Category Archives: quotes

french is beautiful

cement-and-gold

 

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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One of my biggest hurdles in my French-speaking journey has been my perfectionism. In my mind, if I can’t say something perfectly, then I shouldn’t say it all. Thankfully, one of the very first things Carrie Anne James addresses in her lessons is our fear dialogue, and how it affects our fluency. We have to let go of the fear of judgement, and just speak. Focus on the words, and lean into it. The proper accent will come when you’re ready for it. Not to mention, the French find American accents adorable (think Jean Seberg in Breathless). Consistency is key – find ways to surround yourself with the language. Whether it’s film, music, literature, or the most adorable French child telling a captivating story, do what you enjoy most. The more exposure you have to the language, the more time your brain has to absorb the rhythm and syntax, allowing you to imitate the sound. Your imitation won’t be perfect at first…but fake it until you make it! While many would argue there is no such thing as perfection…my endless hunger for it helps propel me forward (in all aspects of my life). I’m just so thankful to have a teacher that keeps me grounded in reality.

** french is beautiful is a regular series – browse the archives here **

french is beautiful

paris-eiffel-tower-sunset

 

“Nos moments de lumière sont des moments de bonheur. | Our moments of light are moments of happiness.”

Joseph Joubert

 

Bienvenue et welcome to my new blog series, French is Beautiful! I’ll be documenting my journey of becoming feeling fluent in French, under the tutelage of Carrie Anne James of French is Beautiful. After all, what could be a better name for the series than that?! I had my first lesson last weekend and feel so invigorated. The online program combines weekly video lectures with written, listening + speaking assignments, digital immersion guides, and private Skype coaching! Carrie’s method of teaching is refreshingly natural, and she instantly made me feel comfortable and confident. I’m starting at the beginning, with her Level 1 course, for a three month duration, but will be studying with her all the way to Level 3 (and beyond)! I’m thrilled to review, refresh, and build on what I know, and hope you will follow along with me.

*tutoring c/o French is Beautiful…as always, these opinions are my own*

epiphany

jack-dixon-quote

 

As the title suggests, I recently had an epiphany. And ok fine, this title might also refer to the French holiday which falls on the first Sunday of the New Year (I’ll do anything to tie in my Francophilia). I came across this quote on Pinterest the other day, and even though it’s a very simple concept, something just clicked. I’ve been focusing so intensely on results for so many years, that my efforts towards long term change have been almost entirely in vain. This relates to many aspects of life of course – I’m sure we can all relate to it. I’m determined to make 2015 a triumphant one. Small steps towards big change…it seems that’s how all growth occurs. How do you relate to this quote, and what are you focused on this year?

une citation

vintage-teddy-bear

 

“Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’

‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.

‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’

‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’

‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

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― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

remembering billy

remembering-billy

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“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth…

you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

Kahlil Gibran

 

Exactly one month has passed since I lost my furry soulmate. It is very surreal…I feel as if I will still be processing his death for some time. I see him everywhere-at the foot of the bed, at the bottom of the stairs, in his poof, in the stroller with the kids…always by my side. For twelve years, he was my constant companion, my heart. That part of my heart went with him…and so I mourn the void. I am sorrowful for the days that were taken from us, yet forever grateful for the days that we were given. Each and every one was a gift. It was him that, at the age of twenty-three, made me a mommy. He saw me through very difficult times in my life, providing great comfort and unconditional love, always. I secretly always hoped he would be with me until I had children- the grief would be so much heavier without Marie + Henry’s laughter and youthful innocence. They miss him – even at such a young age they know…I’m so very thankful they knew and loved him. The quote above gives me strength, as it is so very true. He was my delight, our delight, and will never be forgotten.