Externship Goal: Achieved!

I can remember being 10 years old and receiving my first diary.  It was pink and had a tiny lock and key.  I would pour my little heart out onto those pages.  Initially I would write about my crushes, log the events of my days, or complain about my little sister trying to tag along with me.  As I got older and matured, so did my entries.  

One of the habits that I have had for many years is journaling out a list of goals.  I would often revisit them to check on my progress.  My favorite reason for establishing goals is that sense of accomplishment I get when I achieve them.  In times where I didn't accomplish my goals it's always interesting to see how much I have grown and changed my perspective on life. 

To this date, I had never shared my goals online, but in February I made a bold move to blog about my desire to complete my externship in France.  In that moment, I had hoped that by writing and sharing it with the blogging community it would keep me accountable.  To be honest, I was feeling demotivated because reaching this goal was more challenging that I expected.  Shortly after blogging, I shared my disappointment with a friend of mine and she responded, "Why would you want to go to France?  Holland is much better!" She told me her family had been visiting Tummers Patisserie for several years.  That night I looked it up online and fell in love...their desserts were simply beautiful, the patisserie was elegant, and they even had a tearoom!  I thought to myself, "The Netherlands is not France and I'm definitely no Julia Child, but if I had a little luck on my side I may get my chance to work overseas."  That's when I realized I needed to modify my goal.  I started the process optimistically, but knew that if it did not work out at least I tried. The worst that could happen is that they would say no.

With my friend's help, I was able to get in contact with the owners.  After several emails and a phone interview I received word via Skype that I would become part of the Tummers Patisserie & Passionelle team members.  During my externship I will not only have the opportunity to learn how to make European pastries, desserts and chocolate,  but I will also learn to  make Dutch speciality items such as the Oliebol, Kerststol, and Sinterklaas Dutch Chocolate Letters.

Cake & showpiece that won
Chef Jongsma the '09 Dutch Pastry Award

When I left the military to pursue this new career I was ready to dream big.  I had hoped for a chance to travel to Europe, but my little mind could have never imagined that I would be working in a patisserie that has been around since 1921.  Not only that, I will be working with Chef Daniel Jongsma, a Dutch world-champion patissier.   The picture below is the cake & showpiece he built during the 2009 Dutch Pastry Competition. 

Achieving this goal has reminded me to continue to dream & set big goals, work hard, and most importantly take action in order to make them come true. 

Now that I have achieved the first part of my goal, I think learning to speak a little Dutch before I start my externship will be a great addition to my goals. 

Externship Goal: France

While I was completing my undergraduate degree, I  dismissed the possibility of being able to study abroad. During those days, money was always an issue for me.  I was constantly broke and racking up the student loans.  The probability of spending a summer living in another country, learning to speak a foreign language, and traveling was more a dream than reality.  While several of my friends travelled to Spain or Italy, I spent my time soaking up the Florida sunshine.  

There were two things I had wished I would have done in my early 20s.  1.  I would have loved to live in NYC (and of course with 3 of my best friends and to wear fabulous shoes without my feet ever hurting)  and 2. study abroad.  Now, I will likely continue to live vicariously through my Sex and the City DVDs to fulfill wish #1; however, wish #2 is something that I will be working on for the next 8 months.  Part of the requirement to graduate is to complete an externship for 6 weeks.  We have the option of staying local or going anywhere we can secure an externship.  Now that I'm much more financially stable than I was 10 years ago, I'm ready to go overseas.    

When I enrolled with Le Cordon Bleu there was one person who vividly came to mind:   Julia Child.   I have always been aware of who she was and what she did, but thanks to the movie Julie & Julia,  I learned more about her story.  Although I wasn't a fan of the movie, I did feel compelled to read Julia Child's book, My Life in France.  After reading about her culinary school experience and adventures, I'm yearning to go back and experience France in a whole new way.    

Visiting a bakery in Paris, France back in 2008

Unfortunately, last week when I went to talk to the career counselor about beginning the externship process I was informed that our campus doesn't have connections in France.  I was floored.  Really, Le Cordon Bleu doesn't have connections in France?  That can't right.  Crushed by this news,  the counselor then consoled me with the following options:

1.  I can still go to France, but I'd have to work deal on my own at first.  Once I find a hotel or bakery, the school would help finalize the arrangement.

2.  Change country.  The school has an agreement with culinary schools in Spain and Italy

3.  Stay local.  The school has several connections in the local area and Napa.  However, I'm also competing with 4-5 other culinary schools in the region.  

Currently, I'm paralyzed from disappointment and fear.  How am I going to get an externship on my own in France?  To make matters worse, my French speaking is not so good.  Let's say that I'm only on Rosetta Stone level 1, unit 1.   I certainly have my work cut out for me.  However, I won't let that get me down and plan to work on the first two options.  I'll keep you all posted on my progress!