Au Revoir French Dream

"Bonjour," a woman says, entering the room. "Je m'appelle Cece."

Inspired by a recent trip to Paris, I signed up for beginning French classes at the Adult Education Center. 

I had visions of spending a month in a small French village, waking up each morning to get a coffee and baguette, throwing out 'Bonjour's left and right.

I would converse with the local shop keepers, charming them so that they realized that not all Americans are bombastic and uncouth. I would eat simple but magnificent meals, and wile the days away in a beautiful French garden.

I know, a very unique dream.

Imagine: Entering the store, charming the workers in French, and leaving with a baguette under one arm, waving à beintôt with the other.

The teacher is a French native. Her outfits are the highlight of each class. She had lived in America for over ten years but is distinctly French in her style of dress. She always has a scarf on, and it never seems weird or awkward, like when I try to wear a scarf.

The scarfs tend to be muted colors. Today's has a bit of blue and brown, not in any particular pattern like polka dots, stripes or paisely. Just colors blending together. 

The scarf is worn with a plain white shirt and jean jacket. Her pants are an olive green with a cut that starts straight-legged and then tapers. They seem as comfortable as sweatpants, yet chic unlike sweatpants. 

The most amazing thing is that she always wears white Converse high tops. That she is able to take such an iconic American item and make it totally French is a testament to her country's strong sense of style. 

Going into the class, I did not have high aspirations. I wanted to be able to order comfortably in French and to be able to understand what was being spoken. 

I realized though, that a class once a week with a single worksheet for homework was not going to get me close to that level of French.

Even mixed in with Duolingo's encouraging 'Good Jobs!' and watching YouTube videos of French speakers, I would not meaningfully learn the language unless I really studied and practiced it each day. 

I would have to be disciplined and focused. I would have to...work at it.

I was on a career break, chiennes. There would be no W-word for me. 

There goes my French dream.