¿Que pasa?

I am learning to speak Spanish.

I've been, um, pretty successful with it so far!

I've taken a year of Spanish at the high school level and five semesters at the university level.

I am, by no means, fluent, but I'm happy with the fact that I can now hold a short conversation with someone (albeit, with a very limited vocabulary).

That being said, I wanted to share a thought with those of you who are also learning the language.

Memorization is key.

While some people stress over how hard learning Spanish is, it is important to remember that memorizing things is how you learn.

Memorizing the verb tenses and vocabulary will help you immensely. Take the time to memorize all you can.

Unfortunately, you will need to remind yourself of what you've learned later on. It's possible to forget. If it's any comfort, that's the way it is with most people's native languages. I know I proofread even when I write in English!

Here's something to help you memorize your verb tenses:

HANDOUT-VERB TENSES.doc
(Click the link to go where I've uploaded it so you can download it.)

This handout was given to me by one of my Spanish professors to help us study. :-)

Breaking Spring and limits

I just settled into my dorm room after a restful week--my university's spring break.

How was it?

Truth be told, it was quite boring.

I stayed in town for the week. Since I made the decision to go to college in my hometown, going home for spring break means a mere ten-minute car ride.

I rested. I read books. I watched television. I cooked. I did laundry. I wrote. I got caught up on my homework (for the most part). I went shopping. I spent time with my family.

The last thing was the most important thing I did.
It would surprise you to know how little time I spend with my family, despite the proximity.
I'm so busy through the average week that the time just flies by.
Thankfully, we're still close-knit.

Oh, but it was such a restful week!
It was like a vacation for my mind.
It gave me a lot of time to think.
Maybe too much.

I originally had grand notions of sandy beaches and cool mountains in my mind for spring break.
Hearing other people's plans, I was feeling a bit left out.
I wanted to travel and explore elsewhere too, but I didn't have plans.
I told myself that I was staying limited because I wanted some time to relax.
As it turns out, I might not know how to relax.

Oy vey. This town, though I love it, drives me crazy.
Sometimes I think I have too much of a sense of adventure.
While I know that isn't the least bit true,
I wish I wouldn't find myself thinking so wistfully all the time.
It's unsatisfying.

It is as if Columbus would have stayed in Italy.
There wouldn't have been history made there; Italy had already been explored.

Often, I remind myself that I'm not tied to this town.
Though I have good friends here that I've known for years and years,
not even my family is from around here.
The possibility that I'll leave this town is almost a definite one.
I'll shove off with a smile, a wave, a bittersweet goodbye, and a tear in my eye.
My day will come.

I feel like what God's calling me to do requires me to broaden my horizons--
not limit them by silly geography.
I've had my whole life so far
to take the "safe" route and to plan for the "safe" career in the "safe" location.
I'm readying myself to take some risks now.

So, now, as I will be in the future, I am praying.
I pray that God will, in the most literal sense, show me where to go.
'Cause I feel like I'm going somewhere.

Springtime: just about here

The weather reached an unusually high 80 degrees today.
Though it's only the early part of March, I think it's safe to say that spring is here.

I love this season.
Sure, the weather is wonderful.
I love the flowers and the breeze...
But there's more to my love than that.
Spring lets us see life's seasons in a new way.

All nature takes the opportunity to break free from the confines of winter cold.
It's a time for new life as birds chirp while they freely fly and flower petals unfurl despite the previously unforgiving ground.
There is new birth.
Everything is given a new start.

There are times that I need a new start myself.
My hopes sometimes get shattered;
I have to pick up the pieces.
I'm so thankful that God lets nature serve as a reminder that I too can have a new beginning.

Today, with the sun shining on my face, I was glad.
The whole irrepressible joy thing is certainly coming into play.

Boys and Girls

When I was sitting at lunch with some friends yesterday, one of them brought up something that I found pretty amusing.

She said she found it funny that, though we are in college, most of us had been referring to our peers as boys and girls instead of as men and women.

I dawned on me that I had, in fact, been doing that.
It's habit!
When you've been calling someone something for years and years, change can be hard to come by.

Plus, though I'm an adult, but there are times that I don't feel like it.
I guess I must unconsciously assume that everyone feels the same way I do.

What's a girl to do?

I suppose that I'll have to bite my tongue and refer to people as adults, even though many of us students are still getting there.

Knowing when to bite one's tongue is a sign of adulthood I suppose.

On the contra-ary!

This semester, I have discovered a new pastime.

Dancing. Contra dancing, to be exact. :-)


I am terrible at it, but I really don't give a care. It's fun.

Contra dancing is like a cross between square dancing and English country dancing (or something like that), complete with cheesy music and someone telling you what to do the whole time.

Now, doesn't that just sound wonderful?
I was very skeptical that I would like it at first, but I suppose even skeptics like me can be proven wrong once.

I think the being terrible part comes from having a dance partner.
I'm used to dancing by myself.
At least I can blame my partner if I don't do well!

It's kind of confusing at first. There are almost too many steps to follow.

Nevertheless, I like it.
One does get the hang of it.

I've been twice with a group of friends, and I wouldn't be opposed to going again.
It kind of makes me want to try other types of dance too!

Here's some of what the dancing looks like:

What's "love" again?

Though I’m single, I have a Valentine’s Day tradition that I’ve kept for a few years now.

When I woke up this morning, I remembered the date on the calendar, and I lay in bed a few extra minutes to organize my thoughts.

It’s reflection. And on Valentine’s Day, love is the focus.

When I think of love, I don’t necessarily associate it with being in a relationship. There could be a day in the future when I thank God for a man in my life. Even so, I hope I will continue to focus on the way I think of love now.

Love isn’t exclusive. It isn’t just for those who are walking down the boulevards hand-in-hand with their significant others. Love is for everyone who is willing to accept it and give it away.

When I see those people walking hand-in-hand, I hope for their sakes that it’s love—not the “He’s hot, she’s hot” kind of "love", but the kind that actually makes a difference.

I draw my definition of love from the Bible. Though verses like 1 Corinthians 13 are quoted all the time, they offer the best definitions I’ve found.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

To me, love isn’t really love unless it’s striving to measure up to that. I keep saying the phrase “I love you” to a minimum because love means so much to me. I don’t take it lightly.

I realize that, though I’m single, there’s plenty I can do to show love to people. I just need to remember to be patient, kind, non-envious, non-boastful...

Despite the barrage of candy hearts, red roses and P.D.A. our society presents us with on Feb. 14, I pray I remember what love really is.

Then, I pray I can act on that love.
Love is an action after all.

On time as of late

Time management is a struggle with time.
If that's the case, my life is dictated by struggle.

Lately, I've been running myself ragged trying to keep up with a busy schedule.

But why?

I was talking with some girls who live on my hall during Small Group, a time each week when we study the Bible and talk.
Someone brought up the point that we need to pause and make time for things like spending time with God.

Now that's poignant.
Am I giving God my struggle?

I try so hard to be many things to many different people.
I love to get involved with everything.
And--believe me--I'm trying my best right now to keep track of each day.

However, I still find that, when I do too much, everything suffers.
That's not how I want it to be.
My philosophy is that my investment in whatever I do needs to be all or nothing.

The solution?
I don't have one yet.
I'm just hoping and praying for the best.