Spanish, Eh?

I didn't realize how much I would miss learning little bits of Spanish until this past week.  So many workers in the oil field (the main line of work where I'm from) are from Mexico.  They speak little English and their wives often speak less. 

I know this because I work at a clothing retail store now.  I have women come in who only know how to hand me money and say thank you.  That was totally me a few months ago but in reverse.  I want so much to be able to speak to them, but what Spanish I did have under control is quickly disappearing because I don't use it any more.

That leaves me pondering if I should get one of those programs that help you with foreign languages.  Something similar to Roseta Stone.  An introduction class at college is a five  hour course and I don't have time for that.  And I am fearful it would not be that profitable.

I didn't think I would ever want to learn Spanish like this.  So what do I do?  Suggestions?

One Month

I realized just now that I haven't blogged in exactly one month.  Crazy.  Anyway, I am back at school and with one whole year left I feel like a freshman again.  Except this time I know where the buildings are.  That's about all.  The Union has changed, Monroe street has changed, the new training facility is up, I park a mile from campus now, I have a different job, and absolutely no classes in the department.  I can't believe how much things have changed in the six months I was away from Stillwater.

With the new year comes new goals.  I call them goals because if I fail it's really no big deal.  I just start over the next week.  See, with resolutions one mess up and its over until the next year.  This may only make since in my head.  Moving forward.

The ten goals I have are (drum roll please):

1. Coffee with God everyday.  I've started this one year devotion that goes through the Bible chronologically.  Well, as best scholars can tell anyway.

2. Blog three times.  Obviously this has not happened.

3. Cook something new.  Tonight its potato soup in the crock pot.  It's cold and rainy outside and I work until 7.  I'm thinking the crock pot is going to get some good use this year.

4. Write a note of encouragement.  Number two thing that hasn't happened this week.

5. Read for 5 hours.  This might have to get cut down to three.  I think I may have read for two?

6. Take three baths.  Oh, yeah.  I may be over quota on this one. Salts and bubbles here I come.

7. Find something I could use in the classroom.  I'm seriously thinking about becoming a teacher after I graduate.  This will give me a heads start on lesson planning.

8. Wear three different hair styles.  This week was curls, braids, and another kind of curl...more like a wave. 

9. Discover one new album/song/artist.  I'll hit on this one later.  Mainly because I didn't do it either.

10.  Eat one (and only one) dessert.  For the moment "dessert" also includes chocolate and coffee drinks with lots of calories.  This is the hard one.

So, obviously ten new weekly goals is a lot to take in.  Probably too much.  But some things such as reading and finding a new artist are things I never make time to do but really enjoy.  By putting them on a check list (I love check lists) I can assure I will at least try to attempt them every week and not overlook activities that I enjoy when I get busy with school and work.

But now it's time for work.  And I'm starting to smell the potato soup.