The Canny Francophile

I cannot resist stationery especially if it is French stationery! France themed letter writing set, notebook & file holder

I tuned into my local news channel the other night to hear of jubilant crowds in France cheering on Francois Hollande, the newly elected president of France.  To be honest I don't follow politics much but it moved me , so much so I wanted to be there!!     Thinking back to my trips to France in the past, I remember the friendliness and hospitality of the people. I remember their passion for food and art.   It's been a while.  I think a trip back to France is long overdue..my boyfriend would disagree.....but watch this space!

As I sit here and type I am slowly feeling my body going through the motions of having withdrawal symptoms - from what??!    From not having the joy and love that comes with being there. France I mean!!    Strangers pass you by say  'Salut!', acquaintances do their  'cheek - kissing'.... I miss Montmartre.... (did you know that the video from Savage Garden's 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' was filmed there?!).....baguettes, the crazy street drivers on the Champs - Elysees! More update follows......

Do please forgive me for not updating in a while...well, since my course is fast approaching I am starting to think how I can brush up on my grammar......in the meantime, I 'treated' myself to a couple of nice things last week. Paris themed storage tin Eiffel Tower design sticky post- its French fabric Last but not least, I found this little cutie tucked away, forgotten I'd had it!! *                        *                         * Oh, the family & I went to see The Adventures of TinTin last week at the cinema which I believe to have first appeared in French.   Thoroughly enjoyed it! A couple of my French friends Nathalie & Sophie who I keep in contact with have said I am most welcome to vi...

Ernest Hemingway once wrote  '' If you are lucky to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast'' .    I can identify with these words without a doubt,  although my 'Paris' was Strasbourg at the time...this city left such an incredible impression on me....with the regional Tarte Flambee meals that I had with my fellow students to the 'Palais Universitaire' where I was lucky enough to be enrolled for 10 months. My fellow Korean students always met with me near the student halls of residence where they stayed in. (okay sorry I know this is supposed to be French related but most of my friends just happened to be Korean).   This corner cafe that we frequented had a very cute decorated 'wall of art' that was written/drawn on by people/vistors from all walks of life.  Eun Jin was my best friend, she used to ramble on about wanting to find the perfect spous...

I took part in a couple of swaps recently ( http://www.swap-bot.com/ ) and received some more lovely postcards of my favourite place - France!! A big thank you to Catherine Sebillet and Jetske for sending me these! Now for even more exciting news... Well, it seems like I will be doing my advanced French course/module with the Open University after all. These are my books that I have purchased for the course: The dictionary weighs a tonne (almost).  The Mot a Mot is a very good compiled guide of idioms and useful sayings that any essay writer would benefit greatly from.    As a former student in the 1990's I still also have my old university textbooks and the absolutely essential 'Robert Micro' dictionary.  These are all my revision tools - can I brush up before Feb 2012?   I will strive to do it.   Wish me luck!!! *******

Change of plan - my intention to continue on studying French has been interrupted by the realisation that my current responsibilities/commitments come first with regards to my family and career - so,  I have decided to put this plan on hold for the time being.   I am disappointed but I know timing is everything, I am studying 2000% for my other language and doing very well in it, getting A's straight through.... This is not goodbye French, hello strange world. Rather it is hello to a fresh start and I hope readers will wish me luck in my endeavours! 'Surveillez cet espace!'