Cherney’s Life Story

Tomorrow is the last day of class, and I am surprised how fast the week went.   We had this awesome teacher this week.  He was very good at what he taught, but he was also a great great guy out of the classroom.  He joined the students at many different functions, like dinner. .  and treated us, as students, with respect.  I was very impressed with this instructor, and wish others were like him.

I don’t know what next week is going to bring, however, I doubt it will be any better than this week.  This place is like a resort, or a prison.  It kind of depends on the mood you are in when you are thinking about it.  There is so much to do, that it is fun.  However, I see to do activities that no one else does.  Where do all the students go when class is out of session?  Seriously, I have no idea.  I don’t really see anyone around when class ends.  Sometimes in the evening I will do something with someone, but during the day. . I have no clue.

I should probably head to town tomorrow, and get out of the business school.  Saturday I am going on a one man road show.  Heading to eastern France.  Probably 80% of the students are heading to Amsterdam.  The thought of going to this city is sort of exciting, but I really have never had the burning desire to go.  I would like to see more France. .  plus, it would be a heck of a lot cheaper to do a day trip then a three day weekend in yet another country.  I am planning on doing some more traveling when classes end, so I would like to save as much as I can until then.

There is a feeling in me that is saying, that I enjoy France. . but there are even more feelings saying that home isn’t all that bad.  I didn’t have those feeling when I was down under.  I’m not ready to head back yet, but I do wish it was easier to talk and socialize with my friends back home.

I miss things I didn’t realize I would miss.  For example, the little things at the store that taste yummy. You can’t find these items here.  Oh, granola bars. .  cliff bars. .  little snacky things.  Oh, soy milk. .  just simple things that I enjoy.  I don’t miss driving, but I do miss the Independence that it represents.  I would love to head out of town and just drive to see the country side.

The people around here are fun and I am enjoying the experience, but there is something to be said about sharing time with those you have grown up with.  Long time friends. .  I can’t imagine the fun I would be having if some of those people were here.

I can’t believe that i have been in france for almost 1 1/2 weeks now.  The time is flying.  I’m having fun. . a lot of fun.  It is a different type of fun, I can’t quite put it into words yet.  But. . .  it is fun.  I have roughly 4 weeks left.  There are some people that I really want to see, and I can’t wait to get back to see them.

I guess this is a good thing?  it will make my time go that much slower!  lol. .

I am going to keep this post short, however, I figured I should write an update since it has been awhile since I last wrote.

Now that I have met all the students in the program, things have gotten a lot easier around here.  Being able to talk and communicate with people has been a blast.  Everyone is very friendly, nice. . and supportive.  I don’t think I could have asked for a better group of students to work with these next 4 weeks.

Yesterday, I had my first full day of class.  It was intense, but doable.  I survived to tell the tale!  Today is a new day, with more school work.  I can’t really say if the classes are harder than in the US, however, I can say that it is cool to be taught by someone how works and lives in another country.  The filter they have over their eyes, or the lens they look through, provides an interesting perspective in class.

What is also nice is the fact that I am only 1 of 2 Americans!  That makes me the minority! How awesome is that?

I didn’t know the other American as well I would have liked before we arrived, but now that we are here. . we have gotten to know each other better.  I try not to hangout with people I know all the time. .  I have gotten a chance to meet the students from Ireland really well.  They are a fun group of people, lots of laughs for sure.

My room is still doing me well, and the weather is just awesome.  Nice and warm, even after sunset.

I am having a great time, and I am very happy I came.  It has to be one of the best experiences of my life.  I didn’t know what to think when I was flying over here.  How lucky am I, being in France. . laughing with new friends, drinking wine, and sharing my stories with you?

I’ll keep you posted.

I had several accomplishment today, that I am very proud of.

First, I was able to purchase a loaf of bread without issue.  The person behind the counter ask me stuff, though I had no idea what she said, I kind of knew what she meant.  I felt like a pro.

Two, I was able to successfully able to find 2 things I have been looking for.  Flip flops, and a pillow.  The pillows here are different than what I was used to, so I went out today to find one that fits my tastes.  I wasn’t having much luck, but then I thought I would ask someone who works in a sheeting place.  Lucky for me, they had them upstairs, not on display.  The flip flops where next to impossible to find in Paris, probably because I didn’t know where to go.  Here, I found sporthing shop, and bam!!!  they had some nice black ones.   A little more than I wanted to pay, but it was worth it.  I am sick of shoes.  lol. .  I like sandles.

Three, I can’t seem to find a refill station for the minutes on my French sim card.  So, I had to get a french prepaid phone card.  I managed to pull this off to. The shop lady was helpful, patient, and spoke a little english.  With my limited French, we pulled it off.  Now I have two French numbers.  One with no minutes, and the other with some now.

On a different front, I met some people on campus today.  3 people who are already living here.  One was from China, Cambodia, and India.  I think that these next 4 weeks will be one of my most diverse schooling experiences ever.  I played basketball with some, and ping pong with others. I realized that this campus is an English haven.  When I am in it, people can speak and communicate, though sometimes it is hard to understand. :)  Even the things in the building are marked in English.  I can total navigate the campus with no issues.  When I leave, I have to work at everything.  The funny thing, I am starting to enjoy it.  I kind of like the challenge, it is almost a game.  What can I do today that I wasn’t able to yeterday.  I can’t wait to see!

This morning I even asked someone where the laundry place was, and spoke a shop keeper about refilling my cellphone.  I am starting to get the hang of it.  Though, there will be times when I feel like I had setbacks, I just need to remember the times when I feel like I actually accomplished something.

This morning I was shocked at what I saw on the side of the road on my way to the bus stop.  Some lady and kid got out of the car.  The lady hit the kid, somehow the kid hit is head on the ground.  It was clearly child abuse, but what I can do??  I can’t speak to them, nor do I know who to call.  Thankfully, cars pulled over. . and even buses stopped.  People went in to break it up.  The mom was freaking out.  Sadly, she put the kid back in the car and they drove off.  The people couldn’t stop her.  She was yelling and quite angry.

Tomorrow another Duck arrives on Campus.  It will be nice to see a face I know from home, though at the same time. . I am working hard to meet new people, I don’t want to fall into the comfortable trap, if that makes any sense?  But, there will be someone to talk to that I understand CLEARLY.  lol..

I even received a sweet email from a friend, who said that they would always be willing to talk if I ever needed an ear.  I really appreciated it. It was a nice email to receive.

I don’t know about tomorrow, it should be interesting.  Most, if not, all the stores are going to be closed.  I have no idea of what I am going to do.  I think the campus is also going to be closed. . sooooooooo, wish me luck.  It might be a long day.

We do have a welcoming party tomorrow night, so at least my evenings will be filled with something interesting.

I think that the word of the learning curve is behind me.  It should be getting easier from this point forward.  Or at least I hope.  I feel very able and willing to take on whatever comes my way.

Later everyone.

Today I left Paris, and started my trip to Reims.

I don’t know if I have ever cried this much. It has been more difficult than I thought.  Not being able to speak to people, can really be challenging.  There is no way of being able to put it into words, unless you experience it yourself.  There is no doubt, I am working on improving my communication skills, but they will never be at the level where I could carry a conversation.  I don’t even know where to begin with this blog.  I suppose I will start with my morning, and work my way forward.

I woke up this morning to a nice breakfast, and a metro ride to train station.  I learned how the system worked, and it wasn’t all that difficult.  If I were by myself, it might have been.  When you have a pro with you, everything seems easy.  I knew the moment I said goodbye, that the journey of self discovery and true growth was going to start.

In Australia, I found a part of me that I hadn’t used in a long time.  The ability to just relax and enjoy the moment.  Just really, enjoy the moment.  I found a part of my soul, if that makes any sense.  I learned a little bit more about who I am, and what living is all about.

France, is exposing another part of my soul.  I truly have empathy for those people who come to America that do not know how to speak English.  We really do nothing to accommodate non-native speakers.  Some communities more than others, but on the whole, if you don’t speak the language you are in a world of hurt.  I am a smart guy, or at least I would like to think of myself as one.  And I can’t tell you how stupid I feel.  Maybe not stupid, rather I felt helpless.  I know stuff, yet I can’t get it out.  My tough and knowledge is limited.  Today, I was making a “sneezing” sound to have some help me find the tissue.  It worked, though it would have been easier to just ask.

So, anywho.  I left Paris and took the bullet train to Reims.  That train moved so fast, things on the side tracks were just a blur.  I don’t even really remember the ride, actually.  It happened so fast, and it was SO smooth. .  nothing like anything I have ever seen in the US, and probably never will.  I meet someone who was coming to the business school to do some sort of oral exam.  I guess they are in the application process.  She spoke pretty good English, so I had company for the half hour on the train.

As I left the train station I was presented with the first challenge of the day.  Find my bus, going in the right way. .   it took me an hour to travel 3 miles or so.  Now, I should have just walked it, but then I would have never learned the system.  I decided that it is important to struggle and get it figured it out.  I wasn’t annoyed at the process, rather I was frustrated that I could just ask for help.  I had to figure it out on my own.  Nothing was written in English, though some things were the Paris metro system.  When I figured that out, I at least knew the right line to take.

I arrived that the school, and I was surprised how small it was.  It really is small like my friend mentioned.  In many ways, it actually makes my life easy.  Or so I thought.  I came across a lot of students, all of which were speaking French.  I learned that the normal sessions were still going on, as well as other programs.  This was a sure sign most of the people I saw probably didn’t speak English nativity.  I felt alone again, at least at that moment.

My room was shown to me, and it is actually pretty nice.  It has everything I will ever need these next 4 weeks.  I was very happy with my room.  I have a nice view, and I am on the top floor.

After my quick orientation was over, I took of to the store.  I bought a lot of food, and it was cheap. .  WAY cheap compared to Paris.  Checking out was bad.  I didn’t know what the price was, as there were two numbers on the checkout stand.  They wanted me to do something with the fruit, which I still had no idea.  It was very stressful.  People behind me, and here I am. . just wanting to leave.. to pay and leave.  Instead, I was holding everyone up and I felt very embarrassed.   It was a moment when I realized what it was like for people in the States, who don’t speak English.  It can be SO frustrating, as you know what you are doing.  you just can’t tell anyone.

The campus has a gym, which really excited me. .  A LOT.  I got a nice workout in this afternoon.   I also decided that I wasn’t going to be a prisoner to my language disability.  I left my room, and went downstairs.  I started to talk to random people I came across.  They were all friendly, and made me feel  a little better.  There was even a karaoke party going on.  There is nothing like hearing a French person sing an American song.  The words they said were SO funny.  I wanted to get on the floor and let out a few tunes, instead I sat back and watched and enjoyed myself.

Things started to look up as the day came to a close.  I spoke to my mom, Etienne, friends in eugene, posted on facebook, and met some new people.  Things really are looking up, and this journey is making forming something special in me that I can’t quite say at the moment.  Something IS happening.

I am proud of all that I have accomplished so far, and I know that there is more to come.

Now, there is one thing that really tipped me over the scale today. . and it still does as I think of it today.  There was a lunch packed for me, and it was put into my bag.  I forgot about it until I started to unpack my things.  (shortly after I was left alone from my orientation)   It was just a packed lunch, but it really hit me hard.  And it still does.  I had struggled with a lot of things at that point, and there within my back was a little package of happiness.  Does that make any sense??  My friend left something for me, and I found it at just the right moment.  It was a moment you would find in the movies.  It lifted my spirits, but also showed the contrast of my aloneness at this point.

Today several memorable things happened in my life.

What will tomorrow bring?

Today I had another good time around Paris, I couldn’t and can’t thank my friend enough. I have seen and done so much around Paris, in many ways I feel as if I have sort of learned the city. I am at a point where I am comfortable enough with the system that I can get around okay. When I pop out of the metro, I maybe disoriented, but quickly I get my bearings. I can’t really communicate with people, but at least I can get around how and when I need to. Being free to navigate, I think is a good first sign.

I’ll tell you what. Now, understand I am exposing myself by writing this. But. . Leaving tomorrow is going to be the toughest thing I am going to experience this trip, or at least thus far. I can’t tell you how scared I am of going. I am taking a train to a town where I will know no one. Again, I will need to learn the transport system. And again, I am going to struggle with the language. The hardest part is that I will not have a friendly face to turn to when I am in need a of a good conversation, laugh, or unwind. The internet can only get you so far, and a telephone just doesn’t do it.

I know this experience is going to make me stronger, but it is still hard. I have never gone through anything like this before, and I sometimes question why I am doing it. Why am I exposing myself to this? I know the answer, and it is a good one. I think it is an answer that I can’t write, because it can’t be put into words.

I am so happy to have had someone to help take me in, and help me adapt to this whole thing. I don’t care what people say, the French people I have met have been nothing but welcoming to me. I try hard to learn, understand, adapt. But, not being able to speak is a big setback. It is this barrier that makes the whole process difficult.

When I arrive in Reims, there isn’t a red carpet waiting to pick me up. No, I get to find a bus, and start the process. Nothing like hitting the ground running, right? Somehow I needed to make it to the business school, from there. . find the right person and check into my new place. I am ready for any thing, though I do hope the accommodations are appealing.

From there, I get to start shopping for all the things I need to live. Sheets, pillows, food, tp, you name it. I hear that the town isn’t all that big, so it will be hard to get lost. On the other side of things. What does this mean my life will be like? It will not be Paris. It will be small, in many different ways. No movies in English. The stores will operate on funny hours, some will be closed for the summer. Plus, I will need to do school work, and pass my classes. There is going to be a lot of weight on my shoulders. I hope I can carry it.

I broke down this evening, and while I typed this email. I am scared. No doubt about it. At least I know I have some good friends in the area now, and I can turn to them incase I am in need.

I never knew turning on an electric water boiler would be so difficult. In Australia all I needed to do was press a button and the sucker started right up. Here, the device they have is just a little bit different. Or so I think it is. I tried for the life of me to turn it on, but no matter what I did, it wouldn’t happen. I am looking forward to someone waking up and showing me how to use it. News up date, it needs to be plugged in. Yep, I thought it was plugged in, but it wasn’t. It took me an hour and a half to figure that out.

Yes, there is French just about everywhere. Even when I think I can read it, because it looks like English. . I can’t. Then, I think I am all bad ass when I try to do it in Spanish, but still I am wrong. The two languages that I sort of know, still don’t work. I am in for a long 5 weeks.

I thought the portion sizes in Australia where small. France managed to beat that. I forget how big everything is in the States. It kind of is an indication of how much waste produce, and how much we really consume.

Today I went to the Palace of Versailles, which was just awesome. I don’t know if I will ever see anything quite like it again. It was so big, and every little detail was cared for when being built. The rooms really looked like they were designed for a king. Even the grounds were just mind blowing. It was one of those places where no matter what I say or write, the grandness of it will never be understand. Finally, for one of the first times in my life can I say, “You have to see it to believe it.”

Outside of this, I managed to get lost today trying to find an area of Paris. I did some shopping, on the main drag. I was looking for something so simple, yet one can not find it ANYWHERE. Flip flops. French men don’t wear them I guess. Maybe in Southern France, cause Paris had crap for choices. I found one/ two stores. Gap didn’t even have them.

I bought some food from the store and come home and made dinner. This is going to be a fun filled 5 weeks. I can’t read a damn thing on the food. I just look at the picture and hope. Soy milk?? Forget about it. Peanut butter?? Keep looking. Cheese??? More than any human would ever need!

As I sit here and write this post, I hear children out in the court yard playing. Speaking in a language I don’t understand, but the message is the same everywhere. They are having fun, laughing and playing.

Everyone here has been SO nice to me, I don’t know about this rudeness that France is famous for. Sure, it is a big city. It isn’t North Dakota. People are not going to talk to you, and they sure as hell are not going to smile when you pass. It is just part of the culture, I don’t see this as rude behavior.

The weather has been amazing thus far. Not very hot, not very cold. Just right.

So my second day in Paris has been pretty eventful.  I think I have pretty much murdered the french language.  Yeah, I try SO hard to do it right, but the words and sounds do not come out of my mouth.  Tell me again, why is it so hard?

Aside from that, you will never believe where I am writing this blog.  In a McDonalds, of all places.   They have bathrooms, and wifi. .  how strangefully delightful is that?  Not that I want to eat here, believe me. .  it is convenient to write in a blog and send a couple of emails.  (With an english keyboard)

I think I have covered more ground than I thought I would.  Basically, I have seen and done enough for 3 days.  I don’t think I have stopped once to smell the roses.  Just keep on walking and seeing all that is around.  Take a quick break to catch up on some stuff.  Tonight should be relaxing, just dinner with Eitenne’s mom and sister.  Maybe just sit  on the terrace and relax later?

Since I was alone on the subway, or the metro, as they call it.  I managed to end up in the wrong part of town.  Not once, but twice.  I thought I was going the wrong way once..  so I got off, but quickly realized that I was correct.  The other time I thought I was going to the tour Eiffel, but ended up in the completely different neighborhood.  I don’t think I would have gone there had I not been on the wrong line, so I guess that was good.  I bought some bread with chocolate in it and a banana from a local street vendor.  I felt quite french at that exact moment.

I don’t think I got ripped off when I was in this random place, as I didn’t see many tourists.

It is hard to explain what it is like looking and seeing stuff, but not being able to talk to the clerks in the stores.  I want SO desperately to ask questions, but many of them only speak basic English.  I got a little bit of the french down, but not enough to really ask any questions that really have meaning when shopping.

Speaking of shopping, many of the stores are SO little.  I, by accident, found a couple of US type malls.  The clothing in those shops were very nice, and probably pretty expensive.  However, I did notice a difference in style. .  mens and womens.  Crazy, I wonder if I will see those type of things in the states later.  Some of the store I had never heard of, others were pretty common.  like the Gap.

While I was in one of these malls, I noticed some people looking lost.  I over heard their English, so I thought I would try and help.  They were from the states and trying to find the metro. When they heard that I spoke English they got all excited.  They weren’t having much luck with the locals.  Anywho,  I helped them on their way, only after one day in town.  Yeah, here I am giving directions.  It was odd speaking English.  Well, I have been doing it. . but I am trying to speak slower and use proper sentences (at least when I think of it).  (My host is great with English, but I do try to make it easier for her.)  With them, I could just let it fly.  It was a good feeling.  Not only speaking freely, but being helpful.

Okay, I am off to pound the pavement again.  The longer I spend here, the more comfortable I am becoming.  So, this is a good thing.  Reims will be the real challenge.