3 months remaining... Plan upon return to the US? Wait, do I even need one?

"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre." - Uta Hagen

"...[I]n reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences..." Christopher McCandless, John Krakauer





I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family that have always supported my decisions and encouraged me to pursue my interests and dreams. I graduated from college at the age of 21, considered young in our society, yet felt confronted with the decision of what to do with my future. But, society gives out the mixed message saying, "you're barely old enough to be responsible with alcohol, but old enough to support yourself, choose a career path, and get a job in the real world." I wasn't ready to determine my career for the rest of my life and I found this completely normal. 21 is too young to be not only deciding, but beginning 'the rest of your life'.

Until recently, I hadn't come across anyone who questioned why I didn't have a plan yet. Maybe some have thought to themselves I lack direction, but certainly no one expressed these thoughts to me.

Not long ago, I was talking with an acquaintance here, discussing the typical questions: What are you doing in France? Why did you decide to take this teaching position, do you want to be an educator in the US? My usual response is something like, "A professor exposed me to the teaching program. I found it interesting and thought it would be a great opportunity to try out teaching, so I applied. I was unsure of what career path I might take after graduation and thought it would be both a time to enjoy myself, traveling, living abroad, working with kids, putting my French to good use, and a time to reflect on what I want to accomplish next in life." When asked the follow up question, Well, Jenna, what is your plan for when you go back to the US? I usually reply, "I'm still not sure. I'm going to get a job and save up some money until I decide. I'm definitely interested in teaching and I'm considering continuing my studies in history, eventually."

This acquaintance was the first person to actually express not only surprise, but also somewhat of an attitude of disapproval. What do you mean, you aren't sure? You're 22 years old, isn't that a bit old to not have an idea, a plan for your future? 


Before entering high school in France, students must decide a concentration for study such as science, math, liberal arts, economics, or go to a technical high school. For us, this seems considerably early to be making such a decision. In the US we don't have to decide an area of study until university, and even then some students enter as undeclared majors while others change their mind up to two or three times. It's normal for us to change our minds. Of course, there are some students who pick an area of study, stick with it, get a job in their field upon graduation, and are content with their field of work throughout their career. But is that really the norm? I would argue that it's only a small minority of people who are 100% sure of their career path and follow it through from college graduation to retirement. I've read a statistic that states between the ages of 18 and 38 you can expect to change jobs on average up to 10 times. Another statistic says that the average person will change careers approximately 5-7 times throughout their working life.

So... so what if I don't have a precise plan? I know what interests me. I'm learning that the more time I spend teaching, the more I can see myself doing it for years to come, solidifying some previous thoughts I'd had about it. I've got an education to get a job and support myself until I decide exactly what I want. Wait, I do have a job. It's not long-term, and it's not about making loads of money, but it is a job. It's just not a job in the traditional sense.

I was raised to believe in myself and to believe in choosing a profession doing something I love, something I'm passionate about. I have that option, so why not make the most of it? I'm only going to live once, so why not make sure I enjoy as much of it as I can? We will spend so much of our lives working. Because I'm not pressed to make a decision, I'm determined to find a job doing something I like, something I'm good at, something that challenges me to be better, and something that I feel positively impacts those around me. (Granted I might have to work some un-inspiring jobs in order to save up money, but only temporarily.) I'm still young, independent, and responsible only for myself, which at present gives me the freedom to try different things and follow my passions.

There will always be the opportunity to make big commitments, but there won't always be the opportunity to feel free, to live abroad, experience so many new things at once, or meet new people from around the world who inspire me. These are the things that will have helped me develop my unique perspective on life and grow as an individual. I'm positive they will help me to choose a path when I feel confident I've found something worth pursuing. And if I choose one path that doesn't work out, there will be the opportunity to encounter a crossing path, to re-trace my steps until I find another way, or to step off the path and make my own.

Soaking up the sun in Azay le Rideau
photo courtesy of Jenny!

A visit from home, Paris, and more chateaux!

The past two weeks have been so filled with activity that I'm a bit surprised at everything I've done since the beginning of 2011. Resuming classes after the Christmas break seemed a bit weird at first, partially because the break in Aix en Provence was so relaxing and reminded me of my year abroad there, but mostly because I was so looking forward to Tori's visit. She arrived on Wednesday January 5th and I met her at the airport... after a small hiccup in our plans to meet. I took the earliest train out of Tours to Paris in order to meet her in time, but  I was delayed on the bus ride from a train station in the center of Paris to the airport due to a traffic accident and road construction on the highway. Fortunately Tori had written down my cell number and a woman from a guest services desk at the airport called me when I failed to show on time. I eventually made it to the airport and found Tori patiently waiting for me. 

It was absolutely wonderful to see Tori and just spend time together. After not being home for the holidays, I was in need of seeing someone from home! And I was really happy to show her a bit of what my life is like here since she is such a close friend, and she had never been to Europe before. The week she was here passed so quickly, but we had a great time and were just glad to see each other after 4 months. Friday afternoon and night we spent in rainy Paris and returned to Tours Saturday afternoon. For spending just a day and a half in Paris we managed to see a lot... The Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre (in which we spent about 1h 45mins), the Quartier Latin, the Eiffel Tower, and an exposition in the Grand Palais called "France 1500: Between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance", which just happens to be a favorite historical era of mine. (Thanks Tori for putting up with all the crowds and lines!) 

Tori and I outside the entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris

Christmas Tree outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

Eiffel Tower at night

Sunday we went to the quaint town of Langeais to visit the chateau. Although it's a massive medieval chateau, it seemed to belong tucked into the center of town, neighboring the bakery and butcher. Imagine living across the street from it, or walking past it daily on the way to pick up a baguette for dinner! Even though I sensed it belonged there I was no less impressed by it. Because Langeais is such a small town there aren't too many trains or busses to Tours daily. Even after taking our time in the chateau, we had about 2.5 hours to wait until the next train! In addition, it was Sunday, so everything seemed to be closed. We did manage to find a small bar/cafe open where we enjoyed hot chocolate and coffee after wandering the narrow streets and peeking in the old church. Monday, Tori came to classes with me and after spending just one day in a middle school again, she wondered how I'm able to deal with the unpredictability, noisiness, and maturity level typical of middle schoolers. I've always considered myself an impatient person, but perhaps in dealing with adolescents I have more patience than I thought. Early Wednesday morning I went with Tori to the airport. The trip home from Paris wasn't as nearly as enjoyable alone as I was sad she had to leave so soon.

Langeais

Langeais

 After my classes on Thursday and Friday, I felt re-adjusted to being back in Tours and a bit back in the routine of teaching again, but the fatigue from the amount traveling and sightseeing I'd been doing since Christmas finally caught up with me. It didn't stop me from going to Ryan's house for a dinner with friends 'like old times'. Ryan, who is an excellent chef, treated us to fresh pasta from Italy in pesto sauce, roasted lamb cooked in tomatoes, peas and carrots, and nougat flambé for desert.

Today, Jenny, Miriam, John and I went to visit the chateau in Azay le Rideau (photos below). It was the smallest chateau I've been to, but the only one I've seen surrounded by a moat! The interior was nicely kept up and richly furnished, as most of the chateaux, but the charm of this particular chateau was felt from walking in the gardens surrounded by water. Like in Langeais, we had quite a bit of time until the next train to Tours. We found a bench in the centre of town to sit on and absorb all the sunshine we possibly could on the partly cloudy day. Jenny even made the effort to capture the moment, setting her camera on a timer to take a picture of us bathing in the sunlight. We then waited at the train station, sitting in a circle, playing cards and laughing like 7 year olds. It's great to have friends who can make the most of this kind of situation.

We were all in agreement that we're more appreciative of the simple things now, like playing cards with each other... or just seeing the sun. I don't know if we enjoyed the chateau or the sunshine more today. The grayness and dreariness of this area is getting a bit overwhelming and depressing at times for all of us I think. We're all able to specifically remember the last time we enjoyed a sliver of sunshine. (For me, I last felt the sun on the bus Thursday, headed to school...and it lasted for about 2 minutes.) Even though it's only mid-January, I'm ready for spring! Unfortunately, I've got a while to wait yet...

Azay le Rideau

Azay le Rideau

Christmas in Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is never comes up short on fun, good food, and drama. I left for Aix-en-Provence Monday December 20^th. After waking up at 4:45am and walking to the train station in the rain, I spent the morning on stop-and-go trains due to the heavy amounts of snow between Tours and Lyon. In Lyon I was to transfer trains and due to the weather conditions seemingly more than half of the trains were running late. I was delayed in Lyon for an extra 2 ½ hours, which was nothing compared to the many stuck in Paris and London airports up to several days.

Chamallow, Veronique's lovely cat, caught napping in the fruit basket. Also caught him sleeping in the bathroom sink once...

Justine and her boyfriend were waiting for me at the bus station in Aix. In order to catch the bus to get to her Aunt Patti’s house, we had to run several blocks, and poor Ben dragged my suitcase the entire way for me! Upon arriving at Patti’s, Veronique was in distress over her cat, Chamallow. He had been having difficulty breathing for roughly 24 hours and she was beginning to panic, so she left right away to take him to the vet. We later learned when Vero returned that he had liquid/water in his lungs, but it could be treated with medication.

It was so nice to see Justine after such a long time and to relax with her and Ben after such a long day. Tuesday I was invited to eat dinner at Ben’s parent’s house with Justine and Clio. They prepared a ‘daube’, a beef marinated for 24 hours and then stewed in red wine and vegetables. Justine and Ben had prepared dough to make pasta, and together we used a pasta making device that progressively flattened the dough and then cut it into strips. My first homemade pasta and daube was delicious! I stayed the night and in the morning Ben’s mother baked fresh croissants and pressed fresh orange juice. Wednesday afternoon I spent with Vero at the house, making her tea and watching TV because she wasn’t feeling very well.

Thursday I spent the morning and early afternoon in the centre finishing my Christmas shopping for my French family and returned to help Vero make Blanquette- a creamy stew with veal, carrots, celery, onions, and crème fraiche served over rice- one of my favorite dishes she makes. Patti, her husband Prel, and her kids David and Hugo returned from their skiing trip in the Alps around 9pm.

Christmas Eve day we ate leftovers for lunch, but even eating leftovers is a good, time consuming meal compared to in the U.S. For every lunch and dinner the table is set, and in addition to the main dish there is always salad, cheese, bread, and fruit on the table. I went to the grocery store with Vero and Patti to buy all the food for the main event in the evening, and let me tell you, we bought tons of food. In the afternoon I went into the centre with Patti and Hugo while they finished their Christmas shopping. We met Justine, Prel, David, and Roxanne (Justine’s sister) for 6pm mass in the Cathedral Saint Sauveur, just across the street from my former university. The giant cathedral was packed- imagine standing room only in a huge Gothic cathedral! The service was really nice and in Catholic tradition. It was only my second mass in French and although I’m very happy to have gone for Christmas Eve, something seemed to be missing. One of my favorite parts about going to church on Christmas is the songs/hymns, which were obviously different in France. In addition, it was quite difficult to hear the priest with the packed cathedral and bad acoustics. However, when I lifted my eyes coming out of the Cathedral, it was snowing! How magical for Christmas Eve, especially for the south of France.

After Christmas Eve mass...couldn't capture the snow though

When we got back home, where Veronique had been hard at work preparing the meal. For the aperitif: champagne, mini sandwiches filled with foie gras or guacamole or salmon, warm escargot in a parsley and butter sauce, plain escargot, foie gras, oysters, and salmon with lemon…and that was all just the appetizer! The main meal was a roasted chicken and it’s ‘farce’, and baked sweet potatoes and chestnuts (so good!), followed by salad, bread, and cheese. For dessert: gourmand chocolates from Puyricard, an assortment of dried fruit and nuts, and most importantly- the bouche de Noel (a rolled cake, carefully decorated). All in all, our meal lasted 4-5 hours! By 1:30am I was definitely ready for bed.

Chicken

Sweet Potatoes and Chestnuts

Appetizer- champagne and mini sandwiches

Bouche de Noel, Christmas cake

Leeches and mandarines for dessert

Christmas day all the ‘kids’ left to spend the day with other family. In the evening a few of Patricia’s friends came over. The rest of my time in Aix was laid back and relaxing: going in to town with friends or my French family for shopping or coffee, helping Veronique cook in the kitchen, and reading. Patricia shared an interesting book with me called “Many Lives, Many Masters” by Brian Weiss, about a psychiatrist’s experience with hypnosis and regression in a particular patient who vividly tapped into her previous lives. Whether or not it’s true doesn’t matter I suppose because it was a captivating read that makes me wonder…

I was so sad to leave Aix-en-Provence. It was such a wonderful feeling to feel at home with everyone and to feel like I belonged there. I already am missing Veronique and Patricia, sincerely hoping I am able to go back before my contract finishes in France this spring. 

Cours Mirabeau Christmas Market 

The Rotonde in Aix