Orientation (La Rencontre)

So, this was the time to meet Veronique, her daughter Eva, and to be inundated with so much information and papers that you were surprised you still knew your own name!  I had expected my orientation roomate to be someone I had already decided to be matched up with, however a better decision was made without me knowing.  I entered my room, and noticed such neat piles as was going to be expected from Josh - but the words on the toothpaste were not in English.  Hmm...  An hour later, someone knocks at the door, and I expect it to be Veronique.  No such luck; just a stranger.  So I open to the door and a fellow tells me that I am his roomate.  Oh, by George, a Frenchman!  I was just surprised, but relieved that we could at least get along very easily if we needed any linguistic assistance.  So we met each other and he introduced himself as Laurent Joigne.  I quickly asked about Veronique and he told me that they were going to meet for a quick dip in the pool.  Before you knew it, I was changed and ready to meet her at the pool.

Such excitement - I was going to finaly meet her!  In the hallway halfway there, Laurent called out "C'est bien lui, Keith!"  So Laurent introduced us as we gave each other a big hug - all these months of e-mails without a face to face conversation.  Just imagine a blind date that is about five months in the making, with so many details already hashed out, yet you still fret with positive nervous energy.  Hopes for the best and big smiles, knowing that the decision has already been made - you cannot go back and return home. This is going to happen!

This is going to happen!

The week, overall, went very well.  There were so many meetings, paper, and faces that it was more than tiring.  The adrenaline and excitement in the hotels was tenable!  It was even just amazing to consider that people at all stages of life from birth to ready to retire teachers were participating.  The way these exchanges will affect so many lives touches me.  All I know is, that for myself, I have three goals:  To improve my French after spent so many years with Spanish and Italian.  To live in the more modern way of French life as technology has forever changed this country.  To learn as much as possible about life - and make mine even better on the day-to-day.  Well, the fourth will be X-MAS in France - Paris a fe days later!

Upon my return, many things still needed to be done, such as packing, and every other preparation.  I helped Veronique (gladly) with so many things such as obtaining a Social Security Number.  It was a great opportunity to build a relationship - we laughed a lot together, and toured so much of the Bronx and White Plains during our errand runs.