Totally Frenched Out

From the blogger formerly known as Samdebretagne

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

No longer a working girl

I told The Company yesterday that I would no longer be able to work for them. There goes my long-awaited CDI, but I just can't deal with them, or my clients, right now. Everything about this job is just so linked with my life in Bretagne that I just want to stop cold turkey. If I kept working for them, I'd have to stay in this region, and I can't stand the thought of constantly having to drive down the same old roads again, and possibly running into people I know/knew. I feel really bad about this since I know they were excited with the plans I had for France, so this is going to be a big set-back for them. But I just can't stay here.

I agreed to still take phone calls & do troubleshooting until May - my co-worker is coming over from the 14-28th, so I'll still need to translate for him, but after that, I'll be done. To be honest, I can't wait - it's so hard to have them keep calling me, asking how life is going and when I'm going to come visit them next. Most of the time, I don't say anything, just that I'll call them back later to schedule an appointment. I know they're going to be left in the merde though once I leave, and I feel really bad for them. But that's not reason enough for me to stay. Who knows, maybe they'll send the technician & his family back, and they'll finally fulfill their dream of being able to live in Europe. At least someone will end up happy in Bretagne then.

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11 Comments:

Blogger S said...

You have to do what's best for you, I would have done the same.
You will find better.

April 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM  
Blogger Kim/Thomas said...

push each door open gently...the ones that swing open the loudest are the ones you take:)

take care, I think you are one of the strongest girls I have met (er not met, technically:)

I'm glad you are taking it easy and I think this was a good move!
Now how about you go to Aimee's tea cafe and work a bit:) or at least have some tea:)

April 16, 2008 at 3:06 PM  
Blogger Barbara said...

Hi Sam,
Yes,just take baby steps...
You will work your way through, I know it.
Think off all the value lessons that you have learn from your job.

I have not been the biggest commenter here, but I followed posts . You have my admiration as it is the professional part of life in France that I had the hardest time with.
You did darn well... you will succeed down the line too.

April 16, 2008 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger christine said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

April 16, 2008 at 5:19 PM  
Blogger christine said...

I agree with Kim that you are strong. It comes through in all of your posts and I don´t think it´s just a blog persona :) In the past when you´ve written about things I´ve been embarrassed to think "wow it took me so much longer to feel comfortable doing that!" and you seem to have no fear of trying and possibly failing.

Btw I have a whole new attitude about living in France since being in Mexico. I think the French are terribly impatient with foreigners and when I compare the Mexicans here and how they deal with my awful language skills and cultural failings with such ease, I am a little pissed off at the French way of (over)reacting to mispronunciations and other misgivings for over ten years.

You know the language well and you should be able to find a fabulous job WITH an eventual CDI as long as you keep your devil may care attitude in the face of all the criticism. It may take you a year and some time to rebuild your confidence--that will take some time after what has happened.

I´m sure you´ll find a great job. It´s all in the attitude.

(sorry that was me who deleted the previous comment because I was logged in under my "in law" blog lol)

April 16, 2008 at 5:21 PM  
Blogger Starman said...

It seems you are making all the right moves. I'll bet you can find something you like when you're ready to move on.

April 16, 2008 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Anon said...

It will be good for you to get to Paris and change patterns and habits.

Poor family of Fab have suffered a loss. Not as devastating as yours, not even close, but a loss none the less which is why they can't resist the urge to call you.

Again, this too shall pass and it really will.

April 16, 2008 at 10:43 PM  
Blogger judyb said...

I had wondered about the Company and your job, but didn't like to ask.

Do what you need to do; you have such great support both in France and around the world.

April 16, 2008 at 11:23 PM  
Blogger islandgirl4ever2 said...

Hi Sam,

I think you made the right choice, as you have to do what you think is best for you... As you said, maybe the coworker will be able to move his family to Europe now... who knows.. And maybe, you will find a FANTASTIC job in Paris.. I bet you will!! You are a hot commodity.. a qaulified American who speaks French very well... Take care.. Leesa : )

April 16, 2008 at 11:50 PM  
Blogger Alyssa said...

It's funny that you chose to use the term "cold turkey," since I just left a comment in your previous post with those exact same words (I'm playing catch up on your posts, from bottom to top). Cold turkey is the healthiest way to deal with these changes right now, both personal and professional.
With that said, it took a lot of guts to make the decision to leave your job. I totally get all of your reasoning, and leaving is definitely a great way to start anew--but wow! It takes courage.
I have been in a job rut for 3 years, and it is excruciatingly difficult for me to give up the security of a paycheck even though the work is slowly killing me. What you have just done is a huge inspiration to me.
Thanks for the push and good luck!

April 17, 2008 at 8:07 PM  
Blogger ashtanga en cevennes said...

Good luck, Samantha! I hope you find something wonderful in Paris, something that really makes you happy.

April 18, 2008 at 9:05 AM  

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