25 July 2011

oh. les fleurs.

It's kind of (really) shameski that after eight years of French, I feel insanely proud of myself when I recognize basic french.

Les fleurs?

Whoo! Flowers!

On the contrary, I feel equally as disappointed in myself when I don't recognize it. So I think it kind of evens out...

In my head I'd really like to take some French classes or Rosetta Stone it, because it sounds very lovely to be able to speak it again. But then I remember that I'm insanely bad at languages and have no desire to actually do it again. And then I go back to just being proud of myself for being able to say: Oh la la j'ai un rendez-vous.

I kind of like being able to say I took French, mainly because everyone else takes Spanish these days (and maybe also ten percent because it makes me feel exotic. Like Brazilian. Or French? I guess). But it gets tricky when I tell someone who speaks French that I took it, because then they say something all advanced and I smile and say oui. Fingers crossed there...

It's kind of like the way I used to feel when I told people I did yoga, before I actually did yoga regularly. Sometimes, it just feels nice to believe something about yourself. And sometimes, maybe, if you believe it enough, you'll make it happen.

Lately, though, I'm more on board with just owning what I really own. I.E. I took French, but don't speak it well. And I make good chicken but otherwise don't really know how to make any other meat.

I think that's the nice thing about living on your own in a new city. Things start to fall away and you realize what you really want, and how you really feel. You surround yourself with the things and people that help you grow, and pursue what matters. And before you know it, you're doing exactly what you want to be doing, and don't even have to pretend that you're bilingual.

And that's just beautiful. In fact, it's belle.
image via and via

5 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post! I know exactly you mean, I do the same thing.

    How refreshing for all of that to fall away :)

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  2. you're amazing. and your "grilled" chicken is to die for.
    love you so miuch.

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  3. Wow, best post yet! And I can relate.

    1. I took four years of high school French and several semesters in college. (I also turned my nose up at the more "common" Spanish!) I can pick up words here and there, but am in no way close to fluent. If someone says "Parlez-vous francais?" I respond with "Un peu!" Luckily, this rarely happens. :)

    2. I've also been going to a once a week yoga class for several years. I've always been flexible and conscience of form, so I like to think I'm pretty good at yoga. I have a new friend who mentions that she does a routine on her own; has never really taken a class. I asked her to show me some of her stuff. When she did, I was shamed! She's doing poses that I've never even thought to attempt! Definitely inspired me.

    Anyways, long comment short, you're right! Life is any interesting pursuit that is made better (and easier) when you're true to yourself. :)

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  4. I took French for 3 years in high school. Of course, at the time, I didn't appreciate it as much and got by with as little as I could. Loved this post. Sometimes you have to dream it to believe it!

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  5. Beautiful post :) I took Spanish in high school and college and only know a handful of words now! It's one of those things I wish I could do better, but I doubt I ever will.

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