Bonjour mes amis,
Recently I have been really craving some good french conversation. Unfortunately, here in Utah, there is not a lot of opportunity for some good "parler".
I got so desperate for french that I starting reading "The Bourne Identity". There are a lot of random phrases in the dialogue, but it just isn't enough.
I work at a bank and I always get jealous when my Spanish-speaking co-worker gets to speak his mission language with the customers. Or, at least, I USED to be jealous.
The Starbucks by my bank recently hired a cool girl from Minnesota. She studied in Quebec, thus she speaks excellent french. She comes in a couple times a week to make the deposits and I get so excited each time. It's so much fun to watch everybody turn and look when they hear such a beautiful language.
She has been coming to the bank for a couple weeks now and it has been great to keep my french going.
But the other day, someone even better came in. I was helping a woman with a very french name purchase some traveler's cheques for her very silent friend standing next to her. I finally got the guts to ask her if she is french. "OUI!" I was so excited. I immediately fell into my soft french and loved it.
I walked around the rest of the day with a huge goofy smile on my face. It was the same goofy smile that I sported on my mission and it was great to have it back.
Another great feeling from my mission has been returning lately. These past couple of weeks I have been able to work with the missionaries at least once a week. And I love it.
Yesterday, one of the elders was sick so they called someone to come sit with him while I went out and worked with his companion. I miss doing that everyday.
Tonight, I got to baptize someone. Something I didn't get the opportunity to do while I was in Europe. (I always got transferred right before the baptisms.)
I stand by the fact that I am home for a reason. And I am at peace with that. But there is still joy to be had in a little french conversation and a good missionary lesson.
PS- I went to the gym four times this week. I'm determined to get my money's worth on this one.
3 comments:
Wow! I'd love to hear you speak it for real. Remember in French class how everyone was so afraid to start speaking it in front of everyone. I wish I still knew the little bit I learned from that class, I'd totally talk with you. I'm sure you've probably done this (and have a copy yourself), but when I wanted more french, I read the Book of Mormon in french. It got pretty easy after a while (not that YOU'd have a hard time), and it gave me the chance to have the connection I wanted to the language. I'm sure you could find other books to read. Totally not the same as speaking it, but it's closer than nothing at all :)
That's exciting! I know Landon always freaks out when we meet Hispanic people who don't mind chatting with him.
Hey! I missed our dinner with you, molly & cam this month! what the heck!? You aren't getting out of it next time! Sounds like you're doing great!
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