Jackie, the businesswoman! Yes, I meant to say that, although I don't think my name and that word have ever been in the same sentence before. It looks like all my hard work in the foreign language department is starting to pay off- literally! This year I've been actively trying to get my foot in the door of the translation/interpretation world, went to an interview, started an internship, you know.. baby steps. Well apparently I wasn't cut out for baby steps because I'm about to go to EUROPE as a translator/interpreter, and the best part (or the worst part?) is that it's not for Spanish... or Italian... it's not even for Portuguese, nope it's for German AND French. Wait, WHAT!? I don't even speak those languages except for a semester each in college, well at least that's what I was saying a month and a half ago when I first got the job offer. So apparently they saw me as the best candidate for a) being available for a month in October, b) having a valid passport, and c) speaking a bunch of foreign languages. It didn't really matter that I didn't speak the ones they needed, I could learn in a month, right? They honored my request to send me Rosetta Stone ASAP and I got started studying ASAP. It has been exciting and frustrating, I'm doing surprisingly better with German than French (pronunciation- ick) and I figured, if anyone can possibly do this, then it's me, I can do it. Well I've sort of come to the conclusion that no, it's not really possible to learn TWO languages in ONE month with just Rosetta Stone (not to knock Rosetta Stone, I'm very impressed with it). BUT I have come very far and learned a lot, and comfortably feel like I can at least put up a valiant effort over there. Wish me luck on that one.
The company: The Cable Connection is based out of Carson City, NV (actually Moundhouse but who knows where that is) and they manufacture, sell, and distribute cable railing parts. Or something along those lines, and they are looking to expand to Europe, hence, the business trip. I will be going along with their traveling Sales Rep on a "fact-finding mission" to various locations throughout Germany, France, and the Netherlands (I hope they realize the Dutch speak Dutch and I don't, that never came up..) in hopes to build contacts and establish business relationships and hopefully some sales. I'm just there to translate, or so they say. We are starting with a trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany this Tuesday for the first few days and plan to return to the States on Oct 29, and that's all I know for now. My dad works for this company, I assume he's the reason I'm going, so THANKS DAD!!!! Wish you could come..
I'm excited to experience a new kind of traveling, business class! With a laptop, suitcase, business attire (I had to purchase a few items, strangely enough my wardrobe didn't consist of any). Although I'm sure I will feel like a poser at first, I'm hoping I'll get used to it, if I can figure out how to make this a career I'd be set! I'm really looking forward to a taste of Europe, a doner (a German kebab), scarves and pea coats, French crépes, cappuccini, oh and of course German beer. I love Europe in the fall, I've spent the last two there, I like this pattern:)
And God-willing I will find some delicious Italian restaurant where I can get my fix of great pizza/pasta and fizzy wine, maybe even some Italiano? I'm also planning to visit my sister Lydia in Berlin, she just had a baby boy in April, it will be my first time meeting my little nephew! Unlike other trips I've done, I will be staying in hotels, with internet (and free towels!) (apparently this is normal), so I won't fall off the face of the earth, and I plan to keep updating my blog as I go. And of course, my favorite, photos!
So here I go, wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!!!!
Ich glaube dass ich werde mir Spass machen und bevor ich es weiss, werde ich in Costa Rica sein! Je n'aime pas parler Francais, mais j'aime manger la cuisine francaise (et boire le vin)!
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