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As some of you may know, my spanish is pretty abysmal. I took the required three courses while at Furman, and passed with an A-, B, and C respectively (but not all that respectably). As if it wasn’t poor enough “in my prime,” it’s been more than a year since I’ve tried to speak it. So… yeah… I don’t speak Spanish.
That’s all about to change! Our province believes that it is very important that all of it’s members have a basic understanding of the language and be able to at least communicate on the lowest level with the Hispanics we serve. Throughout our formation, we will be encouraged to “perfect” our speaking ability through classes, leading up to a trip to Bolivia in a few years. But before that happens, there is a lot to be learned, which brings me to tonight: our first class. The original plan was to enroll in a community college course and to learn the language very formally; that’s what they’ve done in years past, and it has worked out okay. But with the larger group this year, the large difference in experience levels, and the possibility of missing classes due to travel, there is a new plan: class with the Mexican sisters down the street.
Tonight was the first try at the new experiment. The four non-native speakers spent an hour and a half sitting around a kitchen table casually trying to communicate with Sister Delores and one another, fumbling over words and, I’m sure, saying things we didn’t mean to say. Luckily for us, Sister Delores is a very understanding and funny woman, and was patient with each of us, using a mix of English and Spanish to get through the conversation. All in all, it was actually a really fun time and I think it was a great environment to learn. I look forward to meeting with her each week, and God willing, becoming a bit more proficient in the language. (Well, maybe God can’t do everything…)
Breaking In The Habit 
Casey, I studied French in high school and at one time was pretty proficient. Then I started studying Spanish on my own, and eventually married a Peruvian. As we “got to know each other,” he thought I understand more Spanish than I actually did, and I thought he understood more English than he actually did. When we took pre-cana, he thought he was taking a test and copied off my paper without me realizing it. I thought we agreed on everything. We don’t, and we were married before we found out we needed a dictionary to have an argument.
Anyway, my Spanish now creeps into my French and vice versa, so I don’t speak anything too well anymore. That having been said, my prayer for you is that, if God cannot give you the gift of tongues, may He give everyone else the gift of ears.
Take care and good luck,
Mary Louise
Bwayne-no el casey-oh…(apparently you get your language skills from me – sorry)
I like your concluding comment. Cute. You’ll do all right.
Hi Casey — em enjoying your blog. Glad you guys are taking Spanish (in any case you have another teacher in Edgardo right at home!). You don’t know this yet maybe, but you should say “Capuchinas” (as they are sisters) — Capuchinos are the friars. Good luck!!
Hi Casey. I am glad you enjoyed the class with Sister Dolores. Yes, you are right, she is very funny. I think you, Dennis, Ramon, and Sergio will learn a lot with her. But the way, her name is Dolores, you wrote Delores. As Dominic said, please feel free to ask me anything, anytime. The important is that you are enjoying the teacher and the class, therefore I believe you and the guys will learn faster. See you later hermanito. Eres muy inteligente, vas a ver lo facil y bien que aprenderas a hablar Espanol, lo vas a amar, y podras hablar conmigo en Espanol, por supuesto.
uppp, I meant By the way, sorry.
Muy bien, Casey! I’m sure you’ll be a Spanish pro in no time! 🙂
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