Ouef à la coque

Today I did my morning routine and headed to the closer train station to catch a train to Paris. I got there in good time with ten minutes to spare. You have to walk up stairs across a platform to get to the headed-to-Paris-direction train, and as I was walking, I saw a little toddler, her mom (wearing sandals and a dress in 40 degree weather), and a grandma. I ended up sitting near them waiting for the train, and I was minding my own business listening to my music when all of the sudden I heard the mom say, “Be careful, baby” to her little girl.

This was a magical moment for me. I heard English through my head phones and instantly noticed that I could understand her each and every word. It is like a veil is lifted and life is so much clearer when I notice people speak English. No one understands what I am talking about unless you have been in my situation, but it seriously feels amazing to understand a random person’s words. You can’t help but eavesdrop… sad to say.

I am around French all the time, and I catch a word here in there, but it is mostly jibber jabber to me. So English just sounds amazing to my ears. I feel so lame writing this because I should be all excited for French, but English is just home to me and makes me feel like your average, educated person.

So anyway, I was waiting for my train listening to this woman speak English to her girl every now and then and then French to the grandma. Then an announcement on the intercom came on, and I gathered it was bad news about the train, but I had no idea. So I listened to the mom a few more minutes (to make sure my ears weren’t playing tricks—sometimes I try to make French sound like English words to my head), and gathered courage to ask her what exactly the announcement said.

I politely asked so you speak English? She responded yes, and then asked me Oh you don’t speak French? (Cool that she thought I did haha). I said not really and asked her what the announcement said, and she told me the train was arriving late at an unknown time. I have great luck with trains, don’t I? The grandma told the mom in French that a train being late hadn’t happened to her in a year. Great luck seriously.

But this gave me time to talk to the mom. She was Filipino and had a French husband (thus grandma was an in law). She has been here 2 months and picked up French because that is the only way she can communicate with the in-laws. However the husband was in Bangkok, and apparently they move around every few months for his job (for instance, they met in Dubai). The little girl speaks English, French, and the language of the Philippines, and the mom said she usually says a sentence and combines all three languages.  So needless to say, she was an interesting person to talk too.

Eventually the train came and was 30 minutes late, but it was quicker than the usual train and took 30 instead of 40 minutes, so it really wasn’t so bad. It did dampen my plans of seeing Nico for lunch at La Défense and exploring the area with Paige before, but oh well. I can go another day (I think I will see Nico for lunch tomorrow actually).

I just used the time I did have to visit with Jérôme at his apartment, which is nice as always. So I didn’t go see any cool museums or sights, but had a relaxing day. I am always on the go, though, so I don’t mind one bit. We made lunch, which included a salad with tomatoes and mushrooms with dressing; the fresh veggies were yummy. And then I attempted to make oeuf à la coque but failed. This is when you soft-boil and egg. Nico has it down to a science, so I boiled it for 3 minutes, but it wasn’t cooked enough when we opened the first egg. You soft boil and egg, cut the top off and dip bread with butter in it so soak up the yolk and white part. It was super delish.  So I boiled the other egg a little more, and it came out perfectly. We were short on time, so we quickly ate the egg and went our separate ways.

Made my train (nice feeling) back to my village. I got home and was home alone (bc the dad is on vaca), and it was kinda nice just being alone in the house. I never am. So I thoroughly enjoyed it by watching a recap episode of Jersey Shore (I know it is a garbage show, but it is pure entertainment).

Then I picked up the girl. Btw my driving is getting really good if I do say so myself. It is nice to be able to drive without having panic attacks. I am getting the hang of it rather nicely. So glad I can mark that off the list of things-you-learn-in-France.

I started some laundry when we got home, and then all the sudden, the mom rolled up. She was home way early. She said she had a business meeting and got to leave early. So she picked up the boy for me; I guess she wanted to because she doesn’t get to do Mom things like that often, you know? The kids were preoccupied with her all night, so I did my own thing. I did prepare dinner though (per instruction/advice [keyboard doing weird things] of Alain) and made some cauliflower and heated up leftover pork/veggies, so it was an easy cooking night.

Then I chatted in French about my birthday plans for like five minutes to the mom, which was nice. I just need to be forced and asked direct questions or else I don’t talk. So all French who read this… ask me questions in French and get me talking! I just don’t take initiative…

Then I skyped my friend, Mary Kate! She is an American friend from State who studied abroad in Lille this summer—the program I did last summer, and thus increased my love for France. She also has a love for France too and a French bf, so we are basically the same person. The only thing is she is a year younger than me L We could have studied abroad and then au paired together… if only! We discussed that tonight actually. BUT if all goes according to plan… we will be in France at the same time for next year! And she wants to come to Paris for winter break… fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is Fridayyy yippee!! And my birthday weekend! Although I am turning 22, which is weird to think about. Getting old.