Bonjour! Je n’ai pas écrit (I haven’t written) in quite a long time! I have been practicing my French though, at least as much as I can. As I’m writing this, I am remembering that my friend, Andrew, forced me to write a New Year’s resolution. While I have not been talking to someone new every day, or speaking French quite as much as I should be, I think the days where I meet two dozen people almost make up for that. I’ve also been going to a group in my IES program on Mondays where we speak in French (as much as we can) and have a conversation. My French comprehension is my weakest aspect, so I think this will really help over time. In Luxury Brand Management, I am learning all about luxury brands and goods, and the paradoxes of luxury. Do you like to be kept waiting in line for your McDona—sorry—Chick-fil-a? I thought as much. With luxury though, time and making someone wait is a good thing. Everything that is normally bad, like poison, high prices, and limited quantities, is turned on its head and seen as good in luxury. Would you buy a $900 lipstick? I sure wouldn’t. That is at the very top of the luxury pyramid, where the prices border on absurd. I’m know I’m never getting there, nor do I really want to. I’ve made some French friends at Novancia Business School, who I would definitely love to get to know better. Already we’ve gone to l’exposition Louis Vuitton at the Grand Palais. Alas, many of the French students don’t like their accents. I always insist that Americans (especially me) LOVE French accents. Beautiful. Sexy. Musical. I think you get what I’m saying. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments just how much French accents mean to you. I would write more, but I’m leaving early in the morning for spring break in the vallée de la Loire! Keep Exploring, Oliver
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Bonsoir! Yesterday we celebrated La Chandeleur here in France. Traditionally, the French eat crêpes every February 2, 40 days after Christmas on La Chandeleur, which can be translated as “Candlemas.” La Chandeleur stemmed from a few pagan traditions, before it was rebranded as a Christion holiday. The story goes that in the 5th century, the Pope began a candle-lit procession in Rome, where they would hand out crêpes to pilgrims that day. The French superstition says that when you toss the crêpes in the pan with your right hand, while holding gold in your left, you receive good luck. I think I love this tradition…well I love crêpes, so anything that lets me eat them is sweet (Actually not all crêpes are sweet, as some are made of hearty wheat with things like ham and cheese in them.) I love all crêpes! Ok, that’s not entirely true. The other day, while I was at a Crêperie with two of my friends, I asked for ‘un crêpe au chocolat noir.’ I’m obviously not great at French yet, so when the waitress asked, “coco?” I responded, “Oui…” thinking she must mean chocolate. Yeah, she didn’t. By the way, ‘coco’ is the French word for coconut…as I found out. I’ll just come out and say it: I hate coconut! Thankfully they were understanding enough to give me a new crêpe, without coconut this time. In summary, I love almost all crêpes. I have not made my own crêpes yet, but my host mom did and they were delicious! Here is a recipe for you to try if you would like to enjoy your own homemade delicious French pancakes. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/crepes-recipe.html My host mom put rum in the batter, something this recipe suggests for sweet crêpes. There are so many avenues you can pursue with your crêpe making. If you want something sweet, you should spread some Nutella, a very French topping. Add a sliced banana on the Nutella for a healthy yet delectable taste. La confiture (French fruit preserves) is amazing on anything, especially la baguette and goes perfectly with a crêpe. Crêpes flambées are almost as incredible to watch as they are to eat. Experiment and try all your favorite toppings. I really hope you cook some crêpes! Then you can feel like you’re in Paris for La Chandeleur! Share with me the results from making your own crêpes! (Share the crêpes too) À bientôt, Oliver P.S' I passed my first 'French quiz! |
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