It’s All French To Me

Janvier sec et sage
Est un bon presage
Fevrier trop doux
Printemps en courroux
Si Mars est beau
Avril fait la mine
Froid Mai et chaud juin
Donnent pain et vin
Juillet sans orage
Famine au village
Soleil rouge en Aout
C’est de la pluie partout
Septembre emporte le ponts
ou tarit les fontaines
Brouillards d’octobre et pluvieux Novembre
dont bon Decembre

Until Next Time.

Au Revoir!

For my French Class, we have to have an oral test at the end of the year. My prof wanted to make it “fun” by having us perform skits in French.  Here is my skit that I performed with my classmates, Justin and Emily.

N E: Bonjour Ashley! Bonjour Justin!
A&J: Bonjour Emily!
E: Bienvenue chez moi. Je suis heureuse que vous mangiez avec moi! Comment allez-vous?
J: J’ai très faim!
A: Qu’est-ce qu’il y a à manger ?
E : Pour le repas, j’ai préparé beaucoup de nourriture. Pour l’entrée, j’ai fait une salade de concombres et des œufs mayonnaise. Pour le plat principal, nous mangerons du poulet avec une sauce à cacahuète. Comme dessert, j’ai fait un gâteau avec de la glace. Asseyez-vous, s’il vous plait.
A : mmmm… Ca sent très bon.
J: Je ne veux rien manger du tout.
A: Pourquoi pas?
E : Mais c’est bon L
J : Je ne mange rien parce que je suis allergique a la nourriture.
E : Tu peux manger les œufs mayonnaises ?
J : Si je mangeais la mayonnaise, je mourrais !
A : Mais qu’est ce que tu peux manger ?
J : Je peux manger le poulet, mais je ne peux pas manger la sauce. Je suis allergique aux cacahuètes. Qu’est ce que nous allons boire ?
E : Du champagne
AEJ : Tchin-tchin !
J : Tu me passes la salade de concombres ?
E: Ashley, tu veux encore du poulet?
A: Oui! J’en veux. C’est délicieux!J: Quand j’étais jeune ma famille est allée en vacances chaque été.
E: Ou est ce que vous êtes allés ?
J : Une fois nous sommes allés a Marseille, une fois nous sommes allés au Mexique et une fois nous sommes allés en Angleterre. Mais il est nécessaire absolument que nous allions en Amérique de sud
A : Pourquoi Justin ?
 j : Il fait moins chaud que Texas
A : Je ne peux pas voyager dans un avion.
J : Pourquoi ?
A : J’aurai le mal de l’air.
E : Et ce n’est pas possible pour y aller en bateau parce que j’aurai le mal de mer
J : Nous pourrions prendre une voiture.
E&A : Oui !E : Est ce que je pourrais amener mon chien avec moi ?
A : Ah! Je les aime beaucoup! Comment Il s’appelle ?
E : Il s’appelle Pete. Il est tres gentil.
A : Je voudrais à rencontrer Pete.
E : Pete !!! viens-ici !
A : Qu’est ce que tu as ? Est-ce que tu n’aime pas les chiens ?
J : Oui, mais je les suis allergique
E : Je suis tres désolée, Justin !

A : Ou est ce que nous voulons aller ?
E : Pérou !?
J : Non.. Il est trop près d’ici
A : Argentine ?
E : Non.. Il est trop loin…
J : Chili ?
AE : C’est Parfait !

J : Qu’est-ce que vous voudriez faire en nos vacances ?
E : Je voudrais faire du ski.
A : C’est une bonne idée !
J : Je ne fais jamais de ski.
E : Pourquoi ?
J : Une fois, je suis allé à la montagne avec ma famille et nous avons fait du ski.  Je suis tombe et je me suis casse le bras !  Maintenant, je refuse faire du ski !
A : Nous pourrions faire du surf de neiges.
E : Oui, Oui !
J : Je n’ai aucune intention de faire du snowboard !  Mon ami s’est casse la jambe ! C’est très dangereux !
A : d’accord… uhh.. Ah ! J’aime faire du patin !
J : Je ne voudrai pas faire de patinage, mais je vous regarderai
A : bien, tu peux regarder. Nous pourrions faire du Traîneau, aussi. Oui Justin ?
J : D’accord.

A : D’accord, Nous resterons à un joli hôtel. Il y a deux chambres  avec une salle de bains. Je préfère un balcon et un ascenseur, aussi.  Tu l’aimes ?
EJ : Oui
J : Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans les chambres ?
A : Il y a deux lits, un fauteuil, et la climatisation. La chambre est très grande et modern. La salle de bains est grande aussi. Il y a un lavabo, une douche, et des WC. C’est très bon.
E : C’est combien la chambre ?
A : C’est  50 euros la nuit et le petit déjeuner est compris

E : Voila ! Vous voulez du gâteau ?
J : Oui, j’en veux.  Merci beaucoup !
A : Mmm, Moi Aussi ! Merci beaucoup !
J : Ce gâteau est le meilleur gâteau que j’ai mangé !  C’est délicieux !
A : Oui, Emily ! Tu as réussi le gâteau !
E : Merci
J : Je ne me sens pas très bien….J’ai mal au cœur
A: Justin ! Tu as des taches !  Est-ce que tu as la varicelle ?
J : Non, je n’ai pas la varicelle.  Est-ce qu’il y a le chocolat dans le gâteau, Emily ?
E : Mais Oui. Tu ne l’aimes pas ?
J : Je suis allergique au chocolat, aussi.  Est-ce que vous pouvez amener moi à l’hôpital ?
A : C’est horrible! Nous t’amènerons à l’hôpital! 

It was good enough for an ‘A’ so I’m not complaining

Until Next Time.

 Au Revoir!

This is the story of Cinderella written in French
Il était une fois une jeune fille; ses parents êtaient morts, et elle habitait avec sa belle-mère et ses deux demi-soeurs; la pauvre jeune fille
devait travailler constamment pour les trois autres. Comme elle couchait près des cendres de la cheminée pour avoir chaud, on l’appelait Cendrillon. Un jour, le roi organisé un grand bal , et il invité toutes les jeunes filles du royaume. Cendrillon désirait y aller, mais elle n’avait pas de robe ou de voiture pour y aller. Ses demi-soeurs ne voulaient pas lui donner de robe, ni partager la voiture avec elle. Mais le soir du bal, une fée changé des souris et une citrouille en carrosse pour elle ; la fée lui a donné une magnifique robe de bal. Pendant le bal, le prince trouvée que Cendrillon était la plus belle et la plus gentille des invitées; mais à minuit, Cendrillon est partie brusquement, et seule sa petite chaussure de verre restée avec le prince.

.Le prince décidé de retrouver Cendrillon et de l’épouser. Toutes les jeunes filles ont dû essayer la petite chaussure, mais les méchantes soeurs se sentaient malades à l’idée de voir Cendrillon riche et heureuse. Elles ont enfermé Cendrillon à clé pour qu’elle perde sa chance…Heureusement, le prince a fini par la trouver , et ils se sont mariés, et ils ont été très heureux pendant toute leur vie!

We were offered extra credit in my French class if we view a French film.  I will never pass up extra credit, so I went to the showing of “Le Grand Chemin” meaning “The Grand Highway.”  As a whole it was a darling film.

It was made and directed in 1987 by Jean-Loup Hubert. It won the César Award for Best Actor and Best Actress.

The plot of the story starts as Louis, a sickly nine-year-old boy from Paris, spends his summer vacation in a small town in Brittany. His mother Claire has lodged him with her bestfriend Marcelle and her husband Pelo while she’s having her second baby. There Louis makes friends with Martine, the ten-year-old girl next door, and learns from her about life. His subsequent adventures run the gamut from delightful to terrifying, with a little “coming of age” (via a few glimpses of nudity) thrown in. 
The idea of the movie was great, but like many films, they have to throw in a little language, blood, and nudity. But hey, I got 5 extra points for sitting in a small theater for 90 minutes. I can’t complain about that.

Until next time.

Au Revoir!

Le jeu de boules or la pétanque is very popular in France, particularly in southern France. It’s played on flat, often sandy, ground. One of the players throws the small wooden ball (le cochonnet) a dstance from the players. The game then consists of each player throwing or rolling metal balls (les boules) toward the cochonnet with the goal of coming as close to the wooden ball as possble and/or knowking the opponent’s ball away. The person or team with the balls closest to the wooden ball wins the game.

Until Next Time.

Au Revoir!

I recently re-watched one of my all time favorite movies, Beauty and the Beast. I was singing along with all of the songs and was thrilled with the fact that “Be Our Guest” has several french phrases in it.  I needed a blog topic so this worked out perfectly. The phrases are highlighted in bold and I am included a nice, little translation section as well.

 Ma chere Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride
and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight.
And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a
chair as the dining room proudly presents - your dinner!

Be our guest, Be our guest
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin ’round your neck, cherie
And we provide the rest
Soup du jour, Hot hors d’oeuvres
why, we only live to serve
Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious
Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes
They can sing, They can dance
After all, Miss, this is France
And a dinner here is never second best
Go on, unfold your menu
Take a glance and then you’ll
Be our guest
Oui, our guest
Be our guest

Beef ragout
Cheese souffle
Pie and pudding “en flambe”
We’ll prepare and serve with flair

A culinary cabaret
You’re alone
And you’re scared
But the banquet’s all prepared
No one’s gloomy or complaining
While the flatware’s entertaining
We tell jokes, I do tricks
With my fellow candlesticks

And it’s all in perfect taste
That you can bet
Come on and lift your glass
You’ve won your own free pass
To be out guest
If you’re stressed
It’s fine dining we suggest
Be our guest, Be our guest
Be our guest

   Life is so unnerving
For a servant who’s not serving
He’s not whole without a soul to wait upon
Ah, those good old days when we were useful
Suddenly those good old days are gone
Ten years we’ve been rusting
Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills
Most days we just lay around the castle
Flabby, fat and lazy
You walked in and oops-a-daisy!
It’s a guest, It’s a guest
Sakes alive, well I’ll be blessed
Wine’s been poured and thank the Lord
I’ve had the napkins freshly pressed
With dessert, She’ll want tea
And my dear that’s fine with me
While the cups do their soft shoeing
I’ll be bubbling, I’ll be brewing
I’ll get warm, Piping hot
Heaven’s sakes! Is that a spot?
Clean it up! We want the company impressed
We’ve got a lot to do
Is it one lump or two
For you, our guest?

Be our guest, Be our guest
Our command is your request
It’s ten years since we had anybody here
And we’re obsessed
With your meal
With your ease
Yes, indeed, we aim to please
While the candlelight’s still glowing
Let us help you, We’ll keep going

Course by course
One by one
‘Til you shout, “Enough! I’m done!”
Then we’ll sing you off to sleep as you digest
Tonight you’ll prop your feet up
But for now, let’s eat up
Be our guest, Be our guest
Be our guest, Please, be our guest

Ma chere Mademoiselle - Form of endearment meaning “My Dear, Miss”
Soup du jour - Soup of the Day
Hot hors d’oeuvres - appetizer
Beef ragout - Beef Stew
Cheese souffle - a savory mixture of custard, whipped egg whites, and cheese
Pie and pudding “en flambe” - literally meaning “in flames”
culinary cabaret - food and cooking

Fun Fun! Such a classic movie!

 Until next time.

Au Revoir!

We started learning the names of body parts today in my French class.  For some reason, I kept thinking of the song that I’m sure everyone sang in elementary, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” I asked my Prof about it and she was more than happy to translate and have us sing it as a class.

 What fun!

Toes is translated as le doigt de pied so it is easier to say “Pied” (feet) instead of “le doigt de pied (toes).

Tête, épaules, genoux, et pied, genoux et pieds.
Tête, épaules, genoux, et pied, genoux et pieds.
La bouche, le nez, les yeux, les oreilles.
Tête, épaules, genoux, et pieds,
Genoux, et pieds.

If you forgot the English version of the song then here it is.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
I’ve two eyes, two ears, a mouth and a nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

http://www.songsforteaching.com/happalmer/headshoulderskneestoes.htm

Until Next Time.

Au Revoir!

The city of Paris is filled with all things beautiful… and unusual. Which can be the same, depending on the eyes you are using to look at the world. Here are a few interesting things I found while browing the internet. Aren’t they delightful?

A vintage scooter which looks like a child’s toy, hardly suitable for traffic in Paris that on closer inspection has been decoupaged with hundreds of “pin-up” photos.  

 Or, a beautiful mosaic that greets guests at a hotel in Montparnasse…this is just one tiny part of it…the mosaic, that is

Another building right around the corner caught my eye.  How can so much creativity be confined into one tiny area of the city?  What do you suppose it means?

Actually it happens to be The Hotel des Académies et des Arts, a very hip hotel that is getting rave reviews. How creative.

 Until Next Time.

Au revoir!

Of Course this is French for April Fool’s Day, dating back to the 16th century when Charles IX followed the Gregorian Calendar, decreed Jan 1st as New Year’s Day rather than April 1st. Those who didn’t follow the new calendar were called “fools” and sent invitations to fake parties and the like. French children fooled their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ - when discovered the child cries “Poission D’avril!”

Why the connection to fish? Some believe that it’s because the sun is leaving the zodiacal sign of Pisces at this time. Some think it’s because it was not permitted to gish at this time of the year. Others say it’s because some fish are pretty dumb and easy to catch.

For Fun, I looked up several of “the best” pranks. Here are a few of them. They are pretty clever, so I hope you enjoy

The Origin of April Fool’s Day
In 1983 the Associated Press reported that the mystery of the origin of April Fool’s Day had finally been solved. Joseph Boskin, a History professor at Boston University, had discovered that the celebration had begun during the Roman empire when a court jester had boasted to Emperor Constantine that the fools and jesters of the court could rule the kingdom better than the Emperor could. In response, Constantine had decreed that the court fools would be given a chance to prove this boast, and he set aside one day of the year upon which a fool would rule the kingdom. The first year Constantine appointed a jester named Kugel as ruler, and Kugel immediately decreed that only the absurd would be allowed in the kingdom on that day. Therefore the tradition of April Fools was born. News media throughout the country reprinted the Associated Press story. But what the AP reporter who had interviewed Professor Boskin for the story hadn’t realized was that Boskin was lying. Not a word of the story was true, which Boskin admitted a few weeks later. Boston University issued a statement apologizing for the joke, and many papers published corrections. 

Instant Color TV
In 1962 there was only one tv channel in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white. The station’s technical expert, Kjell Stensson, appeared on the news to announce that, thanks to a new technology, viewers could convert their existing sets to display color reception. All they had to do was pull a nylon stocking over their tv screen. Stensson proceeded to demonstrate the process. Thousands of people were taken in. Regular color broadcasts only commenced in Sweden on April 1, 1970.

Taco Liberty Bell
In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced that it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

The Left-Handed Whopper
In 1998 Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a “Left-Handed Whopper” specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, “many others requested their own ‘right handed’ version.”

Drunk Driving on the Internet
An article by John Dvorak in the April 1994 issue of PC Computing magazine described a bill going through Congress that would make it illegal to use the internet while drunk, or to discuss sexual matters over a public network. The bill was supposedly numbered 040194 (i.e. 04/01/94), and the contact person was listed as Lirpa Sloof (April Fools backwards). The article said that the FBI was going to use the bill to tap the phone line of anyone who “uses or abuses alcohol” while accessing the internet. Passage of the bill was felt to be certain because “Who wants to come out and support drunkenness and computer sex?” The article offered this explanation for the origin of the bill: “The moniker ‘Information Highway’ itself seems to be responsible for SB 040194… I know how silly this sounds, but Congress apparently thinks being drunk on a highway is bad no matter what kind of highway it is.” The article generated so many outraged phone calls to Congress that Senator Edward Kennedy’s office had to release an official denial of the rumor that he was a sponsor of the bill.

Classic.

 Have a wonderful April Fool’s Day! Trick someone here and there and be a good sport when they get you back

Until Next Time.

Au Revoir!