Language, language, language!

Here I am – it has been a month since I came here. What am I doing? Language, language, language. I have private lessons for 1 ½ hours four times a week and conversation for 2 hours 5 days a week and the rest of the time I spend studying, reviewing the words and going on new adventures every day which means I just go out the door. As you may imagine in another country EVERYTHING can be used for language and culture learning and EVERYTHING becomes an adventure - like going into a pastry shop and ordering something on my own (“Yes, pastries are very important for language!”), asking for the bathroom in the university library (“Hey??!! How come I don’t understand your answer!!”), trying to exchange some money into dollars (“You won’t let me have dollars?? Hey, I’m American, those are MY dollars!”), or buying a Walkman on my own (I got my point across!) or buying a placinta (Romanian filled doughnut) at the same place everyday (OK!, maybe not everyday!) so that they get used to me (“O placinta, va rog, cu varza. 8000 Lei? Da! Multzumesc!”). Yes, eating the different foods is very important for language development! Then, explaining my adventures afterwards in conversation. Well, there you have it….where life imitates art or is it the other way around?

My tutor complimented me on the number of new words I invent every day trying to remember the real ones! One needs to keep the tongue wagging!!! I also received two (yes, two!) other wonderful compliments since being here. Two people, on separate occasions, actually walked up to me (Yes, me!) and asked ME for directions!! They must think I am a Romanian! What do you think of that?? I was thrilled and you can be impressed!

It got cold this week. 20’s during the night and 30’s during the day. I don’t know if that says anything about what the winter will be like. We will see! Layers, girl, layers! Got a down jacket to help things out!

Mike Webb will be here this week for 2 weeks. It will be fun to have him here. He made this journey with his wife and 4 kids 10 years ago and things were VERY different back then which I can’t even imagine. I don’t think they had e-mail. Perish the thought!

The rooster? Still at it every morning!! “Koo-kur-ee-goo” is his way of saying “Bu-na Dim-ne-ah-tza” or “Good morning!”

Thanks for all your love and prayers.