Foreign languages make me happy

What if speaking another language was more than just an occasional, brief diversion? What if it was my everyday?

My "work best friend" and I started a new workplace diversion activity today: "language phrase of the day." It will involve me writing a phrase in a foreign language on a post-it note with its English equivalent. We'll probably stick with Italian and French, but you never know what might pop into my head.

Which leads me here... I just find it so amazing that there are these little bits of strange languages hibernating in my brain. They lie dormant and peaceful for days or weeks until suddenly a single word or phrase will just leap up and into and out of my mouth. Well, sometimes I keep them in and try to make them stay quiet. But that often leads to more of their friends waking up and throwing a foreign language party in my head. It can be very distracting.

I digress.



"Jambo Kenya!"


I had the privilege of studying French in school in the US and practicing it in Guadeloupe and Canada and France. Studying and speaking Italian in Italy. Studying and attempting to speak Khmer in Cambodia. Learning and practicing bits of Hungarian in Hungary. Spanish in Nicaragua. German in Germany. Hindi in India. Thai in Thailand. Swahili in Kenya... Whenever I'm in a place where they speak something other than English, I want to participate! I. Love. Languages.

I feel kind of guilty when someone asks me if I'm fluent in French. I studied it for so many years; I should be, right? Unfortunately, when you don't use a second or third language on a regular basis it goes to that hibernating place in the language center of the brain. And it gets lazy. Well, it's probably a mutual thing. I have to practice if I want to retain any sort of fluency, any sort of ease of conversation. I find that it's almost always easier to understand someone speaking in French or Italian, but I struggle to create a response that isn't full of poor conjugation and weak pronunciation. Nonetheless, I try my best to just jump right in and engage in conversation and hope that some of those phrases and words (that come to mind so easily when I don't need them) will help me when I really need them.

Just a few weeks ago I had a "red letter day" that started when I diverged from my daily routine. (Sometimes I need to mix things up for a little adventure.) Instead of stopping at Starbucks on my way to work, I drove directly to my parking lot...and walked to the Starbucks on the Circle. I know. I am wild. I love working downtown and walking to get lunch or coffee is one of the reason I love it. Wide sidewalks. People bustling around, heading to work. Feeling connected to others.

That morning I noticed that the two men ordering their lattes before me at Starbucks were definitely not on their way to work in downtown Indianapolis. They were carrying backpacks. They had accents. And they spoke to each in French! I was then on a mission: I had to talk them before they left the cafe!

I was excited. But, then I was faced with a great challenge: What do I say??? French, French, French...Come on, brain! Think of something? How about..."Are you French?" Well, okay, that works. (Thankfully, it sounds so much better in French: "Vous êtes français?") He seemed pleasantly surprised by my question and was quite patient with me as we spoke in French for a few moments. I learned that he was traveling with his son and they were doing a tour of the U.S., passing through Indianapolis on their way to Chicago. So fun! I wished them a "Bon Voyage" and continued on to work, as they went to catch a bus. I couldn't stop smiling as I walked to my building. I'm sure some people that I passed must have wondered what I was so happy about on a Tuesday at 8 o'clock in the morning!

Whenever I get the chance to practice a foreign language (and wake up those phrases so comfortably hibernating in my head!), it always makes my day! Which makes me wonder…perhaps I should find a way to speak French (or Italian!) everyday? What if I had a job that allowed me every day to do something that makes me happy? I should probably look into that…

to market, to market

Voulez-vous aller à Paris avec moi? Who wouldn't want to go to Paris?!

A few weeks A couple of months ago (this post has been in draft mode for quite some time!) my friend Eve came downtown to join me for lunch. She picked me up and we drove over to the Indianapolis City Market. The Market has really grown and developed over the past several years. Almost all of the vendor areas are full, and selling everything from bug jewelry (Eve is a science teacher and commented that her students would think this was cool) to antique jewelry (that I can't wait to go back to and shop!) and lots and lots of yummy food!

Eve had a Groupon for a place called "3 Days in Paris"--a veritable crêperie! I first had a taste of their delicious crêpes last summer on a Wednesday--when the City Market vendors take to the street. I couldn't wait to go back! I had the "Black and Blue Moo" filled with roast beef, blue cheese, dried cranberries, spinach, and raspberry chipotle sauce. Yum.

It was one of those extra hot summer days (of which there has been an abundance this summer in Indiana), so we opted to stay inside to eat. We climbed the wrought iron stairs to the upper level that overlooks the vendors and found a little table for two next to the inside railing. It was open and spacious and just a bit noisy--perfect for "what's been going in your life for the past year" conversation. (Eve and I don't get to hang out often enough!) The market was busy with people on their lunch breaks, moms and kids meetings dads for lunch, police officers taking a break from policing--everyone together made it feel alive and fun...and good.

Since then, the City Market, and especially 3 Days in Paris, is my go-to place for lunch with friends from work. I could eat there everyday!

::

What exactly is a crêpe? I'm so glad you asked?

[A crêpe (English pronunciation: /ˈkrɛp/,[1] French: [kʁɛp]) is a type of very thin pancake, usually made from wheat flour. The word is of French origin, deriving from the Latin crispa, meaning "curled." While crêpes originate from Brittany, a region in the northwest of France, their consumption is widespread in France and they are considered a national dish. In Brittany, crêpes are traditionally served with cider. Crêpes are served with a variety of fillings, from the most simple with only sugar to flambéed crêpes Suzette or elaborate savoury fillings.]
Thank you, Wikipedia.



Welcome, Summer

I’m glad you’re here!

This past weekend really felt like summer! For me this meant a mix of being outside, visiting graduation open houses, buying new SPF 30 sunblock, and eating anything cooked on a grill. Combine that with 90 degree weather and a power-outing thunderstorm and it’s definitely June in Indiana. Even though my fun weekend made it hard go back to work this morning, I am very excited for the months to come. Much of that excitement is due to my current housing location. I’ve been living in Broad Ripple since January and now I finally get to enjoy all that the area has to offer. My condo is right on the Monon—and by “right on” I mean you walk just 20 steps from the front door and you’re on the trail! I love it! One of my goals this summer is to take full advantage of my proximity to the Monon and Broad Ripple. Indianapolis has so many locally owned restaurants and shops, especially in BR, and I want to visit them all! This past weekend got things off to a great start.

Zest!
Much of my super hot Saturday was spent with my dear friend, Rose. She’s currently living in Kenya (I visited her there in March), but is home for a brief visit. She worked a shift at the hospital Friday night, which meant that she was free to hang out with me on Saturday! After some pool time in the morning (another reason I love where I live!), we hit the Monon trail for a leisurely 1.8 mile walk to Zest! Exciting Food Creations. Zest! was celebrating their 5 year anniversary, so we took advantage of their delicious Crème Brûlée French Toast on special for only $5. Rose and I split the French toast (it’s super yummy, but very rich) and it made the perfect dessert for our “breakfast for lunch” meal. We had the Stuffed Tortilla and a side of seasonal berries for a well rounded and filling meal. The atmosphere was fun and friendly, the service was great, and I loved the neighborhood vibe. The Reese Art Fair was taking place along 54th Street and right outside of Zest! The street fair was just one more sign that summer had arrived! We browsed for a bit after lunch, but the hot sun quickly drove us to the shade of the Monon and we made our way back home. This was only my second visit to Zest! and I will definitely be going back.

 
BRICS
I was delighted that Sunday evening included another stroll around BR! After an overcast and humid afternoon, the evening turned out quite nice—perfect weather for shorts and flip flops…and ice cream! My friend Jen met me at my condo and we took to the trail. This time, however, we stayed around Broad Ripple Ave and just made a big loop. Minutes into our walk, we passed by BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Station). The deck was full of people enjoying what looked like really good ice cream. We kept walking, enjoying the sights and sounds of BR, which was quite busy for being a Sunday evening. After making our loop, Jen and I were on the same page: we needed to see what the crowd at BRICS was all about. Stepping inside, we were met with the always welcoming smell of freshly baked waffle cones! The place was packed! We took a number and peered through the glass at the large selection of flavors while waiting our turn to order. How would we ever decide? I overheard someone ask for a “split scoop” and my flavor dilemma was solved! On a sugar cone, I opted for Chocolate Choo Choo (extra dark chocolate ice cream with chocolate fudge chunks) and Broad Ripple Blackberry (blackberry ice cream with blackberry swirl). It was pretty much the perfect combo. My “one scoop” of ice cream was enormous! And at $3.10 I felt like I got my money’s worth. Jen and I enjoyed the hospitality of a couple on the deck who invited us to share their table (it was crowded!). We chatted about our jobs, traveling, Butler, living in Indy, AA, and Jesus. It was quite a conversation. The combination of delicious ice cream, sitting outside, and meeting new people made for a perfect end to the day and the weekend. At 0.3 miles from my condo, BRICS might become a hazard to my health (in the most scrumptious way possible). I’ll just have walk a mile or two each time I stop for ice cream!

BRICS on the Monon. (Photo courtesy of brics.)

 

I hope you are enjoying Summer wherever you are!