Entries tagged with class

Crossposts: https://smittenbyu.livejournal.com/979171.html

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Every grown adult should learn a second language

For the fun of it, I decided to take up Spanish classes. I find myself cheating a bit since I have some basic understanding of Italian & French (I lived in Italy and took Spanish in Middle & High School) - mind you, I haven't actually spoken either of those languages at length since I left Italy and finished high school, respectively. But it's helped to memorialize Latin word roots in my head.

It's only been 3 classes - once a week and it's not necessarily a language I need to survive - I am there to learn something new. To converse with my colleagues who are predominantly from Central & South America, for my interest. So, every time I am in that class - I hear in my head the phrases that get thrown to the immigrants, "learn English!" And my heart goes out to them.

If it were only that easy. I spent half hour doing very basic Spanish homework. I spend two hours in a classroom trying to think in a completely different language. And I am left exhausted.

I of course, knew it wouldn't be easy. I can easily switch between Telugu & English - not exhausting at all - I grew up with it. I am able to now switch up English-Telugu-Hindi. But taking Spanish is really challenging. Clearly as adults it's much harder!! yeeks.

But I think to sharpen one's mind, we must pick a new language in adulthood. It's a brain workout, indeed! And as a bonus it teaches some empathy!

Current Mood: annoyed

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Neither a driving mom... nor a super mom..and it's all the government's fault..

We were/are so happy with the location where we live. We can get around pretty much anywhere without the need of a car. Our car is used occasionally on weekends! Usually for grocery shopping or to visit a friend who lives an hour away. We could metro to their place too, but it's one place where it's cheaper to drive. And hey the car needs the run!

A lot of folks said that I should get my full license since we are having a baby. I didn't get why. I had no intention of being a mom who overscheduled her child at such a young age. And I have met moms who are that way already! It's crazy.

So many of these places that offer classes are nowhere near a bus line nor a metro line! It's crazy. One must have a car to get to these places. It's ridiculous. Some are close enough that one could take a bus and then it's aroun 10-20 minute walk. But the buses to these places also run once an hour on weekdays!

Since DMV is just so much fun to go to..not... am planning to get my full license once we get our visas renewed (otherwise we would have to do everything again - well, renewals). And because of my last name fiasco, I know we would need to make several trips!

Which also means we really need to make that India trip. Which is also getting postponed because to get the visa done, we need our renewal papers.

And apparently the Consulate in Mumbai is moving and so getting appointments there are getting harder and everyone is recommending us to go to Delhi instead of Chennai - which is not the friendliest of embassies in the world (Chennai US Embassy is the busiest in the world and gets a lot more rejections). And logistically, we would much rather go to Chennai as at least there's family there we can visit than to go to New Delhi. It would be kind of like going from DC to Chicago instead of going to NYC.

Anyhow, for which the appropriate office needs to process and approve the renewal papers. But said office had a question and sent the papers to the wrong attorney's office. Luckily that attorney's office was kind enough to forward it to the right attorney's office. If they hadn't, we would have never known and we would be busy packing our bags and going home or we would overstay our visa. Well, actually if the renewal never happes we would be illegals. And that's not what we want!

So, anyhow, once the question was answered, we are back in line again. Not, back in the line where we were when we submitted the original documents, but back to square one. yeah life's not fair. We figured this is special treatment we get for being legal in this wonderful country.

So the LONG delay. So, our trip home is postponed further. Which also means no license yet.

uggghhh... also getting a full license doesn't mean I will be driving everywhere. Our car is a stick shift and there are a lot of hills in Arlington and I always freak out that I won't release the clutch and engage the accelerator quick enough. And people tailgate so much!! arrghhh... And cars in this country are so darned big. Hubby's is a 1994 sedan. And so I can't really adjust the seat/wheel, etc. to my height! sigh. It's a pain to my shin.

So really....it forces me to not super schedule my l little one into too many things. ;)

Current Mood: peaceful

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100words a day...

I have been lazy. So, I found this little challenge and will try it out.

What are the rules?

Try to write 100 words a day (pick one of these goals), at least six days a week. You're obviously not limited to such a small amount. Write 50,000 words in one day if you want. Just make sure you write at least another 100 words the next day. And the day after.
Keep at the daily goal for one month. That's 30 days of steady practice. If you make it for 30 days, step up your daily goal.
Go ahead and post the badge as soon as you've written your first 100 words. Just be honest with yourself. You are your only watchman.
Display your badge proudly. You know how big a deal it is. I'm lucky I remember to eat, never mind write, so I know the challenge represents more than a word count. It represents a change in lifestyle. Link back here so others can join in on the fun. Click on one of the badges above for more info.

Farm Animals & Fun
We went to a music & movement class that I signed D up for. It was all about farm animals today. Some of the signs I remember learning in high school and some new ones were introduced. The class was a lot of fun! D was just so fascinated with all the other babies in the room! I should take her out to more places like this! She is turning into a social butterfly, reaching out to every baby in reach - of course, she has to learn not to poke their eyes out or she will not have too many friends!

Some of the other mothers in class I recognised from the support group at the hospital. It was so neat to see their babies grown up and somehow we meeting again this way! Hope I can make it on time next class. We have to get D to nap a little earlier. When we registered for the class she was napping around 9ish but now she does 10ish and so I have to run down to the center with her. I guess we are making full use of the BOB stroller!