I guess maybe. Was nice to see from friends from SG via skype, and hear them, have some news. Nice that they stayed up late to have a chat.
Latest news are, the shortest (and cheapest) course in LCB here does not entitle me to renew my student residency permit. I don't know what other schools out there that might be suitable. Not only I have to reconstitute my dossier again, I have less time to do so, and it also mean relatively more number of hours in school, and I will still have to do less hours to work in the restaurant, and might not help Hediard so much. And really, my aim here is not to attend school again.
So it boils down to the ultimatum. Come end of Jan, I will have to end my work with Hediard, and A) prepare to leave France, B) leave France to go back to SG, to apply for a work visa and come back to work for Hediard again.
The option B may not be ideal, cos' it means that Hediard has to submit a case to the french manpower ministry on what they must hire me (and not another french), something which I don't think I'm worth their time and effort to do it. In my opinion, I must be as available and fuss-free as the next french guy/girl, only that I do my job better, and they will hire me thus. With all these red-tape, and the number of available cuisiniers out there in Paris, I don't think Hediard will jump through hoops just for me.
I sounded out Hediard today. They said they will have to decide. Meanwhile, I gave them notice the very possibility my last day to be on 31 jan.
Isn't it ironic, just days from getting a job in Paris, which was like a dream come true, and I will have to give them notice....
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So, what's new with Christmas? Being alone in a big city, it's not easy. Everyone goes home (or back to the provinces) to have dinner with family. It's really not unlike our Chinese New Year. By the eve's afternoon, everywhere calms down to almost a halt. Followed by the next few days of feasting, meeting and greeting. I've absolutely no one I need to meet or greet or feast with here. If the weather's good later, I might go for a long walk. Weather's been rather good at 5C last few days. At home, I prepared some onion soup, cold cuts, cheese, and a chicken stew dish. Topped with good baguette with poppy seeds. Fresh peach which I poached in syrup and cinnamon stick for dessert.
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What's my next step? I don't know yet.
I so need a break. "What?? A break from Paris? People go there to have a break!!" I know, and so?
3 comments:
Kok,
Merry Christmas!
Doors never stay shut forever - one closes, another one opens and usually a better one with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. The time in between is usually the toughest bit which you'll ride it out.
Cheer up, remember that you're chasing your dreams and that is life's greatest journey! Doesn't matter whether you are in Paris or not.
thanks Mag, i hope things will get better from here, will keep u guys updated. Merry christmas!
i agree with Mag. Remember what I said, Paris isn't the only place. You've been there a while and lived life like a typical parisien. If it's not meant to be, then so be it. There are other places which you will end up on this journey and it may turn out to be a blessing. Working in Europe is never easy because of the strong protectionist policies. Same for lawyers because law firms need to justify hiring foreign lawyers. Maybe you should pay Jeng a visit in NYC and see where that takes you.
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