When you live in a foreign country, you adapt. No matter how well you speak the language, no matter how much you look like a local, no matter how much about the culture you think you've learned, you never finish adapting.
It's not a linear process. More like a spiral one, with ins and outs and ups and downs. There are things you understand and others you don't and probably never will.
I'm not sure what it means to be in a constant state of adaptation. And I suppose I'm lucky to have the leisure to contemplate it. If I were a refugee or a clandestine worker in a foreign country, I'd have a lot more to worry about than the essence of adaptation and its effect on my state of mind.
I'm tired today. Tired of speaking a language that is not my own. Tired of switching between formal and informal address depending on who I'm with. Tired of not being entirely understood, and I don't mean my words.
But I think it's really because Boy1 had a nightmare about jellyfish last night and I didn't get enough sleep so I'm just plain tired.
8 comments:
Oh, I wish I had the finances to send you 4 air fare tickets for an American getaway!
Where do you think the jellyfish nightmare came from? I too am tired today!
ops - sorry for the spelling - like I said, I am very tired today too - my baby woke up often last night (and she is usually a pretty good sleeper).
Go take a nap. Then eat some crepes.
A jellyfish where did that come from?
I heard about your blog from Charlie. He's a great guy ... and any friend of Charlie's is a great guy. Unless they're a woman, in which case they're a great woman.
In any event, funks stink. Just say no to funks. Stop funking around. ;)
Get some rest. Yoga may help.
Hello Nicole - like dan, I am also here by charlie's invitation, and oddly, I also do yoga. Thank you for doing your blog - I am trying to learn French and I liked reading your posts here. (If too many of charlie's friends show up, you can send us off to talk about yoga if need be):)
Beth - I think maybe from Shark Tale but I'm not sure.
CBW - You're right, of course and as usual.
Lorraine - Done.
Dan and Steve - Any friend of Charlie's is a friend of mine. And any attempter of yoga is also a friend of mine. Bienvenue messieurs...
I was wondering if Shark Tale or Nemo - because my oldest isn't fond of the jelly fish in Shark Tale either.
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