Final Exams

We had social events on four consecutive days, all in French.  I felt like it was exam week and I wanted to do well.

First there was lunch with Philippe and Claire, then dinner with Chloe’s family, then Sara’s birthday party.  Plus we hosted an apero for some friends.

Altogether it was hours and hours of talking, drinking and eating, with lots of different people, often with multiple conversations going on at once.  We got to see many of our friends plus meet a bunch of new people.  And it was 100% in French.

I learned a few things along the way.  I found out all about the Shadoks, a cartoon that ran in the 1970’s and which is still a cultural touchstone here, kind of the way Monty Python is in the US.  I watched a few episodes on YouTube and they were hilarious.

And I got lots of book recommendations.  When people found out I read some French they all had favorite authors to recommend.  I was encouraged to read Jules Verne, Zola, Daudet, Voltaire.

Wait a minute, Voltaire?

“But of course!  You can’t truly understand the Age of Enlightenment until you have read Voltaire!”

Well, ok then!  I guess I’ll put him on my reading list.  But maybe not right at the top.

One nice thing is that several people complimented me on the progress I have made in French, compared to where I was when they first met me.

I think the compliments went something like, “You’re not as much of an idiot as I thought.”

Or maybe it was, “I used to think that perhaps you were an idiot.  But now I’m sure.”

Now I’m not sure which.  Hm, I guess I need to keep working on my French.

KVS