Woke up this morning, went on a jog (30 minutes, of which I jogged 20...), caught my train, forgot to compost my billet, composted my billet with 2 minutes to spare.
Trains make me anxious. Luckily there was a kind woman sitting across from me who calmed me down, told me I was on the right train and guarded my bags while I composted my ticket. What a sweetheart :) I owe you one, karma.
Was picked up by two wonderful and sassy grandparents.
Granny Peppa- When we come pick you up on monday, we may be covered in blood. We're visiting our lawyer that morning.
Me- Her blood or yours?
Granny Peppa- Hers.
Nuff said.
Then took a plane (AN HOUR LONG FLIGHT... BEST TIMES EVER) to south hampton, where I saw my beloved father for the first time in six weeks. It'll be another eight months after this weekend before I see him again. Sad times. But knowing I have such a loving support base at home means I can venture forth freely. Plus adventuring takes up a lot of emotional capacity. If you notice me acting more like a robot in terms of affection, chances are I had an adventure. It happens to the best of us.
Currently on the Isle of Wight, place of unmarked roads and british accents. I tried my hand at a fake british accents. My cousins shut me down. But they've been teaching me, very kindly.
"Would you like a cup of tea?"
I've been responding and speaking in french by accident here. Greeted my cousin I met today with "salut mec" (what's up dude). We (all those under the age of 18 and 364 days) had a little show off with all the weird flexibility double jointed things we can do.
Me-You have too much free time.
Cousin Ned-No, just badly spent time.
Tomorrow we dance until three in the morning.
Elle me dit danse, danse, danse, danse.
YAY FOR BEING NINETEEN THIS WEEKEND!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Upset ducks.
Went on a quick jog this morning. Saw a gardener getting chased by some upset ducks.
Drank hot cocoa from a bowl for the first time. I feel French.
Here I come, L'Angleterre!
Drank hot cocoa from a bowl for the first time. I feel French.
Here I come, L'Angleterre!
Warm and Fuzzy
I'm going to england tomorrow! This weekend is my birthday also, so for those of you thusly concerned, do a little dance on my behalf and maybe drop me a line saying how you're doing.
Even if you forget, I tend to celebrate my birthday the whole month of October. All days are valid. I got teased by a lot of people (namely my piano teacher) for being super enthusiastic about my birthday. So what if I have a countdown starting in April? It's a big deal. I'll be able to drink in Canada (eh?).
A philosophical musing: Learning a new language is for me as much an experience of new things as it is defining the language you already know. New distinct borders are formed in my brain. This is where English is. This is where French is. This is where they intermingle. I still mess up ever other sentence, but my comprehension is chugging along at a mighty pace. It helps that Nantes is filled with people who will correct you (in the politest, most helpful way). Thank you to random strangers for telling me to be careful with the verb baisser vs baiser. To turn down (as in lower the heat) vs. to sleep with someone (think the vulgar word). Or the phrases "Je Peux" vs. "je pu."
One means I am able, the other means I stink.
Je ne pu pas.
Had my dance class today, super duper fun. Had a dudely chat (I MISS YOU MY MANLY FRIENDS... AND MY LADY FRIENDS) with two of my gentleman friends. They were telling me about how one of the girls in class was so awesome "she made my pants explode." I think their intended message was a little less strong. #englishasasecondlanguage I mean, she was cute. But not dynamite.
Was treated to a group of guys playing at a bar. They did a song by Caravan Palace and their lady friend sang along. It gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
Even if you forget, I tend to celebrate my birthday the whole month of October. All days are valid. I got teased by a lot of people (namely my piano teacher) for being super enthusiastic about my birthday. So what if I have a countdown starting in April? It's a big deal. I'll be able to drink in Canada (eh?).
A philosophical musing: Learning a new language is for me as much an experience of new things as it is defining the language you already know. New distinct borders are formed in my brain. This is where English is. This is where French is. This is where they intermingle. I still mess up ever other sentence, but my comprehension is chugging along at a mighty pace. It helps that Nantes is filled with people who will correct you (in the politest, most helpful way). Thank you to random strangers for telling me to be careful with the verb baisser vs baiser. To turn down (as in lower the heat) vs. to sleep with someone (think the vulgar word). Or the phrases "Je Peux" vs. "je pu."
One means I am able, the other means I stink.
Je ne pu pas.
Had my dance class today, super duper fun. Had a dudely chat (I MISS YOU MY MANLY FRIENDS... AND MY LADY FRIENDS) with two of my gentleman friends. They were telling me about how one of the girls in class was so awesome "she made my pants explode." I think their intended message was a little less strong. #englishasasecondlanguage I mean, she was cute. But not dynamite.
Was treated to a group of guys playing at a bar. They did a song by Caravan Palace and their lady friend sang along. It gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Slingy Slang
Today I spoke French, English and Spanish at lunch. I learned how to say, "I have no money, my friend will pay," "why yes I love Shakira," and "rico suave." I'm all set.
The 1 tram line also wasn't working today so I had a 20 minute walk. I made it to class on time, because unlike the majority of dawdlers who walk around Nantes, I go with a purpose. Thank you Granny Peppa for the long legs. Less thank you for not giving me your natural grace. City of cobblestones, meet constant klutz.
I also stopped by the bibliotheque (library) to get some books. Picked up some poems by Maya Angelou, "The Sound and The Fury" by William Faulkner, Dom Juam/Juan By Moliere, The collected notebooks of Victor Hugo and a biographie of Victor Hugo. My weekend reading.
Learned a very important lesson in french yesterday. So I thought the phrase "tu me manques" meant "you miss me." Which is kind of a cocky thing to say. But actually it means "I miss you." "Je te manque" means you miss me. Kinda counterintuitive. ChuckandCindy, this is why all your "tu me manques" have elicted sassy responses. Tu me maques aussi, et desole.
Fun thing we learned today in writing class. So in France there was (some annees back) a big enthusiasm for les Chansons realistes. They were focused on how everyone does drugs, all women are whores, all men are bad guys, life is really hard, we turn to sex to live with it, and so forth. My prof pointed out that it's kind of similar to today's gangster rap. Edith Piaf is probably rolling in her grave. But everyone agreed that gangster rap has more "frimer" which means "to be cocky."
They have a verb for this. Tu frimes, je frime, Lil' Wayne frime, tout le monde frime.
La frime. Noun version. Cockiness.
Word.
Some more slang I've learned today.
German Slang-
Schnorrer- To be a mooch. Eat everyone else's food.
Asian Slang-
Tai-mei - Beau gosse/hottie in taiwanese/chinese
zheng-mei- "hey sexy lady" in taiwanese/chinese
British Slang-
Waagwan- What's going on?
Phrase of the day:
"Vachement pu mais carrement delicieux"
Vachement literally translates as "cowly" as in cow... But it means super duper, or really really really. Same with carrement, save the bit about the cow. Translated, this phrase means
"really really stinky, but super duper delicious."
I think we were talking about some type of sushi.
The 1 tram line also wasn't working today so I had a 20 minute walk. I made it to class on time, because unlike the majority of dawdlers who walk around Nantes, I go with a purpose. Thank you Granny Peppa for the long legs. Less thank you for not giving me your natural grace. City of cobblestones, meet constant klutz.
I also stopped by the bibliotheque (library) to get some books. Picked up some poems by Maya Angelou, "The Sound and The Fury" by William Faulkner, Dom Juam/Juan By Moliere, The collected notebooks of Victor Hugo and a biographie of Victor Hugo. My weekend reading.
Learned a very important lesson in french yesterday. So I thought the phrase "tu me manques" meant "you miss me." Which is kind of a cocky thing to say. But actually it means "I miss you." "Je te manque" means you miss me. Kinda counterintuitive. ChuckandCindy, this is why all your "tu me manques" have elicted sassy responses. Tu me maques aussi, et desole.
Fun thing we learned today in writing class. So in France there was (some annees back) a big enthusiasm for les Chansons realistes. They were focused on how everyone does drugs, all women are whores, all men are bad guys, life is really hard, we turn to sex to live with it, and so forth. My prof pointed out that it's kind of similar to today's gangster rap. Edith Piaf is probably rolling in her grave. But everyone agreed that gangster rap has more "frimer" which means "to be cocky."
They have a verb for this. Tu frimes, je frime, Lil' Wayne frime, tout le monde frime.
La frime. Noun version. Cockiness.
Word.
Some more slang I've learned today.
German Slang-
Schnorrer- To be a mooch. Eat everyone else's food.
Asian Slang-
Tai-mei - Beau gosse/hottie in taiwanese/chinese
zheng-mei- "hey sexy lady" in taiwanese/chinese
British Slang-
Waagwan- What's going on?
Phrase of the day:
"Vachement pu mais carrement delicieux"
Vachement literally translates as "cowly" as in cow... But it means super duper, or really really really. Same with carrement, save the bit about the cow. Translated, this phrase means
"really really stinky, but super duper delicious."
I think we were talking about some type of sushi.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Better Looking The Better
So today I had a chat with my host brother, as he wanted to find out who was better looking, American dudes or French dudes. I dithered and said I found there were attractive gentleman everywhere, but he had none of it... So please help me decide and vote to the left your response.
Fun fact I'd like to say. So in the stereotypical world of frenchie France there is the good food, chain smokers, the mimes, and the random dude playing accordion on the street. So far save the mimes, I've seen it all.
Wait, I did see mimes at a jazz fest.
Yep, living the stereotype.
My host fam was making fun of me, saying that my parents had emailed them because they were concerned I was going out to late, and partying every night, etc etc etc.
Not true, by the way.
But they definitely got me, and so I had this look of stricken panic. The one where the little miss goody two shoes gets accused. No I swear I'm innocent. I just have a lot of friends. But manage to be home before midnight.
Speaking of midnight, I'm tired.
Nighty night!
Fun fact I'd like to say. So in the stereotypical world of frenchie France there is the good food, chain smokers, the mimes, and the random dude playing accordion on the street. So far save the mimes, I've seen it all.
Wait, I did see mimes at a jazz fest.
Yep, living the stereotype.
My host fam was making fun of me, saying that my parents had emailed them because they were concerned I was going out to late, and partying every night, etc etc etc.
Not true, by the way.
But they definitely got me, and so I had this look of stricken panic. The one where the little miss goody two shoes gets accused. No I swear I'm innocent. I just have a lot of friends. But manage to be home before midnight.
Speaking of midnight, I'm tired.
Nighty night!
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Most Exciting Scrabble Ever
Typical monday today. Had to act out the part of a grasshopper in a french skit (I'm a pretty terrible grasshopper... One of my truly saddening faults) and watched french films without sous-titres... Impossible, I tell you. It was pretty funny when we had the descriptions for blind people "she is in a taxi, now she answers her phone." (and so forth, but in french and annoying). And no subtitles.
I also had a test on the passé today, which I think I did alright. My drawings will probably get me extra points. There was a crocodile, a skeleton, a bird and an upside down monster with the words "Il faut pas tomber." It means "One mustn't fall." Tis funnier in French.
Other exciting things... Hmmmm. My friends went to the beach yesterday, and saw a sign that said Fete de Scrabble! "Le plus excitant Scrabble vous jouerez jamais dans votre vie!"
In other words, a scrabble party with the most exciting scrabble you'll ever play in your life.
It's great to be alive in a world with parties like those. Don't go too crazy! It's apparently good for ages 9-99. Sucks to be 100... or 8. But when I was 8, I hated reading. They could barely get me to read books like "Bob's Ball." But then I matured to Where the Wild Things Are and everything Edward Gorey, and then when I was 11, I took on Gone With The Wind. Did I understand most of it? Well the bits about Confederate soldiers and Scarlett's business transactions yes. But the sexytime/endless pining?
Yeah the re-read was a bit of a shock.
And for those of you with 8 year olds who hate reading, maybe they'll get addicted like me. Just make them wait till they have had sex ed to let them read Gone With The Wind. Civil War era novels are not the best way to learn such things.
Some Dictionnaire Terms for You! (If you want to keep up with all the terms, I'll be starting a little side bar column thing with all my favorite terms. check it)
Argotique- from "L'argot" which is slang. So it means slangy.
Le sosie- le doppelganger. My german friend took the mickey out of me and my amurican accent. Doppelganger sounds way better in German, but I'm still gonna throw my twangy pronunciation out there.
Die katzo!- Go dickhead! (this is Italian).
Suka- Salope (this is russian). Salope is something you can look up on your own time. I promised my mom this would be a PG-13 blog...
Caf-Cons- Cafe Concerts.
Faire La Manche- Beg for money
Fun Fact Of The Day:
Japanese say "Brado Pitto."
I also had a test on the passé today, which I think I did alright. My drawings will probably get me extra points. There was a crocodile, a skeleton, a bird and an upside down monster with the words "Il faut pas tomber." It means "One mustn't fall." Tis funnier in French.
Other exciting things... Hmmmm. My friends went to the beach yesterday, and saw a sign that said Fete de Scrabble! "Le plus excitant Scrabble vous jouerez jamais dans votre vie!"
In other words, a scrabble party with the most exciting scrabble you'll ever play in your life.
It's great to be alive in a world with parties like those. Don't go too crazy! It's apparently good for ages 9-99. Sucks to be 100... or 8. But when I was 8, I hated reading. They could barely get me to read books like "Bob's Ball." But then I matured to Where the Wild Things Are and everything Edward Gorey, and then when I was 11, I took on Gone With The Wind. Did I understand most of it? Well the bits about Confederate soldiers and Scarlett's business transactions yes. But the sexytime/endless pining?
Yeah the re-read was a bit of a shock.
And for those of you with 8 year olds who hate reading, maybe they'll get addicted like me. Just make them wait till they have had sex ed to let them read Gone With The Wind. Civil War era novels are not the best way to learn such things.
Some Dictionnaire Terms for You! (If you want to keep up with all the terms, I'll be starting a little side bar column thing with all my favorite terms. check it)
Argotique- from "L'argot" which is slang. So it means slangy.
Le sosie- le doppelganger. My german friend took the mickey out of me and my amurican accent. Doppelganger sounds way better in German, but I'm still gonna throw my twangy pronunciation out there.
Die katzo!- Go dickhead! (this is Italian).
Suka- Salope (this is russian). Salope is something you can look up on your own time. I promised my mom this would be a PG-13 blog...
Caf-Cons- Cafe Concerts.
Faire La Manche- Beg for money
Fun Fact Of The Day:
Japanese say "Brado Pitto."
Sunday, September 25, 2011
All Weddings Should Be French Weddings
It's really true. I mean this in the sense that one should dance the night away, have a helicopter show up randomly during cocktail hour, nobody gets too drunk and the music is awesome. We (everyone who doesn't have a french wedding) are sooooo stupid not to have a dance like le rock. Gah. I can't get over it. I keep telling people I don't have the words in french to describe my feelings for french weddings. I don't think I do in english either.
Le rock is super fun, though very dizzying. It's good to have a french guy or two nearby to catch you when you're feeling faint. I'm not exactly a pro, but for my first time, I'm not too bad. Some of the dance moves are positively acrobatic. Look up RocknRoll Danse on youtube to get an idea for it. High schools and weddings everywhere should teach it, because it works for all ages (seriously, some 80-year-olds were getting down at 4 am) and it's super fun. To use the french term, "hypersexy."
Where do I begin with the french wedding? Is it the fact that everyone wears hats and there's a hat tree for when the dancing starts? Or that I was told by a Frenchman "If I don't end up with my tie around my head it's not a good wedding?"
I could go into depth about my drunk not-swiss-but-kind-of-french friend who followed me around speaking english. I tried to speak french to him but he had none of it. He told me he had an American accent so I told him I had an Australian accent. There is the same amount of truth in both those statements.
There was continuous humor in the fact that the majority of the songs were in english... And so I was one of maybe five people who understood just how inappropriate Kid Cudi is. Of course they all sing along though. "All the crazy s%^$ I did tonight...."
The biggest compliment of the evening came when I was chatting with an American also in attendance. He told me he had met another guy who said he'd thought I was french. I'd introduced myself in a very french way and continued to hold my own... Score one for the good guys! My host family laughed at me though, and said "We hope you realize you have an accent."
Of course I do. No need to remind me, I'm not getting too cocky. I get made fun of all day every day. ("I think French people like Americans a lot, but Americans like French people more..." -French friend. I'm having a hard time judging the truth of that. They are pretty into a lot of things State-ish here)
What else can I regale you with? The time when the bride and groom got tossed up and down by their friends, or that everyone got on the dance floor to "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)". WOOOOOT ABBA!
Or one of the great aunts telling me that I was "La Belle Americaine" and then following that up with saying that "La Belle Americaine" means a really nice Cadillac or American-ish car. Likened to a car... And loving it.
Dinner with les ados was interesting, mostly because we only had wine, ham and potato chips. So we rolled the chips into ham and had some sophisticated exchange of swear words and opinions about religion. Everyone here smokes like a chimney at French weddings. I guess that's the only thing I'd change, because it makes one nearly asthmatic to be around it all the time. Wheeze, wheeze.
I made probably thirty friends during the evening, all of whom remembered my name. Unfortunately, I was very sleepy and forgot 25/30 such that the next morning when everyone was going "SALUT M----" I gave a very sheepish "Bonjour." Gotta work on that.
Truly, I will guard this experience in my memories for the rest of my life. French Weddings have set the new high for me, but luckily I've got a British one this weekend. Comparison in order?
As one of my Colombian friend's mom's told her "Profitez! Profitez! Profitez bien!"
I like to do the following with my adventures.
"Think of it as research for your memoirs."
-ChuckandCindy
Le rock is super fun, though very dizzying. It's good to have a french guy or two nearby to catch you when you're feeling faint. I'm not exactly a pro, but for my first time, I'm not too bad. Some of the dance moves are positively acrobatic. Look up RocknRoll Danse on youtube to get an idea for it. High schools and weddings everywhere should teach it, because it works for all ages (seriously, some 80-year-olds were getting down at 4 am) and it's super fun. To use the french term, "hypersexy."
Where do I begin with the french wedding? Is it the fact that everyone wears hats and there's a hat tree for when the dancing starts? Or that I was told by a Frenchman "If I don't end up with my tie around my head it's not a good wedding?"
I could go into depth about my drunk not-swiss-but-kind-of-french friend who followed me around speaking english. I tried to speak french to him but he had none of it. He told me he had an American accent so I told him I had an Australian accent. There is the same amount of truth in both those statements.
There was continuous humor in the fact that the majority of the songs were in english... And so I was one of maybe five people who understood just how inappropriate Kid Cudi is. Of course they all sing along though. "All the crazy s%^$ I did tonight...."
The biggest compliment of the evening came when I was chatting with an American also in attendance. He told me he had met another guy who said he'd thought I was french. I'd introduced myself in a very french way and continued to hold my own... Score one for the good guys! My host family laughed at me though, and said "We hope you realize you have an accent."
Of course I do. No need to remind me, I'm not getting too cocky. I get made fun of all day every day. ("I think French people like Americans a lot, but Americans like French people more..." -French friend. I'm having a hard time judging the truth of that. They are pretty into a lot of things State-ish here)
What else can I regale you with? The time when the bride and groom got tossed up and down by their friends, or that everyone got on the dance floor to "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)". WOOOOOT ABBA!
Or one of the great aunts telling me that I was "La Belle Americaine" and then following that up with saying that "La Belle Americaine" means a really nice Cadillac or American-ish car. Likened to a car... And loving it.
Dinner with les ados was interesting, mostly because we only had wine, ham and potato chips. So we rolled the chips into ham and had some sophisticated exchange of swear words and opinions about religion. Everyone here smokes like a chimney at French weddings. I guess that's the only thing I'd change, because it makes one nearly asthmatic to be around it all the time. Wheeze, wheeze.
I made probably thirty friends during the evening, all of whom remembered my name. Unfortunately, I was very sleepy and forgot 25/30 such that the next morning when everyone was going "SALUT M----" I gave a very sheepish "Bonjour." Gotta work on that.
Truly, I will guard this experience in my memories for the rest of my life. French Weddings have set the new high for me, but luckily I've got a British one this weekend. Comparison in order?
As one of my Colombian friend's mom's told her "Profitez! Profitez! Profitez bien!"
I like to do the following with my adventures.
"Think of it as research for your memoirs."
-ChuckandCindy
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Humor Down The Drain
Am going to be busy celebrating a marriage this weekend with my host family and as such there will be no updates till Sunday, or more likely Monday.
HOWEVER, stay tuned for then, because you'll get an in depth look into a french wedding. This incredible event is rarely witnessed by foreigners and as such will be very informative and as much like an educational documentary as I can make it.
Something funny I keep forgetting to post. The biggest show in France is "How I Met Your Mother".... It's how everyone picks up American slang. I've never watched it, but this feverish addiction looks like fun. Perhaps I shall dabble.
Yesterday I also was designated the official American-French translator for all random things in our class. Je pige que dalle (I don't understand a damn thing) sometimes with these American words in french accents. Spent 10 minutes trying to figure out was plehmubeel was.
Playmobile.. Like the toy? Yeah, we used that as an example in my dance class.
Also, thought of a stupid joke...
What does an east coast coach give before the big game?
Prep talks...
Ah, preps. My apologies for how horrible my sense of humor is. I laugh at the silliest things (gold digger ring tones, tripping on cobblestones, and reading my french bible (aka my guide biligue to romantic conversation)).
If you want something a little more adult-like, I can email you my favorites from the dictionary. One of my favorites is
Fais pas ta mijaurée. It means "don't be so pretentious woman." But not really. I think it actually means "stop being so minx-like." Any ideas, french slang speakers?
HOWEVER, stay tuned for then, because you'll get an in depth look into a french wedding. This incredible event is rarely witnessed by foreigners and as such will be very informative and as much like an educational documentary as I can make it.
Something funny I keep forgetting to post. The biggest show in France is "How I Met Your Mother".... It's how everyone picks up American slang. I've never watched it, but this feverish addiction looks like fun. Perhaps I shall dabble.
Yesterday I also was designated the official American-French translator for all random things in our class. Je pige que dalle (I don't understand a damn thing) sometimes with these American words in french accents. Spent 10 minutes trying to figure out was plehmubeel was.
Playmobile.. Like the toy? Yeah, we used that as an example in my dance class.
Also, thought of a stupid joke...
What does an east coast coach give before the big game?
Prep talks...
Ah, preps. My apologies for how horrible my sense of humor is. I laugh at the silliest things (gold digger ring tones, tripping on cobblestones, and reading my french bible (aka my guide biligue to romantic conversation)).
If you want something a little more adult-like, I can email you my favorites from the dictionary. One of my favorites is
Fais pas ta mijaurée. It means "don't be so pretentious woman." But not really. I think it actually means "stop being so minx-like." Any ideas, french slang speakers?
Move It Move It
I dedicate this post to Sutton and Aditi.
Today was marked by me falling asleep in class for a few minutes, and more importantly talking for five minutes straight to 32 people about how much I like breakfast using slang words. I frickin' kiffe le pet't dej y'all connait?
Exactly like that. But cooler.
Awkward incident today where I became friends with an awesome Colombian girl... Following happened.
Friend: So she's a colombian, and my brother was like, you know they probably have tons of coffee.
Colombian: Yes, it's true.
Friend: And he was said they'd probably offer you cocaine.
Colombian: Hey, you want some? (long pause) It's a joke...
Two of my other Colombian friends (I have a lot of colombian friends here) were giving me a tutorial on how to roll my r's. I roll them like Shakirrrra. Needless to say, after French, Spanish won't be too hard. Apparently in Espangolophone (yes I made that up) countries, if you can't roll your r's, it's like having a lisp in English. They have professionals to correct this. It's a major problem if you can't roll your r's in spanish. How are people supposed to know if it is two r's or one???
I also learned how to say "Move it dickhead" in Italian and "I have a cold" in German. Equally useful, one presumes.
Random sighting of the day: Girl throwing up on a building in the centre-ville and then calmly taking the tram. Gutsy? Or just a regular 5 pm habit? Do I want to know?
It's nearly 1 am now... Time to stop listening to MIKA's only French song (it's a big deal guys) and hit the hay.
Today was marked by me falling asleep in class for a few minutes, and more importantly talking for five minutes straight to 32 people about how much I like breakfast using slang words. I frickin' kiffe le pet't dej y'all connait?
Exactly like that. But cooler.
Awkward incident today where I became friends with an awesome Colombian girl... Following happened.
Friend: So she's a colombian, and my brother was like, you know they probably have tons of coffee.
Colombian: Yes, it's true.
Friend: And he was said they'd probably offer you cocaine.
Colombian: Hey, you want some? (long pause) It's a joke...
Two of my other Colombian friends (I have a lot of colombian friends here) were giving me a tutorial on how to roll my r's. I roll them like Shakirrrra. Needless to say, after French, Spanish won't be too hard. Apparently in Espangolophone (yes I made that up) countries, if you can't roll your r's, it's like having a lisp in English. They have professionals to correct this. It's a major problem if you can't roll your r's in spanish. How are people supposed to know if it is two r's or one???
I also learned how to say "Move it dickhead" in Italian and "I have a cold" in German. Equally useful, one presumes.
Random sighting of the day: Girl throwing up on a building in the centre-ville and then calmly taking the tram. Gutsy? Or just a regular 5 pm habit? Do I want to know?
It's nearly 1 am now... Time to stop listening to MIKA's only French song (it's a big deal guys) and hit the hay.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Field On Which We Play On
Ooof I'm once again exhausted. Listening to french all day, then having to respond, use the right tense, verb, and so forth.... Plus being surrounded by awesome people and doing tons of fun (but tiring things).
It's not that difficult, but it is really tiring.
I won't Râler too long (it means to "moan" or "whine"). Here are some cool things.
Returning chez moi late last night with a friend I saw these artists making sculptures out of tape. They are sooooo awesome. If they are there tomorrow I'll snap some shots. I'm a sucker for public displays of art like that. Not the tacky, tagging kind but the stuff that is real artwork, with style and sass.
Talked in class today about how "le client n'est pas roi ici." The client is not king here, as seen by the often downright rude reception one gets. Personally I'm afraid of Parisien waiters (WHAT DO YOU WANT YEAH?). I can deal with being casually disregarded by sales staff here. I did inherit a watered down version of my mother's talent for commanding the attention of an entire boutique. I get attention because I'm making a fool of myself and need help, whereas she is authoritative and in charge.
One hopes I grow into her version.
Finally we had a very interesting discussion about french swear words. The male adjectif for someone mean and cruel is "salaud." The female equivalent is "salope" which means whore.... Double standard here? My prof thought so, pointing out that in his (wise) opinion that men tend to have more fun and a more fufilling existence when the world is more equal. Until then I'm going to use "mec-salope" which means "man-whore"... We coined it in class today.
Playing field= slightly more leveled.
It's not that difficult, but it is really tiring.
I won't Râler too long (it means to "moan" or "whine"). Here are some cool things.
Returning chez moi late last night with a friend I saw these artists making sculptures out of tape. They are sooooo awesome. If they are there tomorrow I'll snap some shots. I'm a sucker for public displays of art like that. Not the tacky, tagging kind but the stuff that is real artwork, with style and sass.
Talked in class today about how "le client n'est pas roi ici." The client is not king here, as seen by the often downright rude reception one gets. Personally I'm afraid of Parisien waiters (WHAT DO YOU WANT YEAH?). I can deal with being casually disregarded by sales staff here. I did inherit a watered down version of my mother's talent for commanding the attention of an entire boutique. I get attention because I'm making a fool of myself and need help, whereas she is authoritative and in charge.
One hopes I grow into her version.
Finally we had a very interesting discussion about french swear words. The male adjectif for someone mean and cruel is "salaud." The female equivalent is "salope" which means whore.... Double standard here? My prof thought so, pointing out that in his (wise) opinion that men tend to have more fun and a more fufilling existence when the world is more equal. Until then I'm going to use "mec-salope" which means "man-whore"... We coined it in class today.
Playing field= slightly more leveled.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sleepy and Short
I'm tired. The only news I feel like sharing is that today a man's phone rang on the tram and his ring tone was Gold Digger.
Example A: Nantes is awesome. From what I heard...
More tomorrow. I'll tell you about the dancing, the embarrassing incident at the hairdressers, the teatime without tea and how four gentleman in a row approached me for cigarettes this afternoon.
But not now. I'm tired.
If you ain't no punk holla...
(I expect a response)
Example A: Nantes is awesome. From what I heard...
More tomorrow. I'll tell you about the dancing, the embarrassing incident at the hairdressers, the teatime without tea and how four gentleman in a row approached me for cigarettes this afternoon.
But not now. I'm tired.
If you ain't no punk holla...
(I expect a response)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Fun Words and The News
Marf's continued French Dictionnaire (AKA Vital Words and Phrases Everyone Should Know)
Apologies for any and all typos.
Calin- A CUDDLE! Finally, I know what this word is. Was trying to explain spooning to my host brother, but utterly failed. Oui, c'est similar aux calins.
Liasion dangereuse- To have an affair. This is useful not so much for the real sense as just describing everything (friendships, crushes etc) as them. Incorrectly yes, but what joke was ever completely correct? Or if correct, funny?
Ne me drague pas- I forget if I put this on before. It means "don't hit on me." Please, seriously, stop asking me to hang out with your creepy old man friends or take a picture with you.
Le Melo- Short for Melodrame, or melodrama. Lives are best with a minimum of melo.
Poilu- hairy. Why is this useful? Because the next time you want to talk about someone on the tramway who is in need of a lawnmower, this word comes in handy.
AND NOW FOR THE SHUT UP SPECTRUM
Most polite- "Un peu de silence" (a little silence)
Less than polite- "Tais-toi" or "taisez-vous." (shut up)
Rude- "la ferme" "ferme-la" "fermez-la" (shut up, shut up, shut up.)
Downright profane- "Ta gueule" "vos gueules" (insert swear word here)
Daily News:
Getting made fun of for my doodles.
Danish politician lady telling a member of the Danish senate that "Don't call me Gucci just because I don't look like a sack of s$#% like you." Double negatives work better in French.
My pants got ripped sometime over the weekend, mended kindly by Granny. It's (probably) not what you think.
Speaking of pant rippers, tune into DSK's hypocrisy and his "public apology" to the french people. Bleh.
Lately in my notes I've been mixing uf my p's and f's such that when I take carepul notes everything is mixed uf and makes no eppin' sense. Am phrantically pinding a solution bepore it is too late. Fositively awpul.
Apologies for any and all typos.
Calin- A CUDDLE! Finally, I know what this word is. Was trying to explain spooning to my host brother, but utterly failed. Oui, c'est similar aux calins.
Liasion dangereuse- To have an affair. This is useful not so much for the real sense as just describing everything (friendships, crushes etc) as them. Incorrectly yes, but what joke was ever completely correct? Or if correct, funny?
Ne me drague pas- I forget if I put this on before. It means "don't hit on me." Please, seriously, stop asking me to hang out with your creepy old man friends or take a picture with you.
Le Melo- Short for Melodrame, or melodrama. Lives are best with a minimum of melo.
Poilu- hairy. Why is this useful? Because the next time you want to talk about someone on the tramway who is in need of a lawnmower, this word comes in handy.
AND NOW FOR THE SHUT UP SPECTRUM
Most polite- "Un peu de silence" (a little silence)
Less than polite- "Tais-toi" or "taisez-vous." (shut up)
Rude- "la ferme" "ferme-la" "fermez-la" (shut up, shut up, shut up.)
Downright profane- "Ta gueule" "vos gueules" (insert swear word here)
Daily News:
Getting made fun of for my doodles.
Danish politician lady telling a member of the Danish senate that "Don't call me Gucci just because I don't look like a sack of s$#% like you." Double negatives work better in French.
My pants got ripped sometime over the weekend, mended kindly by Granny. It's (probably) not what you think.
Speaking of pant rippers, tune into DSK's hypocrisy and his "public apology" to the french people. Bleh.
Lately in my notes I've been mixing uf my p's and f's such that when I take carepul notes everything is mixed uf and makes no eppin' sense. Am phrantically pinding a solution bepore it is too late. Fositively awpul.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Absorb The Culture
Oh the thrills one has chez Grandparents. Whether it's the weather lady referring to a nasty storm as a "belle perturbation" (a beautiful disturbance) or drama over where to stop for tea, it's not boring. I just watched the first bit of a movie about these famous sculptors falling in love. It was in french, and while I get the gist, the angst in the film helps a lot when deciphering what's going on.
Wait, she was moping because he was sleeping with the model, but now it's all good because he showed her how to properly sculpt muscles in her gargoyle.
Sounds about right.
This weekend was the weekend of "patrimoine." Everything in France is open to the public, in other words. The museums, the parks, the chateaux, etc etc etc. We visited a chapelle, a dolman shaped like a toad and a lighthouse.
Free, free, free. All the newscasters go potty about patrimoine, showing big long lines and small children goofing off. Which is essentially the gist of it. If Minnesota had patrimoine, we would have farm tours, fatty food on a stick, enterprises giving guided glossy tours and all our wicked cool museums would have lots of Minnesoooootan visitors. Accents free also.
WAH, it's 7 degrees colder in nantes than Minneapolis. What is this nonsense? I was told they had their weather figured out. N'importe quoi, I'm still wearing shorts tomorrow. After all, Midwestern shorts season (for reasonable people) is the beginning of March till the end of October. People here will think I'm weird, but then again, I put my bread on my plate.
How do you like me now?
Granny Peppa wants me to say that "my private life is so absorbing that I need to go sleep and be absorbed in my fascinating private life."
It's pretty sweet, but not enough to merit using the word absorb in two different facons.
However "I will send Grunk to come beat you if you don't go to bed" has been threatened.
Self Preservation > Blog.
Wait, she was moping because he was sleeping with the model, but now it's all good because he showed her how to properly sculpt muscles in her gargoyle.
Sounds about right.
This weekend was the weekend of "patrimoine." Everything in France is open to the public, in other words. The museums, the parks, the chateaux, etc etc etc. We visited a chapelle, a dolman shaped like a toad and a lighthouse.
Free, free, free. All the newscasters go potty about patrimoine, showing big long lines and small children goofing off. Which is essentially the gist of it. If Minnesota had patrimoine, we would have farm tours, fatty food on a stick, enterprises giving guided glossy tours and all our wicked cool museums would have lots of Minnesoooootan visitors. Accents free also.
WAH, it's 7 degrees colder in nantes than Minneapolis. What is this nonsense? I was told they had their weather figured out. N'importe quoi, I'm still wearing shorts tomorrow. After all, Midwestern shorts season (for reasonable people) is the beginning of March till the end of October. People here will think I'm weird, but then again, I put my bread on my plate.
How do you like me now?
Granny Peppa wants me to say that "my private life is so absorbing that I need to go sleep and be absorbed in my fascinating private life."
It's pretty sweet, but not enough to merit using the word absorb in two different facons.
However "I will send Grunk to come beat you if you don't go to bed" has been threatened.
Self Preservation > Blog.
Sass
Grunkle: Have you seen the clock this morning?
Granny: The clock? As in C-L-O-C-K?
Grunkle: Yes, it's a timing device.
Me (writing a letter): My grandparents are awesome.
Granny: No, you don't have to give the PR about your grandparents.
Me: Oh, but I do.
Granny: No you don't. (rawr)
Granny: (talking to the printer) Oh shave off, I've done it again.
Grunkle's Toast Lecture:
You know, M----, most toaster don't work properly. They burn the toast or they leave it underdone, that's why this toaster is the best, because if you watch it carefully it does it just right and (toast starts smoking) oh bugger I've burnt it!
Granny: The clock? As in C-L-O-C-K?
Grunkle: Yes, it's a timing device.
Me (writing a letter): My grandparents are awesome.
Granny: No, you don't have to give the PR about your grandparents.
Me: Oh, but I do.
Granny: No you don't. (rawr)
Granny: (talking to the printer) Oh shave off, I've done it again.
Grunkle's Toast Lecture:
You know, M----, most toaster don't work properly. They burn the toast or they leave it underdone, that's why this toaster is the best, because if you watch it carefully it does it just right and (toast starts smoking) oh bugger I've burnt it!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sax, L'accordion et Cuddles.
I'm running on 2.5 hours of sleep so this one will probably be quick.
Nantes is wicked cool. A really weird place where odd encounters and new friends are de rigueur. I recommend it as a student destination for studying. Great hospitality. Where else my friends can you buy TWO giant pain au chocolats for the price of 2 euros. Where else can you buy dictionnaires d'amour (biligue?)? Where else can you take the tram until 12h30, and then again starting at 4 am? Where else do you find saxophone and accordion duets daily?
Perhaps other places, but Nantes is still awesome.
Currently habitating with the grandparents for the weekend. Nice and quiet. We spent the afternoon spotting poisonous mushrooms ("want a shroomsie for the digestion?") and bickering over how many desserts we could eat before we were officially spoiled.
No matter what number you pick, we are spoiled. Life with the grandparents once again is a constant tug between being pampered and being told to go pick carrots in the rain. They have the good cop bad cop thing down pat.
AND THE CUDDLES. Oh, I could wax lyrical. I've never been so well cuddled in my life. Got some in with my english speaking friends last night/this morning (whenever we made it home) but nothing beats a grandparent hug.
Nothing.
And may I just say to Alex that I win this round?
Favorite quote of the evening:
V: I'm going to sing you a sexy lullaby now.
J: I don't want a lullaby thanks.
V: Even a sexy one?
J: Good night.
Nantes is wicked cool. A really weird place where odd encounters and new friends are de rigueur. I recommend it as a student destination for studying. Great hospitality. Where else my friends can you buy TWO giant pain au chocolats for the price of 2 euros. Where else can you buy dictionnaires d'amour (biligue?)? Where else can you take the tram until 12h30, and then again starting at 4 am? Where else do you find saxophone and accordion duets daily?
Perhaps other places, but Nantes is still awesome.
Currently habitating with the grandparents for the weekend. Nice and quiet. We spent the afternoon spotting poisonous mushrooms ("want a shroomsie for the digestion?") and bickering over how many desserts we could eat before we were officially spoiled.
No matter what number you pick, we are spoiled. Life with the grandparents once again is a constant tug between being pampered and being told to go pick carrots in the rain. They have the good cop bad cop thing down pat.
AND THE CUDDLES. Oh, I could wax lyrical. I've never been so well cuddled in my life. Got some in with my english speaking friends last night/this morning (whenever we made it home) but nothing beats a grandparent hug.
Nothing.
And may I just say to Alex that I win this round?
Favorite quote of the evening:
V: I'm going to sing you a sexy lullaby now.
J: I don't want a lullaby thanks.
V: Even a sexy one?
J: Good night.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Catch Phrase
When I came to France, my excuse for speaking english with some of my friends was that the slang words in english are so much better. After all, my American/Canadian friends had taught an Italian and German how to say "that sucks" and "that blows." They were cautioned however not to say "I suck" or "I blow." There's a difference. One word, big difference. Now when something goes wrong, all these lovely accents come out with these vulgar-ish American phrases.
Ah, language exchange.
So here are my favorite phrases and words in this language exchange.
Tablette de chocolat- A six pack (abdominals). BEST PHRASE EVER. Six pack evokes beer, whereas a tablet of chocolate presents a delicious image. Just saying. Hi mom.
Comme d'hab- Short for "comme d'habitude." This means "as usual." How's it going?
Comme d'hab.
Cadavre- This in the proper sense means a dead body. Slang wise it is an empty booze bottle. When we did a skit in class everyone made references to a fictional party with lots of cadavres. A girl who had arrived late was super disturbed until she asked why people were dying at parties. Then we explained.
Toubib- Doctor! The pronunciation is fun.
J'ai mon dose- I've had enough. Get me outta here, I'm finished. I've had my daily dose.
Bouffer/bouffe- Slang/familiar for to eat and a meal. Je le bouffe. I eat it.
Mecs- Dudes.
Meufs- Ladies. Very slang, only use if you REALLY know this lady, because if not it can seem rude/derogatory. This is an example of verlan. Verlan is a L'enverse language invented in the 80s so criminals, prostitutes and teenagers could talk without the authorities (in whatever form they take) knowing.
Gosse vs. Beau Gosse- A gosse is a child. A beau gosse is an astonishingly attractive young gentleman. Here in the home of stylishly dressed and appearance-concious men, this phrase can be used a couple times a day. The euro babe style seems to be pretty 80s, but not the really weird kind. Just the tight pants and scarves.
Canon- Male/female for a hottie.
Je Pige Que Dalle- I UNDERSTAND NOTHING. This phrase gets me through my day.
Ah, language exchange.
So here are my favorite phrases and words in this language exchange.
Tablette de chocolat- A six pack (abdominals). BEST PHRASE EVER. Six pack evokes beer, whereas a tablet of chocolate presents a delicious image. Just saying. Hi mom.
Comme d'hab- Short for "comme d'habitude." This means "as usual." How's it going?
Comme d'hab.
Cadavre- This in the proper sense means a dead body. Slang wise it is an empty booze bottle. When we did a skit in class everyone made references to a fictional party with lots of cadavres. A girl who had arrived late was super disturbed until she asked why people were dying at parties. Then we explained.
Toubib- Doctor! The pronunciation is fun.
J'ai mon dose- I've had enough. Get me outta here, I'm finished. I've had my daily dose.
Bouffer/bouffe- Slang/familiar for to eat and a meal. Je le bouffe. I eat it.
Mecs- Dudes.
Meufs- Ladies. Very slang, only use if you REALLY know this lady, because if not it can seem rude/derogatory. This is an example of verlan. Verlan is a L'enverse language invented in the 80s so criminals, prostitutes and teenagers could talk without the authorities (in whatever form they take) knowing.
Gosse vs. Beau Gosse- A gosse is a child. A beau gosse is an astonishingly attractive young gentleman. Here in the home of stylishly dressed and appearance-concious men, this phrase can be used a couple times a day. The euro babe style seems to be pretty 80s, but not the really weird kind. Just the tight pants and scarves.
Canon- Male/female for a hottie.
Je Pige Que Dalle- I UNDERSTAND NOTHING. This phrase gets me through my day.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Hell Is A Salsa Class Where You Don't Speak The Language
It's true. Hell is a pretty sweaty, scary place with people yelling at you (what do you mean, there are three types of salsa??) and instructions you don't understand. APPARENTLY the type of salsa I know is club salsa, or puerto rican salsa. This here was cuban salsa. I made it (trembling) through the whole 1.5 hours class. The instructor was impressed that I had no frickin clue what I was doing (maybe one or two clues, but it was brutal). He said I should go to basic beginners to learn the names and if I'm good enough I can move up.
Youtube, here I come.
I don't know if I mentioned it, but here at the Université we do a lot of swearing in class. Condoned swearing. We learn lots of "phrases familiars" because honestly, nobody here speaks "proper french." Not even French people.
Two quick stories for your enjoyment.
1) Gave myself a haircut yesterday. It looks fine (seriously). However, when I told my host family they were shocked. "WHAT? You did that all by yourself?"
Psssh, give anyone a pair of scissors. I only did my fringe though (bangs, as we Americans like to say). Found a (reliable) place where you can get a trim for a paltry 11 euros. Doin' it.
2) Lady on my bus started shouted "Jesus! Jesus is alive! Jesus christ is in my life!" She then induced complete silence in the tram (a feat, may I say) by shouting whether anyone else had found the risen lord. There were some takers and a "tu as raison madame" ("you're correct, lady). Exited the tram with her and she then preceded to regale the viking dude with tales of her religious experiences.
I love Nantes. So many weird happenings. And everything is funnier in another language.
Youtube, here I come.
I don't know if I mentioned it, but here at the Université we do a lot of swearing in class. Condoned swearing. We learn lots of "phrases familiars" because honestly, nobody here speaks "proper french." Not even French people.
Two quick stories for your enjoyment.
1) Gave myself a haircut yesterday. It looks fine (seriously). However, when I told my host family they were shocked. "WHAT? You did that all by yourself?"
Psssh, give anyone a pair of scissors. I only did my fringe though (bangs, as we Americans like to say). Found a (reliable) place where you can get a trim for a paltry 11 euros. Doin' it.
2) Lady on my bus started shouted "Jesus! Jesus is alive! Jesus christ is in my life!" She then induced complete silence in the tram (a feat, may I say) by shouting whether anyone else had found the risen lord. There were some takers and a "tu as raison madame" ("you're correct, lady). Exited the tram with her and she then preceded to regale the viking dude with tales of her religious experiences.
I love Nantes. So many weird happenings. And everything is funnier in another language.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Le Rock and Les Menottes
Today I had no classes. It felt pretty great. I made cookies, went to rock and roll dancing classes, took a stroll with a friend and had tea with another friend.
Rock and roll was super duper fun. Everyone was very friendly ("you're an AMERICAN?") and it's not too difficult. The closest thing is swing dancing. Le Rock should be mandatory for all American teenagers, because then dancing will be fun again.
However, it (the class) is half rock and half salsa. I think I'm going to attend the advanced classes for salsa because I don't want to spend a semester relearning the dancing the nice old men at the salsa clubs in Minneapolis taught me. Thank you Eduardo, Harvey, Eddie, Henry, Thomas, and The Man Who Wears A Fedora. Even if those weren't your real names, no sweat. I didn't tell you mine either.
There are a lot of dressed up people hand cuffed to each other wandering around Nantes tonight. Menotté Mardi? ("handcuffed tuesday?") Is that a thing here? If so, why? Saw three guys all handcuffed today. All I can say is, dude in the middle, life is gonna be tough. Bar hopping is no fun without hands at the ready. (wasn't that not a double negative? perhaps it was...)
Learned a stream of french swear words from my bestie from Allemagne. Give me a couple days practice and I'll be an accomplished potty mouth.
Story of the day: Friend got asked out by the postman.
Rock and roll was super duper fun. Everyone was very friendly ("you're an AMERICAN?") and it's not too difficult. The closest thing is swing dancing. Le Rock should be mandatory for all American teenagers, because then dancing will be fun again.
However, it (the class) is half rock and half salsa. I think I'm going to attend the advanced classes for salsa because I don't want to spend a semester relearning the dancing the nice old men at the salsa clubs in Minneapolis taught me. Thank you Eduardo, Harvey, Eddie, Henry, Thomas, and The Man Who Wears A Fedora. Even if those weren't your real names, no sweat. I didn't tell you mine either.
There are a lot of dressed up people hand cuffed to each other wandering around Nantes tonight. Menotté Mardi? ("handcuffed tuesday?") Is that a thing here? If so, why? Saw three guys all handcuffed today. All I can say is, dude in the middle, life is gonna be tough. Bar hopping is no fun without hands at the ready. (wasn't that not a double negative? perhaps it was...)
Learned a stream of french swear words from my bestie from Allemagne. Give me a couple days practice and I'll be an accomplished potty mouth.
Story of the day: Friend got asked out by the postman.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Aerobics and Coupons
I was told I can't publish this BUT I FEEL THE NEED TO PROVE HOW AWESOME MY GRANDPARENTS ARE. This may come down soon if they ask me, but hopefully my loving charm will prevail.
Yes, they make me Cuddle Coupons. *Cue angel music*
Today was fun, but then again, I'm so excited that it's hard to have a bad day. I did show my evil hungry side to my trusty canadian ladyfriend. She survived, but had to restrain me from a hunger-induced rage. Feed me on time, I'm no better than a four year old in this respect.
Who's been kicked out of their house for an afternoon for being a grumpy hungry person?
This person.
Not in France mind you. I behave myself pretty well here. I'm starting to lose my social skills this week a little. My ca vas and bonjours are just a little too late. Gotta work on that, I don't want to be the tactless weirdo blonde girl who puts her bread ON HER PLATE.
Sacrilege, I tell you.
Attended a French aerobics class and witnessed what at first appeared to be very graceful dodgeball. Turned out to be the funkiest lookin' circus class ever!
French aerobics is both great and terrible. Not much of a work out but the music was in english. And aerobics is always great for the awkward, "we should've stopped doing this in the 80s"-ness of it. Tomorrow, cookie baking and LE ROCK! Wheeeeeeeeeeeee.
The Bourse fell today, inciting a "massacre" amongst the banking community. The Bourse is the french stock market (ten points to those of you who knew what it was). One only hopes people get their ducks in a row soon. To cite an awesome friend, perhaps their ducks are in a row, but asleep.
Nighty night from a sleepy duck.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Far From The Land of Platonic Cuddlers
I'm feeling cuddle-deprived.
Maybe it is a Minnesotan thing or just a weird my-friends-habit but nobody here cuddles. Unless of course you're their kiffe (crush, so to speak, though I'm using it incorrectly as a noun).
Ladies and gentleman (pimp and players), this is not the land of platonic cuddlers (nor is it the Carter for those of you who follow this reference). I've got to rely on my friends from Canadia and Britainnia for the physical non-sexual reassurance that I've been conditioned to need.
It's sad. I've come to the land of Loooove and all I want is to be just friends.
But enough of mooshy topics. I learned today that in addition to dancing "Le Rock" (the official dance for rock and roll.... EXCITING, I KNOW) at marriages, things devolve into fist pumping club tunes. At least they don't have grinding here (I hope). But then again, I'm assuming that everyone is well oiled so by the time 2 am rolls around, coordination is such that fist pumping is necessary.
Went for an hour-long walk round the city. I'm actually turning into my father, who lived in Paris during his gap year and took a buncha walks all the time everywhere. Nantes isn't as big, so I hope to find other things to do/places in Nantes to go. I don't get lost as much now, which is less fun.
Other exciting things-
1) There's a massive apple that grows here. It's triple the size of normal apples. You can make it into apple crumble, and funnily enough you get a Class A non-tradeable drug (jokes jokes... but it is that good).
2) Got a french Itunes account. Their selections are fantastic (who knew Europe had so much music?) and you can get all their DJ's stuff months before most Americans. Silly music laws=bypassed.
3) I understood everything almost everything in the sermon today in Church. French Catholics are pretty similar to American ones. Not quite the same as Lutherans (no doughtnuts and coffee afterwards, plus not everyone gets to go to heaven).
4) Everyone yelled "ROUGE" at me after breakfast. Context: I have lots of trouble saying "ou" in french. Thus when I kept saying the incorrect sound, "ROUGE!!!!" came from all around me. Sad day.
Maybe it is a Minnesotan thing or just a weird my-friends-habit but nobody here cuddles. Unless of course you're their kiffe (crush, so to speak, though I'm using it incorrectly as a noun).
Ladies and gentleman (pimp and players), this is not the land of platonic cuddlers (nor is it the Carter for those of you who follow this reference). I've got to rely on my friends from Canadia and Britainnia for the physical non-sexual reassurance that I've been conditioned to need.
It's sad. I've come to the land of Loooove and all I want is to be just friends.
But enough of mooshy topics. I learned today that in addition to dancing "Le Rock" (the official dance for rock and roll.... EXCITING, I KNOW) at marriages, things devolve into fist pumping club tunes. At least they don't have grinding here (I hope). But then again, I'm assuming that everyone is well oiled so by the time 2 am rolls around, coordination is such that fist pumping is necessary.
Went for an hour-long walk round the city. I'm actually turning into my father, who lived in Paris during his gap year and took a buncha walks all the time everywhere. Nantes isn't as big, so I hope to find other things to do/places in Nantes to go. I don't get lost as much now, which is less fun.
Other exciting things-
1) There's a massive apple that grows here. It's triple the size of normal apples. You can make it into apple crumble, and funnily enough you get a Class A non-tradeable drug (jokes jokes... but it is that good).
2) Got a french Itunes account. Their selections are fantastic (who knew Europe had so much music?) and you can get all their DJ's stuff months before most Americans. Silly music laws=bypassed.
3) I understood everything almost everything in the sermon today in Church. French Catholics are pretty similar to American ones. Not quite the same as Lutherans (no doughtnuts and coffee afterwards, plus not everyone gets to go to heaven).
4) Everyone yelled "ROUGE" at me after breakfast. Context: I have lots of trouble saying "ou" in french. Thus when I kept saying the incorrect sound, "ROUGE!!!!" came from all around me. Sad day.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Settling In
Having been in Nantes for two weeks now, I'm settling into a lovely rhythm. I've got some constants in my life (the creepy dude in viking attire at the tram stop, the children who follow me in the jardin de plantes, and the sex shops all over the place) and I'm feeling at home. I've been thinking for the past couple days about how different my life is here.
1) Skinny people. People in the U.S. are actually a ton larger. Yes, we hear about it on the news, but being surrounded by it, I didn't notice as much. Maybe it is because chain smoking starts at age 13, or that everyone walks everywhere (I walk 1-3 hours a day).
2) Traffic. People walk in front of buses, cars, trams and bikes like nobodies business. Whaddayadoing? Same thing with wearing wedge heels on cobblestones. Get it together ladies, because you're gonna turn an ankle.
3) Language exchange. French term for a cheerleader? Pom pom girl. A window shopper here is a "leche vitrine" (spelling?). Literally translates as window licker. Learning a language is tons of fun. At school is wasn't this consistently fun, because we didn't have an hour long lesson on the various ways to say "prostitute" and how each of them play into french culture. Everyone would take language courses if this was the case. American insularity? Solved.
4) American Insularity. Part of the news in EVERY newspaper is the news from the U.S. What's the last piece of news y'all patriots can remember involving France that doesn't involve a rapist?
This also goes for music, fashion, words, etc. Avril Levigne came on the radio in the cafe I was hanging out in ("Complicated" anyone?). My host brother knows more English lyrics than I do.
5) Creepy old guys.
I've mastered how to say the following (used to it enormous effect this morning).
"Excuse me, but how old are you? Why are you bothering me? I'm not interested." I'd like to add to this...
-no I don't want to hang out with you and your buddies
-same goes for your son
-Don't you have a significant other? Go hit on them.
6) Random conversations. Just like Minnesota (maybe this is just me, but I meet tons of people by having randoconvos). Met an old guy (see #5) who had an American friend called "Tom" from Boston. He was super interested in my drawing, so I showed him my doodles of monsters. And then he left me alone.
Most exciting thing so far: Met someone yesterday who THOUGHT I WAS FRENCH. I introduced myself in a very french way (apparently) and so I was pretty pleased. Unfortunately, my french is not perfect. I can't even say "swear words" properly, instead repeating "fat words."
1) Skinny people. People in the U.S. are actually a ton larger. Yes, we hear about it on the news, but being surrounded by it, I didn't notice as much. Maybe it is because chain smoking starts at age 13, or that everyone walks everywhere (I walk 1-3 hours a day).
2) Traffic. People walk in front of buses, cars, trams and bikes like nobodies business. Whaddayadoing? Same thing with wearing wedge heels on cobblestones. Get it together ladies, because you're gonna turn an ankle.
3) Language exchange. French term for a cheerleader? Pom pom girl. A window shopper here is a "leche vitrine" (spelling?). Literally translates as window licker. Learning a language is tons of fun. At school is wasn't this consistently fun, because we didn't have an hour long lesson on the various ways to say "prostitute" and how each of them play into french culture. Everyone would take language courses if this was the case. American insularity? Solved.
4) American Insularity. Part of the news in EVERY newspaper is the news from the U.S. What's the last piece of news y'all patriots can remember involving France that doesn't involve a rapist?
This also goes for music, fashion, words, etc. Avril Levigne came on the radio in the cafe I was hanging out in ("Complicated" anyone?). My host brother knows more English lyrics than I do.
5) Creepy old guys.
I've mastered how to say the following (used to it enormous effect this morning).
"Excuse me, but how old are you? Why are you bothering me? I'm not interested." I'd like to add to this...
-no I don't want to hang out with you and your buddies
-same goes for your son
-Don't you have a significant other? Go hit on them.
6) Random conversations. Just like Minnesota (maybe this is just me, but I meet tons of people by having randoconvos). Met an old guy (see #5) who had an American friend called "Tom" from Boston. He was super interested in my drawing, so I showed him my doodles of monsters. And then he left me alone.
Most exciting thing so far: Met someone yesterday who THOUGHT I WAS FRENCH. I introduced myself in a very french way (apparently) and so I was pretty pleased. Unfortunately, my french is not perfect. I can't even say "swear words" properly, instead repeating "fat words."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
L'Amour and Libraries
Super eventful day today. I haven't had comments in ages. Whine. Sigh. Whine.
Borrowed books from the bibliotheque (guess what? people have weird fetishes with libraries here too!). Two en anglais and deux en francais. I'm starting out halvsies. Maya Angelo, Science fiction films, monsters and plays by Mae West. Wheeeee. Learning is so much fun.
In my theater culture class we had to explain what we would be like in 20 years. The teacher got frustrated because she thought I was added 15 years instead of 20 to my age. Nope, I'm actually that young. Maturity is just an act for me.
In my orale classe, the theme today was L'amour.... She said it was important to know basic phrases because (and I quote) "It's going to be a beautiful weekend." They are pretty savvy, these professors of mine. My translated phrases were "love-muffin" (as in the adorable cutie pie "awwww such a love-muffin") and "kindergarden love." Using a pastry as a term of affection seemed to escape them. Muffin d'amour does sound hilarious though. The muffin of looooove.
Odd encounter of the day: Got approached by three groups of girls asking me if I wanted candy or an egg on my head. Um, neither?
We (my friends and I) were talking about stereotypes and my british friend said her impression of the U.S. was a mixture of the O.C., Gossip Girl, American Pie and Mean girls. What a weird place I come from.
This afternoon I was wandering with my Canadian (ay) friend, trying to find a frickin invisible bookstore. We popped into a tabac to ask for directions and saw a porno magazine that came with the following.
"Trois cds, huit heures de hard."
It's really funny here, naked people everywhere. My innocent midwestern self is shocked.
After running around trois fois between two railway stops, we figured out it was in the middle. Hence, "go to this place," "now go back there," "and again."
Quotations of the day:
"When your friend falls in love with a mafioso..." (logical situations in french class)
"I had shit in my eyes." (j'ai eu merde dans mes yeux. tres useful)
and my favorite.
Prof- Where are you going to meet your husband or wife, R____?
R____- In the library.
I hope she or he is studious.
Borrowed books from the bibliotheque (guess what? people have weird fetishes with libraries here too!). Two en anglais and deux en francais. I'm starting out halvsies. Maya Angelo, Science fiction films, monsters and plays by Mae West. Wheeeee. Learning is so much fun.
In my theater culture class we had to explain what we would be like in 20 years. The teacher got frustrated because she thought I was added 15 years instead of 20 to my age. Nope, I'm actually that young. Maturity is just an act for me.
In my orale classe, the theme today was L'amour.... She said it was important to know basic phrases because (and I quote) "It's going to be a beautiful weekend." They are pretty savvy, these professors of mine. My translated phrases were "love-muffin" (as in the adorable cutie pie "awwww such a love-muffin") and "kindergarden love." Using a pastry as a term of affection seemed to escape them. Muffin d'amour does sound hilarious though. The muffin of looooove.
Odd encounter of the day: Got approached by three groups of girls asking me if I wanted candy or an egg on my head. Um, neither?
We (my friends and I) were talking about stereotypes and my british friend said her impression of the U.S. was a mixture of the O.C., Gossip Girl, American Pie and Mean girls. What a weird place I come from.
This afternoon I was wandering with my Canadian (ay) friend, trying to find a frickin invisible bookstore. We popped into a tabac to ask for directions and saw a porno magazine that came with the following.
"Trois cds, huit heures de hard."
It's really funny here, naked people everywhere. My innocent midwestern self is shocked.
After running around trois fois between two railway stops, we figured out it was in the middle. Hence, "go to this place," "now go back there," "and again."
Quotations of the day:
"When your friend falls in love with a mafioso..." (logical situations in french class)
"I had shit in my eyes." (j'ai eu merde dans mes yeux. tres useful)
and my favorite.
Prof- Where are you going to meet your husband or wife, R____?
R____- In the library.
I hope she or he is studious.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
It's Okaaaay!
Pardon the absence last night, I went out with a buncha friends and by the time I made it home, I wasn't in the mood to write, so I hit the hay.
Yesterday was extraordinarily organized. I got my tram pass, signed up for sports (salsa dancing, rock and roll dancing, gym tonic) and tried to get my credit card working. My phone works now, so I can text (and pay through the nose) in my awful french (and we are talking ABBR. FR.).
Sight of the day yesterday: Couple making out on the tram. I'm actually okay with that, but when they started spitting and blowing on each other's faces, it got a little weird. Funky courtship rituals they have here.
I made a new friend who drops F bombs like the french say Putain (youtube "Learn French In One Word") and learned his english from Hollywood. "Say hello to my little friend" and "asta la vista baybay!"
Me: Bonjour, ca va?
Friend: Wha?
Me: Do you speak any French?
Friend: F*** no!
He also was really confused about the lack of English signposting. "How the hell is anyone supposed to read shit around here?"
How indeed.
Had a funny episode the night before where I dropped a cup in the sink during dinner and shouted "It's okaaaay!" To the general amusement of everyone. Now whenever someone klutzy (yours truly) does something stupid, there's a chorus of "it's okaaaaaay!!!"
Had my first class this morning, was the guinea pig for the "get to know you in ten words game." I think I'm going to really like it here. My family is very welcoming and homey, my friends are crazy (cool) and school seems managable. The Nantes public transit makes most things possible.
I may just move here.
Yesterday was extraordinarily organized. I got my tram pass, signed up for sports (salsa dancing, rock and roll dancing, gym tonic) and tried to get my credit card working. My phone works now, so I can text (and pay through the nose) in my awful french (and we are talking ABBR. FR.).
Sight of the day yesterday: Couple making out on the tram. I'm actually okay with that, but when they started spitting and blowing on each other's faces, it got a little weird. Funky courtship rituals they have here.
I made a new friend who drops F bombs like the french say Putain (youtube "Learn French In One Word") and learned his english from Hollywood. "Say hello to my little friend" and "asta la vista baybay!"
Me: Bonjour, ca va?
Friend: Wha?
Me: Do you speak any French?
Friend: F*** no!
He also was really confused about the lack of English signposting. "How the hell is anyone supposed to read shit around here?"
How indeed.
Had a funny episode the night before where I dropped a cup in the sink during dinner and shouted "It's okaaaay!" To the general amusement of everyone. Now whenever someone klutzy (yours truly) does something stupid, there's a chorus of "it's okaaaaaay!!!"
Had my first class this morning, was the guinea pig for the "get to know you in ten words game." I think I'm going to really like it here. My family is very welcoming and homey, my friends are crazy (cool) and school seems managable. The Nantes public transit makes most things possible.
I may just move here.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thriller
Today was less than thrilling.
I went on a pique-nique, thought about getting my tram pass, almost got my train pass, failed to sign up for sports (it's open for the next week), chatted with my canadian bestie, fixed my phone, got made fun of, dropped everything I touched and learned that putain is the only word of french I actually need to know.
Nighty night.
I went on a pique-nique, thought about getting my tram pass, almost got my train pass, failed to sign up for sports (it's open for the next week), chatted with my canadian bestie, fixed my phone, got made fun of, dropped everything I touched and learned that putain is the only word of french I actually need to know.
Nighty night.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Gypsy Techno Jazz Rave
This morning I went to Catholic mass. The similarities to Lutheran church were great, except I failed to understand the sermon at all, and I said the Apostle's creed in english. But hey, the good Lord speaks every language.
Breakfast was toast (I've got this "apporte-moi un peu de toast" down flat. In english, "bring me some toast").
I successfully turned down cigarettes about five times today. It's not that difficult. Just tell people you have asthma. Their response (twice now) "Oh, so do I."
Silly me. What doesn't kill you makes you cough harder.
I then took a sieste this afternoon and overslept, nearly missing my date with my english friend (a lady friend, not a dude).
Sight of the day:
A guy jumped in the Erdre river in Nantes to the huge applause of all those watching. Clearly some sort of dare. He then struggled madly to get out, finally was fished out by his chums. He then took off his trousers, then underpants. Chucked said underpants into the river. Hilariously enough, the river patrol arrived and saved the underpants, and gave them back!
They were purple, and pretty sweet underpants may I say.
Went to a gypsy techno jazz rave on the riverbank which was sweeeeeeeeet. The pianist/DJ was very attractive. I saw the best dance moves ever, and some of the weirder hairstyles. Got invited to go clubbing by a GERMAN (my dance moves must have been pretty sick to get invited, I hear they really know how to kick it). I may take her up on that offer.
Bon nuit!
Breakfast was toast (I've got this "apporte-moi un peu de toast" down flat. In english, "bring me some toast").
I successfully turned down cigarettes about five times today. It's not that difficult. Just tell people you have asthma. Their response (twice now) "Oh, so do I."
Silly me. What doesn't kill you makes you cough harder.
I then took a sieste this afternoon and overslept, nearly missing my date with my english friend (a lady friend, not a dude).
Sight of the day:
A guy jumped in the Erdre river in Nantes to the huge applause of all those watching. Clearly some sort of dare. He then struggled madly to get out, finally was fished out by his chums. He then took off his trousers, then underpants. Chucked said underpants into the river. Hilariously enough, the river patrol arrived and saved the underpants, and gave them back!
They were purple, and pretty sweet underpants may I say.
Went to a gypsy techno jazz rave on the riverbank which was sweeeeeeeeet. The pianist/DJ was very attractive. I saw the best dance moves ever, and some of the weirder hairstyles. Got invited to go clubbing by a GERMAN (my dance moves must have been pretty sick to get invited, I hear they really know how to kick it). I may take her up on that offer.
Bon nuit!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
In A French Way
This morning I was woken by a herd of french gentlemen who thumped into the house for a bachelor party. They were rather surprised by the sight of a sleepy blonde Americaine but luckily my look of utter exhaustion saved me from having to do more than yawn, nod and say "please fetch me toast."
This morning was marked by shopping at eurodif and poking around Zara and Pimke. Bought a snazzy new pair of shoes and socks. I've been living on five pairs of socks, which has been difficult. But I survive. It's a been a new skill, learning how to make so few socks work with so many pairs of boots. (Look at that bizarre blonde girl, she wears boots in the summer. She must have very weird feet.)
I digress.
Went out for drinks (just OJ mom...) with three new friends at the jazz fest in Nantes. Jazz is not quite how I like to kick it but lemme say, this stuff they jive to here is pretty snancy.
One of these friends also happened to be Jeremy Clarkson's babysitter (Mind blown). I ate a "sausage sandwich" american style... A hot dog with french fries on it. Hot dogs are so classy when you eat them with a baguette bun.
There are these random dudes who are these robotic mimes and beep and move around when you give them money. This led my Canadian friend to say that "The mutes are everywhere!"
Mimes honey, Mimes.
Nantes was the birthplace of Jules Verne, the famous writer of science fiction. Nantes wastes no room in making as many Verne-related jokes as possible. Saw a boat called "Finding Captain Nemo" and the University network is called the Nantilus. It cracks me up. But then again I'm a nerd.
Other notable sightings were a man with shoes like a praying mantis... The only way I can think of describing them. Fav of the evening was a couple standing in line at a mussel (moules) stand. Only the old guy was dressed as an old woman, and the old woman as an old man.
(Friend points at something and laughs)
Me: What are you laughing at?
Friend: There's an old man dressed as a woman and a woman dressed as a old man over there.
Me: In a transexual sort of way?
Friend: No, in a French way.
Maybe that's what happens to couples in France of a certain age. Cheap thrills.
This morning was marked by shopping at eurodif and poking around Zara and Pimke. Bought a snazzy new pair of shoes and socks. I've been living on five pairs of socks, which has been difficult. But I survive. It's a been a new skill, learning how to make so few socks work with so many pairs of boots. (Look at that bizarre blonde girl, she wears boots in the summer. She must have very weird feet.)
I digress.
Went out for drinks (just OJ mom...) with three new friends at the jazz fest in Nantes. Jazz is not quite how I like to kick it but lemme say, this stuff they jive to here is pretty snancy.
One of these friends also happened to be Jeremy Clarkson's babysitter (Mind blown). I ate a "sausage sandwich" american style... A hot dog with french fries on it. Hot dogs are so classy when you eat them with a baguette bun.
There are these random dudes who are these robotic mimes and beep and move around when you give them money. This led my Canadian friend to say that "The mutes are everywhere!"
Mimes honey, Mimes.
Nantes was the birthplace of Jules Verne, the famous writer of science fiction. Nantes wastes no room in making as many Verne-related jokes as possible. Saw a boat called "Finding Captain Nemo" and the University network is called the Nantilus. It cracks me up. But then again I'm a nerd.
Other notable sightings were a man with shoes like a praying mantis... The only way I can think of describing them. Fav of the evening was a couple standing in line at a mussel (moules) stand. Only the old guy was dressed as an old woman, and the old woman as an old man.
(Friend points at something and laughs)
Me: What are you laughing at?
Friend: There's an old man dressed as a woman and a woman dressed as a old man over there.
Me: In a transexual sort of way?
Friend: No, in a French way.
Maybe that's what happens to couples in France of a certain age. Cheap thrills.
Friday, September 2, 2011
COOKIE MONSTRE!
Note the socks!
This morning I took a tour of the FACs de L'Université. We visited all the classrooms, said hello to everyone (I heard the phrase "come anytime" approx. 20x) and also saw the library. With the handy dandy university card I can rent SIX books at a time. That is twice the number I'm allowed at home. Whether this has anything to do with my late fees is a different matter.
Also in my ever eventful day I was approached by a clown in training, who wanted to practice on me. If I hadn't been late for a rendez-vous I totally would have stayed.
I visited the supermarché with a host brother, and bought some chocolat noir for my baking uses. Learned some interesting French swear words along the way and enjoyed the blaring French radio. To all Minnesotans, be assured, your plight of constant roadwork is shared by Nantes. I think I'm backsliding a little in my french speaking... I seem to become more and more incomprehesible. The benefit of this is everyone's laughing, but my face may soon mould into a constant expression of confusion.
There was one thing I did correctly today! I made chocolate chip cookies. And they are not half bad! They are closer to madeleines in consistency than the usual AMURican ones, but the dark chocolate makes it all worth it. Never again will I cook with milk chocolate. I've created a household of cookie monstres and restored some American pride :)
After dinner we had a cultural exchange of amusing internet videos. My favorites were Sarkozy explaining he had gotten drunk with the Russian head of state due to being a lightweight and the Michael Jackson "Bite It" video. If you parle francais, look it up. Hilarious.
French humor still largely escapes me, probably due to my lack of fluency. All this will change, one hopes.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
My Stomach all a L'IRFFLE
Today I took my GRAND EXAMEN for my university program and met about 20 of the 250 students in my program. The most common countries represented were Ghana, China, Brazil and England. I met people from Uzbekistan, China, Ghana, Brazil, France (duh), Columbia, and Canada.
IRFFLE is my university program, comprised of approx. 250 students coming from over 40 countries. I didn't meet a single American the whole day. IRFFLE means "l'Institut de Recherche et de Formation en Français Langue étrangère" in case you were wondering. It is possibly the hardest word for a foreigner (or the French) to pronounce.
L'IRFFLE= LEER FLUU.
I ate lunch with a studying-to-be-a-nurse student from Mexico, a dual citizen of Sweden and Mexico (a truly unique combo) and two silent Spanish girls. They spoke a helluvalot of spanish, of which I understand about as much as I understand rapid French... Which is to say whatever emotions were on their faces.
After lunch I made some more friends (I'm the youngest by far... I've yet to meet anyone else under the age of 21) and investigated the library. Libraries are wonderful places of learning and napping, which is what I did by sleeping on my dictionary.
My dictionary and I are besties.
Tomorrow a jazz fest and a tour of the FACs. I know what FACs are now! They are the abbr. of Faculté, not a naughty word.
If you're looking for some Frenchie music here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6F2HU4JAIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sca2I5tcgcc
and my favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHWwKC8WjU&playnext=1&list=PL766AEC37B844909A
Exciting news of the day: I'm going to learn this rock and roll dance. Check it below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYUUvEaln4&feature=BFa&list=PL5BEBFFC40A6B2E36&lf=results_main
IRFFLE is my university program, comprised of approx. 250 students coming from over 40 countries. I didn't meet a single American the whole day. IRFFLE means "l'Institut de Recherche et de Formation en Français Langue étrangère" in case you were wondering. It is possibly the hardest word for a foreigner (or the French) to pronounce.
L'IRFFLE= LEER FLUU.
I ate lunch with a studying-to-be-a-nurse student from Mexico, a dual citizen of Sweden and Mexico (a truly unique combo) and two silent Spanish girls. They spoke a helluvalot of spanish, of which I understand about as much as I understand rapid French... Which is to say whatever emotions were on their faces.
After lunch I made some more friends (I'm the youngest by far... I've yet to meet anyone else under the age of 21) and investigated the library. Libraries are wonderful places of learning and napping, which is what I did by sleeping on my dictionary.
My dictionary and I are besties.
Tomorrow a jazz fest and a tour of the FACs. I know what FACs are now! They are the abbr. of Faculté, not a naughty word.
If you're looking for some Frenchie music here you go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6F2HU4JAIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sca2I5tcgcc
and my favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiHWwKC8WjU&playnext=1&list=PL766AEC37B844909A
Exciting news of the day: I'm going to learn this rock and roll dance. Check it below...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYUUvEaln4&feature=BFa&list=PL5BEBFFC40A6B2E36&lf=results_main
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