, not being entirely clueless Bible-wise, I don't mind that. The only thing I'm wondering about is when all of this religious instruction will take place? As I live in France and Chloe lives in the UK, it's not like I can pop over for a Sunday school class once a week.
Anyway, my sister considers all this as symbolic, so there's no real pressure on me to interpret what the Bible may or may not say about sugary chewing gum before bedtime or roller-blading without a helmet.
Now all I have to do is find a god-mothery hat.
Bibbedy-bobbedy-boo!
