Month: July 2010

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One of my students came across this great expression listening to an  interview with the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Interview by  by Calvin Sims.

(There are a number of remarkable interviews in the “Interviews” section of the Video Library at the NYT.)

the woods:  you can imagine being in the midst of a forest.

not out of the woods = still lost in the midst of that forest.

not out of the woods yet > while we’re still in the woods, we will eventually get out to a clearing.

“On n’est pas sorti de l’auberge!”

If you’re interested in useful expressions and pronunciation … subscribe to the Paris Savannah Connection.

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évident, n’est-ce pas ?

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but … who is it for?

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Beehives in the Luxembourg Gardens.

“As busy as a bee”

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Good news!

Isn’t that what we live for? When things finally happen for the best? When hopes and dreams come true … and not just by good luck.

Like health:

• all systems are working the way they’re supposed to … or you’re getting better … feeling better … getting some exercise … and you’re not such a great client at the pharmacist’s;

Like … achievement:

• being successful; meeting your goals; getting accepted to the school you were hoping for;

Like money:

• finding out you’ve got a promotion, a bonus, new revenue, new contracts, your investments are on the rise;

Like love:

• you are on the same wavelength as … your other half …. or at least going in the right direction! And the future is full of promise;

Like friendship:

• someone can count on you as much as you can count on them

Like encounters

• full of potential.

Add to these a background, however chaotic like the sea, that allows you the freedom to do, to believe, to say

and … with one little smile, there you are, you’ve got a good-news day!

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Moviemakers have set their cameras here. Here’s why:

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I made a huge spelling mistake in yesterday’s  newsletter as well as an obvious typo of the word “thirteen.”  Sherry B., a Savannah gal,  quickly pointed them out. Thanks, Sherry!

Independence: this is the correct spelling in English. Likewise : independent.

Indépendance: this is the French word. Et aussi: indépendant.

In both cases, the notions are the same: without being dependent (in French dépendant).

It’s no surprise that this concept is linked to both America and France. Isn’t “independence” linked to the concepts of  “freedom” and “liberty?”

Associated concepts might include : free thinking; emancipation; non-conformity; autonomy … More?  Add them please!

Maybe the gift of the “Statue of Liberty” was like so many gifts … One reflecting the giver as much as the receiver?

The Declaration of Independence.  Asserting one’s freedom.

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The French love bread. And to make bread, you need flour. To make the flour, you need wheat. To grind the wheat into flour, you need a mill. The French word for mill is “moulin.” You probably have heard this before as in “Le Moulin Rouge”  – or a “Moulin à Poivre” (Pepper mill)

But to make bread, you need to mix the flour with water, add salt, yeast and make dough. The dough needs to be kneaded and then finally when it has risen after a few hours … you need to bake it in an oven. Oven is the English word for what in French is named “le four.”

There’s a French expression, still used today that says you can’t be both at the mill and watching the oven at the same time.

Ne pas pouvoir être au four et au moulin (en même temps).

No matter how independant we might want to be … we can’t be everywhere, doing everything … and certainly not simultaneously.

What’s the opposite of independence: “dependence” or … “interdependence” ?

Happy July … Four (th) !

… When France lent America a hand …

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The Lyrics

Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly. Masterpeice.

I’m singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin’
I’m happy again
I’m laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun’s in my heart
And I’m ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I’ve a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin’,
Singin’ in the rain

Dancin’ in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I’m happy again!
I’m singin’ and dancin’ in the rain!

I’m dancin’ and singin’ in the rain…

….
Why am I smiling
And why do I sing?
Why does September
Seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get up
Each morning and start?
Happy and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each new task
A trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life full of you.

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