FEB 19

Still waiting for the Spanish class to begin....worried it will be March before this class gets going!  I have finished my cds so instead of ordering more,  I decided to drag out my son's high school Spanish notes. After going through a few pages, I realized I will have a better chance having a conversation with Senor Rodriquez at the Hotel Columbia than anything in these notes.  It's a bit disturbing too that the conversation I first came upon in his notes the day after my son gets his drivers license....Start the car, park the car, don't turn off the car, don't crash the car!!   NO ESTRELLO EL CHOCE !!

FEB 13

Did you watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics?  Did you see the ballet routine?  Let me just say, it will be a long while (if ever)  before I look like that.  My legs don't do what that gal's legs did. News flash!! We have a date for the recital.  I am begging to be a tree...no luck.  Isabele (my instructor)  says she will make us look good.  I said being a tree with leaves is the only way in a ballet recital that I can look good.  Recital practice starts in March...ugh.  I am also getting anxious with my Spanish.  I'm on track 8 and I need my classes to begin!!  I can't say much else to Senor Rodriquez...he is very limited in his conversation with me.  He repeats himself a lot.   This relationship is going nowhere...it's very one sided.  The good news is I can now order a beer...una cerveza, por favor.   Problem is.. I DON'T DRINK!  Muchos gracious Senor Rodriquez!  How do you say Coca Cola in Espanol??

FEB 11

So I'm moving muy rapido through my Spanish cds and am needing my class to begin soon so I can continue to progress in my new language. I am on track 6 out of 8 and in my mind am practically fluent in my conversations with Senior Rodriquez. It occurred to me today I don't know WHO reads this blog, I can only see the number of people viewing the blog.  I was caught off guard today when I walked into my accountant's office and the first thing he said to me was let me see your moves... (as he mimicked my ballet) I realized he has read the blog.   He is NOT invited to the recital!  

FEB 8

Spanish is coming right along.  Everyday that I get into my car I am reminded I am learning to speak Spanish.  I've learned short conversations and several new words.  I'm progressing with my cds and am on track 5.  Can't wait for the class to start to further my new found language.  Feeling pretty confidant that I can hold a small conversation.

(I think I should mention that the above small  conversation would soley depend on the situation of me running into a lady named Mrs Garcia and needing to know where the Columbia Hotel is located...it could  happen)  Buenos dias,  La Senora Garcia. Sabe donde esta el hotel de Colum?  (Spanish spellcheck would be helpful)  Donde esta el hotel?????  It's a slow progression...

FEB 6

So this is Feb 6.  The birthday of my fifth son.  I love having time now for my ballet and Spanish classes, but if given the chance to raise those five boys all over again I'd do it in a heart beat. As I go through February, I'm still taking the ballet classes twice a week and listening to my Spanish cd's until that class starts.  Just when I think I'm keeping it all together, I walk into class and start repeating everything my instructor says...outloud. (embarrassing)  I've finished track 1 of the cd's and have been instructed that now..... I speak (hablo).... a little (un poco)...... of (de).... Spanish (Espanol).    Your welcome!

FEB 5

Hable Espanol?   Hable Espanol?  Repeat...Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol, Senior Rodriquez?   I am wondering what people think when they see me in my car talking to myself. I'm NOT talking to myself, I'm talking to Senor Rodriquez!  I am told to repeat outloud and that's what I do.  It's a good thing February is a short month, because I don't know how learning Spanish via cd's is going to work.  Still waiting on my classes to begin.  (I'll be such a teacher's pet going into class able to converse.  I hope my teacher's name is Mr Rodriquez)  Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol?  Hable Espanol, Senor Rodriquez?  ANSWER ME, SENOR RODRIQUEZ!!

FEB 1

So, as part of my New Year's resolution I am trying/doing/learning something new each month.  For January I picked ballet.   I have decided to continue ballet as long as my body can take it or the teacher kicks me out  ....whichever comes first.   For February I am cheating a bit.  I have chosen to learn the language of Spanish.  The cheating part is I did have three years of Spanish in jr high and high school.  I certainly remember a few words...hola, adious, gracious...the basics.  Back when I was in high school we were writing on papyrus just to give you an idea of how long ago it was.  You know the old saying if you don't use it you lose it?  Well, that is true.  I don't use Spanish and haven't used it since jr high school so for me,it will be the same as learning it new.  I will be taking a class once a week but to expedite my learning, I have ordered the Pimsleur Spanish cds to listen to in my car. (QUICK & SIMPLE)...yea, I'll be the judge of that! If nothing else, this gives me an excuse to talk to myself.  I must for the sake of  learning Spanish!  I don't know how much my brain can retain at this stage in my life but we will see how "Spanish February" goes.   So for now, I will leave you with my first Spanish sentence...Hasta La Vista...baby.  (I didn't learn that from jr high Spanish, but from an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie)  I hope it means see you later!