I’ve been doing okay with the French. It’s still nerve-wracking to speak it. So far, it’s very similar to my learning to drive a stick-shift this summer. Most of the time, it’s the only means of getting to where you want to go so you’d better jump in and do it. I started out by speaking slowly only to have the other person stall out on me and answer in English. A few days later and I’m heading in the right direction, but as my little brother said of my driving this summer, “it’s a little jerky.”
Today, however, a sort of breakthrough occurred! For Eliot, Jamie and Anne (my computer geniuses), you’ll be so happy to hear that I had to call the school help desk. I didn’t want to call the help desk, but after an hour of trying to no avail to find the wireless internet, I finally broke down. I dialed the number. He answered in French. I told him in French that I was new and couldn’t access the Internet. French: “What’s the problem exactly?” Eek! Another question! “My computer doesn’t recognize the Wifi.” “Oh, you need a cable. There isn’t wireless in the residence halls. Get a cable and call us back if you have any problems. Bonne journée.” Merci! Problem solved all in French! Off I went to Auchan.
Auchan is magnifique. Thus far, I have found everything I need there. I was feeling a little more emboldened by my computer help line success so I decided to get help with locating the peanut butter in the grocery store section, which is humongous! “Je cherches le beurre de cacahuètes.” This got me led to the actual peanuts, but after another minute of deciphering, the grocery store lady took me to the Skippy. Weee! Tout à fait en français!
7 comments:
Excusez moi, but I believe I taught you to drive stick il y a 7 ans.
So glad to hear you're doing well and using French!
My French is terrible but I'm going to use it anyway. Ne pas juger.
I'm not so sure about the driving metaphor, but good work getting yourself connected to the Internet. If you want to get really advanced, you can set up your own wireless network so you won't be tied down to the cable, but you probably don't want to talk to your IT amis about that, sounds like they wouldn't be too happy.
I'm so happy to see the blog! Sounds like things are going great over there. Post pictures please!
Yeah, technically I learned to drive stick 13 years ago, but let's face it, until this summer it was very touch and go with the manual transmission and me. One drive home from the Depot does not an expert make.
This is all well and good, but you can admit that you'd rather be hanging out at 30 Rock. I mean, we have an au bon pain right around the corner, I can't believe that Paris has more to offer than abp ... Ha, ha. So glad to hear you're doing well. And you're writing is brilliant!
Hello! So great to read of your adventures. Although it does make me want to toss my computer out the window and hop the next flight to Europe myself. Will have to reign in those impulses.
Got your note last week. No worries :) And good news - Barks is on the mend and has only 1 physical therapy session left. Whew.
And I don't speak a word of French, unless you count champagne and salade niciose! So maybe I'll learn a few words here, too.
Did you hear that everybody?! I'm a computer genius! haha!
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