My Dutch Literature Exam…

Today, it was high time to take the Dutch Literature exam. It was an oral one, and I was among the firsts to take it. I had put on my black suit with a purple tie (it's weird, I know) and brought my summaries in an elegant suitcase, so as to re-read the stuff once more while waiting. I chatted a little with some friends, and then it was my turn.

I was given a questionaire by Mrs Leijnse and I had to prepare it during 20 minutes, while another student was being tested. I had a question about Het Wilhelmus, then about Mariken van Nieumeghen en Beatrijs, then some obscure sonnet from Jan van der Noot.

Then I had to enter Mrs Leijnse's office. I told her everything I knew about the subjects I had to discuss. I found it pretty difficult to explain what I had in my mind. Maybe because I'm more used to writing and talking in English… I was more worried about how I was saying it rather than what I was saying. Maybe I wasn't really focussed. Mrs Leijnse also asked questions linked to what I was saying. It also disturbed me, especially when I didn't know what to say… It was — I think — the first time that I didn't manage to (at least) invent something. I absolutely don't know what will be my marks… It won't be very much, maybe 13 or 14 at most. All what I'm saying is just that I came out of the office with a bad feeling about this.

Later, in a street, as I was heading for the Station to catch my bus, a ******* pigeon found it funny to great me with shit, just on the left shoulder, that is to say on my jacket!! Crap! I told you I had a bad feeling about this…

It reminded me of this thing by Les Nuls:



Faisez gaffe aux pigeons. — C'était un conseil de l'Opération Pigeons Bourrés.

I know, it's silly. It always is. What would be life without silliness?