Learning Spanish

Pena | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

April 30, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Pena is like concern for another. It should have been my first post in Guatemala! Before we even stepped foot in country, we were told “no tengas pena!” and it keeps popping up like the dead[…]

Learning a Language | Coming Back to Spanish (Throwback)

April 12, 2017 First Person ForeignBeauty

In high school I was awarded “Excellence in Spanish II” sophomore year followed by “Most Enthusiastic in Spanish III” junior year. I think Excellence meant highest grade and Most Enthusiastic meant Pain in the Cheeks. Mrs. Sweeney[…]

Me Cuesta | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

April 5, 2017April 10, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

November 24, 2016: We stood in a circle on the grass as our boss passed out classic manila folders. We were celebrating Thanksgiving Day in the cocoon of the well-manicured office. Like it was a medical[…]

Animar | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

April 2, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Amenazas are threats. Whenever I don’t like the way something sounds I just say “Amenazas!” and it’s always worked for me. Like a charm because I like making people laugh and the translation of the[…]

La Posada | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

March 5, 2017March 9, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Posadas are another word for hotel or inn. ‘Round Christmas time (this borrowed from a google search) posada is: (in Mexico) a ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a lodging in Bethlehem, performed[…]

Doblar Rodillas | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 19, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

I’d never heard the phrase until I was in a conversation I stumbled into the first week of January. And like with so many phrases that fly past me like patterned barriletes I can’t remember,[…]

Primeramente Dios | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

February 8, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

This is the stuff culture shock is made of. If you’re from a country where church and state have designated playgrounds, this continent’s roots may hit you like a brick wall. It’s not bad, it’s[…]

Learning a Language | Pilgrim’s Progress Installment 1

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017 First Person ForeignBeauty

Characters: Abuelita/Clara (Host Grandmother), Rosario/Chaya/Doña Rosario/DoRo (Host Mom), and La Clarita/Clara (Host Sister) Here I sit in my sunny apartment in Santa Clara. I’m learning that language isn’t perfect, it’s never perfect even when you’re[…]

La Inauguración Part Dos | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

January 28, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

Continuing The First Day of School, January 16, 2017 Camera pulls focus on me in the row of teal chairs in the cancha/basketball court/auditorium. I’m sitting on the end of the row in my recently purchased[…]

La Publicacion | 75 Palabras in Guatemala

January 12, 2017February 19, 2017 First Person Foreign75 Words in Guatemala

So it’s the New Year and I haven’t heard from Socio #1. I get up the nerve to call. I leave a message: “Can I come visit the school sometime to familiarizandome? Gracias.” I still[…]