| | This entry is shamefully overdue. So I'll make it up by writing a whole lot!
Since my last entry I have changed countries! I am studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico for the summer at the Universidad Autonoma. I am nearing the end of my first month of level 1 intensive Spanish. Classes have been frustratingly easy. But OU told me that I have to stay in level 1 and 2 if I want to get my 10 credit hours. My professors are really great though so that makes learning numbers and colors a little more bearable.
I am living with a Mexican family of four but I have an American roommate named Tiffany. We get along very well but we talk in English too much to each other. We're going to work on that.
In some ways, I feel like I haven't left the states. Guadalajara is one of the most Americanized cities I have ever been in. My house has wireless internet, cable television with lots of American tv shows (with Spanish subtitles), there is an Applebees on the same street as my university and I have already counted 3 Starbucks.
I am blessed though because I have been able to go to two Mexican churches since I have been here. I have an Assembly of God missionary friend named Angie who has connected me with some Mexican Christians. I have teared up at each church service because I feel so privileged to worship with new brothers and sisters in the Lord. Last Sunday, I got to sing a song that my church in Limoges played in French, I have sung in American services and now learned in Spanish in Mexico! It was a taste of heaven.
My Spanish language ability is still pretty minimal but I can communicate. Knowing French helps a lot but I pronounce a lot of Spanish words in French which confuses people. C'est la vie. Tampis.
I am going to wrap this up but I have a quick funny language story to tell. My brother Brian married his girlfriend of 4 1/2 years two weeks ago. It was a beautiful wedding and a lot of fun too. It was a little crazy because I had to fly in from Mexico for the weekend but it all worked out. One of the first things I did when I got to Guadalajara (abbreviated it is GDL) was to tell my professors and the international office that I was going to have to miss Friday classes to fly home for the wedding. The Spanish word for wedding or wedding reception is BODA. The Spanish word for mouth is BOCA. I got them mixed up and told a couple people that I had to leave on Friday to go to my brother's mouth. :-} live learn and laugh at yourself.
Dios te bendiga!
Michelle
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| | Posted 6/10/2007 10:37 PM - 72 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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