I’ve been working for Saft for three and a half years now, and, since I found out they are headquartered in France, I have been trying to figure out how to get them to send me there. Well, it took me three and a half years, but I finally succeeded. Our company’s headquarters is in Bordeaux, France, also known as the wine capital of the universe. Continue reading
Until about a week ago, the only complete French sentence I could say on command was “Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir”. This is a line from the song, Lady Marmalade, and translates to, “Will you sleep with me tonight?” As such, this is clearly NOT a phrase I want to be throwing out in France. Or anywhere, for that matter. Since a week ago, I have mastered counting to ten, hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and where is the bathroom. These will get me much further than my original sentence…well, at least further in a much more appropriate direction!
Now, it is time to learn the most important thing. What it this, you ask? Well, let’s see…I am travelling to France, and am a wine connoisseur-wannabe (meaning, I love wine but really don’t know anything about it). So, how do I order a glass of wine?!?!?
Of course, I can use these phrases to order other things as well, like, red wine:
or, white wine:
I joke…but really. I think this particular order will come in handy. If not, I have not successfully experienced France. But, I could replace the underlined part (a glass of wine) with any yummy thing on the menu…crepes, macarons, other delicious pastries, escargot (well, maybe I’ll pass on the escargot…).
I’m so excited!!!
I was going to just use one phrase, but figured I should probably just go with a bunch of basics. Please and thank you and the like. Let’s face it: When it comes to more than the basics, I won’t remember much anyways! (Not without a few more lessons than I’m getting here, anyways!) I will probably end up speaking English, or getting confused and speaking Spanish. (I’ve already done that several times when trying to rattle off the few French words I know!) Or the desperate flailing of my hands in a mish-mashed frantic and failed attempt at sign language.
So then I can say, “Excusez-moi, s’il vous plait…Merci beaucoup!” 🙂
I think one of the most important things is knowing how to count to ten:
For example:
How many glasses of wine do you want? “Un.”
How many shots do you want? “Trois.”
Ok! I’m ready!
Or, what do you like to do for fun? “Ummm…?” Good thing I still have 11 days! 😛
I’ve been chanting those words in my mind for weeks, preparing and leading up to my first ever triathlon. Well, I did it. Official Triathlete here. Continue reading
12 days til France! What am I talking about, you ask? Valid question. Let me explain…
So, after over 3 years of employment at Saft, they are FINALLY sending me to our headquarters in Bordeaux, France. (!!!) I will also go to our plant in Nersac, France. Then, I will round out the week with a weekend in Paris with my bestie, Amy (yes – the one who’s wedding cake I made)! I cannot wait and I will be sure to share all the juicy details (and delicious pastries) with you all!
I will be boarding my plane to France in just 12 short days, and I figured I should start leaning some French. So, here is my Countdown to France, French Phrase-a-Day!
Today’s Phrase:
Où sont les toilettes?
Where is the bathroom?
*With my peanut-sized bladder, this phrase will surely come in handy. 🙂
**If you have any suggestions for important phrases I should learn before my trip, please comment and let me know!!! Suggestions / tips / lessons welcome! 🙂
I am such a slacker. I admit it. I take full responsibility and will not make excuses. I feel like I start just about every post apologizing for it being so long since my last post. Continue reading
If you have been longing for a post from Daisy Bites for some weeks now, and were elated to see my Guatemala post pop up in your reader, or inbox, or Facebook news feed, imagine how I feel. I have been going through some serious baking and blogging withdrawal these last few weeks. Between travelling, and dieting, and training for my triathlon (T-25 days!), there has not been nearly enough time to dedicate to my beloved blog (beloved to me, that is – I don’t know how you feel about it!). That, and Christian and I just started season 1 of Game of Thrones when I got back from Guatemala, and every time I sit down on the couch, he cons me into another episode (seriously- he sounds like a little boy asking his mom for a dollar for the ice cream truck).
Side note: There is such an intense satisfaction when you click that “publish” button, knowing you have submitted your writings to the blogosphere, for all the critiques, approvals, and commentary. It is strange, but I get such a rush from it…and I have missed that over the last few weeks. I was especially nervous for my Guatemala post because I knew there would be many people reading it who knew intimately know the family details and would know if I messed things up (which I did – my mom told me – oh well!).
As you may know, I FINALLY bought a KitchenAid stand mixer, and – though I am ashamed to say it – it took me several weeks to use it! That all changed this weekend though, so no worries! My baking dry spell ended and I even managed to find some (somewhat) healthy recipes. But I will get to that when I get to that (maybe tomorrow…). I wanted to give a little bit of baking love and show you the cookies I baked for my mom’s middle school’s production of Into The Woods.
In case I did not mention it, or you forgot, my mom signed up to direct her middle school’s annual spring musical. In the end, she pretty much roped in the whole family: My Aunt Susie directed, my mom was the musical director, my sister helped with choreography, hair, and makeup, my dad helped with sound, lighting, set, and other behind the scenes stuff, and my brothers even showed up from college now and then to help with behind the scenes crew stuff as well. As for me? I contributed in the best way I know how – I baked (all profits benefitting the middle school’ production, of course).
I made my classic sugar cookies to sell at concessions at the shows. I decorated 4 different designs which I thought best encompassed the play and would look good on a cookie: an Into The Woods logo I created, a wolf, Little Red Riding Hood’s cloak, and Cinderella’s glass slipper.
The glass slipper was my favorite because I put blue sugar on them to make them sparkle. And anyone who knows me knows how much I love sparkles.
I’ve been trying out a new icing recipe, which is a little different from the royal icing I used to use. I really like it because it is just as durable as royal icing, but it is softer to bite into. The only thing I don’t like is that this cookie icing seems a little more transparent than the opaque royal icing I’m used to. I think I can remedy this by adding some white food coloring, or maybe I just did not mix the icing long enough. Or maybe it’s the amount of corn syrup I use. I will have to experiment with my next batch! If anyone has suggestions or insight as to why my icing was more transparent, I’d love to hear it!
As for the play? It was adorable and everyone loved it and the kids (and their fabulous directors) did a wonderful job!
That is all for now, but do stay tuned for more baking delights from Daisy Bites! (Hehe – I just thought of that little rhyme.)
It has been awhile since I have truly traveled “abroad”, gone sight-seeing, and immersed myself in a different culture. While I went to Montreal last summer, that hardly compares to what I experienced in Guatemala. Truth be told, I thought I would return from my Guatemala trip exhausted and with thoughts of “oh thank goodness America! I missed you!” Continue reading
I am sorry for falling off the planet kinda-sorta the past month. While I dislike making excuses, I do feel an explanation is in order. Continue reading
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