Time truly does fly by. I had my last supper, at Tim Horton's of course, said a teary goodbye to my dad and sister, and left them and my life in Canada behind. I sauntered through the security line at the Calgary International Airport, found a cozy spot with an outlet, and surfed the internet. My mind was racing. 100% credit to my dad who, up until we bid adieu at the airport, had told me that it wasn't too late for me to change my mind, return to school, and continue my normal life. But I knew I could not let a chance to live in Paris pass me by. It would destroy my year at school knowing what I could possibly be missing out on. On that note, here are 60 thoughts on my 60 days France. Some of them will be serious, some comical, all of them completely honest. This is Salim Valji unfiltered here. J'éspere que vous profitez beaucoup!
1. It is still so, so hard to believe.
I am living in Paris. Pardon my French, but I am living in freakin' Paris! It
is still surreal, 1 440 hours later. Incredible.
2. Sometimes living on your own,
regardless of the city your in, can wear on you. Eating by yourself, waking up
to an empty apartment, not hearing a "hello" when you walk in. These
things can tax you mentally. Those times crop up every now and then. I think the secret to getting through those
moments is asking yourself, “Do I believe in what I'm here for?” Remind
yourself that you’re doing something so few people get to do.
3. It’s fairly easy to cure bouts
of homesickness these days. Twitter, Facebook chat, cheap cell phone plans,
streaming NHL games…it’s easy to stay connected.
4. I’m listening to Everything has Changed by Taylor Valji,
err Swift, right now. Ideally, I’d be by the River Seine (about 10 minutes away
by foot), but the weather currently doesn’t allow for it.
5. Parisians are wonderful. I cannot
comprehend why so many in Canada warned me about the opposite, and to brace for
cold, soulless, merciless people. Whether it is me being lost, or people
inquiring about my accent, or giving me extra mandarin oranges at the market,
these people are awesome. Totally misunderstood. I have yet to encounter any snobbish or ‘stereotypical’ Parisian or
French person.
6. The Great Canadian Pub on Quai des
Grands Augustins. So cool that a place that hoser-friendly exists. In a very
prominent part of downtown Paris no less. The pub overlooks the Seine, and is a
ten minute walk from Notre Dame Church. The staff is great, there is always
hockey on, and it’s reasonably priced.
7. But I probably won’t go back for a
while. I need to experience French cafes as often as I can while I’m here!
8. I have a lot of great friends in
Canada. If I’ve ever had to complain about something or needed some cheering
up, someone has always been there for me, including the lovely ladies (or
wives, as I call them) I Skyped with this morning. Much appreciated!
9. I was legitimately worried that I’d
miss out on playoff hockey fever in Edmonton. Hard to believe that the year has
gone so awry so early on for the Oilers.
10. Teaching is a joy. I truly enjoy
being at the school. As I explained earlier, I know my limits. I want to be a
mentor, an older brother almost, to the students. I want them to feel
comfortable around me, learn English, and have a relaxed class. I’m not a
hardass. I’m a breath of fresh air for them.
11. So cool that I can talk about How I Met Your Mother with my students
and say, “They mentioned my hometown last episode. Did anyone catch it?”
12.
Montreal prepared me BIG TIME for
this experience, in every single way. Learning to cook and clean. Dealing with
homesickness. Rebuilding a social life. Navigating a different culture and language.
3620 rue Lorne Crescent will always hold a special place in my heart.
13. I’ll expand on this soon, but the
French education system turns its students into far better thinkers than the
Canadian system. I’m quite surprised how complex my students can think in
English and the ideas they are able to convey, even if the grammar is a bit off
at times.
14. Some parts of Paris just take your
breath away, simple as that. When I visited the Eiffel Tower, while on the
metro, there was a very talented accordion player. It’s like what you see in
the movies.
15. Some parts of Paris smell worse than
the latrines of my parents’ homeland. No other way to put it.
16. Sometimes I do worry I’m taking the
city too much for granted. But I think anyone in my position would.
17. The teachers at my high school have
been outstanding to me. All of them have treated me like a family member. They
are wonderful human beings. I am very grateful to them.
18.
I think that, as a student, it is my
job to investigate any and all education options available to me. I have two
full years of university left, and I am certain I’ll be getting my journalism
degree. For now, I’d say I’m likely (as in 50% + 1) to return to MacEwan
University. But I’m not doing my job if I don’t see what else is out there, be
it in other parts of Canada, North America or Europe. City University in
London, England, Concordia University in Montreal, and Mount Royal University
in Calgary would be the likeliest places I would transfer to.
19. Student culture in France is
non-existent compared to North America. No keggers or frat parties or ragers
here.
20. I eat very little fast food here. My
mates in Canada may recall that I’d splurge on a Wendy’s junior burger or
McDonalds Big Mac quite often. Not here. I’ve had McDonalds twice since I got
here.
21. Groceries are fairly comparable in
price to Canada.
22. It sure is nice not having any
snow!!!!!
23. How many journalism schools are
there in Canada? My estimate, because I don’t feel like doing the research on
this, is at least 15. In an industry that loses 2 500 jobs on average, there
are still thousands of graduates being tossed out there. Makes very little
sense.
24. On that note, what exactly is the
purpose of print/professional writing based journalism programs anymore? I
understand that someone cannot wake up one day and decide to become a writer
and that it takes practice and time and structure and coaching, but with
newspapers shutting down and editorial staff shrinking and processes becoming
outsourced, what’s the return on investment of the $30 000 in tuition for a
program? Learning how to produce webcasts or or gaining on air skills or taking
smart phone footage and turn it into a comprehensive, immersive, online story
is what these programs should expand to. There has to be some regulation from
somewhere. It’s the same thing with Education. Thousands upon thousands of
graduates, and no jobs. Canadian undergrads have it tough.
25. I think that my number one trait in a potential dating prospect is, “Someone who would be fun to have a beer with.” Simple as that.
26. I think that first, foremost, and
primarily, I am Canadian. No ifs, ands, or buts. John A. MacDonald and George
Etienne Cartier are the men who worked to create my country. And yours.
27. I do anticipate the moment when I
return to Edmonton, whenever that is. Sometimes I like to imagine there’s
someone doing a play by play of my life. I’m thinking that ‘The Call’ for my
first step out of the airplane onto Edmonton soil will be made by former NFL
quarterback Joe Theismann. “Salim Valji—Back and better than ever” will be the
call.
28. I have a playlist of five songs for
all my train rides back from Paris. Dirty
Work (Steely Dan), I Guess That’s Why
They Call it the Blues (Elton John), Long
Live (Taylor Swift), Always on my
Mind (Willie Nelson), and finally Anything
Goes by AC/DC. The tears will be flowing when I realize, at one point, that
it will by the final time I play those songs in that setting.
29. I have a few great mates here in
Paris. It’s nice to have a group of people you can text or call to hang out.
Met them by chance, and am thankful for it.
30.
It is so, so hard to believe I still
have two years left of university. Two. Not one semester or one year, but two
years. It seems like an eternity.
31. My students are quite smart. They
can articulate ideas very well in English. Grammar and pronunciation can be off
at times, but you have to give them credit for thinking the language at such a
high level.
32. I have given lessons on: Black
history, segregation, the American Dream, Steve Jobs, technology, internet
addiction, and the history of the United States. All in English. These kids are
smart. Worth mentioning twice.
33. It’s funny how the word success has such a broad definition from
person to person or culture to culture. For me it’s if I ‘left it all out
there.’ Simple as that. If I can look people in the eye and honestly say that I
did everything I possibly could, there wasn’t one more thing I could have done,
I’m always going to be proud of what I did do.
34. I miss being a sports broadcaster and
working for the university. I loved interacting with the athletes, and making
friends with them. It was quite an experience.
36. One of my lesson plans was to get
students to talk about their heroes. I remember planning the lesson the night
before, and I was having a hard time thinking of my own personal hero. I really
don’t think I have one. Strange.
37.
I think I miss bartending. It’s
similar to teaching in a way—you’re the caretaker of a physical environment.
You can choose how people feel in that environment.
38. In Montreal, I would hear people say
that I had a very Western Canadian accent. Here, of course, people notice the
different accent too. I’d love to pick up a French accent here in Paris and
continue hearing observations about my voice when I return to Canada.
39. I think that I’ll give a lot of
credit to the folks who are still with me. Only 21 thoughts left!
40. Me living in Paris makes me
appreciate all the not-so-fun moments that happened in Edmonton. Lots had to
happen for me to wind up here—me being in a particular frame of mind, having
confidence, being unattached to a girl or job…funny how if something small had
gone different, I may not be here.
41. At one point, I will perform stand
up comedy here in Paris. Bet on that.
42. I think that it absolutely sucks
that universities prevent their own students from achieving great things. Due
process is respected too much, and opportunities are frowned upon. It sounds
like my journalism internship will work out in Paris, but it still is
incredibly frustrating.
43. I think I will reward myself this
morning by having a croissant and coffee at a café.
44. Every human being should live on
another continent. Experience life from another culture, live with different
people, be free. Whether you teach English, bartend, or work as a journalist,
GET OUT.
45. I will try to get involved with some
sort of mentorship program when I return to Canada. It would be fun to be
someone’s inspiration or help them out in some way.
46. I feel like my life is a bit too
focused at times. I’d love to take up some sort of meditation just to give
myself a mental break every now and again.
47. Here in Conflans Sainte Honorine,
the small Parisien town I live in, whenever I go to the local pub, every
customer that walks through the doors shakes hands with the patrons already
there, then shakes hands with the bartender. Very cool custom.
48. Stade France is pretty epic, but it
doesn’t have the big, platinum scoreboard that other stadiums have. I wonder if
that is unique to this stadium, or if all sporting venues in Europe just don’t
have the big, central scoreboard?
49. Confidence is a beautiful thing. I
feel like 95% of life boils down to if you believe in yourself.
50. I think that I’d love to make some
Parisien friends. Everyone I hang out with is either British or American. It’d
be nice to have a group of French friends.
51. Laundry in this country takes
longer. As does opening a bank account. And getting a cell phone. And, well,
life in general. The amount of paperwork here is amazing.
52.
Having a sense of humor is HUGE if
you are traveling or living in another country. Being able to laugh at yourself
and make others feel comfortable goes quite a long way.
53. I think that ideally, I am nowhere
near Edmonton until the end of August 2014.
54. How many people get to reacquaint
with their culture in the manner I will when I return to Canada? It will be
pretty cool to come back after explaining the ins and outs of Canada to my
students. I’m looking forward to reimmersing myself into Canadian society when
I return.
55. Estranged by
Guns n Roses is probably my favourite song of any sort. Starting from the four
minute mark to the end of the song, to me there is no better segment of music
out there.
56. My favourite part of any song is the
solo(s). They represent freedom and liberation, something every human being
strives for I think. Being able to go any direction, at will.
57. I found a pretty incredible
journalism internship in Paris. I have loved it there so far. Such an
international office, located in quite a cute part of the downtown area. My
coworkers have pretty diverse backgrounds too.
58. I think that part of the reason why
I have been so persistent in pursuing opportunities and gaining experiences
related to journalism/media/public relations/etc. is that I know that the
school I have obtained my journalism education from is not a Carleton or
Ryerson or Concordia. And I would still like to compete with those graduates
for positions and opportunities. I’m confident that, with my previous work in
Montreal, Edmonton and now Paris, I will be able to fight for any position I
want.
59. I think I am thinking quite a bit
about some words a wise friend told me the other day, that “If you want to make
it big time, Edmonton isn’t the place you’re going to do that.” As much as I
hate to say it, I agree.
60. The prospect of moving back to
Edmonton is terrifying me more than the initial prospect of moving to Paris.
