On French Things

I often tell myself that if I'm good in this lifetime, I will be rewarded by being born in France next time.

The food!
The language!
The culture!
(And if I were born there, I would probably appreciate... The Fashion!)

I have lately been even more obsessed with French things. I am currently listening to the songs of Edith Piaf, studying French, reading simple French readers, and have just started a book with the letters of Julia Child to her friend who helped her get "art of french cooking" published.

I don't know why or when my little obsession started, but it has been with me for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my aunt gave me a berlitz tape pack with a French dictionary, and it's been going from then. Actually getting to visit France was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Even in the middle of winter, I still found Paris beautiful. That trip was the only one I took solo while studying abroad, and I am so glad. It was a chance for me to do whatever I wanted, to explore what I wanted to, to stare at a piece of art for as long as I wished. I was a terrible American stereotype while there (tennis shoes! jeans! if only I had known better then!) but I still found everyone I spoke to was generally kind and wonderful. I was giddy when simply asking for une baguette or duex croissants s'il vous plait (never just one!), and it was the trip which made me truly want to learn French.

Unfortunately, upon returning stateside, I learned that to even minor in french, they required a year abroad in France, and having just returned from Europe, there was no way I was going to pull that one off. Out of all the things I regret about my college years, that would be tops - not learning a language while I had easy access to it.

Someday... In some life... I may be lucky enough to be born une vraie femme francaise...

Until then, it's just Edith Piaf, French classes, French films, and croque monsieurs for me.