A few last hours of 2012 stateside!

Hello All,

Here we are at the end of our trip preparations. Our bags are packed and were ready to go. Our jet plane is going to take us far away. Nostalgic thoughts come to mind thinking of saying goodbye to family and friends. I recall that during our first year abroad when Julie had the scholarship, saying goodbye to everyone for a year was difficult for someone who rarely travels outside of Wichita Falls - not to mention packing for a year when all my previous knowledge of travel lends itself to a weekend away at most.

Excited, nervous, happysad {sic} anxious, anticipatory all mixed in a blender might come close to how the start of the journey feels. I'm hoping that the most glorious thing I can think of will only be part of the average day in France where I might get into something I've never thought of or considered; I may even get into a little bit of trouble! Trouble in the way of meeting  new friends and learning something that is contrary to my textbooks! I'm excited to be a student again, particularly because since becoming a teacher, I've built this image of what a perfect student should learn like, and I want to try this idea on me.

On the side of Rotary things, if there is such a thought since the trip in essence belongs to Rotary,  I'm looking forward to getting involved in service projects or starting my own. Chances are that I might think of something that would be financially beneficial to Tom Sheriff's project in Haiti with the Optometry Lab that Rotary has built there. I'm not sure where this ball is rolling, but I know it's gaining speed and there's nothing but downhill ahead of us. I would like to mention that I feel super lucky and blessed to carry the torch for Rotary in Lyon, France.

Thinking locally: We've eaten at all the places that I've guessed would be the sources of random winter cravings that are unreachable- 'untasteable'  in the south of France. Somehow, it seems that even though I've been to Taco Casa five times in the past ten days, the moment is only there. Taking it with you might seem like an option but is never the reality and isn't worth it anyway. Memories and experiences should be left in the time where they were born; they hold their value this way.

Hopefully the butterflies will meet their end as the journey begins. It feels very cathartic to be leaving the worst of the U.S. (political nastiness- local and national, 110 degree weather, and the ticks in Paducah that are from where the worm does not die). If also feels very bittersweet to be leaving the newest members of the family (Kaylea, Ava, and the one we haven't met yet Paisley!) along with the other old breeds (Lehman, Dosch, and Felts Families).

We have promises from several that have said that they are coming this time to visit. I hope that the fruit of those promises are exciting excursions and priceless pictures. Come hell, high water, late morning coffee breaks and table wine with every meal, you can find us praising God, representing Rotary, and living the dream.

The Last Ambassador

       I suppose I should explain why my signature includes the tag of 'the last ambassador.' As many of you that are associated with Rotary know, the Ambassadorial Scholarship is ending in the Spring of 2013. This is the final year that the Rotary Foundation and Rotary Districts everywhere will seek and choose scholars, name them ambassadors of goodwill, and send them out to the corners of our sphere-shaped earth. My humble place in all of this was to jump on the train just before the doors close forever. What I mean by this is that I was not selected to be a Rotary Scholar this year, but rather I was chosen to be the 1st runner up to the two excellent scholars selected from Rotary District 5790. The job of the 1st runner up is to wait by the phone in case one of the selected scholars decided he/she cannot accept the scholarship for whatever the cause, and the runner up goes in their place. I knew, as 1st runner up, exactly what to do during the waiting period:  as selected scholars only have so long before there is no turning back, I was to begin right away on the next year's application.
        A brief note: I was selected as the 1st runner up for the 2009-2010 year, and I was also selected as the 1st runner up for the 2010-2011 year.
       After going through the application, interview, re-interview process a few times and attending the ASETS outbound scholar orientation in Austin for three years, I knew plenty about the role of the 1st runner up. After the district chose their two excellent ambassadors, I immediately began to fill out the application for the 2011-2012 selection year. I downloaded the application, got my updated references in order, and called to arms my most distinguished record of any and all service/education I could add to the new year's application. I went back to teaching while periodically updating the new application when Julie's phone rings and a message from Tom Sheriff is left. In his message, he said that one of the selected scholars backed out and that I would be receiving the Ambassadorial Scholarship....if I still wanted it! WHAT?!! You mean...I get to...wait..what....is.....is this really happening....I'm going to France I'm going to FRANCE- I'M GOING TO FRANCE!!!!! After the initial shock, I gladly sent my formal acceptance letter to Tom and Rotary International and began to work on my Pre-Departure documents for Rotary.
      With the travel bug butterflies filling my stomach, I began to read and realize that had I not been the runner up this past year, I would never have been able to serve Rotary as an Ambassadorial Scholar. The reason is that when I was selected, Rotary International had not officially announced that this program was ending. The website was still operable, the new year's application was available for download, and some of the people at RI that I had spoken with were still under the assumption that there would be another year of the same ambassadorial selection process. We all knew that Rotary had plans to phase the ambassadorial program out, but we had no specifics as to when that was going to happen. Anywho, after I was made aware of me actually being a scholar, I went back to teaching, and just before Christmas break I noticed that the application and website were taken down and the announcement on the Rotary Foundation page read that there would be no Ambassadorial Scholars for the 2012-2013 selection year. I then realized that not only was there no possibility of a new scholarship year, I was the first runner up for the terminal year of the program. So, I was feeling very lucky to know that I was one of the last few selected for this scholarship.  Then, I realized Tom Sheriff had told me that the scholar who was selected before me actually backed out on the very last day that a scholar could before the no-turning-back period kicked in. So not only was I one of the last chosen for this amazing opportunity, but I was given the chance at the very last moment any runner up could have been substituted for the scholarship.
     So here's the math behind it all: 1st runner up + initial selected scholar backing out on the last day + end of Ambassadorial Program forever = The Last Ambassador. I will not say or agree to Rotary saving the best for last, but I will agree to Rotary saving the luckiest for last. I am extremely blessed to have this opportunity, and I will do my best as an Ambassador of Goodwill. Once again, a huge thanks to The Rotary Foundation, Rotary International, District 5790, Rotary Club Wichita Falls North, Tom Sheriff, my wonderful bride, and everyone else who has been a light for my journey as a scholar thus far.
    As someone who knows that I was born only to serfdom, I surely know He has chosen and blessed me beyond my deserving.

Q.P.S. (quick post script):

Julie and I got our visas last week in the mail! Off to France we go with official papers!

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." St. Augustine

I feel as though my first blog entry should allow a little perspective into our lives—we wouldn’t want to dive too quickly into all our adventures!  Let me just begin with this:  Mark, I’m so PROUD of you for getting the Rotary scholarship, and I am blessed to have you as my husband, best friend, free entertainment, mechanic, handyman, plumber, father to my dog, travel companion and all the other many roles you fill in my life.  I wonder if our posts this year will contain any stories about bats, swimsuit mishaps, disconnecting trains, salad-eating cabin co-passengers on night trains, or our adopted grandchildren who rode the train with us for 45 minutes during out last stay…

So since our last stage in France, Mark and I have been leading somewhat “normal,” peaceful lives (those of you who have heard all my personal stories about the joys of living with Mark, I’m sure you are all smiling right now, or laughing until you snort depending on how many stories you have heard).  Mark has been teaching at Old High (where most days he comes home expressing how he needs combat pay), and I have been working for the Honors Program at MSU.  I LOVE my job!  And I get to return to it after our journey to Lyon, which is more than I would have hoped to ask for.  Mark will also be able to return to a job within the WFISD.  Solomon is doing well; he will be 7 years old on July 8, and he is beginning to suspect we are preparing to leave for a little more than a trip to the grocery store.  Leaving him behind is by far the hardest part of going for such a long time—and, of course, our families (sorry guys; didn’t mean to put you all after the dog, but we know you understand and would feel the same way in our shoes!!).  However, things worked out there as well, because a WONDERFUL Honors Program student and a few of her friends not only wants to rent our house, furnished, but she also volunteered to keep Solomon.  And knowing this student, Solomon couldn’t ask for a better substitute while we are away—she already has lake trips planned, he gets to spend Christmas running around in her parents’ fenced-in, one-acre yard, and she PROMISED to Skype with us so that we can see him every once in awhile.  I have a feeling Solomon won’t even blink an eye that we’re gone once he gets to know these girls a little better.  Don’t spoil him too much, girls!

I know Mark’s first entry consists of all the fun and exciting paper trails that are never-ending during this process, which I remember all too well from when I was an ambassadorial scholar, but I can’t seem to focus for very long on that part of it.  So I’ll share my side of things instead!  This time, I am tasked with figuring out what I want to be when I grow up (and lots of shopping while Mark’s in class, since he won’t be there to stop me!!).  I know it’s kind of late for that; I am, after all, in the middle of working on a doctoral degree.  But I don’t know what I want to do with it ultimately.  I developed a passion for translating while in France in 2008-2009, and I still feel that fire alive in me, but I am struggling with finding something important and interesting enough to focus on as a big project.  And, if I’m perfectly honest, I just haven’t felt energized about doing research since the summer began.  I don’t know if it is because I am just exhausted after two long semesters of commuting and taking courses while working full-time, or if I am too full of anticipation about the year ahead, but I feel less focused than I have since my father’s death.  Of course, I haven’t really ever been able to regain a sense of wholeness since he’s been gone (does anyone ever feel whole again after such an experience?), but I know he would want me to find what I’m passionate about and never give up on it.  It would be so great if I could talk to him about this new path, so different from where I thought I was headed 5 years ago.  I know it is best to go into these new adventures with no expectations, and just see where life takes us, so that is what I will do.  But, just for fun, here are my "pretend" expectations, if I were to have any:  I’m hoping all the free time in France will allow me to feel rejuvenated, to stumble upon something to translate, and to find a direction for my next stage in life.  No pressure, or anything…

At any rate, we’re both ecstatic about the opportunity to live in France together again—as my mom says, we’ve been given a once in a lifetime opportunity twice now.  I hope she takes advantage of it and comes abroad to visit this time.  In fact, I hope that many of our friends and family will come visit us (all of you, you know who you are—take advantage of our awesome time in France, people!!).  There are no words to fully describe the experience of being in a foreign place, and it is difficult to explain to people who have never travelled.  Of course, LIVING in a foreign place is totally different than visiting, but we won’t go into that here—there will be plenty of future entries regarding those differences, trust me.  I’ve probably bored you all enough with my whole “putting things into perspective” entry, so I’ll end things here.  In short, I can’t wait to be back in la belle France with Mark, and to see what doors will open for us on this new journey.

Preparing for our trip

Hello and welcome to my blogaventure! My name is Mark Felts, and I have been fortunate enough to be a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar for the 2012-2013 school year. My assignment is to Lyon, France, to attend the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in their Comparative Cultural Studies M2 program. I will be leaving the U.S. on July 31, 2012, and will arrive one short flight and day later in my host city of Lyon. My wife, Juliana, will be coming with me to Lyon for several reasons. First of all, she is coming along because she is my best friend and we are the best team the world has yet seen! Next, she is coming (more practically) because she is fluent in French and was an Ambassadrice for Rotary in 2008-2009. She was assigned to Nantes, France, which is in the Bretagne region of Northwest France. Anywho, she will be my best asset both stateside and abroad.
To begin our journey I will try to convey what a -process, situation, ordeal, what have you- the university application, Campus France application, and Visa application has been thus far and will be in the near future. I will begin with the university application process. Mainly I will be telling you the list of documents for each application, and you can fill in the difficulty of each instead of me describing each one, so here goes:

University Application List of Documents:

1) Physical Application...of course

2) Copy of all university transcripts

3) Copy of all university diplomas, certified copy translated in French by an approved translator: $100/pg..yikes!

4) A statement of motivation; I didn't know much about this one because I'm not sure what I am writing my motivation for...is it to attend school, complete these applications, live? I'm not sure.

5) Detailed resume/vitae

6) 2 staff recommendation letters

7) proof of English usage

8) proof of French usage

9) 1 passport sized photo

10) copy of passport

11) copy of birth certificate

And that's it for the university application. Relatively easily done and was not too much trouble to get together. On to the next step; once my application and materials were submitted to the university (February 1, 2012) the university contact told me that admission results would be May 21, 2012, and they didn't mean one day sooner. So, I waited the four months daily looking in my email for the holy grail of electronic documents, and it came on May 22nd! I had been accepted and the ball was rolling East (towards France)! This letter, once received, becomes pivotal in the next litany of documents for the Campus France and Visa applications.

 Campus France list of requirements:

Before I make this list, I would like to mention the purpose of the entire Campus France process. Campus France, according to their mission and purpose statement, says that:

  "Every year, CampusFrance USA helps more than 10,000 students who wish to study in France, serving as a bridge between U.S. and French universities."

So, since Campus France is the bridge between me and French universities, I am to use Campus France to apply to my university, but only after I can show them proof of my communication and enrollment with said university...yes that's what I meant to say...let it sink in...now you're there. In short, I have to apply to Campus France after I have been accepted to my university so that Campus France can help me apply and communicate with the university that I have already been admitted to. Alors, what would the world be without governmental red tape and extra fees. Oh and by the way, the service for this super convenient fee is a low low $140 dollars. List for Campus France follows:

1) University acceptance letter!

2) Campus France official application form, of course

3) Proof of university education

4) Proof of professional experience

5) Proof of linguistic skills

6) Goals questionnaire

7) Validated choice of program and university choice

8) Application Fee form and money order

Upon acceptance from the university and acceptance from Campus France to be accepted to the university, I will receive my official Campus France attestation that will be a pivotal document at the next stage of the pre-departure paperwork pejorative platitudinous process - French Visa Application and Interview.

French Visa Application list of requirements:

1) Original Passport and copy

2) Processing Fee of 50 Euros

3) French Visa application form, of course, in English or French (I'm doing both) and copy

4) French Consulate residence form and copy

5) ID Photo, white background, no glasses, no hat, closed mouth, no smiles and duplicates

6) "Attestation" from CAMPUSFRANCE! and copy

7) Proof of registration and enrollment from the university, original and copy

8) Financial guarantee from funding source, notarized, original and copy

9) Birth certificate, original and copy

10) Marriage License, original and copy

11) Letter from financial institution indicating sufficient funds for you and spouse (if traveling with spouse who is not a student) are present in your accounts and copy

12) Letter from local police department indicating the absence of criminal records and copy

13) Self-addressed pre-paid envelope...no copy, but I'm bringing two envelopes just in case

14) Letter from French Consulate indicating date and time of appointment and copy

After one obtains all necessary documents above, the Visa website is kind enough to give potential-candidate-applicants the following statements:

• The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.
  

• Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
  

• Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.
  

Please be aware that the visa application process (between CampusFrance and the Consulate) can take up to 4 weeks.

---Most important part of the Visa application process is that you can never be prepared enough. So call up your great-grandparents immigration papers, blood, and stool samples because chances are the office will look at your documents and require something else. 

---After Visa is in hand and if we get it, we will be traveling to France where the real experiences are sure to begin, and I will do more blogging later.

---So far, I have three things that I would like to say, 1. Despite all of the grumblings about the various legions of paperwork, I am humbled at the opportunity to represent Rotary, 2. The French must operate on what I call girl shopping time, where "I'll respond quickly" turns into a six and a half month intermission, and 3. I'm pretty sure I'm God's favorite because I know nobody that gets an opportunity of a lifetime twice!

A Plus tout le monde!