Superheroes?

I wrote the following post a while ago now, and am just now finding time to post it. This time, English first et après la version française.

Last week, I listened to several stories on France Info. Among them was one titled “Haiti under American control.” This story really hit me because, before, I didn’t completely understand the extent of the earthquake. I knew that there were a massive amount of deaths, people left homeless, and an incredible amount of structural damage. Yet, I hadn’t thought about the effects on the government. When I saw the title “Haiti under American control,” I only thought about the organization of humanitarian aid. But, when the reporter interviewed a Haitian, he said that the government of Haiti was not competent. “We don’t have a government. Préval is no longer president…he doesn’t have control.” That really shocked me, but I think that I understand the gravity of the situation in Haiti a little better. The earthquake shook a lot, including the faith people have in the government, and it revealed weaknesses in the administration that was leading the country.

I’m not going to pretend that I know a lot about Haiti, because that’s not the case, not at all. But I want to add one other thing. The Haitian who was interviewed concluded by saying “I prefer that Haiti become a protectorate of the United States.” This made me think of something a teacher told me in October, when I started work. When I asked her if she has traveled to the United States, she said know, that the US wasn’t for her. Everything is too big. She prefers Europe. Then she said, “We see Americans as our saviors. Something goes wrong and the Americans come and save us.” I’m not sure exactly what she meant, or why she said it. Maybe she was referring to World War II? But, I think that when she said “our saviors” she was not only talking about France. I think that she was sincere, but I wonder if it’s a good thing if Americans are designated the saviors of the world (and it’s certain that not everyone thinks it). I think the US should help and support other countries, since our country has a unique opportunity to do so, and it’s a reason I can be proud of my country. On the other hand, I think it’s dangerous if people see Americans as superheroes or saviors. Perhaps it’s the most dangerous when it’s Americans who think it. With this unique power, it is absolutely imperative to stay humble and to not forget the importance of working side by side with the people we’re helping.

Version Française

La semaine dernière, j’ai écouté plusieurs reportages sur France Info. Un entre eux a été intitulé « Haïti sous contrôle américain. » Ce reportage m’a frappé parce que, avant, je n’ai pas compris l’étendue du séisme. Je savais qu’il y avait un énormément de morts, des nouveaux sans abris, et des dégâts. Pourtant, je n’ai pas pensé aux effets sur le gouvernement. Quand j’ai vu le titre « Haïti sous contrôle américain, » je n’ai pensé qu’à l’organisation de l’aide humanitaire. Mais, quand la correspondante a interrogé un Haïtien, il a dit que le gouvernement de Haïti n’est pas en capacité. « Nous n’avons pas de gouvernement. Préval n’est plus président…il n’a pas le contrôle. » Cela m’a vraiment étonné, mais je crois que je comprends la gravité de la situation en Haïti un peu mieux. Le séisme a secoué beaucoup, y compris la foi du peuple dans leur gouvernement, et il a révélé des faiblesses dans l’administration qui gérait le pays.

Je ne vais pas faire semblant que je sais beaucoup de l’Haïti, parce que ce n’est pas le cas, pas du tout. Mais je vais ajouter une autre chose. Le Haïtien interrogé a conclut en disant « Je préfère qu’on met l’Haïti sous le protectorat des Etats-Unis. » Cela m’a fait pensé à quelque chose qu’une enseignante m’a dit en octobre, quand j’ai commencé mon travail. Quand je lui ai demandé si elle a déjà voyagé aux Etats-Unis, elle a dit que non, les Etats-Unis n’est pas pour elle. Tout es trop grand. Elle préfère l’Europe. Puis, elle a dit, « On voit les Américains comme nos sauveurs. Quelque chose ne va pas et les Américains viennent nous sauver. » Je ne suis pas certain exactement ce qu’elle voulait dire, ou pourquoi elle l’a dit. Peut-être qu’elle parlait de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale ? Mais, je pense que quand elle a dit « nos sauveurs » elle ne parlait pas seulement de la France. Je crois qu’elle était sincère, mais je me demande si c’est bon si les Américains sont désignés les sauveurs du monde (et c’est sûr que tout le monde ne le pense pas). Je crois que c’est juste que les Etats-Unis aide et soutien d’autres pays, puisque notre pays a un pouvoir unique dans cette époque, et c’est une raison d’être fière de mon pays. De l’autre côté, je crois que c’est dangereux si on voit les Américains comme des super héros ou des sauveurs. Peut-être que c’est le plus dangereux quand c’est les Américains que le pensent. Avec le pouvoir unique, il faut absolument rester humble et de ne pas oublier l’importance de travailler avec les gens qu’on aide.

Listening to French News

Lately, I have started to listen to the news in French online. We don't have a TV (a good thing most of the time, but a TV would help with listening to more French...) and so I've been trying to read and listen to more news. So, I am keeping up with world events a little more and improving my French at the same time.

I listen to two stations online. France Inter and France Info. I listen in "direct" on France Inter and choose stories to listen to on France Info, which has mostly been about Haiti. This has been the best way for me to keep up on the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.

I've also read the recent posts of the sister of a friend who lives in Haiti. Her blog is a personal account and is moving and very well written.

Frankly my dear: 4 ways to say "I don't care" in French

"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." It may be strange, but I've wondered for a while how Rhett Butler would have said this if he were French.

Since I started learning French, I have always looked for the best way to express "I don't care." I, of course, learned the most neutral expression, which can be found in the dictionary, when I was at AU- "Ça m'est égal," literally "It is equal to me." This is fine for expressing simple lack of interest or stating that you don't care whether you go to this restaurant or that one. However, when stronger emotion is needed, "Ça m'est égal" just won't do.

One reason that I love being able to live in France for 10 months is learning some very useful, though sometimes vulgar, expressions. There are so many ways to express "I don't care" in English, from "It doesn't matter to me" or "I couldn't care less" to Rhett Butler's stronger expression or the same expression with the f word. As in English, there are a variety of expressions in French. Here are those I've learned and heard frequently since being in France. They go from weak to strong, from polite to vulgar.

Ça m'est égal- Again, this is simply, "I don't care," "I don't have a preference."

Je m'en moque- Still pretty polite. I've heard teachers use this in front of their students.

Je m'en fiche- Not the strongest, or the most polite.

Je m'en fous - The strongest. It is vulgar. I've heard kids at school use this, and then tattle on each other for saying it.

Now, I can be pretty sure that Rhett Butler would have said something like, "Franchement chérie, je m'en fous." What may be stranger than my wonderment about the translation of this phrase, is that I've never actually seen Gone with the Wind! Maybe I should put that on my to do list. Do you think there is a version that has French subtitles, so I can see if I'm right about the translation?

German

As you can see from my "want to do list" on this blog, I want to work on another language. While at AU, I took 2 semesters of Spanish and 1 semester of German. I took Spanish because language majors have to take 2 semesters of another language, but also because it's very useful for working in non-profits in the US, which is one of my career possibilities. I even took a few Spanish classes at a language school in Indy last year while I was working at the Red Cross. I took German because I had a sudden interest in my heritage. This came right as I was changing my name and giving up my maiden (German) name. Now, I'm trying to learn more German because we hope to go to Germany this summer before coming home. Unfortunately, nothing seems to stick as well as French- my first language love.

After a few weeks of trying to regain back some of my German, I signed up for a German class. It is at the Association Philotechnique. It is an adult learning association and only cost 50€ for a class that goes until May! Sadly, I am not remembering as much as I thought I would and I am way behind! I'm also, obviously, learning German from French. If I can make it through this class, it will be an interesting experience.

A Snowy Paris

Let's back up to December for a little bit... It was the last week before our "Vacances de Noël" (Christmas break). Katie and I were excited to have a break from school and work. She works and I attend school to learn French. The last day of my class, which was December 18th, I got a lovely gift from mother nature.

It snowed and stuck to the ground enough to place a thin blanket of white happiness on the streets, grass, and monuments of Paris. I have always loved the snow and was told many times that it rarely snows in Paris and when it does, it does not stay long.

This snow stayed for about two days. It was enough for me to gain the satisfaction that I always desire from snow, except now that it is January, I want more snow to go with this cold. This was the first time that I have seen Paris in the winter and because I was happily accepting the snow, I stayed outside all day taking pictures except when I had class. Also, for the first time, I was teaching a former classmate how to make a snowball and I should have taught them and some of the French the art of making Snowmen (see photos below). This was weird for me because they were only a couple of years younger than me. I was not teaching four year olds how to play in the snow. I was teaching individuals who were from the far south of the USA and some from the southern parts of the globe. I love my international classes. This white blanket of beauty was the perfect way to start Christmas break.

That night, Katie and I went exploring through the glorious blanket. At home in the US I have to beg and drag Katie out of the house to enjoy the snow; however, here she was just as excited to explore the new cover of Paris. Probably because she did not have to dig herself out of the driveway or even have to worry about driving. I'll admit, that was a very nice feature of being in a large city with plenty of public transportation.

By Saturday, the snow had pretty much melted away revealing the same old streets of Paris. This did not stop us from exploring and doing things that are relevant to winter activities in Paris such as ice skating outdoors, which was an another first for me. What better place to experience my first time outdoor ice skating than right in front of the Eiffel Tower. Though I am ready for more, I believe that I have fully experienced a snowy Paris.

4 jours à Nantes/4 days in Nantes

English Version a little further down!

Nous avons passé 4 jours à Nantes chez Catherine et Matthieu pour célébrer Noël avec eux et leurs familles. J’ai rencontré Catherine (Cat) en 2006 quand elle était stagiaire à Anderson University. Maintenant, elle et son mari sont propriétaires d’une boulangerie à Nantes. Ça a fait 3 ans qu’on ne se s’est pas vu et je m’inquiétais que ça serait un peu bizarre ou mal à l’aise. Au contraire. C’était absolument, sans doute, un séjour magnifique, mieux que je pourrais imaginer. Je ne pouvais pas demander une meilleure expérience. Vous vous demandez pourquoi c’était si super…

C’est peut-être grâce à la belle ville de Nantes. Nous avons visité les cryptes de la cathédrale (pas de photos L- l’appareil photo est mort ce jour-là), le beau Château des Ducs de Bretagne et son Musée d’Histoire de Nantes.

Nous avons eu un rendez-vous avec Estelle, une amie que j’ai rencontrée à Lourdes en 2007. Avec Estelle, nous avons fait les Galeries Lafayette et nous avons fait les magasins sur la rue Crébillon, ou plutôt, nous avons crébillonné. Et, nous avons vu le fameux Passage Pommeraye et sa verrière.

Mais, ce n’est pas vraiment pour ça…

C’est peut-être grâce ou grand éléphant. Avant d’aller à Nantes, nous avons trouvé les Machines de L’île sur Internet et nous savions que nous voulions le faire. Parmi les créatures mécaniques, il y a un éléphant énorme. En plus, il marche et on peut monter dans l’éléphant pour une promenade. Si génial et unique ! Nous avons visité les Machines de L’île avec Cat et Matthieu. Malheureusement, la dernière promenade de la journée était complète. La prochaine fois ! Comme Cat a dit, « il faut toujours laisser un raison de revenir. »

Mais, ce n’est pas vraiment pour ça…

C’est peut-être grâce à l’amitié et à Cat et Matthieu eux-mêmes. Ils sont de très bons hôtes et ils étaient très accueillants, malgré le fait qu’ils étaient très occupés avec le travail. Cat nous a préparé des plans et des idées de visite. Ils nous ont gâtés avec des croissants et des pains au chocolat. Ils ont même préparé un petit-déjeuner pour le train le jour de notre départ, avec un cadeau, une boîte aux leurs chocolats.

Ils nous ont montré et expliqué la boulangerie. Tom a aidé un peu. Et moi, j’ai regardé et j’ai mangé !

Après notre visite aux Machines de L’île et le Passage Pommeraye, ils nous ont amené dans une crêperie pour manger des galettes.

Ils ont parlé en français avec nous. Ils avaient de la patience et nous avons eu de très bonnes conversations. J’ai beaucoup aimé comment Cat m’a corrigé. Elle était tout à fait gentille quand elle l’a fait et j’ai appris pas mal de mots et d’expressions. Et grâce à Matthieu, j’ai appris des mots comme « moche. »

Oui, c’est pour tout ça.

Peut-être que ça semble très simple et rien d’extraordinaire. Mais, pour nous, c’était formidable. Je pense que c’était la première fois que nous avons eu l’occasion de parler avec des français et d’avoir des conversations un peu plus profondes qu’avant. Comme j’ai écrit, nous avons rencontré des jeunes au foyer, mais ce n’est pas facile de devenir des amis avec les français. J’étais un peu triste de rentrer à Paris…

Merci Cat et Matthieu !

English Version!

We spent four days in Nantes at Catherine and Matthieu’s to celebrate Christmas with them and their families. I met Catherine (Cat) in 2006 when she was an intern at Anderson University. Now, she and her husband own a boulangerie, a bakery (but much more than a US bakery) in Nantes. It’s been three years since we’ve seen each other and I was worried that it would be awkward. It was the opposite. It was absolutely, without a doubt, a wonderful time in Nantes, better than I could have imagined. I could not have asked for a better experience. Why was it so awesome, you ask?

Maybe it was because of the beautiful city that is Nantes. We visited the crypts of the cathedral (no pictures L- the camera was dead that day), the beautiful Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and its Nantes History Museum. We met up with Estelle, a friend I met in Lourdes in 2007. With Estelle, we looked around the Galeries Lafayette and we shopped around the stores on the rue Crébillon, or rather, we crébillonner, a verb that means “shopped along rue Crébillon.” Haha! And, we saw the famous Passage Pommeraye and its glass ceilings.

But that’s not really why…

Maybe it was because of the big elephant. Before going to Nantes, we discovered the Machines of the Island on the Internet and we new that we wanted to go there. Among the mechanical creatures, there is an enormous elephant. But that’s not all. He walks and you can ride the elephant as it goes for a walk. How unique and awesome! We visited the Machines of the Island with Cat and Matthieu. Unfortunately, the last ride of the day was full. Next time! Like Cat said, “you always have to leave a reason to come back.

But that’s not really why…

Maybe it’s because of Cat and Matthieu and their friendship. They were very good hosts and were very welcoming, despite the fact that they had a lot of work to do. Cat prepared maps and brochures for us, with ideas for things to do. They spoiled us with croissants and pains au chocolat. They even prepared breakfast for us for the train the day we left, with a gift, a box of their chocolates

They showed us the boulangerie and explained a little of how it works. Tom helped a little bit. And me, I watched and I ate!

After we visited the Machines of the Island and the Passage Pommeraye, they took us to a crêperie to eat galettes.

They spoke to us in French. They were patient and we had some really good conversations. I really liked how Cat corrected me. She was very nice about it and I learned several new words and expressions. And thanks to Matthieu, I learned words like “moche” (a familiar word for ugly). J

Yes, that’s why.

Maybe it seems really simple and nothing special. But, for us, it was wonderful. I think that it was the first time that we had the opportunity to talk to French people and have deeper conversations than before. Like I’ve written before, we have met some other young people at our residence hall, but it’s so hard to make friends with French people. I was a little sad to come back to Paris…

Thank you Cat and Matthieu!