étreindre

étreindre:
Hug (verb, noun)
embrace, grasp, fold, enfold, lock

Research shows that when you hold your hug for at least six seconds you actually optimize the flow of mood-boosting chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin, and consequently feel better.

I suppose that this little bit of scientific research could be used as an excuse to embrace a certain somebody that you normally shy away from. So why not use it?

"Excuse me monsieur, could you help me elevate my oxytocin and serotonin levels?"

I'll bet if it is said in French, it will boost your mood even more.

Jamais

Jamais
(Never, adv.)
1. Not ever; on no occasion; at no time.
2. Not at all; in no way; absolutely not.

Speaking in absolutes is not something that a wise person does. But today I did just that. During a phone conversation with a friend I mentioned that I definitely would not be going back to the Eiffel Tower, I had had enough. Within ten minutes of hanging up the phone, what do you think happened? Yep, I was on the metro with friends heading straight towards the belly of the beast--next stop, Eiffel Tower.

Now mind you we were just going to meet up with some folks, who were staying at a hotel across the street from the Eiffel Tower, to escort them to our favorite wine bar. So we weren't intending to actually go to the Eiffel Tower. But regardless, it was a nice reminder that speaking in absolutes has no place in my vocabulary. English, French, or otherwise.

Patience

The word patience is exactly the same in French as it is in English. This is interesting because, no matter where I am, patience is the lesson I continue to have to learn. And Paris is my current teacher.

Patience is defined as the ability to tolerate waiting, delay, or frustration without becoming agitated or upset. It's the ability to be able to control your emotions or impulses and proceed calmly when faced with difficulty.

That definition makes patience seem like a negative thing, but I am learning that is doesn't have to be. In a world where we have become conditioned for instant gratification, to sit calmly and learn the art of savoring is something very favorable.

“All human wisdom is summed up in two words - wait and hope”
-Alexandre Dumas Père

Charme

Charme:

(Charm, n. & v. )

n.

• The power or quality of pleasing or delighting; attractiveness.
• A particular quality that attracts; a delightful characteristic.

v.

• To attract or delight greatly.
• To be alluring or pleasing.
• To cast or seem to cast a spell on; bewitch.

"There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperment."

-Henry Van Dyke

No mater where I go, what I do, or which language I speak, charme gets me every single time. It totally translates.

Remarquer

Remarquer:
(note, notice. v.)

• To notice; to observe; to pay attention.
  

I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is'.
- Kurt Vonnegut

Mère

Mère:
(mother, n.)

• something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source.

I am currently reading a book about fashion, genius, and glorious excess in Paris during the late 1960's-1970's. It chronicles two of fashion's greats, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. It is a fascinating read, made even more as I am currently reading it in Paris, on some of the same streets that are the backdrop for the story.

To consider the task of creatively producing new collections (ready to wear and haute couture), with new silhouettes, four times a year is overwhelming. So it helps to wrap my head around it to know where they get their inspiration from. Muses, travels, current events, and as it turns out, their mothers.

How apropos on this holiday...

Happy Mother's Day! Joyeuse fête des mères!

À tout à l'heure

Last night I saw a "piece de theatre" (aka play), Coming Out, a comedy of homophobia. My French is so bad that I had a hard time discerning the story line although I picked up much of it through gestures, facial expressions, intonations, and recognition of random words and phrases. Afterwards, my friends took me across the street for wine, music, and to discuss my understanding of the play. They thought my interpretation was very funny. Then one of the play's actors joined us. He was handsome and apparently single, as was announced at the table.

Later, as we parted ways with the actor at the metro, many "À bientôts" were exchanged, and then I chimed in with "À tout à l'heure". My friends laughed nervously and the actor said "Whoa, you move very fast". Huh? Apparently there is a small, yet meaningful, difference between those two sayings, although I thought they both meant "see ya".

À bientôt= see you later
À tout à l'heure= when he (she) is to see someone again in a matter of minutes.

I quickly replied with a self deprecating "Fast? Well I am American after all".

I can't help but wonder if this was a Freudian slip. Although probably not as I did not understand the difference between the two sayings (I do now!).

But Wikipedia says that "Popularisation of the term "Freudian Slip" has resulted in its being applied to any slip-of-the-tongue phenomenon, often in an attempt by the user to humorously assign hidden motives or an air of sexual innuendo to the mistake. This has brought about a dilution of the original technical meaning, with the word "Freudian" being applied to interpretations and explanations that have no essential connection with genuine psychoanalytic thought."

uh huh.

Bricolage

Bricolage:

(DIY, do-it-yourself)

• Manual activity to repair or manufacture small objects.

Today I braved the BHV's bricolage basement to find a solution to my incompatible Mac power cord issue. Lucky for me, my dear friend emailed me photos of the type of cord I should be looking for, because without it I probably would have been a whole lot more skeptical when the BHV "electronic expert" confirmed that the radio-only power cord that I was holding in my hands, was "okay for things like that".

And here I sit, in front of my fully charged Mac, free of sparks, shortages, and other "things like that".

Terrasse

The view from my apartment overlooking the Canal de l' Ourcq.

terrase:

(terrace, n.)

• A platform extending outdoors from a floor of a house or apartment building.
• An open, often paved area adjacent to a house serving as an outdoor living space; a patio.

Gold

There's an old gold miner's saying, when searching for gold...

"go where gold has already been found."