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The Business Game

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Otherwise known as my current form of cruel and unusual torture. It would be really interesting and engaging – if I could participate. Let me back up. As I am sure you know, yesterday was the first day of school. All in all despite everything (including the 12 hour school days) I think it will be a good challenge and I will really enjoy studying here.

But in the mean time I have to struggle through the rest of this business game. And I mean struggle – as it is completely, 100% in French. While my French is rapidly improving and has served me well so far – I am struggling to understand the game. I am able to follow the conversations of my team and understand about half of what is going on. But by the time I understand and think of something to contribute the conversation has moved on. My saving grace is that each group has a foreign student they have to carry.

That being said – I did better today. And was able to participate more significantly. Granted I was just reading through resumes and struggling to understand the key phrases. But I was able to narrow the pool and help the team make a decision. There was also a slight understanding about the word “concubinage“. For English speakers I think you can understand my immediate shock and confusion, particularly as this was listed with pride on a CV (or resume). Just to clarify a concubinage is a common law marriage or when two people live together without actually being married. While a bit shocking at least the French came up with a word for this situation.

Tomorrow marks the end of the game. I think my tired brain can take one more day of intensive French and translating. Then I have both Thursday and Friday and the weekend to finish getting settled and to rest up before I jump in feet first. And I go back to trying to understand in English instead of French.

For now I have to go find another cup of coffee so I can finish out the day.

And so it begins…AKA The First Day of School

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Twelve days. It’s been twelve days since I arrived in Bordeaux. In a lot of ways it’s been very eventful. I struggled through opening a bank account. I moved into my new apartment. I persevered and made it to IKEA. I had an interview and was hired for an internship with one of the biggest sellers of Grand Cru in the world. But it has also been very quiet. I spent time by myself exploring the city. I unpacked. I watched a couple movies. It’s almost been like a mini-vacation. But it has also left a lot of time to think. And panic set in.

But now I find myself sitting at the school waiting for the program to start – enjoying the view over the river. There was a little miscommunication and confusion with the school emails. One said 9:30 and the other 10:30. So being me – I showed up at 9:30 to be safe. I’m nervous. Very nervous but now I am going to go chat to someone and make a friend.

Additional updates to follow.

The IKEA Saga

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After my cultural confusion on Sunday, I made it back to IKEA on Monday for a very expensive (and heavy!) shopping trip. (Happy Birthday to Me!)

Much like Target, IKEA is infamous for getting you to spend more money than you planned. This was absolutely the case. I went in expecting to buy a couple pillows, some tupperwear, a laundry bin and a few small items. I walked out with three very large bags of “essential” items.

Now that the more-than-successful shopping trip was over and my wallet was a lighter, I just had to figure out how to get it all back home. I was hoping I could find a taxi. Hell, I considered hitching a ride. But no such luck or stupidity, so I set out on foot to make the dreaded trek back. I managed to carry everything home in a reasonable (ie under two hours) amount of time. A two mile walk with a large backpackers backpack and two large market totes makes for a very red face and removes any need for a gym.

After I finally made it home, I dumped everything on my bed and promptly got in the shower. Because lets face it – I needed second one that day. (I should have shelled out the 10 Euro for the little grandma cart that was at the checkout stand.) That evening I did begin to open everything up and start getting organized but after my trek it was a half-hearted effort at best.

Tonight I finally finished hanging things up, putting things away and getting organized. Only to realize that I probably need….to go back to IKEA. I could use a few more organizers, a couple extra pillow cases, and some additional hangers. And of course what other additional surprises IKEA has in store. Now the question is: When do I work up the courage to go back?