A speedy September

As always the concept of time eludes me… While it has only been 3 weeks since the start of the New Year in France, it feels as if time is passing me by. With the summer in the not far off distance, the fall in France is an unwritten time of new beginnings, a new year of sorts, akin to a fiscal year of renewed motivation and opportunities. Aside from the south of France which peaks in the summer, the rest of France shuts down only to re-emerge well rested and revving to go come September. And it is off to a fairly decent start… Within the first week, I was gainfully employed, entangled in never-ending rouge tape, pondering other new starts; all the while frantically searching for a legal parking space. And alas, the city of Lyon has returned to its regular routine with enhanced fervour and appeal, as the Lyonnais are rearing to go from a summer of anything but work or worry.

And 3 weeks in, my over analytical brain threatens to run on overdrive of confusion, loneliness, welcomed responsibility, new experiences and catapulting forwardness…  So as I write this post, I am reminded of the fact that 3 weeks is much shorter than the 10+ months I have been here, and the amount of actual, real, possible, probable and imagined opportunities that have materialized are more than I care to handle, but a great reminder of the importance of patience and trust in time and space and the natural order of things.

So… in the last 3 weeks I have ….

Started a new job.

Began exploring and developing private English lessons.

Learned for the second or third time that I don’t qualify for French unemployment –

well maybe or maybe not? The rouge ruban is long, thick and knotted! (More to come…..)

Looked into other possible fun employment ideas…

such as English teaching theatrical style…

Country driving complete with another parking ticket!

This time parked in a legal space but without proof of payment (oops!)

Counting centimes and checking and re-checking bank statements to fund an

upcoming October sejour to Scotland!

Etc, etc, etc…..

Always trying to err on the side of positivity, I must also share that the last 3 weeks have also dragged on slowly; fuelled by the expected and actual loneliness that is inevitable in a foreign land where despite time, each day, opportunity and experience is a challenge… and one that is amplified coming off of a summer of heartfelt friendships and connections.  And so, I also need to remind myself that this too is normal and natural and okay!

Aix-les-Bains

In between my birthday, job interview and training date, I decided, after much contemplation and hesitation to go away for a solo celebratory birthday weekend! After countless internet searches, debating between places to visit, where to stay, how to get there, and if it was in my best financial interest (um, that was a no brainer – NO), I decided that my desire to treat myself outweighed the impractical and practical reasons for either going or not. And so, after debating between Dijon and somewhere near the mountains, Aix-les-Bains came out on top for its mountainous charm! Dijon, however, continues to remain a dream destination, even if it is only because I have grown to love, appreciate and crave the distinct pungent flavour of Dijon mustard!

After a few phone calls and emails to clarify hotel details, en français (of course), I was booked for a two night stay in Aix-les-Bains, armed with a pre-programmed GPS, and a playlist of relaxing melodies.

 Sample road trip song ~ Bon Iver (Calgary)

Saturday morning, August 27, was relaxed and low-key and I took my time packing and preparing for my approaching getaway!! A short one hour drive along the Auto-route and I arrived amidst the mountainous backdrop of the quaint little town of Aix-les-Bains. Situated near the Swiss border, on the Lac du Bourget, with views of the Jura Mountains, and the foothills of the Alps, I was transported to a state of instant serenity.

Why am I living in a city?

I should be living near the mountains and forests,

surrounded by trees, trails and hills!

Too early to check into the hotel, I parked the car and wandered around the town, stopping in a few shops to check out faded and dated postcards and admire the quietness of small town living. It was during this time that I remembered that Aix-les-Bains is popular for its thermal baths and alternative medical therapies, drawing primarily seniors to its renowned treatment spas. So, as it happened, I rang in my 34^th year, in a town of white-hairs and walkers ;) How’s that for feeling initially apprehensive about turning a year older!

 

After checking in, I took a 30 second stroll to the tourist office next door and armed with a town map set out to explore the few attractions, most of which could be seen from across the street. I wandered around the landmarks near the hotel, including the Mairie (Town Hall), town church, local park and town square. I roamed aimlessly without the aid of the map and through the Bois Vidal, a hilly nature trail with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

Mairie (Town Hall)

Parc de Verdure

View from Bois Vidal

Old well in Bois Vidal

 

 

Back in the town centre I stopped to smile and briefly watch the townsfolk dance to the amplified accordion sounds during the early evening festivities in the town square. Much of the town shut down early, except for a few restaurants within the main square, and so it was an early night with the view of the lighted Mairie from my window, and a decadent chocolate cake-like dessert for a birthday treat.

Town Square Party & Dancing

Birthday Cake :)

View of the Mairie from my window

The following day I walked to the local church (Notre Dame), where I attended a French mass, followed by lunch on an outside terrace, enjoying the best burger (with dijon) thus far in France with a panaché (a limonade flavoured beer). With a full and happy belly I walked back toward the church and to the Faure Museum next door. There, I spent a couple of hours admiring impressionist art by Rodin and other French painters and sculptors. The afternoon skies were sunny and clear and the air was warm; perfect for walking and sitting along the Lake (with the rest of the tourists).  A simple salad with goat cheese for dinner and my final night in Aix-les-Bains was nearing an end.

Fantastic lunch!

 

Faure Museum

View between the trees of the Lac du Bourget Promenade

Lac du Bourget

The next day, after breakfast I decided to head out early and to take the back roads home, avoiding the Auto-route. The GPS predicted a 2 hour drive, but was quickly recalculated when I decided to take a scenic drive through the mountains and down to the Abbey D’Hautecombe (in Saint Pierre de Curtille). I spent a few hours winding up and throughout the hills and mountains, stopping along route to admire the view and snap a few pics; and then toured the peaceful grounds of the Abbey before returning home in the early afternoon, where as is usual, things returned to normal…

A view along one of the many stops along the mountainous drive

(The camera is pretty well worn from resting on rocks & tree trunks...)

Abbey d'Hautecombe

Abbey d'Hautecombe

 

Bulot en Anglais

After nearly a year of lazy motivation, a short stint job, and moments of longing for the routine and familiarity of a life before, I have once again joined the ranks of the working folk! For someone that has almost always worked 2+ jobs simultaneously; choosing to spend a year (refusing an unsuitable job, working in a humbling short-term contract job, and spending the summer travelling and spending once saved earnings); was once unimaginable and entirely outside of my sensible practicalities and personality!

But, as my nagging inner self grew louder and my inherent need to feel productive, useful and helpful materialized I am now seizing the opportunity to regain some of that lost, but not forgotten, (and at times needed), sense of routine and daily purpose. Oh yeah, and that pesky little financial necessity component plays a part too ;)

After countless resume updates, and numerous online applications before and during the summer months, I finally received a call… The timing could not have been any better with the advertisement posted just days after returning to Lyon, and the interview scheduled a few days later. And even more auspicious was that the interview was scheduled for the morning of my birthday! And a whopping anticipation of an interview it was, as it was scheduled for 10:00 am and was predicted to last 1 ½ - 2 hours!!

Surprisingly I didn’t feel nervous for the interview itself, and it was because I felt confident as;

1) it was my birthday ;)
2) the posting was in English and for an English speaking position
3) the description of the job was within my field of experience and interest
And…
4) as I have learned so far in France, typically if you are called for an interview it is usually followed with an offer, and with a interview time of almost 2 hours there had to be more than just, describe yourself & your experience…

Actually, wait, I take that back…. I was slightly nervous, but only because I made it to the interview at 10:00 on the dot, as I opted not to walk the short 15 minutes to the interview, and instead decided to drive to make sure I was 100% clear on where the office was located… which only resulted in driving around for 15 minutes before finding parking halfway between my house and the company!

The interview was a success, obviously, and I was offered the job and asked to begin training the following Tuesday! It probably helped that it was conducted in English with a small bit in French, namely my spare time interests (loisirs). Yes, in France it is customary to include on your resume (CV), and to talk about in interviews your hobbies. Likewise, a French CV always includes a passport style picture in the upper right corner, your birthday, social status (married, single…) and other potentially discriminatory details. Although in this case I applied using my regular English version CV, sans the intimate personal details.

I left the interview feeling overjoyed and excited with a sense of ease, as the majority of my fretting and worry over the summer was, as usual, unwarranted. I should have listened to my inner intuition all along and trusted that everything would work out without a need for over thinking or projection.

One week has since passed and I have worked 3 ‘full’ workdays so far, following a day of mentally exhausting training…. I was not prepared for my workday to be conducted almost entirely in French!! The training itself was a short day of 3 ½ hours, and consisted of 3 parts; one and a half hours of general company training (en français), and one hour each of specialized project training on each of the projects I would be working on (encore, en français).

…Okay so what is the job exactly?... Well, I am working for Registrat-Mapi, which is a company that conducts late phase epidemiological studies on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. My role is to contact physicians in the UK during various phases of the studies to recruit for, and monitor their participation; and all the other organizational, information and administration that goes along with it.

As I prepare to enter my first official full week in this new role, I am both excited and nervous, as I have not grasped my actual role entirely. I continue to sort through a 75% understanding of my responsibilities, as most of the documents, instructions and explanations are in French! Although this will be a good challenge for me, even if it also challenges my sense of personal security, confidence and shyness all at the same time.