cats and dogs

it is pouring today.

i counted each and every lucky penny
when i realized that my umbrella was in my car.

fate.

i clutched it only as a person
who is on the verge of blowing away
and giving in to a nervous breakdown would.

as it turns out,
it is hard.

learning your life
and the life of others
in a different language
is hard.

trying to express yourself
is very hard.

if only i could remember to pause
to breathe
and to formulate some sort of brilliant, yet pseudokindergarten sentence,
i would rejoice.

but, no.
like most (ok, all) other situations i encounter
i say the wrong thing
the most reductionist problematic political thing i could say.

c'est la vie.
right?

i have, however, learned some things:

one.
if you are speaking to a francophone, always ensure they are the first to leave.
it is very possible that they have asked to speak to you and you smiled, nodded and walked away, assuming the conversation was over.

two.
the french love their coffee.
like, a lot.

three.
impromptu dance parties before an exam are helpful.

four.
do your homework. in bed. with food. and music blaring.

five.
if all fails,
resort to a yoga practice.
a good one.