Bonjour tout le monde,
This website is a cool one, especially for French teachers. It takes one news article and explains it to young French students (think around 8-10 years old). Why I like it? Because as Americans, we don't always have insight into French culture, and because the articles are for young kids, it is easy to understand. Last year's presentation the French election priceless in helping me understand the process and then to explain it to my students.
Entries on French reflections on American activities and happenings can also show us how we are seen by the French. A good example is their explanation of our American politics and election. Another example is today's explanation of Friday's happening in Sandy Hill. Simple, effective, and to the point.
I look at it at least once a week - why not give it a try?
www.1jour1actu.com
France 2022
Old Town Nice, France
17 December 2012
10 December 2012
Real cool travel accessories
Bonjour tout le monde,
It is that time of year when many people are traveling home, or away, for the holiday season. Because almost no one wants to check his or her luggage, the question becomes packing the carry on bag. If you know me, you know that I am not a light packer and thus I have had to check my bag. However, I am doing a bit better, aided by some really cool travel accessories. I used to use the space bag - the one where you put in your clothes, then roll out the air. Most of the time, it works, but when they don't, the air slowly refills the bag, thus taking up the room you wanted to save. A couple of times, at least in my case (perhaps I am too energetic?) the bag has blown open down at the bottom, thus making the bag useless. The Space Bags are easily found, however, and do help.
When I left my school, my department mates gave me a gift card to the coolest travel place ever. It's called Flight 001 (http://www.flight001.com). If you live in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles among other cities, you can take the trip to the store. Otherwise, go online and start browsing! I took the trip to the store, being old school and all, and I like to look at what I am buying. Everything that I bought I have since used, and I have loved each piece. The best item I purchased was the Spacepak for clothes. It seems pricey at $48, but man, I love it! You can put a crap load of clothes into the pack, then zip it up and push it down. There is also another section on the bottom for dirty clothes...When I went to Seattle, I packed two pairs of jeans, two skirts, a bunch of tops, and a couple of sweaters. All went in without problem. What else is cool is that the spacepak comes in its own zipped cover bag, which I used for underwear and other unmentionables. So, when you think about it, you get two things for one price!
There are three or four sizes of the spacepak, but the sales guy told me that this one was the best to get. If you go on the website, there is a video explaining how to use the paks, and how to pack them in your bag.
I also bought the seat pack, which allows you to have all your essential items in one spot hanging on the tab of your tray table. It not only works on the plane, but I have used it for road trips; it saved me the trouble of looking in my purse all the time.
The seatpack also comes in some really cool packaging, very sturdy plastic with a zipper. I used that for the jewelry that I took off for screening.
I would suggest that you visit the store, you will find at least one travel item that you will really want. Let me know what you think!
Bon voyage!
La Croque Madame
It is that time of year when many people are traveling home, or away, for the holiday season. Because almost no one wants to check his or her luggage, the question becomes packing the carry on bag. If you know me, you know that I am not a light packer and thus I have had to check my bag. However, I am doing a bit better, aided by some really cool travel accessories. I used to use the space bag - the one where you put in your clothes, then roll out the air. Most of the time, it works, but when they don't, the air slowly refills the bag, thus taking up the room you wanted to save. A couple of times, at least in my case (perhaps I am too energetic?) the bag has blown open down at the bottom, thus making the bag useless. The Space Bags are easily found, however, and do help.
When I left my school, my department mates gave me a gift card to the coolest travel place ever. It's called Flight 001 (http://www.flight001.com). If you live in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles among other cities, you can take the trip to the store. Otherwise, go online and start browsing! I took the trip to the store, being old school and all, and I like to look at what I am buying. Everything that I bought I have since used, and I have loved each piece. The best item I purchased was the Spacepak for clothes. It seems pricey at $48, but man, I love it! You can put a crap load of clothes into the pack, then zip it up and push it down. There is also another section on the bottom for dirty clothes...When I went to Seattle, I packed two pairs of jeans, two skirts, a bunch of tops, and a couple of sweaters. All went in without problem. What else is cool is that the spacepak comes in its own zipped cover bag, which I used for underwear and other unmentionables. So, when you think about it, you get two things for one price!
 |
| The spacepak's bottom compartment |
 |
| see all the stuff you can put in it? |
I also bought the seat pack, which allows you to have all your essential items in one spot hanging on the tab of your tray table. It not only works on the plane, but I have used it for road trips; it saved me the trouble of looking in my purse all the time.
The seatpack also comes in some really cool packaging, very sturdy plastic with a zipper. I used that for the jewelry that I took off for screening.I would suggest that you visit the store, you will find at least one travel item that you will really want. Let me know what you think!
Bon voyage!
La Croque Madame
16 November 2012
Le Jour de Merci Donnant (Thanksgiving)
Bonjour tout le monde!
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. It was one that most American students miss when they are abroad. When I was in Paris, as a student, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the home of one of our professors. We had goose instead of turkey, but the sentiment was there. Maybe that is why Thanksgiving is an important holiday, and I always save room at the table for anyone who is in need of a family.
However, Art Buchwald, wrote this explanation of Thanksgiving as explained to the French. I always chuckle when I read it, so here is my Thanksgiving present to you!
Le Jour de Merci Donnant
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. It was one that most American students miss when they are abroad. When I was in Paris, as a student, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the home of one of our professors. We had goose instead of turkey, but the sentiment was there. Maybe that is why Thanksgiving is an important holiday, and I always save room at the table for anyone who is in need of a family.
However, Art Buchwald, wrote this explanation of Thanksgiving as explained to the French. I always chuckle when I read it, so here is my Thanksgiving present to you!
Le Jour de Merci Donnant
15 November 2012
Chaque Jour en France
Every Day in France - a very cute video that talks statistics about France in a 24 hour period. In French, but well worth viewing.
Chaque Jour en France
Chaque Jour en France
05 November 2012
Les magasins du quartier
One of the things I love about France is how you always shop for food at the different markets. It's the custom. In just a few blocks there is a butcher, baker, a place to buy vegetables, a deli - for pork products, and the fishmonger. I love the fact that you make a connection with these people, who then help you with your purchases and even give you recipes! When I lived in Paris, we frequented the vegetable stall right across the street from our building. There, I found out about blood oranges, and also had some of the greatest fruit. The vendor was very nice, and would always help us pick out the best stuff. In fact, my fondest dream is to spend a month in the South of France, in a small village, where I will be able to meet the various shopkeepers and buy fresh ingredients to make wonderful meals. One day I will get there...
So,this article about the loss of the poissonnerie makes me just a little sad. Just as it says in the article, it is like a member of the family has been lost. Therefore, I say that we all go to Paris, live in apartments, and live a little bit of a different life, one in which connections are made on each side of the counter, and it takes you 20 minutes to get out of the store.
Names of the different stores: la boulangerie (bakery). la boucherie (butcher shop), la charcuterie (deli, pork products, salads), la patisserie (pastry shop), le marchand de fruit et legumes (fruit and vegetable vendor), la poissonnerie (fish shop).
So,this article about the loss of the poissonnerie makes me just a little sad. Just as it says in the article, it is like a member of the family has been lost. Therefore, I say that we all go to Paris, live in apartments, and live a little bit of a different life, one in which connections are made on each side of the counter, and it takes you 20 minutes to get out of the store.
Names of the different stores: la boulangerie (bakery). la boucherie (butcher shop), la charcuterie (deli, pork products, salads), la patisserie (pastry shop), le marchand de fruit et legumes (fruit and vegetable vendor), la poissonnerie (fish shop).
01 November 2012
The 1st of November - la Toussaint!
Bonjour tout le monde!
Today is November 1, which is la Toussaint in France. It is the day that celebrates all the saints who don't have his or her own day. This is also the day where we celebrate those who have passed on - in France, the French visit the cemetery, clean up the family plot and go to mass. School kids get the week off, and others will have the day off also. But today is Thursday, so many will "faire le pont", literally use Friday as a bridge to the weekend.
For those of you who read French, here is an explanation from the coolest website www.1jour1actu.com, which explains current events to young school age French kids.
Alors, Happy Toussaint!
Today is November 1, which is la Toussaint in France. It is the day that celebrates all the saints who don't have his or her own day. This is also the day where we celebrate those who have passed on - in France, the French visit the cemetery, clean up the family plot and go to mass. School kids get the week off, and others will have the day off also. But today is Thursday, so many will "faire le pont", literally use Friday as a bridge to the weekend.
For those of you who read French, here is an explanation from the coolest website www.1jour1actu.com, which explains current events to young school age French kids.
Alors, Happy Toussaint!
31 October 2012
Happy Halloween and Bon Toussaint!
Bonjour tout le monde!
Happy Halloween! The French don't really celebrate this holiday, but they do celebrate Toussaint. Here is something that explains the entire thing.
A bientot!
http://french.about.com/library/bl-halloweeninfrance.htm
Happy Halloween! The French don't really celebrate this holiday, but they do celebrate Toussaint. Here is something that explains the entire thing.
A bientot!
http://french.about.com/library/bl-halloweeninfrance.htm
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