Blogs
My Life in France
Julia Child
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For the last few posts, I’ve discussed my adjustments to life in France. I have to admit that earlier in the week I had a minor bout of homesickness earlier in the week, where all I could think about is all of the comforts of my New York apartment and my daily life there. For my first reading for the course, I decided to read Julia Child’s “My Life In France.”
Julia Child’s spirit jumps off of the pages of this memoir and as I’ve been reading it, I’ve been slowly falling more in love with Paris. Julia really emphasized the importance of her daily life in her writings and I am starting to see how our daily routine can shape our lives abroad. Thanks to my vegetarianism and Julia’s inspiration, I have taken to cooking.
There’s something very emotional about cooking. It can connect you to a place, remind you of home, or expose you to new experiences. Since I’ve been here I’ve made some of my favorite dishes: Guacamole, Vegetable Soup, and Spinach Ravioli with Parmesan Broth. I’ve also expanded my repertoire to: Chana Masala, Ratatouille, and Risotto. While I am nowhere close to signing up for Le Cordon Bleu, I feel accomplished when I make a nice meal on my deluxe hot plate.
In the introduction to “My Life In France” Child wrote, “Those early years in France were among the best in my life. They marked a crucial period of transformation in which I found my true calling, experienced an awakening of the senses, and had such fun that I hardly stopped moving long enough to catch my breath” (3). I truly would love nothing more than to feel how Julia felt. I don’t need to find my true calling here, but I would like to find out who I want to be.
Right now, I really love finding my center through cooking. However, I’m inspired to find my true passion here. For the first time in my life, I am alone, free, sans large obligations. I am inspired by her courage, strength, and tenacity. I have realized that it is time to make my daily life something special… Something to be savored.
L'Amitié,
Sam
Location
Paris
Second that comment
This post is great. I keep meaning to expand my "repertoire" and I thought I was doing ok because I can make a mean chicken and broccoli over rice and great sauteed vegetables, but this post is inspirational. Part of studying abroad is also living abroad. We're extremely lucky to be in our respective cities, and we're all very independent and have to take care of ourselves in utterly new environments. Learning to cook and being happy with the food you eat on a day-to-day basis is a huge accomplishment, and it sounds like you're settling very comfortably into Paris.
Thank you
That was a really wonderful post.
I just now feel like I'm settling into Paris and finding things to love about the city, learning how to organize my day and life, and finding little risks to take and new things to try that make travelling fun and transformative instead of just a headache.
I just wanted to say that I was really moved by what you wrote here, it seems really heartfelt and, speaking at least for myself, it really made question whethering I'm truly savoring this opportunity and making the most out of every moment. Thank you for so eloquently reminding us what an extraordinary experience this is - hearing it from another student made it really hit home.