Pumpkin time

"All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience."

– Henry Miller

To know another language is to have a second soul.

- Charlemagne, King of the Franks (742-814)

I start beginner French class on Monday at the local Alliance Francaise. I'm both dreading it and looking forward to it. I want to do well and I'm determined to do well. My slight trepidation comes from the fact that I have to manage the twice a week classes with my 9-to-5 job, a blog, and regular visits to the gym (to reduce a cholesterol count that's in the high-risk range, thanks to all the good cheese I regularly consume.)

Why learn a new language at this [busy] time of my life? Reason #1: I need a new challenge. #2: Several very good friends speak French. #3: Many culinary terms, references and techniques are French. #4: I want to spend more time in Europe in the near future. And, of course, #5: The French instructors might be hunks! Hahahahaha.

PS Photo above is there to remind me WHY I am studying this foreign language. It was taken at Le Marche de Caroline (Caroline's Market) near my friends' place in Avernes in the Val D'Oise departement in France. The shop sells locally made jams, honeys, pates, deli meats, tisanes, mustards and other specialities. A farm is attached to the shop, where you can pick your own tomatoes, rhubarb, courgettes, strawberries, beans, etc.