Fromage...

For dinner tonight I had these baked pastries stuffed with cheese, bread, more cheese (others put butter on the bread as well but my American stomach can not handle that), and a couple of veggies. Also, for desert was this really weird ice cream gateau type deal. I didn't particularly like it.

So, what did you have for dinner?

Devoirs

Hello! So im taking this seminar with my program called "Living and Learning in France". I wrote a paper for this class last week and I thought that I would share (don't worry, the paper is in English but its the first english paper that i've written in a while, so please excuse any errors!). Also, im currently watching Harry Potter in French!!!!!

Colleen Roth

25 March 2010

Cultural Literacy Assignment

Before arriving in France, I was aware of how much the French people admired President Obama. However, I soon found out that the word ‘adore’ more accurately describes the sentiments that the French feel towards the President. Through watching the news, meeting new people (including friends and extended family members of my host family), and general discussion, I have discovered that the French society pays great attention to the goings on in the United States, and what is more, everyone has an opinion on them. For example, one Sunday after the regional elections here in France, my host mother took me to a victory party for Le Drian. It was here that I met many different French politicians and politically conscious people. I was introduced as ‘my little American’ and therefore, the first question that most people asked me was what political party I belonged to. I found this question to be rather intrusive, because, in the United States, such information is not usually demanded or giving during an introduction. Just when I think that I am completely beyond shock, France continues to surprise. I was introduced to one woman who, immediately after learning my name, asked me who I had voted for in the last presidential election. This question I found completely rude and I had trouble formulating words to express my point of view. So, as is natural when trying to speak a foreign language, I came off as an inarticulate and uneducated American, which if far from the truth.

After this encounter, I began to reflect on the differences between politics in the United States and politics in France. I also wondered why I was asked such questions. I think that the answer lies in the value of French conversation. Here in France, people believe in the art of discussion. Over dinner, among friends and acquaintances, the French will discuss such topics such as politics, religion, money, cultures, sex, marriage, drugs, and many other things that would be considered taboo in certain American homes. As lively as these discussions may get, each person is free to share their own opinion, and respect is given to those who are able to clearly state and defend their own opinion. (It is at this point when many of us non-native French speakers encounter difficulty). France’s love of discussion and debate represents a part of their cultural identity for which they are most proud and this love is passed down to their children. So, what may seem to as outsider as an inappropriate conversation between a parent and their child, may actually be the passing on of an important aspect of French culture. Another love of the French is politics; everyone is aware of the current events and possesses their own opinion. This is why, I believe, that I have been asked such seemingly rude political questions. French society is just curious about our American culture and our political opinions. It is a strong possibility that these questions were just the openings for a discussion. After all, isn’t a political setting such as a victory party ideal to bring up debate and discussion? As a philosophy student, debate is not a foreign concept to me. However, it doesn’t inhabit a place in my day to day life. The French value and appreciation of a healthy debate is something which I would like to bring home. I expect that it will be quite refreshing to be able to fully and intelligently express my opinions in my native tongue. I have also noticed how much the French society follows politics and cultural events. My house mother reads the paper daily, as well as many political and interest magazines. She also watches the news frequently. In fact, her fifteen year old son also watches the news, and it is shocking in a good way to see a teenager so interested and concerned about cultural events.

This political encounter was quite an eye opener into French culture. Through talking about the experience with my American friends and my host mother, I was able to gain some insight into the experience and I learned some very valuable lessons. First, I learned that the French love to discuss, and if they do ask a question that seems impolite to me, I should first appreciate the fact that they are merely eager to discuss (perhaps they have even chosen a topic that they believe I would most knowledgeable about). Second, if I do not want to answer I should learn how to get over my shock quickly enough to construct a polite answer. Lastly, I need to become an active American citizen who is knowledgeable about current events and political happenings. I need to be able to clearly form and state my opinions so that I can bring the love of discussion back home with me. Perhaps one day, my French language ability will be advanced to the level that I will be able to clearly form, state, and defend my opinions in French.

Ça va?

Well it is a beautiful sunny day here in Rennes, France, albeit a tad bit chilly. I have had quite the busy week here in Rennes! It has been on of the best weeks here, however, if not the best. It all started with Tuesday night, we went to see a play at the TNB, theatre national de bretagne. We saw this funny, quirky, French comedy called Les Fourberies de Scapin. Even though it was a little difficult to understand everything, I could comprehend the general story line. After that we went over to my friend Adelle's apartment, she lives on the top floor of an apartment, right smack dab in the center of town, lucky girl. The entire evening was spent drinking wine, having great discussions among friends, and joking around and learning some new French. And then the next night, Saint Patty's Day!!!, I went with my house mother to see one of her friends sing in a cafe. Her singing group performed this amazing collection of African, French, and Celtic songs. After that came the Irish celebration! People were lining the streets and it almost resembled our Scranton celebration, almost. Oh, and also, one of my house mother's friends told me that I speak very good French, tres agreable! It quite possibly, made my life!!!!! But, I have to be honest, I was having some difficulties here in France. I couldn't stop thinking about home! After this week, I can't imagine leaving!! I love speaking french, I am learning to live in the moment here and appreciate my host family and I have met the most amazing people here. And of course, now I have the travel bug and with the arrival of spring I can not wait to see the rest of France! Well, I must be off now. Miro, the student who was living with the Truberts last semester is in town with her mom and we are going to visit le centre ville and have a nice french lunch!

Also, feel free to leave comments and/or become followers, thats how this blog thing works! Also, you can leave questions in your comments, si vous voudriez

dory!!!

Ipso

Ipso, the name to which the little white haired terrier I live with responds to, had himself quite the adventure this past weekend, or so we assume. The gentile chien went for his normal walk through the neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, and failed to return. His absence was noted at dinnertime and a search part was organized. Alas, Ipso was not found. His mother Brigitte, desperate for his safe and swift return, placed flyers by his usual stomping grounds, fearing the worst. Days went by and chez Trubert became more and more a sad place, as often happens in the homes of lost companions. The young American returned home on Sunday evening, fearful that the sad truth about the old dog had finally been brought to light. Fortunately this girl was mistaken, for when she arrived at the front door, who was there to greet her but Ipso, just like it was any other day! He was waiting patiently at the door, eager for a good dinner and a nice long nap. His timing could not have been better because, it just so happened that Brigitte and the American were making Potage Parmentier (the first recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Juilia Child) that night. So after a long nap, some good food, and a visit to the doggy spa, Ipso has rejoined the family once again. But where did he go? and why? The answer may be found in a recent visitor to Rennes. Brigitte's ex, who Ipso has never liked, due to the fact that he did not treat his mother with the upmost respect to which she is deserved, came into town to visit the children on Thrusday, and left on Sunday.... curious indeed.

Désolée...

This blogging thing is a quite the time commitment!! Haha I'm only kidding, I just can never seem to remember to write on this thing! New years resolution: finish my projects! I have such trouble with that. But, I am making progress on my resolution, I have started/ restarted knitting! There are a couple of other southern girls on the trip who have been knitting for a while, and a bunch of us have joined them and we now have a knitting club in France! It is so much fun, we go to cafes and knit (tricoter), we have knitting parties, we bring our needles and yarn to ping pong tournaments, we are crazy for knitting! My first project, a baby blue summer scarf made of cotton, is very close to being finished, errors and all!

Let me back track to my vacation in February. We had a week off of class and my friends and I were originally just planning to stay in Rennes and explore the city a bit. But then we found this deal to go to Jersey Island, UK and the next thing I know, I am on a train to Saint Malo to catch a boat to the real Jersey shore. It was so much fun! (I feel like I'm saying that a lot, well, I guess thats not a bad thing!) We basically just explored, climbed huge rocks, walked along the beach, traversed the Island and took some great touristy pictures. Then, we went to the aquarium in Saint Malo (a beach town that is just a two hour, 3euro bus ride away from Rennes). The place was full of families with little children, and a group of 20 year old Americans acting, at times, more ridiculous than the children. In one word, my break was epic. Also, I now have the traveling bug and I can't wait to go everywhere! (Including Barcelona and Italy, which is where I will be for two weeks in April!)

After break, time went by as usual in Rennes. We spent our time tricotting (franglais) at cafes, walking the cobblestone streets, prendring some verres in some cafes, and all around being French. I was having some difficulties with my family, but I think I can just attribute that to a little bout of cultural shock. The French will talk about any subject, nothing is off limits. And there is also the issue of finding that delicate balance between being someone who simply rents a room in someone's house and being a part of their family. However, all that is resolved now.

This past weekend was the epitome of French life for an American girl such as myself. Friday, my friends and I got ourselves some wine (which is between 1 and 3 euros per bottle here!) then we went salsa dancing! On Saturday I had all of the tricoters over for some coffee, wine, and gatueau, including fresh made cookies and pie. Yummy. We were so classy listening to classical music and discussing life (which of course included and hour long discussion of Harry Potter). After that, we just couldn't get enough of eachother! We got some sushi take out and knitted some more while watching Mulan! And then on Sunday, we all went to watch my friend YoYo's (aka Yoann) ping pong tournament! Yes, ping pong, and there was no beer involved. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen, some of the players were so intense! And to the shock and amazement to all the other frenchies, the little fan club of Americans brought sings and cheered on our friend avec enthusiasme, who, by the way, won every game! After that came some good ole cheap chinese food, so yummy.

Today, it was 57 degress in Rennes and there wasn't a cloud in the sky! I went for a run and it was marvelous, marvelous, marvelous :)

Love you and miss you all!

Bisous!