As I’ve mentioned before on my Cancer Journey Blog, not all
of my bucket list items are about traveling to far-away places. Sometimes they simply
involve spending special time with friends and family members—or another one of
my favorite things—learning something new.
I’ve always wanted to learn to speak Spanish. My two years
of exposure to this language in high school (more years ago than I care to
reveal) have, for the most part, evaporated due to lack of use.
After adding a decadent item to my bucket list—housecleaning
services offered by an amazing woman named Mayra, who keeps my house all sparkly
(see the post: Home on the Range Where the Dust Bunnies Roam), but who also speaks
very little English—I moved the Spanish-learning task up to the top of my list.
As I have also mentioned before, I am truly blessed with a
boat-load of wonderful friends, each with their own unique talents and gifts.
And that’s why I contacted my buddy, Alice Whistler (in the photo at left), who
teaches Spanish for the Adult Continuing Education Department at College of the
Mainland.
When I first met Alice about seven years ago, she was the
program assistant for the North Campus, and she recruited me to teach interior
decorating, wedding planning and self-publishing classes there. Even though I’m
no longer teaching, we have kept in touch.
She is now retired, but still teaches part-time, so I sent
her an e-mail cry for help. “Yes, yes, yes! ¡Por supuesto que sí! (Of course, yes!),” came her reply. “I
will be happy to help you learn to speak Spanish.”
And so it begins… I’m working very hard to learn my lessons.
Fortunately, our classroom sessions are held at whatever restaurant we decide
to frequent—everything is better with food. But just in case, I have her phone
number on speed dial for emergency translations!
I’ll keep you all updated on my progress. FYI: “¿Cómo se
dice?” means “How do you say…?” I’ll be asking my instructor that question at
lot!!!
In the meantime, “¡Hasta la vista!”
Thank you, Alice, for sharing your talents!
