An Action Packed Lesson

There was a lot going on today. But I have to say, I felt as though in general, the class was rather distracting. Subject matter kept changing and I felt as though nothing was really discussed in depth. When I looked over my notes, I couldn't believe how much was presented in such a short time. I was really kept on my toes.

Part of the lesson that I did like related to giving directions. While I know left from right and how to go straight, I never managed to learn (ok, I learned it, I guess I really mean REMEMBERED) turn, continue, cross . . . and some other helpful phrases when giving or getting directions.

In addition to some directions, they also touched on doctor's questions, the different between asking WHERE IS vs WHERE IS THERE (In other words, Dónde hay vs Dónde esta) and imperatives (which I still don't understand) and lot of new vocabulary words. Or was it that they just seemed new because there was so much going on at once??

What I also did like was learning about some very useful verbs in Spanish: QUERER, TENER, and PODER (to want, to have and can/to be able to). OK, who am I kidding, I didn't really LIKE learning about them but knowing these three important verbs can get you a long way until you become more fluent. Although, apparently David and I were thinking alike once again. Both he and I think that verbs are, to quote David, "A load of crap!!". For once I say . . . WELL SAID!!

But I did really like the quizzes. The magic whiteboard would show a question or phrase in English and David (and I) had to repeat it in Spanish. I would pause the video and write down my answers. I guess I can say I am glad we weren't graded!! But instead of info just being thrown at me, it was a more interactive approach to remember these verbs.

But one thing still really confuses me, and I think I will have to discuss it more in depth with someone. The difference between I WANT and I HAVE A DESIRE TO (QUIERO vs. TENGO GANAS DE). I mean really, isn't wanting something the same as desiring it??

So I wonder, which is correct. Quiero aprender español o tengo ganas de aprender español??

Like I said, this wasn't my favorite lesson. I wonder if Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone throw so much at you at once??

Well, tomorrow is the weekly review phone call and maybe some of this will make more sense to me then. Until then . . . chau chau!!

Now That is a Scary Thought!!

Looks like David and I think alike. . . . sometimes!!!

In today's lesson, number 10 (I am offially 1/3 of the way done with Bueno, entonces... Learn Spanish), David and Jimena were discussing the different things you buy at the supermercado. We also learned that there is a difference from "hacer las compras" (to do the shopping at the supermarket) vs. "voy al shopping" (I am going to the mall). It was shopping at the supermarket where I noticed a similarity in the way David and I think.

We learned about different types of food shops (for veggies, meat, bread, cold cuts etc.), different types of foods (i.e. canned, jarred, frozen and prepared) as well as the names of different household items. Detergent, soap, tissues, shampoo, paper towels, toilet paper. . . many of your household necessities.

Let me tell you a little story first. Last week while getting a manicure, I needed to use the bathroom. I realized I had finished the roll of toilet paper and wanted to let them know. Not knowing the correct word for toilet paper (and not having my dictionary with me), I gave it my best shot. I said, "Necesitás mas papel de baño". They apparently had no idea what I was talking about. Granted, I figured I might be wrong, but really, you couldn't figure that out?? Anyway, they kept pointing to the paper towels and I really didn't want to give them a demonstration. Thankfully, after exhausting other options . . .they kept saying, "Papel higienico". . .looks like they finally figured me out!!

Well, during class, it appears David's thought process seemed to be pretty similar to mine and called it the exact same thing. OY is all I can say. Let's hope and pray that is only thing we have in common!!

We also learned a little future talking. The phrase "GOING TO" as in "I am going to". Finally everything doesn't have to be the here and now. I had learned this awhile back in my other spanish lessons but had forgotten about it. It definitely will come in handy once I truly, truly remember it. "Voy a aprender español!!!"

Other valuable vocabulary that they discussed were some very useful medical terms. In case anyone could forget, I was laid up with a pinched nerve for almost 3 weeks and saw my share of doctors and nurses. Looks like this medical discussion as well as learning about toilet paper came just a few weeks late for me!! While toilet paper is a necessity and I can promise you I will NEVER forget it, hopefully these medical terms won't need to be used all that often in the future.

Something else I learned was about Cognates and False Congates (or Falso Amigos). Words that have a similar origin and mean the same thing in both languages. And then there is the opposite, words that look the same but have a completely different meaning. The one that every guide book seems to tell you about is "embarazada". It DOESN'T mean embarrassed, but rather pregnant. I am sure you can get yourself into quite some trouble that way. Hmmm. . . I am surprised David hasn't already made that mistake with one of his Latina chicas!!


All and all this was a pretty interesting lesson, other than realizing that David and I are just a tad similar.

Has Hell Frozen Over??

Well, I was reviewing my last post and I realized that for the first time since I started Bueno, entonces... Learn Spanish and started blogging, that I didn't say ONE nasty thing about David. I was starting to think that he had turned a corner and realized his attempt at a Mr. Suave act with Jimena wasn't going to get him anywhere.

Well, looks like I was wrong.

Today's class looked like it was going to be very, very helpful for me. The major subject matter was telling time. Ever since I was little I have been quite anal about time and being prompt to the point of always being early. I have been wearing a watch since I was 10 and it irks me to no end when people are late. (As you can imagine, I do a lot of waiting around here in BsAs, as apparently I am the only one in town with this trait!!).

Anyway, the class started out well by learning different ways to ask for the time. "Qué hora es?" (What time is it?), "Me decís la hora?" (Can you tell me the hour?), and Sabés la hora?" (Do you know the time?). I have studied time before but I thought this was a really good refresher lesson on time for me.

Things with David starting going a bit down hill from here. After many, many tries over the past few weeks to get Jimena to have dinner with him, or go for a drink or basically do anything with him, he seemed to change his tactic. Jimena asked him to post some questions using the things he just learned about time.

Once again he asked when they could go out etc. To no one's surprise, he gets shot down once again. It was then that decided to try new tactic. He then asked Jimena when she has sex as well as when she masterbates and how often. Yup, you read that right.

I know I have said this before, but what are the odds that Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur or Visual Link would ever even broach that subject, let alone teach it!!

What was then surprising was that Jimena actually gave him answers. While initally taken aback, in her defense, I realized that she was just giving him any answers (another way to reinforce the information he was just taught) rather than answering him with REAL information. I get it now, she realized it was better to just appease him and answer than to just blow him off. Hmm. . .wonder if this will be better approach for everyone. Time will tell.

While no prude, I was just a bit surprised that this was a topic of conversation for a Spanish class. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!!) Just in case you don't believe me, here is a little peak:



Moving on. In addition to time, we also learned some very important words relating to time but in a different way. Mientras, durante, antes, siempre, nunca, ocasionalmente, generalmente, among others. (To translate, while, during, before, always, never, occasionally and generally).

Another hot topic, but also relating to time, are prepositions that are used when relating to a certain time span. Like, "Voy DESDE mi casa HASTA el banco." (I go FROM my house TO the bank.) and "Voy DE la cama AL living."(I go FROM the bed TO the living room.)

All and all I found it to be a very informative and slightly surprising lesson, especially to someone who is as concerned about time as I am.

As for now, I am quite interested to see how Jimena's new tactic will play out over time. Especially since she finally agreed to get some coffee with him after class. Tomorrow should be quite interesting!!

Chau, Chau!!

Mate Anyone??

I couldn't wait to get back to the next class since I knew the subject matter would once again revolve around food. But I had forgotten that David was also going to get a little lesson in mate.

If you know anything about Argentina, you know that drinking mate is a very social event. For the few of you that might not actually know what mate is, according to Wikipedia, "Mate is a traditional South American infused drink. It is prepared from steeping dried leaves of yerba mate in hot water. The drink contains caffeine and has a pungent taste like a cross between green tea and coffee, with hints of tobacco and oak."

But it is so much more than that. No matter where you go in this city you see people, young and old and everything in between, with their mate cups and thermos sharing this time honored tradition with family and friends. Our first meeting with our first Porteño friends Victor and Hernan, was spent drinking mate. While it is an acquired taste, it was something we took too very quickly especially since we had so much fun.



I was curious as to how David was going to like it. Being a Brit and a tea drinker (is that being stereotypical??) I figured he would love it. But NO. HE HATED IT. He could not get over how much he really did hate it. I think he needs to try it again in a much more social atmosphere. It is something you get to share with your friends and at least for me, has been a very special experience.

After David's mate lesson the class moved on. And to be honest, I felt like it moved all over the place. Let's see. We started with mate, then moved on to some adjectives, and then over to some more food, and then over to some irregular verbs, and then back to some more food, and then a few restaurant tips. My head was spinning. I have to admit that for me, this was not the easiest class to follow. As soon as I would focus on a subject matter, it switched. I felt a bit exhausted when class was done.

But getting back to food. While I knew most of them already, it is always fun to talk about the different types of food at an asado. While I have my favorite cut of meat here (entraña which is skirt steak), being reminded about the rest is always quite tasty. Bife de lomo (tenderloin), bife de chorizo (strip steak), vacio (flank steak) and you can't forget about the achuras (innards). Who doesn't like a good chinchuline (intestine) or morcilla (blood sausage)? I have to be honest, I have tried them both and while I won't eat a lot of them, they are both pretty tasty when done right.



As a matter of fact this will all come in quite handy when my parents come to visit in a few weeks. We will be having an asado at my house in their honor. There will be a great mix of locals and expats with once again a great mix of English, Spanish and Spanglish. As well as steak, steak and more steak, some achuras and definitely some mate and a lot of vino!!

Hmmm. . .maybe I should get my parents to watch some of the Bueno, entonces... Learn Spanish videos or maybe listen to some samples of Rosetta Stone before they arrive so they can learn some useful Spanish phrases.