the most beautiful places

"America is my country, but Paris is my hometown." -Gertrude Stein

Two summers ago, my family went to Paris. Well, to be fair, we went to visit my mum's family in the Czech Republic, and ended up spending a week in Paris on the way home. "Ended up." That sounds so casual and chic. Actually, I had been planning and researching our trip for about six months, and basically freaked out whenever we did anything that wasn't on the schedule.

Ah, to be fourteen and obsessive again.

Anyways, that's definitely not the point of this. The point of this is that French--the language and the culture--is really beautiful. I know everyone talks about how beautiful and alive Paris is, and sometimes it sounds like it can never live up to it's reputation, but it does. Definitely.

I live in Canada, and take French in school*. The class is pretty repetitive and boring, but knowing that it gives me the opportunity to maybe, someday, travel or live somewhere so amazing is really nice.

I want to live in one of those places where you're so awed and inspired by your surroundings that life feels like a painting.

Also, I got my copy of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins today (link to her fabulous blog here). That and my current WIP are getting me in the mood for some French!

My language skills are so far from proficient. But I thought I would share a few helpful verbs, just in case you ever end up in Paris.

*By the way, my level of French is probably like kindergarten to someone fluent.

Rappeler = to remember

Je rappelle = I remember, I am remembering, I do remember
Tu rappelles = You remember
Il/Elle rappelle = He/She remembers
Nous rappelons = We remember
Vous rappelez = You (plural + formal) remember
Ils/Elles rappellent = They (masc/fem) remember

Souhaiter = to wish

Je souhaite = I wish
Tu souhaites = You wish (ha)
Il/Elle souhaite = He/She wishes
Nous souhaitons = We wish
Vous souhaitez = You (plural + formal) wish
Ils/Elles souhaitent = They wish

Aimer = to love

J'aime = I love
Tu aimes = You love
Il/Elle aime = He/She loves
Nous aimons = We love
Vous aimons = You (plural + formal) love
Ils/Elles aiment = They love