Today's Word: coucou! (koo-koo)
: hi there.
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's expression. The first words in the example sentence are: "Coucou c'est nous…" Can you make out the rest of the sentence? http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/files/coucou.mp3
A DaY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristin Espinasse
"Lost in the Shuffle"
Coucou les amis et amies!
If today's format looks slightly off, you should see the wildhaired woman behind it! "I AM A WRITER!" she repeats, "and must learn to work under every kind of circumstance." Today's CIRCONSTANCE is this: computer APOCALYpSE. Not one ORDINATEUR in the Espinasse household works–not mine, not Jean-Marc's, not Jackie's–not Smokey's!!!
Is it something in the water? L'eau d'Armageddon!
Given the technical snag, or PEPIN, I am moved to try something called "moblogging." Mobile blogging is an option my blog provider offers and it (finger's crossed!) works like this:
From my Smartphone or iPad, I type my post into an email, then send it off to a secret private SUPERHERO address which automatically posts the contents to my blog. Next, my blog post is SYNDICATED, or picked up by a third party (my listserver), who then distributes it to my FAITHFUL (still with me?) subscribers.
All this would be fine and dandy if I were writing you but a simple love letter each week. But it's all those bells and whistles that accompany these BILLETS DOUX (love letters) that slow things down–"bells" like the soundfiles (technical GONGS) that accompany these posts and whistles such as sponsors (insert cat whistle here and be sure to have a look at the pretty girls listed below!)
Composing these posts is not, as you can see, a straighforward thing. But neither is love. (Will you still love me if today's post is a formatting nightmare? Remember, the chaos is TEMPORAIRE!)
Cross your fingers with me now, and pray that today's post goes out… Ending up in your inbox in one piece!
Love and pantoufles,
Kristi
P.S. For those few are grumbling, "Enough! This blog is sinking quickly!" I encourage you to jump ship now! (And for the rest of you DEARHEARTS who are joining me on the bow of this Titanic letter, let us continue, cheek to cheek now, sailing off into shimmering horizon…..)
SELECTED VOCAB
Pantoufles = Slippers. (Nothing to do with love, except for the lightness one feels)
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Kristin, Great pic of you, looking quite hot!
I too started reading Words years ago and feel like an old friend.
Thanks for your help with my French!
Amicalement
Johnny
Hi Kristen, so sorry about the computer issues. Awhile back you recommended a film, I believe it was called Divers. ?? Help – I can’t find it on Google. What am I doing wrong?
Love to you, Smoky and the family. Xx
Beverly
Kristi,
I think you’re an absolute genius. I don’t understand anything you’ve done but I applaud your efforts as here we are in the Comments section without my having the faintest idea how to google over to your blogger. I will probably miss your photos but that is so unimportant in the grand scheme of things, which is to know you are still writing. Just rejoice in your cleverness and know we’re still with you. Bonne chance with l’ordinateur.
Hi Kristin, I hope you don’t abandon your blog, I really look forward to reading it (sometimes three or five days after you have posted it) and looking at the pictures you post. You are my one stop shop. I have you on FB, but not as exciting as reading the things that are going on in your life and looking at your pictures. That said, I know how tiring and difficult it can be to come up with stories each week, much less more often that once a week. So I understand the stress and desire to let go of this responsibility to your readers. Oops! Did I say responsibility? I think of it more as an expression of what is happening in your life and staying in touch with friends. I feel like you are my friend and I am certainly yours, even from afar. And as your friend, I will be supportive of whatever you decide to do.
Coucou Kristin,
I applaud your dedication to your readers, but I for one would have understood if you had been unable to send out your missive due to technical difficulties. I’m guessing that, as a whole, we are a pretty understanding group! Thank you for your efforts to continue to reach out!
Coucou Kristin,
Couscous….Great word as well as pontoufles. Computers are great until they don’t work correctly. Your blog came through perfectly.
I have read all of he comments,and you have a very educated group of readers.
Yes, how’s your mother-in-law. Hope that she is doing better. And how about Jules? I hope that she is doing well.
Kathleen
Pantoufles. Heard that one the first time in January 2014 when we dropped off our preschooler for his first day in French preschool. In addition to not having a single word of French or any friends, he aso lacked “pantoufles.” Now the little sonuvagun corrects my grammar, has playdates, and always puts on his pantoufles when he gets to school. And he frequently wakes me from an afternoon nap by saying, “Coucou, Papa…”
Dear Kristin
I am new to your posts and love them….they are marvelous, though I may be falling in love, so that might be influencing my judgment…..nevertheless, please don’t stop.
Coucou Kristin, one little typo:
Incorrigible
🙂
I am usually not a contributor nor a commenter, but I read your posts when they come in, save many of them, and enjoy them immensely. I may have missed why you think this is a sinking ship, but, for what it is worth, thank you. I hope you continue.
Please don’t stop your posts!!! I love them and look forward to them so much. I also save them and enjoy them immensely. They always put a smile on my face and in my heart. You affect so many people and bring a little bit of sunshine into our days. I can relate to all your self doubts and insecurities and things that don’t go the way we hoped they would – we all have them. I am also my own worst critic, but you have such a wonderful gift of touching so many lives in a positive and uplifting way. I understand it is a lot of work and you have been doing it for a long time, so you need to do what is best for you and your family, but just know that you are greatly appreciated, wanted, adored, and loved, and you will be whatever you do!
You’re such a wonderful writer, Kristen. I look forward to this blog and love your stories. Your good humor constantly comes through. Yours is not a sinking ship, pantoufles or not. We all need renewal from time to time. Only you can decide whether a sabbatical is on your horizon. If you do take that path, I will miss you enormously. Whatever you decide. I’m right there cheering you on; and so very thankful for all that I’ve learned and enjoyed from your hard work. XO