French Class @ the Half Way Mark

The first week of my French classes was a short week as we started on Tuesday (Monday being a holiday).  The professor is very sweet and nice, too nice at times :)  She does a marvelous job at explaining the lessons.  The entire four hours (minus a 20 minute break) is all in French, and so if something isn't understood she'll simplify (still in French), and mime the actions, etc!!  The class is made up now 12 students, as 2 students joined the second week.  There are 2 Turcs, 1 Greek, 1 American (who speaks Italien fluently, lives in Italy), 1 American, 1 English-American (ME :)), 1 Guatemalan, 1 Panamanian  1 Brazilian, 1 Argentinian, 1 Saudi Arabian, and 1 Australian-Jamaican.  2 in their 30s, 2 in their teens, 1 older, and the rest in their 20s (three of us 29).  It is quite the diverse group, and 12 is the perfect amount to allow time for dialogue in class as well as allowing for discrepancies in understanding.  It is rather humbling though as the majority of the other students speak at least two languages, and French is their third.  For the most part English is spoken, and at the break we speak in a mix of Spanish, English and French :)  

We're making our way rather quickly through the book.  It's a four week course, and Friday marked the end of the first half.  The book has 8 chapters/units and we're almost finished with Unit 4.  We take a midterm next week to track our progress (both for writing and speaking).  The class instruction is comprised of lecture, student participation, writing, homework, presentations, group/partner work, listening and responding.  It combines culture, grammar, vocabulary (although not in list form, just as we go about our lessons we add to our vocab knowledge - which is something I appreciate).  Many of the grammar rules have exceptions, which makes it slightly difficult in understanding the rule and applying the rule.

Numbers in French are essentially math problems...

17: dix-sept

10: dix + 7: sept 

(10+7=17)!!  Simple enough, then you have...

77: soixante-dix-sept

60: soixante + 10:dix + 7:sept

One more...

97: quatre-vingt-dix-sept

4: quatre x 20: vingt + 10: dix +7:sept

There have been other occasions that I've mildly grumbled to Guillaume in terms of the French language, however as each day progresses it does get a little easier (sort of)!!  Some things, such as the masculin/féminin articles corresponding to the words is just something that I have to memorize.  There really isn't a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it :) 

The best day was the Wednesday of the first week, it was the second day of class.  I left the class on a high and went to the market and ordered from various vendors the food and such I needed.  I successfully communicated with them my desires, and was understood and even when I did mispronounce a word or two they were pleasantly helpful in correcting me, waiting for me to repeat the correct pronunciation.  I came home to G still on my high, and communicated with him in French all about my day and his face just lit up.  He was thrilled to see me "speaking" French.  If nothing else, I'll be a pro at shopping for our food at the end of our stay.

Á bientôt!!  The post was getting long ;)

It's Not All Bad!!

I'm on the train to Strasbourg to meet with G and visit with the French half of my family.  It's already been quite the day...  G went ahead of me to Strasbourg, leaving Wednesday afternoon.  So I've spent the last 48 hours alone.  Usually I would relish the opportunity to be alone, enjoying the chance to be by myself in our apartment.  But I think because I already spend a lot of my time alone it wasn't as enjoyable as neither G nor I imagined :)

Last night I made the unfortunate mistake (it's rarely a fortunate mistake!) of going to sleep late yet again.  In part because I found it difficult to fall asleep without G and also because I started watching "Call of the Midwife" on Netflix.  I knew that I needed to get up with ample time to get ready, finish packing and get to school with my bags in tow.  That whole "ample time" thing didn't happen!!

Note: I was already emotionally volatile.

I get up late.  I leave the apartment late.  I don't forget anything...except I don't eat breakfast (a very bad thing as a hungry Ellie is either a hangry Ellie or worse a teary Ellie - can you guess what Ellie I might turn into here?!)  I have my suitcase, my school bag, my handbag and yes, a bag full of dirty towels (Why?  Because I don't want crunchy towels, I want to wash them at my in laws).  So slightly loaded I manage the metro (down and up the stairs for the two different lines).  Late?  About to be, yes!  I exit the Metro, walk to school - it starts spitting (raining lightly), then with each step the rain drops get heavier (kind of like the bags I'm lugging)...I arrive at school, not even 10 minutes late but I'm wet - from the rain and the sweat and I can feel my tear ducts swelling!!  After a quick few breathes in the bathroom, I was mostly ready for class.

Class the last two days has been a little tough...a combination of self deprecation after having gone to the cinema on Monday, watching a French romantic comedy and realizing I have a LONG way to go; and the fact that my brain is on overload right now.  So basically my self outlook on learning French hasn't been the most positive.

Today, already feeling quite low, I knew I couldn't give in to the negative emotions towards my lack of understanding, otherwise I would have been a basket case then and there in class.  So, banishing the negative thoughts for the morning, class continued and surprisingly I understood most of the class.  It was easier to see/hear some of the connections, plus I don't feel we covered any new information too in depth.

There you have it, a positive attitude/mind set goes a long way :)

Restaurants At A Glance

As I am behind in posting, I'm just compiling the reviews for the restaurants we visited within the last week...from galattes and crêpes to brunch, falafels and desserts to local neighborhood restaurants that make G seem like a giant to bistro chains and a couple more in between!!  We did eat out quite a bit this week, and we're cautious of how much we eat out.  It does add up when you include wine, coffee, water and dessert.  BUT, there are SOOO many wonderful restaurants just in our neighborhood that we walk by and I think we'll have to come up with a plan of food tasting action :)

Last week when we wandered around we walked passed "Crêperie Suzette."  We were reading the menu and looking through the window when the proprietor came out and beckoned us in, and not needing any more invitation we sat down to enjoy Galettes Breton style.  I had the special of the day which was goat cheese (my favorite), with honey and walnuts.  The galette was tasty, although I felt that it was a tad heavy on the walnuts.  Guillaume enjoyed a raclette inspired galette and we washed both down with hard apple cider.  We were both too full to order a crêpe (sweet).






However, having been denied the taste of a sweet crêpe I later led us to Breizh Cafe where we savored crépes and coffee as our goûter!!  Guillaume definitely chose the better crêpe - a combination with Breton style ginger caramel sauce.  I had meant to order the crêpe suzette, but I mistakenly just ordered the crêpe Grand Marnier.  It was tasty, but when I sampled some of the caramel sauce from G's plate I wished I had ordered one with a caramel sauce.  Next time for sure.  We've been trying to revisit the restaurant, but the first time we tried we didn't have a reservation and walking just in at 730PM on a Thursday night yielded no results.  Friday we called around 530 for a reservation, but they were again full for the night.  We hope to revisit Sunday night with our friends :)  We both look forward to tasting the galette, but really I'm saving plenty of room for a sweet crêpe ;)  Edited: We went back with our friends tonight, and while I enjoyed my sweet crepe immensely and will in fact be paying a visit to their store to purchase some of the caramel sauces for myself, I found the Galette just OK.  Additionally, I preferred the cider at Creperie Suzette over the two different ones we had at Breizh (although that didn't stop me from drinking a few glasses ;))

As we had galettes at one and crêpes at the other, it is hard to make a direct comparison.  Prices are approximately the same.  Breizh Cafe is larger and did offer a wilder selection of both galettes and crêpes, as well as offering oysters and having Breton dishes.  Both located in Le Marais.  See links for more information.

Brunch doesn't seem the easiest meal to find here in France, and we knew that we wanted brunch or close to it on Easter Sunday.  We were already on the Left Bank for church, and we didn't want to head back to our district too soon.  Guillaume can be quite talented at finding the perfect restaurant, and his skills didn't disappoint on Sunday.  It was a little bit of a walk, and I was wearing heels (which was a terrible mistake on my part, and my feet were still paying the price a good 5 days after the jaunt)!!  We stopped in at Coutume Cafe.  It is located in the 7th, on rue de Babylone and offered a delicious and large brunch.  We both chose the formule which included three veinnoiserie each (served with an absolutely delicious rhubarb jam) , a hot drink, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a warm breakfast which included bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, a jacket potato with a pesto garlic cheese and toast.  It was far too much for me to eat, and looking back Guillaume could have easily shared the breakfast and ordered additional drinks.  It wasn't cheap, but it was good.  The option we went with cost 30 Euro. We definitely want to return, having found the place to be modern yet quaint.  The service was prompt, and even though they were busy I appreciated the fact that they didn't rush us out (which is the case in most all the restaurants we've frequented since we've been here).

Again, during our wanderings over the weekend we walked along rue des Rosiers and the smell of falafels flirted with our senses.  We walked again along here on Monday, and I just could not get the tantalizing aroma to leave my senses.  So, Tuesday night I had something on late and hadn't eaten dinner beforehand.  Walking home, we detoured along rue Rosier and "The King of Falafels" ( 26 Rue des Rosiers 75004 Paris, France) was open.  I ordered the falafel pita to go, and it was delicious.  A little tricky to eat on the go (and with braces), but it was full of flavor and it was the perfect late night "snack!"

We had walked our friends along the same street, and the aromas flirted with them also and like with me it stuck in the senses.  Today our mission was to enjoy a falafel plate at lunch.  We stopped in at "Mi Va Mi," (23 Rue des Rosiers 75004 Paris, France) and rather than attempt to eat and walk (and stay warm) we enjoyed the meal at the table inside.  It has a fun and colorful interior.  It has a bank of booths along one wall, and a u shaped kitchen/counters on the other side and tables in the middle.  As such, it is not the roomiest of restaurants (but honestly no where seems to be here so far).  I ordered a falafel pita and G had the plate combo plate (including a turkey skewer, spicy sausages, and beef patties), it was served with fries, hummus, salad, tomatoes, cucumber and eggplant.  It was a LOT of food.  I enjoyed my pita, feeling at first that the one I had had the other night was better.  However, the more of the "white" sauce I added the more I enjoyed the pita.  I think that for the "to go" option they add the sauce themselves, and as such provide a greater quantity than I knew to distribute.

Using Yelp as our guide, we had found a restaurant with vegetarian options.  It was just so so, and the so so because G enjoyed his steak.  I ordered a chicken breast with a honey and spice sauce and pureed potatoes.  The chicken was bland, the sauce more of a glaze and the potatoes just so-so!!  I wanted to enjoy it more, as I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, but it wasn't too be.

Additional food stops:

L`apparemment - we stopped in for dessert and coffee.  We would like to return for a meal, or to linger longer with out dessert.  They provide soft leather arm chairs, and it was nice to relax in such a setting.  We all had the chocolate mousse which was delicious and it was nice to relax in armchairs :)  It is in Le Marais, near Breizh Cafe.

Les Temps des Cerises - good, but not great.  Our bustling neighborhood bistro.  We will return :)  

Sip - chain bistro.  I think it was what I ordered because G had steak frites and had a good meal.  The fries were thick and tasty.  I had the goat cheese torte served with a salad.  The salad was iceberg lettuce, which just isn't my favorite.  The torte wasn't what I expected, and the egg and cheese had separated.

Vin Pain Fromage - another one in our neighborhood (boy, are we spoilt)!!!  The ultimate fondue restaurant.  We went here with friends, and the men had a meat fondue and the ladies a cheese.  It was delicious!!!  The simple green salad that accompanied the fondue had a delicious dressing.  Good cheese, good wine and the boys really enjoyed having meat ;)

Photo Dump

As to not overwhelm my Facebook and IG feed I don't post all my photos on those sites.  Check out some photos from the past week below!!

A couple of pics at the Trocadero 

(looking out at the Eiffel Tower)

This girl was probably about 9 years old, fully decked out with cute boots, coat, Louis  Vuitton bag, and her personal smart phone camera!!!

Still not sure about this one....he was wearing a horse's head?!

At the apartment

This just makes me laugh....we're sitting in the apartment, chilling and we're all on an Apple device (photo taken with an iPhone!!!)

View from the bedroom window...AND sunshine!!!  

Out and About

Enjoying a crêpe and the view

Gas pump on the side of the road

Flowers.....even though it would seem as if Paris is refusing to permit Spring its full rights,  I enjoy picking a weekly bouquet of flowers!!!

MIA

On Monday friends arrived to stay with us for the week, on Tuesday I started my French class and well, the week just simply got away from me.

The city garbage trucks follow a pretty regular schedule, and at 8am you hear them collecting the rubbish.  Additionally, our apartment is near at least two schools, maybe three and every morning save Wednesdays the street is full of the excited chatter of school children.  Monday morning we awoke to silence, Monday was a holiday and the morning's sounds were absent :)

Our friends arrived mid afternoon, and leaving G to work we headed out for a stroll along the Seine.  We walked all the way to the Eiffel Tower, enjoying the blue skies and the sunshine (a rare occurrence these days).  My friend and I had stayed in Paris before either of us were married, and one incredibly hot afternoon we sat in the shade of the Trocadero for about 6 hours waiting for it to get dark.  On this visit, we happily staged a photo on "our" spot, and enjoyed some people watching (see next post for some pics of the crazies).

Tuesday I started my French classes at the Alliance Française (I'll write a separate post about my first week).  My mornings are spent in class (9-1PM) every day, and the afternoons are mine to explore, rest, etc :)  

We've enjoyed some great meals out with our friends, exploring more of our neighborhood, and hoping that Spring really does arrive soon :)

To The Moon And Back: Mon Miel

How do I count the ways I love this man...just thinking of him brings tears to my eyes.  Believe me, we've had our moments and still do, but being here in Paris, in France just the two of us...

1. He made a dream came true...living in Paris is my dream, and he made it come true.  

2. He is continuing to encourage me to pursue all my dreams.

3. On my first day of French school/class he got up early with me, went and bought the croissants, and walked me to the Metro station.

4. Same first day of school, he met me at the end of the session for lunch.  

5. He only laughed a little bit when I cried on the first day of my French class!!!

6. He works!!!

7. Expanding on "6" - he is working every day at home, giving me the flexibility to take classes, wander the streets, eat pastries, and pursue my dreams!!

8. He vacuums!!

9. He is a tech genius and even though Netflix and ABC player don't work in France, he in his geniuses has it working for us (sometimes you need a little English talkie talkie!!)

10. He fixes my phone and my laptop and has learnt to tolerate my organizational skills in regarding contacts and photos :)


My sweet man expresses his love best in action, and well I would say he loves me!!!  He is "Mon Miel et J'aime lui à la lune et reculer."

#keepforwhenwerefigthing ;) #yeswereneedsanapostrophe 

Weekend Wanderings Part 1

He was let out!!!

While G works hard during the week and I get to wander and explore solo, the weekends are ours to spend together and see what mischief we can get up to.

Saturday we had decided to explore our own neighborhood, we're minutes away from place des Vosges.

As handy as the phone is, and as extent as my notes are on places to visit, see and do I did give in and purchased a Lonely Planet book about Paris.  Mostly for the map (as my phone wasn't on the data plan to begin with), but it is also handy as it gives some history of the places and recommended walks/tours. We took advantage of being just minutes from the place des Vosges, and walked the Medieval Meanderings Tour (backwards).  

Hôtel de Sully

We started with the Hôtel de Sully, walked through the "secret" door into the place des Vosges, and gradually made our way to the Musée Carnavalet (which is housed in the Hôtel Carnavalet and Hôtel Le Peletier).  The place des Vosges was originally named the Royale, and is the oldest square in Paris.  It was commissioned by King Henry IV in the early 17th Century.  Following the King, the Aristocrats built "Hôtels" so they too could stay in the area.  (Hôtels = fancy houses for the rich ;0)!  The place des Vosges received its name because the Vosges (administrative) department was the first the to pay their taxes, see good things can come to those that pay ;)

place des Vosges

It was COLD (so cold, that later in the day we had a mini snow flurry), so we didn't stand around and appreciate the place des Vosges in its entirety.  I would imagine as Spring fully breaks through, that it will be quite the beautiful place to enjoy a book and cáfe on the terraces.  








We continued our walk, and found ourselves at the entrance for the Musée Carnavalet, a museum that houses 600,000 pieces of art in the permanent collection and is free to the public (as are other City Museums).  There were some beautiful pieces, and we not only enjoyed the warmth but also the display of art.  Some of my favorites were the few Impressionist pieces, as well as the room on the Bastille.  A period of French history I would like to read more about, and made all the more interesting as again we are just a few minutes walk from the Bastille Monument.
 

Both G and I agreed we would like to return to the museum and pay for the audio guide, it's a good thing we're close!!

Stopping for a relatively inexpensive yet tasty lunch we enjoyed galettes with hard cider at Crepes Suzette.  We continued our wanderings, checking out some very cool streets in the Le Marais and vowing to return to some delicious looking food stands.

More wandering, crossing over to and through Village St Paul, back over again to find Breizh Café for Crepes and a coffee.  It was a crepe kind of day!!!

It was a rather pleasant day avec mon miel!!