Aoûtiens

Posted by Analyse at 9:48 PM

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

We've always been juilletistes rather than aoûtiens. But since we are obliged to synchronize our vacation with our yaya's, we are then subjected to hotter climate and more expensive everything on the month of August. Itinerary is limited to short trips, promenade in shadowy areas, swimming preferably in shaded pools and probably island hopping. Our target destination is La Bretagne, where temperature is normally lower than the rest of France. Well, we hope.

It will be Louna's first real vacation with us. My little mermaid could finally spend more time in swimming pools with Maman and Papa. Look at how she loves being in the water.




With that said, this blog will be signing off for vacation.. even blogs need a break!

Juilletiste - people taking their vacation during the month of July.
Aoûtiens - you got it right, it's August.

Let's Get Bilingual

Posted by Analyse at 6:55 PM

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Frenchguy was again in turmoil. He was with 2 french couples and the subject of conversation was focused on how to teach a child two languages at a very young age. 5 french people who learned but french at home and school, who had collections of VHS of disney movies in french, who watched everything on TV in french, who listened to the radio in french... of course, the topic was quite disturbing. Too big a deal.

I'm no expert in languages nor do I have the right method to teach my girl any. To have a quick background, I learned Zambal because it was the dialect spoken at home. I learned Tagalog at the same time for obvious reasons. It's everywhere. I learned English from TV, I was the Scooby Doo fan. So even before kindergarten, I already spoke 2 languages (considering Zambal is another thing to be learned) and understood English. But like any other kid in the Philippines, at that age, I knew how to present myself in English too.

At Grade 1, we changed our yaya, and this time, she was an Ilocana. It didn't take me long to understand her secrets shared to our neighbor's yaya, who was herself Ilocana. They didn't even knew I understood them (tsismosa).

During those times, 2 languages spoken fluently and 2 other languages being understood, I didn't even notice that I was actually learning. I don't even remember any moment of confusion between those languages.

5 years ago, I was forced to learn French for obvious reasons. And I tell you, it was difficult. No more sponge-like brain willing to absorb another language. I guess the secret to learning several languages at the same time is a constant contact with the language. I know that it will be difficult to implement that concept here in France, where everything is in French. English DVDs, English-speaking moi... oh well, can I just cross the bridge when I get there?

Ok, all that being said, let me update you on Louna's language update.

In fact, I hardly speak the english language at the moment and I'm supposed to be the teacher. If occasional call conference with some non-french colleagues counts, then that's about it. My conversation with my 8-month old doesn't really progress. First, because I don't even know if she understands me, second, because I don't understand the response that I get. Here's one of our one-on-one conversation.

Me: Repeat after me, Louna. I - LOVE - YOU.
Louna: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (high-pitched, of course).
Me: No Louna. Let's do it again. I - LOVE - YOU.
Louna: BOOOOOOOOO! (with a mischievous smile).
Me: I - LOVE - YOU.
Louna: KKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! (with e pronounced in french).
Me: Naman si Louna e. Serious na. I - LOVE - YOU.
Louna: Pft.

End of conversation.

Optimistic me thinks I'm on the right track.

On Football and Racism

Posted by Analyse at 6:39 PM

Monday, July 17, 2006

Sports should normally unite people regardless of origin, race, politics, beliefs or religion. There's only one rule applicable.

The headbutt done by Zidane was a result of provocation. This guy isn't stupid. When he engaged in the act, 10 minutes away from his retirement, at the World Cup finals, don't you think there's something serious behind?

Here's his explaination.

The declaration done by an Italian senator was even more uncalled for, calling the frenchies 'black, muslim and communist'. Ok Mr Senator, let me explain it to you :

Black - Mr, you should review your neighbor's geography. France has this so-called DOM-TOM, overseas departments and territories, lovely islands I should say, where populations are mainly black. So these blacks are in fact, French.

Muslim - Franck Ribery? His wife is Muslim, so I guess he converted to this religion out of love. What wouldn't you do for love, hmmm?

Communist - Errr, I should search more. The whole www cannot provide me the name of the communist french football player.

The controversy has gone worldwide. TF1, one of the leading channels here, will present the 8pm news tonight with a black newscaster. A way to show their stand to 'SAY NO TO RACISM' campaign.


Picture from Fotothing.

It's not either you win or loss baby, it's how you play the game.

The Good Frenchguy's Guide

Posted by Analyse at 6:28 PM

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Have dinner ready. And that's applicable even if you are out of the country. Fill the fridge with ready-to-cook meals. This is a way of letting her know that you have been thinking about her and are concerned about her needs.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to take a shower, shave and brush your teeth. She has just been with a lot of odd-smelling work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for her. And please, don't talk about work. Her boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. A general cleaning of the house and garden plus the laundry at least once a week suffice. Your wife will feel she has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for her comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Leave the office and fetch your child before 6pm. This will prevent you from paying extra hours to your nanny and will give more time to your wife to finish her work.

Minimise all noise. At the time of her arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum.

Be happy to see her. Greet her with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please her.

Listen to her. You may have a dozen important things to tell her, but the moment of her arrival is not the time. Let her talk first - remember, her topics of conversation are more important than yours. She also has the right to talk about work, all you have to do is listen and agree to her.

Make the evening hers. Never complain if she blogs all the time. Instead, try to understand her world of strain and pressure and her very real need to be at home and relax infront of the www.

Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your wife can renew herself in body and spirit. Don’t greet her with complaints and problems.

Make her comfortable. Make her lean back in a comfortable chair or have her lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for her. Arrange her pillow and offer to shine her shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don’t ask her questions about her actions or question her judgement or integrity. Remember, she's earning almost as much as you do. You have no right to question her.

A good husband always knows his place.

The Good Wife's Guide

Posted by Analyse at 6:26 PM

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Apparently, this is an article published in 'Housekeeping Monthly' in 1955. Read on.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by.Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Don’t greet him with complaints and problems. Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

Make him comfortable. Make him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

I just love the phrase highlighted in red. Excellent! The french translation added some more biting twist. Here's the french version re-translated.

After dinner, clear the table and do the dishes at once. If he suggests to help you, decline his offer because he would risk to feel obliged to repeat it afterwards. After a long day of labour, he doesn't need additional work. Encourage him to be engaged in his favourite pastimes and to dedicate himself to his centers of interest. Show yourself interested without giving however the impression to trespass his domain. If you have small pastimes yourself, see to it not to annoy him by talking about it because the centers of interests of women are often rather insignificant compared to men's.

On intimate relationship, be guided by your wedding obligations and in particular your obligation to obey him. If he considers that he needs to sleep at once, then be it. Be guided by his desires and never provoke or stimulate him for a sexual intercourse.

If he needs sexual intercourse, accept it with humility while keeping in mind that the pleasure of a man is more important than that of a woman. When he reaches orgasm, a small groan on your part will encourage him and will be completely sufficient to indicate to him any kind of pleasure you were able to have.

If he has extramarital affaires, be obedient and resigned, but indicate your possible lack of enthusiasm by keeping yourself silent. It is likely that your husband will fall asleep quickly.

You could then reset the alarm clock so you could wake up earlier than him. It will allow you to prepare his morning cup of tea ready when he will wake up.

Haha, this is hilarious!

Life of a Working Mom

Posted by Analyse at 4:14 PM

Thursday, July 06, 2006

I'm no neophyte in the work environment. I dream big no more. Corporate ladder not attractive anymore. Finally, life thought me to evaluate priorities. Balance, balance. I already resigned from my ambitious self, enough stress from work, thank you. Promotions, big responsibilities, big salaries...there's more in life, ya know. All that, just to say, I want to spend quality time with my daughter. Honestly.

Today's Status: Frenchguy on business travel. Moi on an early meeting in Paris tomorrow. Louna staying in her yaya's place for the night. Next rendez-vous with her tomorrow afternoon. Poor lil girl...

Nearing the Finals..

Posted by Analyse at 11:07 AM

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Portugal vs France

5th of July at 9 pm.

0 - 1

On to the finals... everybody's celebrating outside; car's hooting, people running, jumping, shouting.. and me trying to simulate a soundproof room for Louna ..now, tell me how the heck could I sleep.

Anyhoo.. Allez les bleus! France vs Italy on Sunday, July 9 at 8 pm.