So, I’m back at school, which has dire consequences – for blogging, at least.
Arrgghh! School! I’m taking French 101, and I know I’m a bad person, but I’ve been conditioned by I don’t know how many cultural references to think that the very sound of the French language is a reference to snotty jerk posers – and here I am trying to learn it. And something about the teacher makes me think of “Better Off Dead,” and “frrraunch frrries.” I would really like less cheerleading and more grammar, too, please. I just want to be able to stumble through the odd lines of French that show up in Dorothy Sayers’ books. It is a discipline. I can do it. We discussed “tu” and “vous” this morning, and I was sitting back there thinking “Y’all” and “All y’all,” but I’m unsure of this teacher, and of my ability to restrain myself from derailing the class, so I said nothing. Geez, I’ve changed.
But! I’m also taking Non-Western Art! And that is a big score. Interesting talk about materials used in creating things. Completely different way to think. I feel good.
Of course, I also bumped the 5HTP up to 300 this morning. Seems to be working. Maybe I’ll sleep tonight! Yay!
Oh, yeah. Painting. I spent close to $90 at Michael’s the other day, and I’m realizing I need a completely different blue, and some sort of magenta, and orange would be nice, and those brushes I got are too big, and what about a palette knife? (Thank you on-line coupons! I saved $23 on what I bought. Keep that in mind.)
And I sit next to a friend in philosophy! Somebody who also talks in class! It’s a good thing.
And I decided that I need to eat breakfast every day, and not just an egg-muffin thing, so I put money away to eat in the caf. Makes a huge difference in my day.
So I guess it’s good. Two more classes that haven’t met yet, but I think I’ll be okay. Whew.
Today’s picture, taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Alberto Giacometti.
7 comments
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January 25, 2012 at 4:44 pm
fuzzarelly
Good thoughts being sent your way for the new quarter. French, even a smattering, is good to know. My high school french serves me well, even though I only know verbs in the present tense. Helps with latin and spanish, too. Sometimes. I advise you to learn as many swear words as you can. Merde! is always useful.
(I also say ‘soccer blue’ instead of ‘sacre bleu’ and I get no end of joy from doing so.)
January 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
k
I took Spanish through high school, and I think it will help a lot. I don’t know how much help this teacher will be with swearing. She would go up tremendously in my esteem if she did, but I don’t think so. We’ll see.
January 26, 2012 at 7:41 am
Jen
When I visited France with some other students years ago, we called it the “I’m French and you’re not’ phenomena. But if it can prepare you for Dorothy Sayers I’m all for it
Sounds like you’re planning to have a great semester!
January 26, 2012 at 4:54 pm
lella
Merde. I was going to say some words in defense of the French but will hold my tongue. I will say this:
Too many Parisians are sick to death of tourists: it is a “big important city” dilemma, but the French in general are still very grateful to Americans for the help we so willingly gave during the wars.
Because we absorbed so much of British “culture” and attitudes as a new nation, and it went on for years after that, a lot of us are programed to reject French culture for any reason and in any form, including language. It’s very telling that those two European nations have been rivals forever.
Enjoy your class. I still remember what I learned of it as a little girl. I still love the way it sounds. Oh, I know as a student you are rushed off your feet, but the more French movies you watch the easier it gets to understand (hear) the language.
Sorry to be so gabby
January 26, 2012 at 6:52 pm
k
The idea of all those movies that I couldn’t understand is helping me stay positive. I’d love to go to Paris, but I can see how the people who actually live there would be sick of having to be aware of tourists. Someday.
January 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm
k
Victor Borge. Jacques Cousteau. Help me here, folks!
January 28, 2012 at 10:38 am
kmkat
Victor Borge is Danish.
I tried to learn French in college for the exact same reason as you — to understand those lines of French in Dorothy Sayers novels, although I think Agatha Christie may throw in a few as well, especially in the Hercule Poirot novels. Ended up dropping the class, though. I’d had 5 years of Spanish and found that I kept translating the French into Spanish and THEN into English.