CheapThrills

A piece of France, right here in Boston

Middle School language class selection. Choose a side.  Spanish or French? … or Latin (a section of 3-4 curious folk. See Howard’s Dilemma post).   

Everyone claimed Spanish was the way to go. It will broaden your career opportunities in the U.S.! It’s spoken in more countries! We heart Spanish-speaking people! Spain is crazy!

Whatever. I'm a rebel. I took French. I watched weird cartoons and participated in cheese parties. I wore a beret on special occasions and went by “Simone.”

While my entire group of friends headed to Spain for the liveliest 2-week fiesta imaginable, I went on the French exchange with 1 close friend (the only guy in the entire group) and a French teacher who sported one leg a full 3 inches shorter than the other. She walked at an angle and always ended up taking us in circles. She also accused me of bad behavior after my exchangee—a scary boy named Mikael—threatened to hit me right outside our French high school. Then she inadvertently tried to kill me by ignoring my double-ear-infection-meets-bronchitis screeches of agony on our plane ride home. Then she revoked me “Junior Privilege” and tried to have me suspended.

Needless to say, I had an absolute blast on the French Exchange. It was on this trip that I fell in love with everything about Paris and her ever-chic citizens.

While I try to make a trip back every summer (here are my Flickr photos from a trip to Paris two months ago), I crave French culture during the time in between.

Which is why I was ecstatic when a newfound Parisian friend sent me information about the Boston French Party. This group provides a little piece of France by throwing monthly parties and events for French, Francophone, and Francophile people living in Boston.

From their site (sounds oh so French-to-English, I love it):

The Boston French Party is the best place to meet the French community in Boston.

Whether you are a French speaker, in love with France or just interested in the French culture, join us for some unforgettable nights in Boston!

French music, lots of good conversations and the French "joie de vivre" are our recipe for a fun night!

Though I can’t make their next event (which is tonight at Middlesex those who are interested), I will be sure to attend and blog the next one.

Anyone partying French style tonight, please report back!

Où est le livre ? À la bibliothèque!

Well I’m off for Paris tomorrow—my favorite little wonderland. I was a French major in college and have spent many a summer in the city, and so I’m totally psyched to visit old friends… any new ones. As it turns out, a few of my Age of Conversation co-authors from will be in Paris as well (Luc, Cedric, and Gianandrea) and so we’re planning a lunch meeting. Face-to-face! Yes!

Anyway, I think the guys over at Flight of the Conchords wanted to wish me a bon voyage, so they featured this little diddy in last Sunday’s episode. Thanks guys! I’ll be sure to scope out some musique danse a la discothèque.