Cote D’Azur
Whoa. It’s summer – how did that happen?
– Three weeks in the South of France, like hitting the reset button. It rained a bunch, but the days were lovely. I cherished my daily routine. Coffee for breakfast, a short walk to school, class from 9am – noon each day, and a break at 10:30am, punctuated by a crisp red apple.
– Afternoons and evenings free – I’d usually take a nice walk afterwards, pick up some groceries at the market, then come home and have lunch. Crusty fresh baguettes, juicy red tomatoes, creamy soft cheeses. After lunch I’d catch up on work, maybe a nap, then take another walk and catch the sunset on the beach.
– Slept in late at the weekends, waking with the sun at my window, then more fresh air, long walks, wholesome food.
– Walking in the salt air surrounded with all that blue was a tonic for my soul. After months of too much working, too much drinking, and general overstimulation, I did not realize how much I needed that.
– S was able to visit for a long weekend, which was great. It was great to show him my favorite places, and everything good is even better with him. We enjoyed more long walks, picnics on the beach, leisurely dinners out, outdoor cafes and live music in the evenings.
– Conversation is still so challenging for me, but I’m up a level over last year. This time over half my class was Swiss, which was an interesting way to learn because they’re already so comfortable speaking French and I am just not.
– It’s really hard for me, having to think so much about how to say simple things, how to pronounce everything. The topics are difficult too. In my everyday life, I do the bulk of my talking at work, small talk, transactional conversations.
– I am fine with the same kind of things in French, but in class the prompts are all these very general, very abstract topics. Sometimes I struggle to shape my thoughts even in English, and then the translation adds a whole ‘nother degree of difficulty.
– Overall the mental gymnastics are a good thing, I could really stand to be a lot more thoughtful about my words, and my actions in general. Just seeing these photos again, I stand up a bit straighter, breathe deeper.
– It’s 1:30pm in NYC. I could really use a leisurely Pastis break. Or a pastry!
Summer already, how did that happen? I’ve been back for two weeks already and so much has happened, I need to get it all down. But this is a start.
Oh man, that all looks so lovely.
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Sounds amazing and lovely. When you said “catch up on work” did you mean French homework? Or actual work-work? Were you working remotely part-time or something?
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the blue of that water is just so gorgeous. And of course now I’m hungry.
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All that blue water! Looks so gorgeous and relaxing. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave.
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Something I became aware of after ten days of silent meditation – speaking, even in one’s native toungue, is a skill. It takes practice. And if one gives it up…relearning isn’t instantaneous. I think it would be the same for another language, even more so. Forming thoughts into words is a process. The thinking isn’t the same as the wording. That’s interesting to me. Beautiful blues.
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Beautiful.
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I am insanely jealous. That sounds amazing.
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Those pictures are making my chest physically hurt, I’m so wistful. Beautiful! Also, your last entry was the first (and perhaps only?) time I’d heard the word “katabasis” since college, when I took a class on the tradition of the afterlife in classical lit. It brought back some sudden and unexpected memories. ryn- Shervon is actually in Dubai. It’s a really long story, but he’s been there for almost two months and was there for two weeks before that, so… we’re still friends, but he’s halfway across the world, and he doesn’t know about Serdar. He’s had a really shit time lately and I don’t want to stress him out by springing the fact I have a boyfriend on him, but I guess, at this point, it’s probably best that I tell him…
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France is my out-of-debt reward. I’m going to keep up with my usual payments for a few months once it’s paid in full to save up, book about 10 days off, and just… ahhhh. I can’t wait. Pics are great! If we ever meet up, you can practice your French on Marielle.
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OMG, gorgeous photos! Sounds like a dream, so glad you had a nice time.
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So pretty. Sounds amazing.
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I would kill to do what you’re doing only with Spain/Spanish. How did you get into it – work or personal?
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It really is cool that you visit france and take language classes. French is such a complex language, can’t imagine starting from scratch with it.
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Gorgeous photos, it looks so nice and relaxing. And now I am totally hungry for pastries. Damn.
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Beautiful photos! Those pastries look delicious!
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Beautiful!
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Speaking is the hardest part for all language learners! Keep up consistent “input” — listen to French radio, watch French TV and movies, read as much French as you can. It will really help, especially if it’s just a touch more challenging than your comfort level. That’s what I always do when I need to brush up – I “immerse” myself as much as I can. Three weeks in France! Heaven!!
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That looks so incredibly beautiful. I seriously need to explore the world. I don’t even like the sun, but I think I would if I were in France. RYN: I was definitely in a mood. The Edison is beautiful and the DJ was amazing. I just felt like being at a dive bar chain smoking lol.
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oooo fantastic entry!!! My daughter is going to France as part of her uni course later this year.. my baby! 🙂
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How lovely! One thing I found about the swiss is that because so much of their country is tri-lingual, they think nothing of switching mid-conversation and it doesn’t seem to freak their brains out. Mine only ever remembers a story in the language I hear it in – the translation is slow and difficult, so I usually just switch languages. My whole family do it that way too.
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three weeks in the south of france again this year! and i thought i was lucky. 🙂
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s looks right at home there too!
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How amazing! This sounds like such an amazing opportunity!
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RYN* Why yes, we DO have a lemon tree! Two actually – one little, one mature.
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Just wow! It looks incredible. I really admire the way you’ve worked so hard to learn French and that you really immerse yourself. The beauty of it is the challenge, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
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Wow. That looks stunning! And I take about three pastry breaks a day. *nods*
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Ryn: there’s been quite a buzz around here about the NYC bike program, actually. I’m betting something like it will pop up soon.
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RYN: I remember hearing about Seducing Cindy but never actually watching it. I regret this choice. Do you remember Daisy of Love? I really wanted there to be a second season of that. I could just watch her try to move her face for an hour and be thoroughly entertained.
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Awesome. I quit my job at Lionsgate literally MONTHS before what would have been my first year at Cannes (Film Festival). And I would have gone every year after that too. That’s one of the things I wish I could have done before I left. I’ll just have to go for fun at some point. 😉
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Was wondering the same thing Kashka was about work. The photos are lively. Devine!
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*lovely, not lively.
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So doeasn’t feel like summer:( It’s amazing how much a trip away can change/give you the boost you need. Love the pics I’m also thinking of doing a Paris theme in my kitchen. RYN: My mom liked the idea of vintage suitcases!
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Love this so much. 🙂
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WOW. So nice!
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RYN: Remember, there were no pictures of my apartment until thousands of dollars of work had been done to it. And young dude does have weird ears, but I like them now.
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RYN: PRS just posted something on FB from Portland. He’s been traveling around the US, not sure what his objectives are.
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ryn: i used to love the song. my musical tastes have changed over the years and now i’m like,”wow, i would never listen to that on purpose again!”
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RYN: I vaguely remember that happening to you I think. I’d never go there without Mike. Not that terribly surprised you had that experience, probably some sex slave crap going on there.
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oooh I stayed in Antibes a few years ago… so magical. I can’t say I felt the same about Paris – even though I’m sure a lot of people would jump down my neck about that. I guess it’s the same thing with Florence and Rome, I just like the smaller more romantic places. Reading about your life is like reading a book that you are happy more and more pages keep magically appearing 🙂 What school btw?
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