It's... snowing outside. Legitimately snowing. I remember asking my boss on day #1 in Toulouse if it snowed here, to which he confidently replied "no, very rarely."
That's it, I'm outta here.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
la meilleur chose
Let's get one thing cleared out of the way before I begin this entry -- I'm a fat kid. A foodie. Someone with a massive, insatiable and seemingly bottomless appetite. Ok, disclaimer done.
Today was one of those days that I have dreamt of having in France. Not so excitingly, I spent the morning teaching lessons and then later went into the city center to get some Christmas shopping done. We all know that after a day of looking around the shops, all you want to do is crash out and enjoy a nice brew -- not to mention the fact that I normally become ravenous after walking around and spending money (particularly when its 42 degrees outside, wahh).
So, I'm on my way home and decide to stop by my bakery, Le Secret du Bon Pain, to pick up a baguette for dinner. I walk inside and say my ritual "bonjour" but there isn't anyone behind the glass. I stand there awkwardly for a few moments, salivating at the tartes aux fraises, when a cheery looking woman turned the corner from the kitchen, carrying in her arms a fresh load of baguettes. She must have noticed my eyes become the size of dinner plates because she looked up and chortled a little bit. I composed myself and asked her, "are they fresh?" to which she responded, "the freshest, and still warm."
I refrained from drooling all over the floor and said, "une baguette quotidienne, s'il vous plait" which is a bigger baguette than I normally get, but how could I not -- it's FRESH FROM THE OVEN, PEOPLE.
She reached over and handed it to me as I gave her my money, the lovely warmth of fresh bread in my hand. I smile big at her and gave an inadvertently english "mair-see!" to which she laughed again and wished me a good evening.
Since I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it was nearly 4:30, ravenous would be an understatement; I was practically running home to be sure that the bread wouldn't get cold. I made it about halfway when I took my first bite, still so warm and delicious. By the time I made it up the stairs to my apartment, about a third of it had been eaten. I plopped down on my clic-clac and devoured nearly the entire thing, leaving a disarray of crumbs everywhere, which I have yet to sweep up.
I've lived here nearly three months and spent four months in Aix and in that time, I have ordered many a baguette, always hoping I manage to go during the right times of day, when the bread is the freshest. Not that I really have any complaints about the bread I do get, it's just as nice -- but there is certainly something to be said about really really fresh bread, isn't there?
I have to say, that is one thing that France really kicks everyone's asses in. Sorry, America... At least you have better churros.
Today was one of those days that I have dreamt of having in France. Not so excitingly, I spent the morning teaching lessons and then later went into the city center to get some Christmas shopping done. We all know that after a day of looking around the shops, all you want to do is crash out and enjoy a nice brew -- not to mention the fact that I normally become ravenous after walking around and spending money (particularly when its 42 degrees outside, wahh).
So, I'm on my way home and decide to stop by my bakery, Le Secret du Bon Pain, to pick up a baguette for dinner. I walk inside and say my ritual "bonjour" but there isn't anyone behind the glass. I stand there awkwardly for a few moments, salivating at the tartes aux fraises, when a cheery looking woman turned the corner from the kitchen, carrying in her arms a fresh load of baguettes. She must have noticed my eyes become the size of dinner plates because she looked up and chortled a little bit. I composed myself and asked her, "are they fresh?" to which she responded, "the freshest, and still warm."
I refrained from drooling all over the floor and said, "une baguette quotidienne, s'il vous plait" which is a bigger baguette than I normally get, but how could I not -- it's FRESH FROM THE OVEN, PEOPLE.
She reached over and handed it to me as I gave her my money, the lovely warmth of fresh bread in my hand. I smile big at her and gave an inadvertently english "mair-see!" to which she laughed again and wished me a good evening.
::drool::
Since I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it was nearly 4:30, ravenous would be an understatement; I was practically running home to be sure that the bread wouldn't get cold. I made it about halfway when I took my first bite, still so warm and delicious. By the time I made it up the stairs to my apartment, about a third of it had been eaten. I plopped down on my clic-clac and devoured nearly the entire thing, leaving a disarray of crumbs everywhere, which I have yet to sweep up.
I've lived here nearly three months and spent four months in Aix and in that time, I have ordered many a baguette, always hoping I manage to go during the right times of day, when the bread is the freshest. Not that I really have any complaints about the bread I do get, it's just as nice -- but there is certainly something to be said about really really fresh bread, isn't there?
I have to say, that is one thing that France really kicks everyone's asses in. Sorry, America... At least you have better churros.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
"bonne continuation"
In learning a different language, there are often phrases or expressions that one comes across that don't really translate all that well -- I have found a particularly annoying one.
It is "bonne continuation" -- despite having a rather decent understanding of the french language at this point, I still read it and hear in my head "good continuation." Then I immediately think, "wait... good continuation? Stupid." If I were to think of a better way of rephrasing it, I'd say it means "good luck in your continuing efforts." Satisfied with my better and more eloquent translation, I then realize that I'm a complete fool. This is because after processing all that information, I return to the first part of the sentence that "bonne continuation" came from, the part that I haven't misunderstood. It says, "je vous informe que votre candidature n'a pas été retenue." I've just been rejected from another job application and have spent the last three seconds thinking about this stupid phrase which is really just a courteous way of telling me that I'm hopeless.
Sadly, it's not the first time I've read that annoying phrase -- not even the second or third. But such is life and it moves on.
* * * * *
Anyways, this Saturday I was feeling more like myself so I decided to meander around the giant Christmas market near the Capitole. I'm kicking myself for not having a camera, I wish I could show you how awesome it looks! I wanted to have a mosey around, maybe find a gift or two to bring back with me, perhaps try the famous mulled wine; unfortunately it was absolutely mobbed and I could barely move around in the huge crowd. I resigned myself instead to people watching which was quite entertaining. As festive as it was and as much as I love Christmas (as all my friends and family also seem to have realized), I couldn't help but feel a little sad. I didn't see many other people wandering around by themselves. I felt like to someone watching me, I must look like someone whose friends have left them waiting. Frankly, I would have preferred that to the the truth, which was a loner curiously staring at complete strangers.
I'm excited to go home -- perhaps a little too excited. I hope I'll return after Christmas and have better luck in my continuing search for... whatever it is I'm looking for.
It is "bonne continuation" -- despite having a rather decent understanding of the french language at this point, I still read it and hear in my head "good continuation." Then I immediately think, "wait... good continuation? Stupid." If I were to think of a better way of rephrasing it, I'd say it means "good luck in your continuing efforts." Satisfied with my better and more eloquent translation, I then realize that I'm a complete fool. This is because after processing all that information, I return to the first part of the sentence that "bonne continuation" came from, the part that I haven't misunderstood. It says, "je vous informe que votre candidature n'a pas été retenue." I've just been rejected from another job application and have spent the last three seconds thinking about this stupid phrase which is really just a courteous way of telling me that I'm hopeless.
Sadly, it's not the first time I've read that annoying phrase -- not even the second or third. But such is life and it moves on.
* * * * *
Anyways, this Saturday I was feeling more like myself so I decided to meander around the giant Christmas market near the Capitole. I'm kicking myself for not having a camera, I wish I could show you how awesome it looks! I wanted to have a mosey around, maybe find a gift or two to bring back with me, perhaps try the famous mulled wine; unfortunately it was absolutely mobbed and I could barely move around in the huge crowd. I resigned myself instead to people watching which was quite entertaining. As festive as it was and as much as I love Christmas (as all my friends and family also seem to have realized), I couldn't help but feel a little sad. I didn't see many other people wandering around by themselves. I felt like to someone watching me, I must look like someone whose friends have left them waiting. Frankly, I would have preferred that to the the truth, which was a loner curiously staring at complete strangers.
I'm excited to go home -- perhaps a little too excited. I hope I'll return after Christmas and have better luck in my continuing search for... whatever it is I'm looking for.
Friday, December 4, 2009
c'est pas la grippe. j'espere.
Mission Avoid Getting Sick in France: FAILED
I'm pretty sure I can blame the whole three hours waiting outside in the cold, but I've progressively been feeling more and more sick since Sunday which is nacho fun. Perhaps it's my poor eating habits... but it's easier to blame the SNCF again so I'm gonna go with that.
Anyways, I stole some pictures so I thought I'd post 'em because it's cold and raining outside and I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna be doing a whole lot today. Enjoy.
We all went on a little walk Saturday morning -- how I miss the ocean!
I was freezing; Lucile's response, "whatever, I'm from the north, man."
Our big group -- that blur is Lucile :)
Right before dinner, at 9:30. It had been a rough day up until that point. Y'know, sitting around, drinking and watching the boys cook.
Isaias' world famous flan. Don't ask me how many pieces I ate.
After dinner silliness.
In all, it was a fun time and I can't wait to go back during the warmer months!
xoxo bisous.
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