le Weekend

I tried to use the word "fin de semaine" (which means weekend) in the lab yesterday and was told that I should just use the word "le week-end" since that's what every Parisian uses in every-day conversation. Perhaps I should stop complaining that French is such a hard language to learn...

After work yesterday Claire & I met some friends from work at the Champ de Mars, the parc surrounding the Eiffel Tower, for a picnic dinner. Despite the early appearance of menacing storm clouds, it turned into a beautiful evening and, for once, even a little chilly at night. It felt wonderfully refreshing!

Did you know that the French language has two different words for "kidney"? They are not entirely the same, however. "Le rein" is the medical term for the kidney. However the word "les rognons" refers to the edible dish derived from the kidneys that is considered a tasty delicacy in French cuisine. Hmmmm...eating the organ responsible for making urine? Not sure that's something I will be trying anytime soon. I have, however, tried thymus once. When people ask me what it tastes like, I usually reply, "Not bad. It tastes just like T-cells."