A Ma Soeur de Suisse
Throughout this life we meet people here and there with a modest expectation to have an amicable interaction, just enough to get us through the daily grind and say " 'X' happened, but I met this one person and they were nice." So we are left truly feeling it was a pleasure to had met that person. No matter if it was just someone on the train, at the super market, or a passer - by on the street. We all, deep down, just want people to be nice.
Other times, we are given opportunities to choose to let certain people "deeper" into our lives and worlds. Sometimes its sparked by one of the "everyday" situations I mentioned earlier, or it can come about by a conversation, mutual interest, and/or mutual friends...and of course any combination of the three. And judging by how genuine that person is ( smile, looks, word choice) we make a decision, pretty quickly, if this person should be given a "pass" into our lives...into what I call the "Money-Zone." This is the place where we decide this person we've met was so cool or "nice" , that the chance to see them again would be a welcome one. In fact, if we happen to see this person repeatedly over "X" amount of time, we are sure that ours lives will be filled with more smiles and laughter than tears, jeers, and curses ( any of which we can get from anyone at any time).
Then, there are altogether different times, when the choice to meet someone is made for us. And it is inevitable that will be have to see this person multiple times, and the number one hope is that you can, once again, at least be civil with one another. We naturally fear for the worst, but sometimes, in these rare occasions it seems as if our meetings these people has been "crafted" by a higher power, in such a way as we are destined to have a long-lasting positive impact on each other's lives.
Such is the story of Ma Soeur de Suisse et Moi.
It all started on a sunny day in Georgia. I was riding along in a car with a dear friend, and we were having an "Aiesec" talk, and somehow the topic of work and new business in Chicagoland came up. Being a native Chicagoan and having been to the suburb where the company was located, I naturally perked up and was curious about how she planned to manage the account from the better part of 800 miles away in Georgia. We briefly spoke of the need for a new committee in Chicago, but quickly quieted down, as not to give way to any new work for either of us. Regardless, the account had to be managed and for a time I had helped her in some of process. During that time I could only imagine how "lucky" the person taking the job in Chicago would be to have the responsibility of taking care of this trainee alone in Chicago.
Low and behold....3 months later...I was mildly coerced into accepting the position with Aiesec to start the chapter in Chicago, and vicariously the responsibility for receiving this trainee.
After about 6 months of preparation and sourcing, I was there waiting at O'hare Airport with new members of the new committee with signs, waiting for a girl with "Big Curly Red Hair" and a blue bag with orange kangaroos on it. Her name is Carmen, and from that moment on, I knew this trainee would be a "special one," and not just because of the kind of bag she carried.
The company she would work for was the only remnant of the previous attempt to start Aiesec in Chicago, so she would be the one to validate that relationship, and bridge the gap between the old and new age. In addition, it turned out that I'd have to virtually split the responsibilities of managing this account and trainee, with my friend from Georgia, it was kind of like giving birth, well without the actual labor pains, emotions, and with someone else paying for the child ( pretty cool huh?). Together we shared the work and after 6 months we had saw the "fruits of our labor." I felt as if, due to the distance, I was a single father who was now responsible for the livelihood and well-being of this "little girl." She would in turn, be a lasting link between her "mom" and myself, bridging the gap of Aiesec locally and nationally with the past, present, and future.
Instantly we were brought together with the common goal of teaching newbies about the wonders of the Aiesec organization. We spent countless hours on the "L" sharing stories and collaborating on ideas to bring bring everyone together and establish a sustainable foundation for the community. I'd like to think we learned a lifetime's worth of knowledge from each other. And after 18 months we are still talking and definitely still learning and growing.
The past year and a half were incredible. Throughout that time, many many things have changed, that not all for the better. There have been absolutely priceless occasions, and amazingly forgettable ones as well. In short, there have been "learning experiences" galore! At the very least, I can say I now know more about Switzerland, South East Asia, and snowboarding than I ever had before. I have most definitely grown as a person in more ways to account, and alot of them were with her assistance. She even taught me more about Chicago ! And not to forget teaching me French and introducing me to many many other amazing people.
18 months is really a significant amount of time to spend in one place that isn't your home. Now when you couple that with living in foreign country away from everything and ANYTHING that is remotely comfortable, establishing a life and being truly comfortable becomes an increasingly daunting task. And through it all, Carmen handled it with flawless execution...like a pro.
During our time "together", I went on my own journey to the far off land of Tunisia. As I left I could feel the air of uncertainty, fear, and doubt among many people. There was a sense of bewilderment in everyone, especially me, about everything...namely the future of Aiesec in Chicago and what would happen when everyone was finally " liberated," from my reign. So as I settled in thousands of miles away, I would look back and see certain things unravelling, and it was hard to dodge the feeling of losing all of "it" that we established. In that regard I was certainly melancholy upon my return to Chicago, but there was still hope, as fortunately, not EVERYTHING had changed. Namely the uncompromising warmth and spirit that Carmen carried with her and shared with everyone. Similar to the pride any parent has when their child is doing well and succeeding in life, my heart was swollen with a HUGE pride and sense of hope upon reuniting with Carmen and seeing how busy she'd been, and how much she'd grown, adapted, and continued to have the positive impact on the lives of others, in or out of Aiesec.
Words can't do justice to how thankful I am for all she's done and for the opportunity have learned and grown from her. In the great times, good times, bad times, and numerous "heated discussions", I never lost respect for her as a person and never once regretted this card I was dealt in meeting her.
In the end, as time progressed, I got to experience the evolution of a relationship, first hand. She came her as my customer...as trainee who was also my responsibility /child and although those feelings will never leave, our relationship grew into what it was ultimately meant to be.
A relationship of a brother and a sister.
Carmen, tu est ma soeur de suisse. Thank you for being you, and helping learn how to be a better me. Needless to say, I will miss my sister alot.
A la prochaine fois,
Love,
Ton Frère
Other times, we are given opportunities to choose to let certain people "deeper" into our lives and worlds. Sometimes its sparked by one of the "everyday" situations I mentioned earlier, or it can come about by a conversation, mutual interest, and/or mutual friends...and of course any combination of the three. And judging by how genuine that person is ( smile, looks, word choice) we make a decision, pretty quickly, if this person should be given a "pass" into our lives...into what I call the "Money-Zone." This is the place where we decide this person we've met was so cool or "nice" , that the chance to see them again would be a welcome one. In fact, if we happen to see this person repeatedly over "X" amount of time, we are sure that ours lives will be filled with more smiles and laughter than tears, jeers, and curses ( any of which we can get from anyone at any time).
Then, there are altogether different times, when the choice to meet someone is made for us. And it is inevitable that will be have to see this person multiple times, and the number one hope is that you can, once again, at least be civil with one another. We naturally fear for the worst, but sometimes, in these rare occasions it seems as if our meetings these people has been "crafted" by a higher power, in such a way as we are destined to have a long-lasting positive impact on each other's lives.
Such is the story of Ma Soeur de Suisse et Moi.
It all started on a sunny day in Georgia. I was riding along in a car with a dear friend, and we were having an "Aiesec" talk, and somehow the topic of work and new business in Chicagoland came up. Being a native Chicagoan and having been to the suburb where the company was located, I naturally perked up and was curious about how she planned to manage the account from the better part of 800 miles away in Georgia. We briefly spoke of the need for a new committee in Chicago, but quickly quieted down, as not to give way to any new work for either of us. Regardless, the account had to be managed and for a time I had helped her in some of process. During that time I could only imagine how "lucky" the person taking the job in Chicago would be to have the responsibility of taking care of this trainee alone in Chicago.
Low and behold....3 months later...I was mildly coerced into accepting the position with Aiesec to start the chapter in Chicago, and vicariously the responsibility for receiving this trainee.
After about 6 months of preparation and sourcing, I was there waiting at O'hare Airport with new members of the new committee with signs, waiting for a girl with "Big Curly Red Hair" and a blue bag with orange kangaroos on it. Her name is Carmen, and from that moment on, I knew this trainee would be a "special one," and not just because of the kind of bag she carried.
The company she would work for was the only remnant of the previous attempt to start Aiesec in Chicago, so she would be the one to validate that relationship, and bridge the gap between the old and new age. In addition, it turned out that I'd have to virtually split the responsibilities of managing this account and trainee, with my friend from Georgia, it was kind of like giving birth, well without the actual labor pains, emotions, and with someone else paying for the child ( pretty cool huh?). Together we shared the work and after 6 months we had saw the "fruits of our labor." I felt as if, due to the distance, I was a single father who was now responsible for the livelihood and well-being of this "little girl." She would in turn, be a lasting link between her "mom" and myself, bridging the gap of Aiesec locally and nationally with the past, present, and future.
Instantly we were brought together with the common goal of teaching newbies about the wonders of the Aiesec organization. We spent countless hours on the "L" sharing stories and collaborating on ideas to bring bring everyone together and establish a sustainable foundation for the community. I'd like to think we learned a lifetime's worth of knowledge from each other. And after 18 months we are still talking and definitely still learning and growing.
The past year and a half were incredible. Throughout that time, many many things have changed, that not all for the better. There have been absolutely priceless occasions, and amazingly forgettable ones as well. In short, there have been "learning experiences" galore! At the very least, I can say I now know more about Switzerland, South East Asia, and snowboarding than I ever had before. I have most definitely grown as a person in more ways to account, and alot of them were with her assistance. She even taught me more about Chicago ! And not to forget teaching me French and introducing me to many many other amazing people.
18 months is really a significant amount of time to spend in one place that isn't your home. Now when you couple that with living in foreign country away from everything and ANYTHING that is remotely comfortable, establishing a life and being truly comfortable becomes an increasingly daunting task. And through it all, Carmen handled it with flawless execution...like a pro.
During our time "together", I went on my own journey to the far off land of Tunisia. As I left I could feel the air of uncertainty, fear, and doubt among many people. There was a sense of bewilderment in everyone, especially me, about everything...namely the future of Aiesec in Chicago and what would happen when everyone was finally " liberated," from my reign. So as I settled in thousands of miles away, I would look back and see certain things unravelling, and it was hard to dodge the feeling of losing all of "it" that we established. In that regard I was certainly melancholy upon my return to Chicago, but there was still hope, as fortunately, not EVERYTHING had changed. Namely the uncompromising warmth and spirit that Carmen carried with her and shared with everyone. Similar to the pride any parent has when their child is doing well and succeeding in life, my heart was swollen with a HUGE pride and sense of hope upon reuniting with Carmen and seeing how busy she'd been, and how much she'd grown, adapted, and continued to have the positive impact on the lives of others, in or out of Aiesec.
Words can't do justice to how thankful I am for all she's done and for the opportunity have learned and grown from her. In the great times, good times, bad times, and numerous "heated discussions", I never lost respect for her as a person and never once regretted this card I was dealt in meeting her.
In the end, as time progressed, I got to experience the evolution of a relationship, first hand. She came her as my customer...as trainee who was also my responsibility /child and although those feelings will never leave, our relationship grew into what it was ultimately meant to be.
A relationship of a brother and a sister.
Carmen, tu est ma soeur de suisse. Thank you for being you, and helping learn how to be a better me. Needless to say, I will miss my sister alot.
A la prochaine fois,
Love,
Ton Frère
