Friday, March 12, 2010

TGIV!!!

Thank God it's Venerdi!  Venerdi is the Italian word for Friday.

If there's one thing I truly grasp after living overseas for almost 3 years, it's this - never underestimate how hard it is to learn a second language.  I used to be one of those pain in the butt Americans who thought everyone who moved to my country should automatically speak English.   You came here, speak the language -right? 

Let me tell you something - if this is your attitude - do yourself a favor and change it now.  And then go out and learn a different language, or attempt to.  And then take the little bit of information you can retain and try to speak it with native speakers, and try to follow a converstion they're having, and try to do all of this while upset about something.  It. is. hard.

I will never again look at a non-English speaking person the same way.  Not only is it difficult to learn a new language "later in life" but it's horribly intimidating to use this new language when you need to.  If you see someone struggling to understand, struggling to make their needs known but can't because they can't find the proper words in English - PLEASE try and help them.  A little kindness goes a long way.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Great news today!  Judy, Paul's mom, is coming to visit us in May!  We are all so excited and can't wait to show Oma around Naples.  (Oma is grandma in German)

Fantastic day homschooling - we've got a groove going!

I hope you all have a great weekend!