Blog

November 8, 2011 | Hebrew

Hebrew Underway!

I have no idea what I'm doing. But it's fun anyway.

Today was my second day of Hebrew studies. All I have so far is my Pimsleur audio lessons, so today I headed south in search of books. J. Levine Books & Judaica My first stop: J. Levine Books & Judaica,…

November 6, 2011 | Italian

An International Affair: The 2011 NYC Marathon

At which I am pretty useless.

There are many opportunities for interpreters at the ING New York City Marathon, but if you want to be helpful, my recommendation is that along with your language skills, you possess the ability to stand. Runners Post-Race, at Cherry Hill…

November 4, 2011 | Italian

A Language Mad Dash

Running from language to language reminds me of ping-pong.

Volunteering at the marathon today was fabulous. Tons of international runners, tons of language opportunities. Me Discharging My Runner ID Check Responsibilities I take my responsibilities at ID check seriously, so I check IDs quite fast. At one point today,…

November 3, 2011 | Italian

The Runners Arrive in New York City!

Multilingual pre-marathon fun at the Javits Center.

A slight change of plans: Hebrew is deferred just until November 7, so I can focus on German, Spanish, French, and Italian for New York City Marathon week. Welcome to the ING New York City Marathon! Since October 1, I have been…

October 23, 2011 | Italian

Studying in an Air Cast Is Actually Pretty Easy

The main reason being, it is hard to go places.

I am hardly homebound, but I am not at my most mobile either, which reduces the chances of my roaming very far from my grammar books. As a result, I have gotten quite a bit done. A Black-and-Blue Air Cast:…

October 21, 2011 | Italian

Back on the Wagon

I will (I am almost sure) start Hebrew on November 1.

Okay, at the risk of seeming indecisive: I am now expecting to return to the previous three-year plan, meaning 15 languages, with some modifications.  Time Warner Center This Week. Wow! The main change affects Dutch, which has been reduced on…

October 17, 2011 | Italian

Second Thoughts

I am already rethinking my revised study plan.

I have seen this Volkswagen Passat ad at least a dozen times, and I love it every time. It is hilarious. So, fantasy is being used to sell a car…but it is fantasy devoid of near-naked women. And…

October 16, 2011 | Polish

My Head Exploded!

I am slowly recovering from a (self-diagnosed) language overdose.

Almost every day in my apartment building I cross paths with Vladimir. Vladimir is a contractor from Poland who, with a team of guys I believe are also from Poland, is renovating an apartment down the hall from us. …

August 15, 2011 | Polish

Vacation Days

Or should that be "daze"?

One word for “worker” in Polish is robotnik. I find it a funny and cute word. It is also suggestive of how I have been feeling lately: a little robotic. So, after 771 consecutive days of this project, I…

August 3, 2011 | Polish

Polish or Perish

I am trying hard, but I am still remarkably lame.

For the past two silent weeks, I have been studying away. That I haven’t written here is due not to a lack of enthusiasm or effort, but to arm pain from too much computer work. I needed a typing…