Housed, fed, and bleached. Our son, Max, is looking for two of those things in Portland, Oregon. For the third, let's see if he can find a better translation in today's story, which he wrote in French and in English. (Photo taken 10 years ago, when Max was 9… and already helping us care for our vines.)
TODAY'S EXPRESSION
"logé, nourri, blanchi"
: housed, fed, and laundered
Note: you often hear this expression in a sarcastic way (where one person's doing all the work while another has got it made in the shade). Have any more thoughts about this expression? Share here in the comments.
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc read Max's sentence (taken from today's story):
Download MP3 or Wav
Mais je ne pense pas que ce soit à la portée de tous d’avoir un gosse français de 19 ans qui doit être logé, nourri et blanchi pendant deux mois.
But I don't think it's possible for everyone to have a 19 year old kid who needs room, bord, and laundry to be done!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE…
(Today's story is written in French and English by my son Max. Enjoy! The English translation follows, below.)
Salut tout le monde, comment vous vous sentez aujourd’hui ?
Je suis Maxime le fils de Kristi !
Je me présente, j’ai dix-neuf ans et j’étudie le commerce à l’international à Aix en Provence où j’ai un petit studio de vingt m2. Pendant les vacances d’été (de début Juin à fin Juillet) je dois effectuer un stage pour me lancer un petit peu dans le monde du travail dans le domaine du commerce bien sur. J’ai trouvé ce stage à Portland, et oui quelqu’un a bien voulu me supporter pendant deux mois (ils ne savent pas dans quoi ils se lancent !). L’entreprise si courageuse s’appelle Smith Tea, c’est une entreprise qui fabrique et commercialise du thé, pour les amateurs de thé je vous conseille d’en goûter c’est de la très bonne qualité !
J’ai trouvé un stage c’est très bien, j’ai le billet d’avion en poche, c’est encore mieux mais où vais-je dormir, je ne sais pas ! D’accord j’ai fait l’armée mais je ne vais pas faire le « survivor » il faut bien que je dorme sous un toit. Mais je ne pense pas que ce soit à la portée de tous d’avoir un gosse français de 19 ans qui doit être logé, nourri et blanchi pendant deux mois. Surtout que je vais surement avoir de la visite, ma petite sœur va venir me voir, ma copine également qui va essayer de trouver un travail à Portland (si vous connaissez quelqu’un au passage !) donc il me faut un endroit ou je ne dérangerais personne et ou je puisse avoir un peu d’intimité, un petit studio de vingt-cinq – trente m2 ou plus bien évidemment serait l’idéal ! Comme je travaillerais ici, Northwest Thurman Street, Portland, on m’a recommandé de resté aux alentours de ces endroits là ; Inner Sud-Est (du 1er au 30e) Inner Nord-Est, Inner Nord-Ouest, ou Inner Sud-Ouest Portland.
Voilà voilà, je vous serais très reconnaissant si vous me trouvez un petit endroit pour mon séjour, qui est loin d’être des vacances…
Bonne année à tous, meilleur vœux, la santé et tout ça tout ça…
PS : je n’aurais pas ma caisse, je serais donc à pied, donc le plus proche du métro/bus ou tramway (si ça existe à Portland) serait le mieux !
Maintenant que je vous ai écrit l’histoire, je vais la traduire… Ma mère ne corrigera pas les fautes ; on laissera comme ça.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY MAX
Now that I wrote you the story of the day, I’m going to translate it. My mom will not correct the mistakes; we will leave it that way.
Hey everybody, how are you felling today?
I’m Max, Kristi’s son!
I introduce myself, I’m 19 year old and I study international marketing in Aix en Provence where I have a little studio of 20 square meters. During the summer vacation (from the beginning of June to the end of July) I have to do an internship to have a try in the business world in the domain of the marketing of course. I found this internship in Portland, yah someone accepted to support me for two months (they don’t know what they are up to!). The courageous company is named Smith Tea, it’s a company which produces and sells tea, and for the tea lovers I advise you to taste some, its real good quality!
I found an internship, good point, I have the airplane bill, even better but where will I sleep? I don’t know! Ok I went to the air force but I’m not a survivor I have to sleep underneath a roof! But I know that not anybody can have a 19year old French child who has to be fed, housed and laundered during two mouths. Especially that I would surely have some visit, my little sister will come and see me just and so will my French girlfriend who is trying to find some work in Portland (if you know someone by the way!) so I have to find a place where I will not bother anyone and have a little bit of privacy, a little guesthouse of 25-30 square meters would be perfect! Because I’m going to work there, Northwest Thurman Street, Portland, we recommended me to stay around these places, Inner SE (from 1st. to 30th) Inner NE, Inner NW or Inner SW Portland.
Well that’s all, I would be very grateful if you can find me a little place to stay for my trip, which is far from being some vacation..
Happy New Year everybody, best wishes, health and all that go with it…
PS: I’ll have no car, so I will only have my legs, so closer it is to the subway/bus or tramway (if it exists in Portland) the better!
COMMENTS
If you enjoyed Max's bilingual letter, let him know here in the comment box. And thanks for your understanding regarding any grammar and spelling errors. Max is looking forward to improving his English while in the U.S.!
Some photos related to today's story, (photos and text added by Max's mom): Max after his recensement militaire.
With his sister, Jackie, after one of their first grape harvests. Ten years later and they are looking to escape France ("France is so old", Jackie says) –for the excitement of America!
With his lovely girlfriend, Mathilde. She's from La Ciotat. They met in high school.
That haircut! (Earlier, while editing this blog post, I took a break and gave Max a trim after he requested some help. It was the first time I've ever used a tondeuse or shaver. (photo of Max helping his Dad buy my birthday present: the little grapefruit tree came with one fruit… and produced one more fruit this year. Sorry to go off topic.)
The photo my son uses for his Facebook banner.
See you next time and many thanks for keeping Max in mind. If you know of any tips for Portland, please include them here in the comments section.
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My niece lives in Portland . Let me contact her to see if she can help at all.
What fun to read your post, Max! Your English is quite good and will get better during your stay in Portland. Here’s hoping that someone reading your mom’s blog will have a place for you. We would take you in a minute if we were in Portland, especially after such a charming introduction!
Max, good luck with your internship and finding yourself a place to live. I love Smith Tea 🙂 There is a French bakery café in Chicago, La Fournette, that serves Smith Tea. I bought some for myself to drink at home and some for my son! It’s very good tea.
That was a lovely introduction!
Sandy Howell in Central Illinois
If you were coming to Cincinnati, I would be happy to house you. I work in the language department at a university in Cincinnati. Wish I would have been so fortunate to study abroad when I was your age. I’ve been lucky enough to visit France and I love it. I’ve tried to learn the language a little bit but it’s hard for an old dog to learn new tricks. Good Luck in Portland.
Wonderful post Max, wish you were coming to Columbus, Ohio.
Best of luck with your adventure.
Bonjour Max:
For an interesting and entertaining introduction to Portland’s hipster scene, read “The Mission of the Sacred Heart” by Randy Blazak. It’s an easy read and a lot of fun, set in the area of town in which you’ll be staying. Best of luck! Bert Pigg
Such a delightful post, Max! And I’m impressed by your English 🙂 I wish you were coming to my city for I have a great place to stay and would be delighted to have you. Whoever gets the pleasure of being your host will be very lucky!!!
Max: Portland has the best light rail system in the U.S. and its bus system is very good, too. Wine production, esp. Pinot Noir & Gris, is extensive South of Portland. Very hip, cool place, indeed. Superb brewery scene. Best wishes. Le Flaneur du Monde.
I agree. The metro system in Portland is excellent. I don’t know if they’ve set up a bike rental system like other cities, though. If I lived there, I’d clear space for Max in a minute. He will definitely want to bring his hiking boots because — even if he doesn’t like to hike now — someone will probably try to take him out into the mountains to see the beauty up close. Bonne chance, Max!
I wish I could help. I grew up in NW Portland, just a few blocks from where he is looking for a space, but I now live many miles out of town. That area used to be single family homes, working class people, semi-industrial area, but it has greatly changed over the decades. It is now a trendy (and somewhat expensive) area, a great many young people and diversity, multi-unit housing, etc. Lots of restaurants, shops, etc., and very near a large hospital. Also, I am an avid tea drinker, but have never heard of Smith Tea, so they clearly need some help in the area of promotion. What an adventure.
Max is going to the best city in the U..S.A. We lived there for twelve years, the transportation system is excellent, the food great and the people very friendly. It does rain rather a lot!
Best of luck for the summer, Max
Salut, Max et bravo! You will have an amazing time once you get there. Of all of the places that you could have gone for your stage, Portland is one of the coolest in the States. I will forward this on to the one person I know that lives there just in case. Bonne chance…
Nicely done, Max, and a good start to your internship by promoting your new employer’s product! All your mother’s readers will now check out Smith Tea! If you were coming to Albany, New York, I’d be happy to house you–look at all the offers you now have to visit different parts of the U.S.! Have a wonderful time in Portland–something tells me you will charm a lot of people!
Max —
Portland is a wonderful little city, and there are lots of ways of getting around without a car. Have a great time!
What a delightful post! If you ever get an intern in Atlanta, Max, and don’t mind driving in to the city, you and your family and friends, would be more than welcome to stay with us. My 23 year old son works at Emory University so commutes daily – but we have a large rambling old rock house, with requisite dogs and one cat. You would be more than welcome!
Bonne chance, Max! I wish I lived in Portland – I’d make a space for you and all your visitors. If you ever visit the Washington, DC area you are most welcome in our home. I’ll even drive you to and from the nearest Metro station. Tiens-nous au courant!
I live in Portland…on Thurman Street. Let me see what’s available. When do you plan to be here?
Well done, Max! Your command of the English language should serve you well while you are in the United States. And yes, I too have already checked out Smith Tea!
A thought for you for housing. It might be worth inquiring about staying in the University of Portland residential housing. Some universities will rent out empty dorm spaces during the summer. Based on what has been said about bus and rail transit in the city, it seems it could get you from a place of residence on the university campus to your workplace fairly easily.
Since your endeavor is as a student, maybe the university has some sort of support system for such situations.
If you are like your dad, I am sure you will be able to come up with a very creative solution! Best of luck on your adventure….
Bravo Max. Congratulations on your internship. Sounds like great experience. Thanks for your post! Do come and stay with us in Toronto if you end up here in your travels.
All best wishes,
Virginia
Love the introduction and your English is beyond good. Sounds like you will do well in Portland and whatever else you plan to do. Good luck from Texas!
Well done Max! I would house you if you were doing an internship in Dallas! Alas, you are not. Best of luck in Portland.
Very good, Max. You have been blessed with some of your maman’s lovely writing ability. You did an excellent job translating. Far better than I would do translating this into French. If my house was in Portkand, I’d be able to help you. I have a garage apartment. Perhaps you will find another opportunity to intern in Lafayette, Louisiana. You would have a nice place to stay in the heart of French speaking Louisiana. Although it is a colloquial French and may be difficult to understand.
Very good, Max. Hope the U>S> is what you expect it to be.
Best of luck, Max ! I enjoyed reading your letter; you did very well with the translation. I wish I could offer you a “roof over your head”, however, we live on the east coast in a small town. … wishing you a most interesting and enjoyable June and July in Portland!
We live in Hood River, a hour drive east up the Columbia River. Although we can’t help you with Portland housing we can offer you our guest room if you would like to visit the windsurfing and kite boarding capital of the planet. We met your parents on the first Rouge-Bleu wine tour and still have a bottle of Your father’s first vintage aging in our wine closet. You would be a welcome visitor.
Max! What fun and exciting for you! If you want to stretch your area a bit for finding a place to stay, consider getting a bicycle while you are there. I understand Portland is a good place for bike commuters. Bon chance!
Bravo, Max! ton anglais n’est pas du tout terrible, et bien sur l’experience a Portland va etre extra ordinaire! Bonne chance!
Dear Max,
Bravo! Your English is great!
If only I lived in Portland, I would certainly take you in (of course, you would be required to do your own laundry! haha)
However, I live in Gilbert, Arizona. But if you find yourself in the area, please do let me know! I have a private guest house to accommodate you!
Best wishes for your adventures in Portland!
Beth
He is a good looking boy. With his French accent and good looks, the girls will be all over him here. I hope he finds housing. On another note, our hearts go out to all in France after the terrible actof terrorism in Paris today.
Such a good idea to have Max post today. It sounds like he has lots of offers for accommodations if he expects to do any additional travels when he is in the states. I hope something shows up for him in Portland…with lots of followers perhaps someone will forward it to someone and he will find a great place to stay.
Thank you Max for your introduction. It was well written and plugging Smith Tea was a good idea. I am sure that through this blog,you will find a place to stay. If ever in Connecticut,you and your family are always welcome to stay with us. Bonne chance.
Kathleen
Max, great post. I really enjoyed reading it, trying to figure out the French before I read the translation. I did not do as well as you, of course. Your English is quite good and will only improve living in Portland. Portland is a great city and you will enjoy it. Have never tried Smith Tea, but I shall. Good luck finding the perfect place.
Thanks!!
Hi Kristi, We were in Portland overnight in November and used the tram from the SE to the NW. Bicycles are a major mode of transportation with lots of dedicated bike routes. Max might try the student housing registry at the area universities. They are usually not in session during the summer. Vinopolis on Glisan has carried Domaine Rouge Bleu wines in the past, perhaps they are a connection in Portland. All the best, Bruce in Procter
Hi Kristi and Max!
Great and I love your story Max! Bravo on the English version! I like your self deprecating humor! 🙂 Smith Tea will be happy to have you! I wish you all the best in Portland! I was there last October for a conference and it is a beautiful part of the U.S. Love all the photos…especially the one of you and your Mom! Bonne chance on your adventure! Maybe you will write a blog about your time in Portland! 🙂
Bravo, Max. I enjoyed reading your introduction in French and your English translation. I’m not familiar with Smith Yea but I will try to fix no some when I visit the US next month. Good luck finding a place to stay. Enjoy your internship and your time in the lovely city of Portland.
Well I can see your English is better than mine. Or perhaps I just can’t type. Nonetheless I will try to find some Smith Tea on my visit.
Your command of English is quite good, Max! I live across the river from Portland, in Vancouver. I do have a spare bedroom (shared bath) you could use, I had two girls, university students, from Poland stay with us last year and it was great fun. However, I am quite a commute from the city center, bus and rail, probably 90 minutes. I would suggest contacting our local chapter of the Alliance Francaise, they have a weekly newsletter and have helped young students find housing by advertising in it. Also, here is an informational guide to Portland: http://lepetitdebrouillardportland.blogspot.com/ I wish you best of luck!
Mon nom est Bob Dingethal,j’habite a Washington,a quelque kilometres de Portland. Je parle un peu le francais, mais pas tres bien. J’ai deux fils, Max qui est 22 ans, et Sam qui est 20. Ils seraient heureux des vous montres autor de Portland. Ma famille et j’ai vecu in Holland pour trois ans et pas mal voyage en France. Nous aimon La France!Nous avon recontre vos parents quand ils sont venus a’ Portland pour presenter leurs vins, nous avon aussi eu un vignoble pour vingt ans.Nous serions heureuxde vous aider a faire de votre sejour a Portland aussi agreable que possible.
Hi Max, I also endorse contacting the Alliance Francaise of Portland, and local colleges and Universities for accommodation. There are probably Auberges de Jeunesses (Youth Hostels)where you can get a room and have a shared kitchen, showers, laundry etc. Also you will meet many other young people. I live in Seattle – 3 hours north. It is a great city to visit when you have a couple of days free. Be sure to Google Bolt Bus, which is a fast and cheap way to travel between the two cities. Bonne Chance!
Hello Max!
Congratulations on your planned trip to America. As an International Marketing Major, you will surely benefit from: travel, work, and play in another country. This will open you mind to how others conduct business as well as live their lives. I think of General Motors (Chevrolet) not being sensitive to the target market of their product, and trying to sell a car named Nova to Mexico. Nova in Spanish means “no go”. Epic marketing failure. Kudos to promoting Smith Tea in your write up. You sound like a marketing Vice President in the making.
Barry
Bravo! I wish we lived in Portland so we could be helpful to you. With Kristi’s readership, you can hopefully find someplace. Best of wishes to you.
Hi Max,
Congratulations on your achievements so far and for pursuing your dream.
I live in Salem, Oregon, fifty miles south of Portland, which makes it too far to commute comfortably.
However, I would like to invite you for a weekend, or more to visit Salem, the capitol city of Oregon.Though I am old enough to be your grandma, I do speak some french and belong to a french speaking group that meets often. It would be an honor to have you, I have hosted a french student in the past and we enjoyed visiting all the local points of interest.
E-mail me and I will give more information.
A bientôt.
Joy A. Beebe
Max, you did a fine job on your letter. Everybody you meet in Portland will love you. You’re smart, handsome, and will have that sexy French accent. You’d better tell everyone you already have a girlfriend!! I hope someone in Portland can find a small place for you. We live in the opposite corner of the U.S., in Georgia. Otherwise we’d do our part. Good luck!
Bonjour Max,
I am sure you will love Portland, as I have lived here all my life. Please contact the Alliance Francaise, and submit your request. They have a very good email newsletter that goes out frequently: afportland.org. Note, the University of Portland would be a difficult commute. Getting a bicycle is a great idea.
Max, you did a great job with your English. How exciting to be 19 and taking this great adventure aux Etats-unis. Looks like you have some good suggestions for a place to stay, etc. We all wish you a wonderful experience and look forward to hearing all about it. Good luck. Now I must look to find Smith Tea!
Well, here is a early welcome to Portland, June and July are good months to be in this lovely city.
We have a two bedroom, two bath condo just off 23rd, is within walking distance to Thurman and only three blocks from light rail which gets you anywhere in Portland .
We have a farm at the ountai, Mt. Hood and we fish out of Il Walco, having a cottage in Oysterville Wash. so we are not in the city during the months of June and July. ‘Also, I just found out, your family has a connection with Gino’s restaurant that my son and daughter in law own They buy wine fro Chris Davis. Small world. G.Accuardi
well done Max..wish I could help but I am across the country..seems you have several offers from which to choose..have a good time!
I have forwarded your blog on to a dear friend in Portland. Her neighbors are from Pais, perhaps they can help!
Hi Max, I think you did very well with your English translation, a few spelling errors are no big deal if you ask me! The very best of luck to you in Portland, I’m sure you will do great and make your parents very proud!
I look forward to hearing about your American Adventure!
max, you will surely want to make a side trip to Seattle while in this region — n’est-ce pas? if so, please email me and stay chez nous for a couple days!
susanstrickmck@gmail.com