Je parle française

For my birthday, my husband Jake surprised me with a twelve week French course at NYU. I am looking forward to my fourth class this evening. Once upon a time I spoke French fairly well. I was able to carry on lengthy conversations and read simple written materials but my French has lapsed. I was always “planning” to get back into classes but with my busy schedule it just never happened.

Recently I received the push I needed when Jake accepted a new position at L’Oreal. In his role he will be taking many business trips to France, so he has a renewed interest in studying French himself. He will be taking beginning classes while I will be in the accelerated course. Honestly, I think he just wants help with his homework!

Here are my top 10 reasons pour etude française:

1. I will properly be able to order a pain au chocolat at Claude, an amazing West Village bakery
2. I will be able to watch Breathless without subtitles
3. In case I find myself at La Grenouille I will be able to handle the dessert selections
4. When I finally meet Christian Louboutin I will be able to discuss his latest collection
5. Once I have children I will be able to teach them my favorite French nursery rhyme, Il Ya Un Rat Dans Le Grenier
6. I won’t miss my stop on the metro in Paris (this has happened many times)
7. I will be able to understand the snarky comments made by the shop girls at Collette
8. I will read French Vogue by the Seine
9. I will haggle over the price of copper pots at E. Dehillerin
10. While I don’t know much about wine if I order in French people will assume I know what I am talking about

….and all that after 12 weeks – I better get started!