Coming Up: an explanation (vaguely) for this elephant's bum, and other things that happened to me since I last blogged. Enjoy!
I made myself some curry (oh yes, you can see the calibre for stories is going to be high). Was quite excited about this. Sadly, as I was carrying the plate in to my room, I dropped it... evidently with quite some force, because, even though it landed upside down with all the curry and rice underneath it to cushion the fall, the plate broke in to very many pieces, some of which I am still finding days later. I MAY have desperately scrambled to stay within the 10 second rule, scraped the remains on to my plate and eaten it, plate particles and all. Mmmm... crunchy. If that's gross, then maybe I didn't do that.
My oral teacher doesn't really like me. Or maybe she does but she just doesn't like acting like she likes me. I have to do a project this term on some aspect of French life and culture, so early on I suggested studying "French perceptions of Protestantism" and she said something like, "hmm, well, no one cares about Protestantism here." Shot down! Finally suggested doing the project on "Le Fonctionnement d'une Eglise Protestante". Next lesson she'd had a discussion about all our projects with the heads of the department and year, and looking at my proposal and laughing in front of the class said, "oh, we talked about you for a long time (laugh, laugh)" and then asked, "just one question: is your church really a Church? Or is it a cult?"
I have developed what can only be described as profound hatred for my French course. I have to do insane things like write haikus. Here is mine...
Les mots m'ont aimé, Words loved me
Les mots étaient mes amis, Words were my friends
Puis, la langue française. And then, the French language
Speaking of French literature (yes, I do realise how shameful it is to claim that the above has anything to do with either French, or literature... but...), I had quite an embarrassing experience in my "novels" class. Last week we studied Rousseau, considered to be among France's most influential novelists, philosophers and composers, a hero of French literature. Yesterday my teacher wanted to cross reference something from this week's extract with our Rousseau extract so she asked me if she could see my copy, and of course I oblidged. Sadly I noticed just at the last minute that I had written the word "ELEPHANT" in big, bold letters all along the bottom of the page, accompanied by a (beautiful, I must say) picture of an elephants behind. Best review of Rousseau ever, in my opinion... but don't let... anyone, really... hear me telling you that.
I've been running a few times... again, not sure "running" is the appropriate term, given the fact that the entire retired population of Nice appear to be faster and fitter than me, overtaking me with ease as I huff and puff my way along the prom. At least I'm not one of those wiggle crazy power walkers. Did it in a red t-shirt the other day... major error, the Old Folks Running Club will shortly be referring to me as the "slow, slow tomato girl".
My amazing friend Cat sent me Tim Keller's book "Counterfeit Gods" and I love it. Also listened to Mike Reeves on Union with Christ. Really fantastic! You know, I always forget about Jesus loving us... and just HOW much. When I see the gospel in the Bible I am always surprised and am like, "Wow! God really is THAT outrageous in the depth and width of his love, mercy and grace!... Wow! We really are that secure, forgiven, adopted." I guess it's evidence of my sinful nature that I am CONTINUALLY surprised by the goodness of God, grace blows me away every time I grasp it- it's never what I expected from God. It's so good! It just doesn't take long for my heart to grow cold, which is I guess why Mike Reeves says we need to warm our hearts at the fire of Christ (in his Word) every day. Mmmm... Christ fire!
By the way I am currently listening to Paloma Faith singing, "do you want the truth or something beautiful?" and am LOVING that in Jesus we see the truth AND something beautiful... truly, truly beautiful!
Woop!
5 comments, how nice!:
The elephant's bum made me laugh so much! Haven't read enough (well, any, I think) Rousseau to know if you're right, but I like your approach to literary criticism. :)
Hmm, I don't think my French teacher would've ever spoken that assumption aloud, but she did keep telling the class that Jesus was the same as all the Greek demigod myths, the Mithras myths, etc. I tried to correct her in class, but there's limited scope for correcting a teacher, so I mostly just tried to use the coffee break to discuss it with the rest of the class! Tricky though. You could ask her how she defines a cult - see if you could get anything more definite than slander or 'non-RC'. Could even manage summat like, 'Nous croyons, avec des milliards de chretiens partout dans le monde, que le pape n'est pas l'autorite supreme de Dieu sur terre, et que quelques parties de l'enseignment de Rome sont contraire a ce que dit la Bible.' Even if you get shot down again, you may find some of your classmates in sympathy or interest?
Love imagining your elephant's bum doodle!
Phil, your posts always seem to make me both laugh out loud at your wonderful stories, self-deprecation and amusing writing, and then turn to praise God with with you by the end. Thank you! I'm also reading Counterfeit Gods and listening to Mike Reeves on union with Christ - amazing stuff :)
ahh tu me fais rire ! I like étrangère's suggestion, although watch you don't LITERALLY get shot down for saying it... hehe. Mind you that would guarantee sympathy and interest from class mates, and also quite likely a nice trip in a French ambulance. You should try it!
Hi!! Hilarious as always - thanks for making me laugh!!!!
I have been listening to Mike Reeves' union with Christ talks too - arent they amazing! I think thats why I loved your quote from the Forum interview so much! I love how we can listen to these things on the internet - we cant really complain about not hearing sermons in English can we! Amazin.
Post a Comment