New Background Photo
Salut WordPress!!
I guess..I got tired of the background image that had been on my blog for abut 5 months now..
I will tell you about my new background photo as my next post/article and that depends on my free time.
But for now, I’d like to know your opinions on it.
What are your thoughts of the picture?
Peace and Love,
Odile!
Follow me on Instagram!
Hello WordPress!
I haven’t been keeping up with this blog for awhile now…I will begin again over the Summer.
For now, if you’d like to follow me on Instagram on a more regular basis, I suggest visiting my page
http://www.instagram.com/odilefrenchconnection
or simply just searching for my username: odilefrenchconnection
And of course! I’d love to be in contact with my fellow WordPress writers and readers (:
Thank you!
Odile
French Word of the Night : La Gueule de Bois
Salut WordPress!!
Don’t we all want to know a useful French word besides… Bonjour? 
Well, that was a sarcastic comment, but I think knowing the French translation of ‘Hangover’ would perk your interest, and it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle to learn and memorize
What is pretty interesting about this translation is that, Gueule means long face, and Bois means Wood…
So .. Hangover= Wooden Face= LA GUEULE DE BOIS
Party safely!
Odile
Related articles
Thought of the Night #1
Greetings WordPress Readers!
Corporal Punishment has been long a controversial topic throughout the world and so I am curious to know what your opinion is:) And you may choose as many choices as you wish.
Feel free to share your personal light on this serious subject!
Thank you again and have a safe weekend,
Odile
Rafael Nadal and Tennis
Ever since I was a child, my parents influenced me by having tennis channel on for many hours a day. Watching tennis being played on the terre battu (clay court) would probably have to be my favorite. Therefore, my preferred
grand slam would also be Roland Garros held in Paris, France, every May. umm..As yo
u may infer, that opinion is super biased. I enjoy watching tennis and playing the sport. I played it for about 4 years and previous to that, I played badminton and won several awards for the primary school team. Thanks to my parents, they have pushed me to always remember to follow an active lifestyle.
I have ‘followed’ Rafael Nadal since the start of his early professional tennis career. I have seen him grow from an amateur to the King of Clay, and to the #1 player in the world, which means I saw him through the ups and downs.
What has always impressed me about Nadal is his surrounding of a lovely and supportive family. I know that his Dad and Mom divorced, but no matter what happened between the couple, both parents know that Nadal is ‘their’ son, which is why both try to attend their son’s tennis matches. Also, his Uncle Tony has been coaching him from the ripe age of 6, and Nadal has never changed coaches. *loyal student*
Nadal says his family and support team cocoons him from distracting mud that comes with money and fame. According to Nadal’s mother, Nadal is a very sensitive boy who has full of fears. As an example, he dislikes the dark, and he prefers to sleep with the light turned on. He also isn’t safe around lightnings; when he was a child, he’d hide under the cushions.
As for food preferences, he hates cheese tomato, and ham- which is the national dish of Spain…
Nadal’s girlfriend is very down-to-earth and hides in the limelight. She believes that traveling everywhere with her boyfriend would not be healthy for either party. She has a degree in business administration and a full time job with an insurance company in Mallorca. If she were to follow him, she imagines that there would be a risk that they might stop
getting along. She isn’t looking to be on headlines and seen around with her beau. She chooses to remain the ‘earthly’ girl that she has always been.
She says, “Even if my family asks me about Rafael, I prefer not to say much. The fact is that I don’t feel comfortable talking about these things in private. It’s what works for me, and what works for Rafael and me as a couple.”
Merry Christmas WordPress!
Odile
La France: Truth or Myth?
Hey WordPress Readers!
I’m hoping that this post will hopefully enlighten those who are inspired to visit or..to re-visit France for a longer period.
1. French toilets are erroneous
…TRUTH! Public restrooms are usually unsanitary, however, there are quite a few which are decent.
If you are in Paris and are in need of a toilet badly, try to find the nearest shopping mall or hotel that will accept you to use their service. Nowadays Paris has become pretty money-minded due to all the tourism; it charges for public toilets. I swear, there is such a thing as ‘French tourism toilet income’, and it’s no guarantee that the priced ones are ‘clean’.
Good luck! SIT AT YOUR OWN RISK 
2. The French are absolutely rude
MYTH! This has got to be the biggest/most common stereotype about the French (at least from my conversations with Americans). They are not rude. Sure, they may come off slightly reserved at first, but it’s just a matter of you making the first ‘leap of faith’.
It will most certainly take courage but it will be worth the 10 seconds you’ll spend introducing yourself and starting the journey of a new friendship.
In my opinion, the French are not like a majority of Californians who will suddenly jump at you trying to get to know you, and then that will be the first and last time you’ll ever see them.
The French are strong in the area of Friendship Bonding. It takes time and patience, but definitely rewarding.
3. Be fluent in French before visiting the country
MYTH! You don’t need to have spent 5 years of your life learning French..to only let yourself travel there. Wouldn’t that be too strict with yourself? I suggest people who go there to buy a petit livre of conversational French on your trip.
In order to avoid making a bad impression to the French, begin the conversation with a few French words. Don’t worry about your mistakes. Show that you are putting an effort in speaking the foreign language instead of ‘Hello. I come from *name of country*’
See my point?
4. They hate Americans
MYTH! haha, you may breathe now!
French don’t hate Americans, however, they do have a ‘low view’ on them ..in general..and I agree with the French.
I’ll be talking about my personal point of view on this one, so don’t get angry if you think differently. As an example, my classmate has asked me : “Which countries is Chinese or whatever Chinese language is, is spoken?” I just stared at him.
Also, there were quite a few of my friends who had no idea, whatsoever, of whom Andrea Bocelli is.
I don’t listen to Opera music…but at least I know who he is; It’s like someone who does not have a clue of whom Mozart is because he doesn’t play the piano.
For many Californians (I think), their nation is a superpower and that is all that counts. IGNORANCE.
5. La Gastronomie Francaise!
TRUTH! French food is definitely varied.
it is superrr delicious that I can’t even explain using words. French cuisine is extremely authentic and exotic- it varies from chicken to intestines. (Not only do the Latin Americans and Chinese eat those stuff…)
One of my favorite dishes is called ‘Steak Tartare’. In short words for this exquisite dish- it is just raw meat. Unfortunately, I’ve never prepared it in the States due to the use of unknown amounts of hormones in the meat…
6. The culture is sophisticated and perfect!
TRUTH! but..with an exception.
I know this is sooo general but they are really chic from the areas of fashion to culinary arts. If you’ve heard of so many praises of France throughout your life, it’s not false, and neither is it an exaggeration! It is true!
People who visit France for the first time are completely blown away by the French aspects of the rich culture.
There is an exception to this statement though… In my opinion, there are not many talented French singers; French music is pretty weak. In vocals, they are in need of improvement.
AND THAT’S MARION COTILLARD! <3
7. They Stink
MYTH! What is with this stereotype??
The French are not stinky and therefore don’t smell bad. I’ve met and kissed lots of them but I’ve never had an instance where I thought to myself : “When was the last time he took a shower?”
Also, French perfumes are extraordinary! Most people use those expensive, good-smelling products. THEY SMELL FRESH.
8. Women don’t shave
TRU-MYTH! I’m not too sure about this one…
I can’t say that all women don’t shave..but I did meet this French madame who showed her underarms…and it was bushy (period)
9. Nude French Beaches!
TRUTH! Yesss! There are nude beaches!
Don’t be mislead though- Not all French beaches allow nudity; Only a few beaches do…so tourists, don’t be disappointed if you happen to make a spontaneous drop by a French beach during your vacation and not find a topless woman…:)
10. SMOKING!
TRUTH!
So many smoke….a lot! It’s a habit of the French people. They know it’s bad, but they’ve become addicted.
Many begin smoking at 16…It’s part of the culture…
When visiting Paris, you’ll be exposed to all the Tobacco smoke, so be ready
I believe that when the French smoke, it’s more a fashion statement than a liking for it.
He’s Jean Baptiste Maunier 
Merci!
Odile
There’s nothing wrong with being nostalgic
Hello WordPress Readers!
I know for a fact that the French people are nostalgic.
They enjoy the past memories very much and look forward to spend time on what has already happened. Living in the States for 6 years now, I’ve noticed that the Americans are very optimistic! I absolutely love that, and truly admire that, but I think they are too optimistic about the future that they don’t look back and spend time on what they’ve done in the past.
Emotionally connecting with your younger self helps you maintain a sense of continuity and pace over your life.
Without the past, we wouldn’t be whom we are today. After all, the past shapes the future in a way since we learn from our mistakes.
The experiences you’ve had throughout your life help define who you are at any given moment.
Becoming nostalgic doesn’t have to mean going backward in your development. It’s not asking you to “live in the past”.
Spending too much time focused on the past can actually backfire. However, dipping into the past to remind you of how you’ve coped with previous life stresses can help you strengthen your confidence in dealing with what you’re facing now. Playing those golden oldies can serve as a form of comfort food for your soul.
I can imagine in 3 decades from today, I’ll listen to a song from Bruno Mars and start smiling at my childhood.
It’s not stopping me from being optimistic, but being nostalgic is such a fulfilling emotion.
It does not cost much at all, but the reward is indescribable.
Overall, use your past experience to boost your identity.
9 Must Know Facts About La France
Hello again WordPress Readers!
I’ve decided that for this post, I’ll give you some insight about French culture. I’m a French citizen because I was born to French parents. Thanks to them, I’m fluent in French. However, I’m stuck in San Francisco… (It gets complicated haha.)
BACK2TOPIC:
1. Soldes
If you’re wondering if the city of Fashion- Paris has fashion sales? WELL. IT’S A YES! But It only happens in June-July and ends in August (Once a year). So, definitely do plan your trip well:) And, when the French say “Sales”, they truly lower the prices to make it affordable. Name any brand, and they’ll most likely have a Sale for it. (Zara, NafNaf, Kookai, Mango, H&M…etc.)
2. Sunday is the day of Rest
Don’t expect shops in Paris to be opened on this day. Some markets (local produces) will open for a few hours in the morning, but that’s about it – and some family-owned businesses (such as bakeries/boulanges) will be closed on Mondays as well.
3. SPEAK/LEARN FRENCH
Don’t be shy- speak French! No matter how badly you think your French is, the French people will gladly appreciate your efforts either way! You will better enjoy your trip this way!Americans think French people are rude because when they come to France, they impose the English language on them, therefore, they put the French in uncomfortable positions. DON’T BE LIKE AMERICANS.
4. Sante!
Cheering in France is no simple happening. There are specific rules to follow to cheer as per the French rules: you have to look every single person you cheers with in the eye, say “Santé!” or “Tchin Tchin!”
5. La Bise (kiss) [Obama's enjoying it with the ex- First Lady of France]
Don’t feel like it’s disgusting or anything.. It’s part of the culture! and it’s the lovely part! Everybody has to stand up to greet you with a kiss on both cheeks.
6. Don’t ask for Ice in a French Restaurant..
Usually, water is not served with ice cubes when you’re there. If you do ask…the waiters will probably know that you’re a tourist!
7. Pharmacies are highly respected and valued
In America, it’s GO TO CVS and get the drugs.
But in France, Pharmacists have great pay jobs, and their drug stores are well arranged and it feels so professional!
Yes, there are pharmacies on every block in Paris.
8. Customers are not King.
French don’t have such great customer service. Be careful, and pay attention to this part of French culture.
9. TAX IS INCLUDED ON THE PRICE YOU SEE! YAYY!
Example : Service is included in all restaurant bills. You can exceptionally leave a euro or two on the table if you received outstanding customer service, but that’s highly unlikely…
Example 2: Fashion clothes are included for this one! If the ticket says 20 Euros, you’ll be paying exactly 20 Euros! No TAX. cause it’s already there! AMAZING!
Cheers!
Odiletouslesjours:)
