Weird Dream: France
This morning I was young, fresh out of college. I got a job offer through connections (somehow) that was just amazing: some sort of quasi-official position working in France. It paid a lot of money. And I'd be working for Santa Claus, in his off-season. I wasn't sure what the job involved, but it wasn't toymaking.
The thought of moving overseas was really exciting! I was a little worried, though: I don't speak French. I took French in high school, but did really poorly. Nowadays I can sort of puzzle out the meaning of simple written French (and spoken as well, IF it's well-enunciated and not spoken too quickly). But I certainly don't speak the language.
Not to worry, they told me. They'd be giving me a test on both my English and French skills. "But that's the problem," I said, "I don't really speak French!".
"After a year, you'll be fluent!" they said. I had to agree. And if they could put up me for that year while I learned...well, the money was very good, and the thought of living and working in Paris was extremely appealing.
The thought of moving overseas was really exciting! I was a little worried, though: I don't speak French. I took French in high school, but did really poorly. Nowadays I can sort of puzzle out the meaning of simple written French (and spoken as well, IF it's well-enunciated and not spoken too quickly). But I certainly don't speak the language.
Not to worry, they told me. They'd be giving me a test on both my English and French skills. "But that's the problem," I said, "I don't really speak French!".
"After a year, you'll be fluent!" they said. I had to agree. And if they could put up me for that year while I learned...well, the money was very good, and the thought of living and working in Paris was extremely appealing.