Poco a Poco... Espanol

Many people have asked me, 'So how's your spanish coming?'.

I would say...slow and steady.  I'm definitely better than when I arrived, but I struggle every day. Some days I feel a lot more confident after I've had very successful conversations. Other days I can't seem to understand anything and I'm completely lost.  For instance, when I'm volunteering in El Llanito...all the teachers and cocineras only speak spanish (which is great for learning).  One on one I can usually get my point across, but put 2 or 3 spanish speakers together and talking at a pretty fast pace, and my ears shut off somehow... it's a very weird disease I have!!

I'm currently taking classes with a local Tica women, Ivette. She used to work for a language school near Quepos, but now offers classes out of her house in Potrero. My goal each week is to spend about 3-4 hours practicing spanish with her.  Currently, I'm in a group with 2 other students, Carrie and Kristen.  We have more of a conversational type of class and lately we've been having classes at night time so she's been teaching us some local cuisine...namely empanadas!

Ivette's beautifully painted living room!

Like any student, it's important to practice! I would say the one downfall of where I'm living is that there are quite a few gringos (english speaking) people that live in the region and many of the ticos speak english because of the tourism industry (which is why it's so important to teach english).  So, I will start talking in spanish and of course struggle a bit, and then the ticos will start talking back to me in english.  I know my family will say...'that is the same excuse you used last time you lived in Costa Rica'...which it was true then as well ....I said it was a strange disease I have.

Funny story... So, John keeps telling me that I have to practice (which I agree with), however he thinks that I should be able to talk on the phone... which for me is extremely hard because I can't read lips and there are no helpful hand motions (all that nice non-verbal communication). So, the last time I had to make a call, it was to confirm plans for taking Isabella and Maria to the beach after church...simple task right??  So, John promised that he would help me, so I agree to call. Well if you know me well, I have a hard time talking on the phone and doing anything else (one of the two things will suffer - I know my sister can relate). So, I plan out what I need to say, but of course things don't go according to plan.  I'm trying to listen to Isabella and hear what John is telling me to say, and it's a mess.  Towards the end of the conversation that is on speaker phone...I'm sweating, John is trying to run from me, while I'm holding the phone out for him to help me, and Isabella is probably wondering why I stopped talking.

I can't wait to be good at Spanish!!  Since college, I've wanted this skill set and I know I have to take advantage of my surroundings, so no worries I'm still in full throttle trying to learn! Carrie and I were posing for some pictures to go on Ivette's website that John is making her. Our pic didn't make the cut, but feel free to check out the site or even sign up for a skype lesson: http://www.costaricaspanishtutor.com/

Ok last funny story. So, I had pretty much my first in-depth conversation about the Lord in Spanish about 2 weeks ago or so with one of our tica friends (Yay). Afterwards, John asks me what I said (because he was out fishing at the time), and I told him all these things we were talking about for a good 20 minutes or so.  His next question was 'how did you say all that?'.  We both started laughing because I have no idea and I probably couldn't try to re-live the experience for him. I just pray that God wouldn't let me say something completely wrong in another language.

Lastly, we could use your prayers for a home bible study we are trying to start in El Llanito. One of our students in our adult spanish class has agreed to host it in her home once a week, so now we just need to get the word out to other english class participants and in the community.  Also, pray for John's spanish as well because talking about God in spanish is a lot different than talking about the food, weather, etc.  Also, if anyone has any cool ideas that we can do with the class...please email me, etc.

I hope everyone has a good weekend! Hasta Luego!