parlez vous francais?

I have delayed the french classes long enough. This summer term I am going to resume french classes in my attempt to become proficient enough for graduate school and other things. I have used the paltry memory of the french language (hello, I had nearly 4 years in high school and 1 year in college) as a weak excuse for not going back to obtain my graduate degree in int'l relations/business. Well, that is going to change.

What was the epiphany that provoked this decision? The Peace Corps informational meeting I went to this week. Okay, I just realized this could be a long post as there are a lot of things that have been percolating in my head that a couple of you know about but I haven't told many people. I get tired of people who always say they are going to do something, but never follow through. I too often am that person myself, which is probably why I hate that trait in other people.

Well, a prior coworker quit her job last month so that she could join the peace corps. She is going to South Africa to do micro lending. This brought up memories of talking with peace corps reps at my university center when I was in college and my desire to go then. Back then, I didn't have the skill set or academic background they were looking for so it was a no go. They have expanded their options to include business development (either that, or else my job history now makes me qualified). Do you know when you get those tingling sensations in your whole body when you hear or see something that speaks to you? Well, my whole body was tingling and I got so excited about the prospect of doing it.

I have since sat down and worked out a budget to see what could be done with finances since I would need to payoff my credit cards. I discovered that with a little, but not too much, self discipline, I can be completely out of debt in a year at most. I have even begun filling out the online application that is pretty time consuming.

So that brings me to the French thing. I went to this informational workshop on Wednesday night and found out that they prefer applicants give the process a year to get an assignment. I get another little tingle since this matches up perfectly with my financial timeline. They then say that for most posts, you do not need to know the language ahead of time, except for two regions. Latin America requires 2 years of college spanish and then West Africa requires 2 years of college french. Again, another overwhelming feeling that things were lining up. I spoke with the recruiter and she said that even though it was so long ago, if I could get a letter from a professor attesting to my grasp of the language, it would be sufficient. She also said that they have a shortage of French speakers so pretty much if you have some French, even if not the 2 years "required", you almost certainly go to West Africa.

You may be wondering why I want to go to West Africa so bad. In addition to my love of the African continent after my South African trip, I want to establish a proficiency in French. It is the most useful 2nd language for me to have for graduate school and the peace corps will help to solidify this requirement.

I now have renewed drive to get in the French class sooner than later. Starting in the summer, I will start taking night classes and hope that those of you who know how to speak French will keep encouraging me in my quest to master le francais.

Boston and the rest of New England

Earlier this week, I bought a ticket to go to Boston. I leave in less than 2 weeks and I have no idea what I to do when I get there. If anybody has ideas for Boston or any of the outlying towns in MA, NH, Maine, you name it, let me know. I normally have lots of time and I plan things out, but not this time. The opportunity was there so I took it.