(no subject)
Tonight I had a nice evening with Elodie, a fellow professor, and her family. It was really really great. She's been so sweet to me all year long, and the two of us taught two Master's classes to Sociology students. They were interesting and fun, we held debates and shared lesson plans. I enjoyed it. She invited me to her house for dinner to celebrate the end of the academic year. She has three absolutely gorgeous sons, all blonde and blue-eyed, so polite and sweet. They're 3, 6, and 9. When I got there, she showed me the garden, then we put her three year-old to bed together. I read him two stories (French of course) per his request. He thought my accent was funny. After that we had an aperitif. Because I don't drink alcohol, they poured me a glass of this white drink that tastes like licorice, but stronger. Like Sambucca but with no alcohol and EXTRA flavoring. I'd have drank it as is but her husband filled it right on up with water. It was good, but bizarre, to be sure.
I showed the older boys some photos of Florida, the oldest was so excited to practice his English (from school) and to meet a real American. It was adorable. After they went to bed we had dinner. Elodie's husband Serge served his homemade fois gras as an appetizer with toast and onion jelly. There was a LOT, and it was good. Very rich, though. I myself usually take just a pinch if any fois gras, but with the jelly it was nice. The main course was a big duck breast, cut into 4 or 5 pieces, with pepper sauce and potatoes and turnips. It was really fantastic. I enjoyed every bite. I'm such a slow eater, and they're fast, so I was finished a good 10 or 15 after them. I kept trying to reassure them that I did really like it and that it wasn't too cold. Serge is a great cook. Dessert was creme brulée, Elodie made it. It was phenomenal. Serge burned the sugar on them right at the table, very nice. I'm stuffed and need a cup of tea to settle it all.
The conversation was primarily French of course, with some English thrown in while Elodie and I were sitting alone. We all talked about culture and stereotypes and travel and living abroad, and it was just good to be with people who understand just how I feel about this whole experience. It was really sweet of them to have me over. She drove me to and from the house, which is 20 minutes out of the city and into the country. The house is gorgeous. I'd have taken photos but I thought it best to just relax and not look like a tourist.
It's evenings like this that will make me miss France. I'll keep communicating with Elodie, I'm sure. She's been so nice all year long.
Anyway that was my evening. I'm going to have a cup of tea and be a veg while my food digests.
Gooooodnight.
I showed the older boys some photos of Florida, the oldest was so excited to practice his English (from school) and to meet a real American. It was adorable. After they went to bed we had dinner. Elodie's husband Serge served his homemade fois gras as an appetizer with toast and onion jelly. There was a LOT, and it was good. Very rich, though. I myself usually take just a pinch if any fois gras, but with the jelly it was nice. The main course was a big duck breast, cut into 4 or 5 pieces, with pepper sauce and potatoes and turnips. It was really fantastic. I enjoyed every bite. I'm such a slow eater, and they're fast, so I was finished a good 10 or 15 after them. I kept trying to reassure them that I did really like it and that it wasn't too cold. Serge is a great cook. Dessert was creme brulée, Elodie made it. It was phenomenal. Serge burned the sugar on them right at the table, very nice. I'm stuffed and need a cup of tea to settle it all.
The conversation was primarily French of course, with some English thrown in while Elodie and I were sitting alone. We all talked about culture and stereotypes and travel and living abroad, and it was just good to be with people who understand just how I feel about this whole experience. It was really sweet of them to have me over. She drove me to and from the house, which is 20 minutes out of the city and into the country. The house is gorgeous. I'd have taken photos but I thought it best to just relax and not look like a tourist.
It's evenings like this that will make me miss France. I'll keep communicating with Elodie, I'm sure. She's been so nice all year long.
Anyway that was my evening. I'm going to have a cup of tea and be a veg while my food digests.
Gooooodnight.