C'est moi

Work

Work today? Interesting is a vague term to describe it. I work as a tutor for kids, and 75% of my time today was spent faux-hollering at these two boys who refused to be quiet and do their work. I swear, they were like two buzzing hyperactive bees. Bzzing around all over the place, dropping pencils and asking to go play every five minutes. Most of the kids I work with have been pretty good so far, so this was new to me. It was kind of funny, though; while I was “reprimanding” them, it was so hard to hold in my laughter.

On the other hand, there was this teeny little boy - the quietest thing ever - who wouldn’t talk or read his work aloud when I asked him to. And his eyes were dark, round, and very cute - up until he started to cry.

What I do for a paycheck.

Tumbling with class.

Ha. My title is like a double entendre, only without the innuendo that a double entendre usually entails. It’s just a double meaning in my case, which is being classy and tumbling or tumbling while I have classes. Both apply in my case, bien sur. It’s a little hard to keep a wrap on myself with tumblr. Often I get carried away and post images and blurbs that I wouldn’t be caught dead telling to the world. But that’s why tumblr is so nifty. It’s the freedom and anonymity that attracts me.

On a different note: it’s odd thinking that I’m an upperclassman now. Sometimes I find myself wandering through the halls and thinking, wow, seems like freshman year happened just yesterday. But no - years have passed. And it’s difficult to imagine that in less than two years, I’ll be at university already.

The prospect of the future - what the French call l’avenir - is daunting. I have no clue what career I’ll end up in, what company, what country, what relationship status I’ll take in five, ten years. I do have hopes, of course, one of which is to be living full-time in France (or Montreal).

For now, though, I’m focusing on my work. In the present. Taking every step to ensure that my hopes aren’t in vain.

Cinema

I love watching films in other languages. I hate when something’s dubbed, because then the actors’ voices don’t move in unison with their words. It drives me crazy. Anyway, French cinema is probably one of my favorites. I haven’t seen too many of their films to profess myself an expert, but French cinema just has that little something extra. It’s a joie de vivre, that je ne sais quoi that fascinates me.

Here are my favorite French films, in no particular order:

1. Jeux d’enfants (2003) Starring Guillaume Canet, Marion Cotillard. Okay, I lied: This is first because it’s my favorite. I’ve probably seen this 8 or 9 times. It has humor, but dark (maybe twisted?) humor, and a star-crossed-lover story that’s impossible to resist. Anyone else think Guillaume Canet looks like a French Patrick Dempsey? Watch the trailer here.

2. Paris je t’aime (2006) Star-studded cast includes familiars like Natalie Portman, Elijah Wood, Maggie Gyllenhaal and French stars like Gaspard Ulliel and Juliette Binoche. This one is split into mini-movies, with each telling its own story. Watch the trailer here.

3. Amélie (2001) Starring Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu from The Da Vinci Code), Mathieu Kassovitz. Quirky, heartwarming movie that’s a French classic. Anyone who’s ever felt lonely can relate. Also, Mathieu Kassovitz is adorable. Watch the trailer here.

4. Hors de prix (2006) Starring Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh. This one’s a bit of a chick flick-it’s about a golddigger who mistakenly spends her time with a poor bartender. It’s funny and it’s got a happy, feel-good ending. Watch the trailer here.

Food

They say that you are what you eat. If this were the case, I’d be a mishmash of just about everything on the planet, because my taste in food is indiscriminate. When I’m hungry, that’s it. I’ll take anything to silence my rumbling tummy. But there’s nothing I appreciate more than a plate of well-cooked food. It’s even better when it’s presented prettily. That’s why, whenever I go on vacation, I make it a point to find a good restaurant. I select based on hearsay, travel sites, reviews, and, of course, aesthetics.

Sometimes I’m a little off, and the restaurant doesn’t strike my fancy. When I find something that tickles my taste buds, however, that’s priceless. It’s a feeling I can’t exactly name, a feeling of warmth and happiness. It’s a contentment so deep inside your tummy that you have to wriggle down to get to - and even there, you’re smiling.

Then I know I can come back. Again, and again…and again.

Reading

Last night I finished Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. It was…not what I’d expected. For one, the love triangle that had taken such a focal point in the previous two books was barely mentioned here. Katniss’s relationship with Peeta was resolved on the LAST page. And killing off Finnick? One of my favorite characters? Double no. His humor was simply unforgettable.

My favorite part was probably the actual reading of the book. I love curling up in my blankets to read after a shower, when I have that cozy, squeaky-clean feeling. It’s the perfect way to immerse myself in a book, I think. (Also, if I start getting scared because of something I read, I can always burrow my feet under the covers and squish myself up like a cocoon. Don’t we all have that feeling when we’re little? That if your feet are exposed, you quickly whisk them back under the covers, for fear that a killer will get them? I still do this. Sad, no?)

On a brighter note, I’ll be trolling the streets of Manhattan tomorrow morning. My mom and I are going to the Met :) Nothing says perfect day like great art and great food, especially in the city that never sleeps.

Waiting

Dear Barnes and Noble,

I’m going out of my mind with impatience. My copy of Mockingjay has not been shipped yet, even though I placed the order with a customer rep yesterday and the little tag on the item says ‘usually ships within 24 hours.’ I’ve been reduced to the point where I have read spoilers online and thus spoiled the plot for myself. Please rectify the situation, or this faithful customer is about to become unfaithful and consider ordering from Borders next time.

Actually, scratch that. I love ordering from you because you always get my books to me in 2-3 days flat. But this? This, my good sir (or madam) is unacceptable. Ship my book now, dammit!

Sincerely,

Me

Words

I suppose it’s an oddity of mine, but I love certain words and hate others.

Take, for example, the words that I just find utterly adorable. They are, in no particular order:

1. Chubby - this makes me think of my stuffed bunny, Sprinkles, from way back in elementary school. She had the cutest curly ears and a fluffy yellow stomach. I unintentionally scratched patches of her fur out in big patches when I pretended that she was real. She even has a flower applique sewn on her back to cover the hole my brother cut out when he got mad at me. Her ears have uncurled. And I still love her. Some things just never change.

2. Chuckles - I used to have an AIM screenname, doublechuckles. I love the way I feel after a good laugh, and chuckles is the most laughable word ever.

3. Bounce - Reminds me of Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh. Enough said.

4. Roly-poly - Yes, I know it’s a disgusting little bug that crawls around on the floor. Yes. I’m quite aware of that fact. But that doesn’t stop this word from being cute, does it? Maybe it’s something about the double o’s. They’re so round and circular and reminiscent of the shape of a baby’s mouth when it coos. THERE IT IS AGAIN! THOSE DOUBLE O’S! (Though in this case I don’t find the word coo cute. It reminds me of pigeons.)

Tomorrow I’ll post the words that I think are disgusting! Hip-hip-hooray!

Almost the end of summer

Yesterday, I got back from SST. It was a strange feeling - knowing that next year is my last as a student. I want to have gained so much from the past six years. I don’t want all my time to have gone to waste. I want the Lord to use me and perfect me for the rest of my life. It’s a big statement; I’m aware of that. It’s optimistic and it may be crazy. But one thing I can say for sure: I can’t do it without Him.

Hearing the messages has made me see just how much I love the world and how little I love the Lord. My list of things to do is so long - I want to travel the world! I haven’t met my fiance yet! And I’m not going to lie, I still want Him to hold off on coming back so I can finish all these things. I want to live my life. Is that so selfish to ask? I know I shouldn’t care for these things. But I do.

In retrospect, the way I’ve lived my life this past school year has reflected these desires. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to work toward what you want. But I’ve gotten so engaged in it that I drifted away from the Lord. It’s very humbling.

All I know is that I don’t want to drift this year. I’m so unsure of so many things in life. Goodness, I don’t even know where I’ll be in five or even two years. But right now I love the Lord, and I’m praying that He lets this love grow. I’m praying that he saves me from the world and myself. I want to live this year in His word, by His anointing, and taking heed to my spirit.

Lord, don’t let me go.