7.09.2008

this spanish stuff is a snap.

the lowpoint has come and gone, i hope.  the culmination of the stress of the move, the cold and incessantly rainy weather here, fox's new anti-sleep campaign, the language barrier, the stares, and the other stairs (63 to be exact) i have to climb everyday if i want to get anywhere came to a head and pushed me into total meltdown.  last night i had a great cry, and today the clouds have somewhat broken, both literally and figuratively.


happy to get out of the casa!

today i even mustered up the courage to haul fox and his ojos azules grandes around the block and engage in "conversation" with the locals.  at the baby clothing store, i told the saleswoman how old fox was: "eh, quatro.... (she filled in the meses part)."  she then, as i understood it, gave the usual international astonishment for his size at his age, and i replied, "si, muy gigante!"  next, i ordered a hot chocolate at the friendly neighborhood starbucks: "alto chocolate, por favor."  lastly, we stopped at the fruit stand right outside our apartment and purchased mangoes, platanos, y rambutan, muchas gracias!  and i only twice had to use my tried-and-true default, "lo siento, no hablo espanol."  not too shabby.  tomorrow i may even order un bocadillo from subway.  

15 comments:

hilary said...

oh good, sister! i'm so happy you got out and that the rain has stopped. i bet you'll meet some friendlies at church, too. and that picture of fox is purty darn cute!

Brittney Daniel Liechty said...

I'm very proud you are a way better wife then I would be in that situation! Look at you using all that spanish lingo! You go spice girl! I hope it all continues to go well!

Brien said...

You're as good as any greenie I knew.

Jake and Jana Chambers said...

Hey Erin.. I had no idea you were heading down to Mexico so fast! Your apartment looks really nice! I am also glad you are feeling more happy in your new surroundings! And good job on your espanol! I bet you will have learned it pretty well after four months! Keep us updated!

The Mom said...

you are a trooper! this will be quite the adventure (as if you haven't had enough of those already!). i think we could've had a good cry together last night because it was quite the long day for me as well. hang in there. we'll come visit soon!

Mommydew said...

awesome.
you speak spanish like i do! kevin says the trick is confidence. and since he speaks spanish and i don't i'd go with what he says, haha. easy for him to say right?!

Scott & Lindsay said...

sometimes all you need is a good cry. sometimes more than once. i say let it out my bi-lingual friend. and i 2nd hilary's comment ... that fox is purty darn cute.

Amy said...

He sure is a hansome devil. Starting preschool next week?
Helpful hint: when I was young my cousin told me that to speak spanish you just add an 'O' on the end of every word. Comes in pretty darn handy. Hango ino thereo hermano. See genius.

Chelsi Lasater said...

das ist gut, zer gut.

dani said...

bueno! i bet by the time you are done there, you will be an expert pinata maker! fox is so stylish!

dani said...

bueno! i bet by the time you are done there, you will be an expert pinata maker! fox is so stylish!

Jessica said...

you're an amazing woman!

Anonymous said...

oh sweetie...i so wish i figured this was the end of the rainy days for you. unfortunately, we know better, don't we:( take deep breaths, eat chocolate, and pray...that's all i know. when are you going to be back in utah? we have been an absolute mess since arriving..truly. i just got over mastitis, wil had a dental surgery and elizabeth and i just returned from the er to make sure here recent fever wasn't another uti..life is good! i'll be in touch again soon!!! hang in there. i think of you often and am praying for you to fall in love with mexico soon.
love you!

Starley Family said...

You go girl. I feel fish out of water and I haven't pogo'd from Hong Kong to Texas to Mexico. Everyone needs a little stress cry every once in a while. I know I did.

Mardi and Jeremey said...

You're doing better than most people. The fact that you can communicate that much is all that matters. The Mexicans will love that you are trying.

old me.