Ahhh Paris...
Now you will have to excuse my English for this entry because I have only been speaking french for the last two weeks. Since my return I have been scrambling for almost every English word in the dictionary and although you can't really hear it, my French accent is stronger than ever. I also spent the first few days after my arrival fighting against the 6 hour Jet Lag. So Today, I finally found the physical and creative strength to start writing you all about my fabulous Parisian adventures.
I am back from my two week vacation from the city of love and romance. Seeing all of these beautiful things in such a short period of time has been very overwhelming. After visiting so many castles and museums I have been completely drenched in France's incredible history. Many people were warning us that maybe two weeks in Paris was too long, but I don't think it would have been possible to see all the things I have seen and enjoy the city like I have in less than two weeks. In fact, I wish we would have stayed longer.
I went to Paris with my mother and my younger brother. My mother offered me and my brother this trip as a graduation gift. I guess you can agree that we are quite spoiled, but I also have to say that we probably and definitely deserved it. The family has experienced a lot of ups and downs in the last couple of months so it was nice to get away from everything for two weeks. However, so many times I wished that I had my friends there with me to see all of this wonder. In fact there was this one night when we were having a pic-nic on Les Champs de Mars, the huge lawn space in front of the Eiffel Tower. We had dinner there one night and we were surrounded by groups of friends that also brought their food and copious amount of wine (because you see, you can drink in public spaces in France.) It was like a giant garden party by the most beautiful monument of the world. It was so crowded and all you could hear was the loud humming sound of friends having a good time. Sure it was nice to be with my family, we had brought a nice assortment of Lebanese dishes and 2 bottles of wine, but I also wished that one day I could do the same with my friends. That is what they do in France, they hardly spend any time at home alone and they are always out gallivanting with their friends enjoying themselves. We had taken a cruise on the Seine River one night, and we could see all of these French people dancing La Salsa and the Meringue on random quays along the river surrounded by friends eating and passing a bottle of wine. French people seem so carefree; nothing seems to matter to them other than being in good company and to have a good time no matter what. Life does not seem so complicated there.
Love does not seem so complicated there either. Everywhere you look couples are holding hands and kissing. These people do not hide their love for each other, even if they are in public spaces. For us here, this could make people feel awkward and uncomfortable, but for the French, Love conquers all and they do not care about what others think! There is nothing better than to be in love! Also they don't seem to make relationships seem so difficult. There was a legitimate sign that was put up in one of the subways stations that said, ''To be happy is to be in love.'' You know all of the questions you ask yourself when u start a relationship? ''Am I coming on too strong? Should I be worried if he doesn't call me? How long should I wait before I tell him that I love him?'' Over there, they go with the flow; there are no games and no limits. Love takes its course as freely and as normally as it should. Nothing gets in the way of it. Life can be difficult, but love does not have to be. If things in your life are not going as smoothly as it should, there is always this love that you can fall back on. Because let's face it, being in love is probably the best feeling in the world, so why spoil it?
I have a lot more to say about my stay in Paris. So please come back for my next entry.
Je vous aime!
a la prochaine,
e.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
It all happened so fast.
One day I was looking for jobs in my province and on the next I was offered a job to teach English and French in Japan. I spontaneously jumped on the occasion without really thinking about everything this would entail.
I became excited about leaving a country in which I lived all my life. Finally, this offered a fresh new avenue where I could start from scratch: make some new friends, broaden my cultural horizons, make this an experience of a lifetime and maybe find a new love (I am a romantic that way.)
However, this is not a move down the street but to the opposite side of the planet. More and more everyday I start to feel a little bit more anxious about this whole journey. Of course, I am still really excited and enthusiastic about the whole experience, but I don’t think it would be normal if I didn’t feel any kind of fear, right? You see, in Japan, I will stand out (although I’m only 5"2'), they will want to know everything about me and what I am doing in their country. In a way, this might make it easier for me to make friends and learn the language, but this is definitely not something I am used to over here. The difference in cultures is very frightening to me. Will they understand my sense of humour, for example? Will I be able to be myself in a country that has such different customs? Or will they let me be myself just because I am a foreigner? How will I adapt to J-pop? How will I learn to take Japanese pop music seriously? No, but with all seriousness, this is not a vacation, but a year long contract. It is also quite possible that I decide to stay longer. I seem to adapt myself well to new surroundings and I am an all around positive person. I will make this experience my own and surely make the best of it!
It is common to hear about people going to teach English in Japan. Japan along with many other Asian countries is in great need of English teachers. Most schools and programs that offer these classes are willing to do anything to entice foreigners to work for them. For example, like in my case, some will pay for your plane ticket and even have a furnished apartment waiting for you steps away from work. You see in my case, the school where I am going to teach is in need of someone to replace a French teacher. So not only am I going to be teaching English, but I will also be teaching French. As my employer was explaining to me, it is an European-style school where they teach English, French, Spanish and even Italian. Apparently, these language schools exist because Japanese people are fascinated with European culture, especially French culture. Did you know that many Japanese women actually go under the knife to have eyes ''a la Europeene?'' Go figure… but my employer was very excited when I told him that I was going to be spending two weeks in Paris. I'll have to make sure to bring back precious memories for my future students.
Speaking of Paris, I will be leaving this Wednesday. I look at this trip as a way to observe and understand a different culture and see how I can adapt myself to it. Sure, it is Paris and it is not much different than North America, but it is altogether a different country. France has different customs, politics and it has been said to me that Paris has its own slang called Argo (I am not sure if this is how you spell it.) What I am trying to say here is that 2 weeks in a different country will be some kind of test before I face the biggest cultural challenge of all: Japan.
Till next time!
e.
One day I was looking for jobs in my province and on the next I was offered a job to teach English and French in Japan. I spontaneously jumped on the occasion without really thinking about everything this would entail.
I became excited about leaving a country in which I lived all my life. Finally, this offered a fresh new avenue where I could start from scratch: make some new friends, broaden my cultural horizons, make this an experience of a lifetime and maybe find a new love (I am a romantic that way.)
However, this is not a move down the street but to the opposite side of the planet. More and more everyday I start to feel a little bit more anxious about this whole journey. Of course, I am still really excited and enthusiastic about the whole experience, but I don’t think it would be normal if I didn’t feel any kind of fear, right? You see, in Japan, I will stand out (although I’m only 5"2'), they will want to know everything about me and what I am doing in their country. In a way, this might make it easier for me to make friends and learn the language, but this is definitely not something I am used to over here. The difference in cultures is very frightening to me. Will they understand my sense of humour, for example? Will I be able to be myself in a country that has such different customs? Or will they let me be myself just because I am a foreigner? How will I adapt to J-pop? How will I learn to take Japanese pop music seriously? No, but with all seriousness, this is not a vacation, but a year long contract. It is also quite possible that I decide to stay longer. I seem to adapt myself well to new surroundings and I am an all around positive person. I will make this experience my own and surely make the best of it!
It is common to hear about people going to teach English in Japan. Japan along with many other Asian countries is in great need of English teachers. Most schools and programs that offer these classes are willing to do anything to entice foreigners to work for them. For example, like in my case, some will pay for your plane ticket and even have a furnished apartment waiting for you steps away from work. You see in my case, the school where I am going to teach is in need of someone to replace a French teacher. So not only am I going to be teaching English, but I will also be teaching French. As my employer was explaining to me, it is an European-style school where they teach English, French, Spanish and even Italian. Apparently, these language schools exist because Japanese people are fascinated with European culture, especially French culture. Did you know that many Japanese women actually go under the knife to have eyes ''a la Europeene?'' Go figure… but my employer was very excited when I told him that I was going to be spending two weeks in Paris. I'll have to make sure to bring back precious memories for my future students.
Speaking of Paris, I will be leaving this Wednesday. I look at this trip as a way to observe and understand a different culture and see how I can adapt myself to it. Sure, it is Paris and it is not much different than North America, but it is altogether a different country. France has different customs, politics and it has been said to me that Paris has its own slang called Argo (I am not sure if this is how you spell it.) What I am trying to say here is that 2 weeks in a different country will be some kind of test before I face the biggest cultural challenge of all: Japan.
Till next time!
e.
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