Monday, September 15, 2008......
My sister returned from France on Saturday, but I was able to chat with her a good portion of her trip while she was in Paris (thanks to Skype).... I had posted about her learning the language with these ridiculous cds she purchased in which she learned the words/phrases for condom, I saw the large truck and they have a comfortable sofa.
Well, I must apologize. Apparently, she was able to use the phrase "I saw a large truck" while in the country side. She lucked out because most people spoke English. However, she mentioned that she tried using her french in the following scenarios:
- Outside the Louvre with an ice-cream vendor: She held up one finger, said scoop au chocolate;
- She was able to ask for a chocolate croissant in french; but my favorite is....
- She tried having a conversation in Sephora with the salesperson about foundation or concealer. She did not mention that as a successful conversation.
Here are the highlights from her trip as perceived by moi:
- Quest was to eat a crepe a day
- The US should have crepe stands
- Starbucks in Paris doesn't make ice-tea (they had to give them the recipe)
- Every woman wears a scarf; every man carries a manpurse
- She's decided no one works or cooks as they were out and about at restaurants
- Bread is very important to the French
- A travel journal is a great concept, but the execution of journaling daily stressful
- Although she owns a tremendous amount of fancy soap, it is important to buy Provence Soap while in Provence (not getting that logic)
- The Pope was in town, but because she couldn't see him, she took pictures of him that were posted on the videotrons located throughout the city (note - good friend has already made the comment that we will have better pics of him on the news than in her photos)
- The US markets are crashing because she has made a great contribution to the French economy with all her purchases; and
- Even when traveling international my sister's still enjoys calling me to tell me she got me a present just because she knows I have to know what it is.
Oh sis, if reading today, remember ONE week to my birthday....woo hoo...presents from France for me...
j
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Farmer's Market
Thursday, July 10, 2008...
Right by my house, every Thursday, a parking lot of a local playhouse is converted into a farmer's market. I've never been, but thought what a beautiful day and wanted some fresh veggies and herbs for dinner tonight.
I love the concept of the farmer's market. Love organic and love the fact that any purchase from the local farmers keeps their business alive. However, I forgotten what type of clientele visit the farmer's market.
I live in an area where people believe that they are entitled or privileged because of their zip code. However, entitlement does not always equal manners. Don't ever confuse that. In some cases, I've come across people that believed they were above manners because of their position. Tsk to them. On the other hand, I find these people to be amusing. Today's visit to the farmer's market did not disappoint.
As I was standing in line to pay (mind you, the line was only 2 people deep), this lady cuts in front of me. I notice, not saying anything because a) it is a gorgeous day; b) I don't have any time issues; and c) I figure she must be in a hurry. Several minutes go by and she turns to me and asks if she had cut in front of me. I said yes, but that was okay and that I wasn't in a hurry and fine where I was. Instead of saying thank you, she tells me that she didn't know I was in line and it looked as though I was still looking around. I laughed to myself as I had not moved and was holding my produce for purchase. Basically, she was trying to justify her actions instead of admitting that she has bad manners. It ended up that we were helped at the same time, but I overheard her tell the person from the farm that she bought this one green leaf veggie (it was only one stem of the bunch) because of its color and wondered if they could cook it up for her. She further explained that she NEVER cooks and always picks up prepared food from where ever she is. I really think that she believed that if she explained this to the people in the booth, with conviction in her voice, they would magically change their mind and cook it for her.
I scored some great veggies and herbs and even gooseberries (which I've never had) and am looking forward to trying.
j
french lesson: I'm happy to report my sister is back on track with her french lesson and has learned the word for condom. Apparently, she is learning the items you can find in a drugstore while in France and has learned how to say cough drops (toux sera en baisse) and condom (préservatif ). She must be learning the words in some alphabetical order, as she didn't mention learning the french word for Viagra.
Now, as my sister is lying on some comfortable sofa on the back of a large truck in France, I feel safe knowing she is fully prepared because she can stock up on condoms at the local drugstore (just in case she gets lucky in the back of the large truck).
Right by my house, every Thursday, a parking lot of a local playhouse is converted into a farmer's market. I've never been, but thought what a beautiful day and wanted some fresh veggies and herbs for dinner tonight.
I love the concept of the farmer's market. Love organic and love the fact that any purchase from the local farmers keeps their business alive. However, I forgotten what type of clientele visit the farmer's market.
I live in an area where people believe that they are entitled or privileged because of their zip code. However, entitlement does not always equal manners. Don't ever confuse that. In some cases, I've come across people that believed they were above manners because of their position. Tsk to them. On the other hand, I find these people to be amusing. Today's visit to the farmer's market did not disappoint.
As I was standing in line to pay (mind you, the line was only 2 people deep), this lady cuts in front of me. I notice, not saying anything because a) it is a gorgeous day; b) I don't have any time issues; and c) I figure she must be in a hurry. Several minutes go by and she turns to me and asks if she had cut in front of me. I said yes, but that was okay and that I wasn't in a hurry and fine where I was. Instead of saying thank you, she tells me that she didn't know I was in line and it looked as though I was still looking around. I laughed to myself as I had not moved and was holding my produce for purchase. Basically, she was trying to justify her actions instead of admitting that she has bad manners. It ended up that we were helped at the same time, but I overheard her tell the person from the farm that she bought this one green leaf veggie (it was only one stem of the bunch) because of its color and wondered if they could cook it up for her. She further explained that she NEVER cooks and always picks up prepared food from where ever she is. I really think that she believed that if she explained this to the people in the booth, with conviction in her voice, they would magically change their mind and cook it for her.
I scored some great veggies and herbs and even gooseberries (which I've never had) and am looking forward to trying.
j
french lesson: I'm happy to report my sister is back on track with her french lesson and has learned the word for condom. Apparently, she is learning the items you can find in a drugstore while in France and has learned how to say cough drops (toux sera en baisse) and condom (préservatif ). She must be learning the words in some alphabetical order, as she didn't mention learning the french word for Viagra.
Now, as my sister is lying on some comfortable sofa on the back of a large truck in France, I feel safe knowing she is fully prepared because she can stock up on condoms at the local drugstore (just in case she gets lucky in the back of the large truck).
Friday, July 4, 2008
Wedding Cake or Cupcake???
Friday, July 4, 2008....
Happy 4th to anyone reading....I hope that you have great plans for the day. A little dreary today, but planning to have b-bque and fiance hoping it doesn't rain so he can light off fireworks. If anyone saw the movie, Along Came Polly, you'd understand the visual I have in mind about fireworks (the children's book that Polly creates with the boy missing the hand)....
Today, my friend is coming over and she has volunteered to make cupcakes for my wedding in October. I chose to go with the cupcake concept, not because I'm hip and trendy, but because I'm a white cake girl and the fiance is a chocolate cake eater. I thought cupcakes would make us both happy. Over the past few months, my friend has taken cupcake decorating classes in NYC and asked my opinion on what I want. I have to admit, I haven't been the most helpful in that department. I think I figured that I had a lot of time. Well, like my wedding dress last month, I think I need to focus on the cupcakes now so she can practice.
I've come across the following http://www.cakes4fun.co.uk/weddings/towers.php, but am looking for other suggestions. I don't want them all to look the same, but am at a loss. If anyone has some suggestions, please comment.
j
p.s. Apparently my sister learned the phrase "they have a comfortable sofa". Although this isn't a great phrase, I feel a bit more comfortable that she'll have a place to crash if a large truck is driving past her with a sofa in it. She can flag down the truck and make her proclamation about the sofa. The truck driver will be so impressed with her french that he'll let her sleep in the back of his truck on the sofa. Now if she could learn some phrases about food and bathroom facilities, life would be perfect.....
Happy 4th to anyone reading....I hope that you have great plans for the day. A little dreary today, but planning to have b-bque and fiance hoping it doesn't rain so he can light off fireworks. If anyone saw the movie, Along Came Polly, you'd understand the visual I have in mind about fireworks (the children's book that Polly creates with the boy missing the hand)....
Today, my friend is coming over and she has volunteered to make cupcakes for my wedding in October. I chose to go with the cupcake concept, not because I'm hip and trendy, but because I'm a white cake girl and the fiance is a chocolate cake eater. I thought cupcakes would make us both happy. Over the past few months, my friend has taken cupcake decorating classes in NYC and asked my opinion on what I want. I have to admit, I haven't been the most helpful in that department. I think I figured that I had a lot of time. Well, like my wedding dress last month, I think I need to focus on the cupcakes now so she can practice.
I've come across the following http://www.cakes4fun.co.uk/weddings/towers.php, but am looking for other suggestions. I don't want them all to look the same, but am at a loss. If anyone has some suggestions, please comment.
j
p.s. Apparently my sister learned the phrase "they have a comfortable sofa". Although this isn't a great phrase, I feel a bit more comfortable that she'll have a place to crash if a large truck is driving past her with a sofa in it. She can flag down the truck and make her proclamation about the sofa. The truck driver will be so impressed with her french that he'll let her sleep in the back of his truck on the sofa. Now if she could learn some phrases about food and bathroom facilities, life would be perfect.....
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fifteen Minutes of Fame.....
Thursday, July 3, 2008....
I guess it is true that everyone, at some point in their life, has 15 minutes of fame. In my case, the 15 minutes of fame is definitely associated with shame......
Last night, I was meeting a friend of mine at the gym and while entering the building a local reporter approached me in the parking lot. He explained that he was doing an article on the local police survey and if I had experience with them. I explained I had and that it was all good. He asked me the particulars and I told the reporter that I was out of town for a few days and my mailbox was open and all this mail was bursting out (I guess it was catalogue time or maybe the fact that I subscribe to over 20 magazines could be the cause) and some of my neighbors (the ones 80+) called the cops because my car was in driveway and they thought I was dead as I live alone. I returned from a trip into NYC and was actually on my cell with my sister when I got home. I checked caller id to see if there were any messages I had to listen to that night. Sure enough, my town's police department called me. I played the message while sister was on phone and she was like "I'll hang up now so you can call them back". My sister is very good about things (aka being responsible). I, on the other hand, said "nah...it's late, I'm tired and will call in the morning". I haven't a clue as to why I thought a police station would care what time of the day it was. I guess I forgot that are open 24/7, which is something I will never forget.
Off to bed and 2 1/2 hours later, I am awoken to pounding on the front door, bright lights on bay window and someone yelling asking me if I was who I am and if I was okay. I verified my identity and was told the whole story that my neighbors were concerned and when I didn't call the police back they wanted to see if I was okay.
However, the story doesn't end there. I go back to bed and 2 1/2 hours later the phone rings; it is my ex. He told me that the police had called his house and both he and wife were out for evening and wanted to make sure I was okay....and also to find out what exactly was going on. I explained the misunderstanding. I now realized that my fear of choking on food and dying being undiscovered (I think every single person living alone has this fear) would not come true because my neighbors watch me (man, do I feel sorry for them).
Now....I need to explain how my 15 minutes of fame are tied to my shame. The mailbox overflowing is my fault. I hate to get my mail and used to go a week or two without picking up the mail. Don't know why, just a quirk. However, some friends and family knew this about me and one friend actually sent me a card every day for a week prior to my birthday to force me out to get the mail. Didn't really work, but I did pick up the mail every 2 days during that week. The important packages came via fed ex as I worked of house and since I either pay bills online or direct out of checking, no real need for the paper bill. Most of the mailbox contents were junk mail. However, after a visit from the police, I now pick up my mail EVERYDAY. See, old dogs can learn new tricks when the fear of the police is put into them.
j
French Phrase of the Day.....
Today's lesson is very uneventful, but, still very quirky.....it was counting. Counting from number 11 to 69 (hmmm...love the French).... Apparently, they counted from 11 to 20, and then by 10s until they got to 60, and then went 69....
Because today's lesson was lame, once again, I've taken the liberty to find an event for my sister to do while in France. Mind you, haven't a clue of her itinerary, just know she's in Paris and then in the countryside near Italy (told her to stand on border and shout out George Clooney's name or ask people where his villa is in Italy --- now if only the translation cds taught her that question in French)..... However, I want her vacation to be jammed packed with culture, so I found her these events....
Cours Foch, Aubagne
Aubagne, self-proclaimed capital of the Santonniers (Santon makers), hosts its annual summer fair devoted to the tiny clay figures. Stalls and workshops can be found on the streets of the town
or
Sand Sculpture Festival
5 Apr - 31 Aug 2008 (annual)
Le Touquet
Every year, Le Touquet's Paris Plage (next to the Aqualud) hosts a summer-long sand sculpture festival. The themes, and the sculptures themselves, get more elaborate every year.
I believe that she'll find the vineyards on her own, well, maybe not if she continues using her cds, but she could miss out real events .... like the ones I noted above.
To my sister, I say Bon Voyage....
j
I guess it is true that everyone, at some point in their life, has 15 minutes of fame. In my case, the 15 minutes of fame is definitely associated with shame......
Last night, I was meeting a friend of mine at the gym and while entering the building a local reporter approached me in the parking lot. He explained that he was doing an article on the local police survey and if I had experience with them. I explained I had and that it was all good. He asked me the particulars and I told the reporter that I was out of town for a few days and my mailbox was open and all this mail was bursting out (I guess it was catalogue time or maybe the fact that I subscribe to over 20 magazines could be the cause) and some of my neighbors (the ones 80+) called the cops because my car was in driveway and they thought I was dead as I live alone. I returned from a trip into NYC and was actually on my cell with my sister when I got home. I checked caller id to see if there were any messages I had to listen to that night. Sure enough, my town's police department called me. I played the message while sister was on phone and she was like "I'll hang up now so you can call them back". My sister is very good about things (aka being responsible). I, on the other hand, said "nah...it's late, I'm tired and will call in the morning". I haven't a clue as to why I thought a police station would care what time of the day it was. I guess I forgot that are open 24/7, which is something I will never forget.
Off to bed and 2 1/2 hours later, I am awoken to pounding on the front door, bright lights on bay window and someone yelling asking me if I was who I am and if I was okay. I verified my identity and was told the whole story that my neighbors were concerned and when I didn't call the police back they wanted to see if I was okay.
However, the story doesn't end there. I go back to bed and 2 1/2 hours later the phone rings; it is my ex. He told me that the police had called his house and both he and wife were out for evening and wanted to make sure I was okay....and also to find out what exactly was going on. I explained the misunderstanding. I now realized that my fear of choking on food and dying being undiscovered (I think every single person living alone has this fear) would not come true because my neighbors watch me (man, do I feel sorry for them).
Now....I need to explain how my 15 minutes of fame are tied to my shame. The mailbox overflowing is my fault. I hate to get my mail and used to go a week or two without picking up the mail. Don't know why, just a quirk. However, some friends and family knew this about me and one friend actually sent me a card every day for a week prior to my birthday to force me out to get the mail. Didn't really work, but I did pick up the mail every 2 days during that week. The important packages came via fed ex as I worked of house and since I either pay bills online or direct out of checking, no real need for the paper bill. Most of the mailbox contents were junk mail. However, after a visit from the police, I now pick up my mail EVERYDAY. See, old dogs can learn new tricks when the fear of the police is put into them.
j
French Phrase of the Day.....
Today's lesson is very uneventful, but, still very quirky.....it was counting. Counting from number 11 to 69 (hmmm...love the French).... Apparently, they counted from 11 to 20, and then by 10s until they got to 60, and then went 69....
Because today's lesson was lame, once again, I've taken the liberty to find an event for my sister to do while in France. Mind you, haven't a clue of her itinerary, just know she's in Paris and then in the countryside near Italy (told her to stand on border and shout out George Clooney's name or ask people where his villa is in Italy --- now if only the translation cds taught her that question in French)..... However, I want her vacation to be jammed packed with culture, so I found her these events....
Cours Foch, Aubagne
Aubagne, self-proclaimed capital of the Santonniers (Santon makers), hosts its annual summer fair devoted to the tiny clay figures. Stalls and workshops can be found on the streets of the town
or
Sand Sculpture Festival
5 Apr - 31 Aug 2008 (annual)
Le Touquet
Every year, Le Touquet's Paris Plage (next to the Aqualud) hosts a summer-long sand sculpture festival. The themes, and the sculptures themselves, get more elaborate every year.
I believe that she'll find the vineyards on her own, well, maybe not if she continues using her cds, but she could miss out real events .... like the ones I noted above.
To my sister, I say Bon Voyage....
j
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
French Phrase for the Day....
Tuesday, July 2, 2008.....
I've decided that I'm going to support my sister in her mission of learning a new language. I will be sharing the phrase of the day that she learns on my blog. Unfortunately, today's phrase is useful:
Ou habitez-vous? Where do you live?
J’habite en les Etats-Unis. I live in the United States
I should mention that yesterday's phrase went something like this:
Woman to Man: Have you seen my friend?
Man to Woman: Your friend the attorney?
Woman to Man: My friend is a student not an attorney.
Man to Woman: I have seen your friend and she is in the garden
Now, that is a conversation I have everyday!
j
I've decided that I'm going to support my sister in her mission of learning a new language. I will be sharing the phrase of the day that she learns on my blog. Unfortunately, today's phrase is useful:
Ou habitez-vous? Where do you live?
J’habite en les Etats-Unis. I live in the United States
I should mention that yesterday's phrase went something like this:
Woman to Man: Have you seen my friend?
Man to Woman: Your friend the attorney?
Woman to Man: My friend is a student not an attorney.
Man to Woman: I have seen your friend and she is in the garden
Now, that is a conversation I have everyday!
j
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Learning a New Language....
Tuesday, July 1, 2008......
My sister is heading to France at the end of next month and realized that her high school french, from years ago, would probably not be sufficient to get around the country so she purchased a "learn to" series of CDs for her car.
Personally, even if I learned a new language, I would never be able to mimic what I heard. I have a bad ear when it comes to repeating a foreign language, but once I do learn a new phrase I understand it and can translate it into English. This is great, except I can never respond to the person speaking to me in another language. I hate to admit it, but I'm probably the type of traveler that talks slower, louder and waves her hands in the air thinking charades is the new international language. I say "probably" because I haven't witnessed myself or taken notice how I react when talking to individuals that are speaking a foreign language.
Based upon my sister's "learn to" purchase, I foresee that she too will take on the new international language of charades when traveling in France. I know. I sound incredibly pessimistic, but you would too when you learn that the first phrase she has learned listening to her CD is "I saw the big truck". Unless you're 3, I don't see the relevance to this statement. When I asked if she learned to say "hello" or anything other than "I saw the big truck", she told me she had. She told me that she learned the word "car". Wow. Now, that's a word. I believe that my sister is now prepared for her travels to France........she will not have a decent meal, know where her hotel is, or, even know how to ask where the bathroom is, but damn, they'll be many pictures of her standing on a corner in Paris pointing at large trucks and shouting on the top of her lungs "J'ai vu le gros camion", "J'ai vu le gros camion"..... Kudos to her for attracting every 3 year old in Paris and possibly creating a fan club.
I say to my sister....."Bon Voyage".
j
My sister is heading to France at the end of next month and realized that her high school french, from years ago, would probably not be sufficient to get around the country so she purchased a "learn to" series of CDs for her car.
Personally, even if I learned a new language, I would never be able to mimic what I heard. I have a bad ear when it comes to repeating a foreign language, but once I do learn a new phrase I understand it and can translate it into English. This is great, except I can never respond to the person speaking to me in another language. I hate to admit it, but I'm probably the type of traveler that talks slower, louder and waves her hands in the air thinking charades is the new international language. I say "probably" because I haven't witnessed myself or taken notice how I react when talking to individuals that are speaking a foreign language.
Based upon my sister's "learn to" purchase, I foresee that she too will take on the new international language of charades when traveling in France. I know. I sound incredibly pessimistic, but you would too when you learn that the first phrase she has learned listening to her CD is "I saw the big truck". Unless you're 3, I don't see the relevance to this statement. When I asked if she learned to say "hello" or anything other than "I saw the big truck", she told me she had. She told me that she learned the word "car". Wow. Now, that's a word. I believe that my sister is now prepared for her travels to France........she will not have a decent meal, know where her hotel is, or, even know how to ask where the bathroom is, but damn, they'll be many pictures of her standing on a corner in Paris pointing at large trucks and shouting on the top of her lungs "J'ai vu le gros camion", "J'ai vu le gros camion"..... Kudos to her for attracting every 3 year old in Paris and possibly creating a fan club.
I say to my sister....."Bon Voyage".
j
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