Blog
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,…
Hangin’ at Aroma
I caffeinate amid Israelis.
In my neighborhood is a coffee shop called Aroma Espresso Bar, one of 100-something Aroma franchises globally. Aroma: Good for Coffee and Hebrew According to its website, the company was founded in 1994 and is “the largest and most successful…
I Am Going to Be Smelling Like Chlorine
I have joined the JCC, for swimming and Hebrew.
Yesterday I froze my existing gym membership for three months and joined the Upper West Side’s JCC, or Jewish Community Center, for three months instead. The Jewish Community Center, aka the JCC I have two main reasons for doing…
Italian Emerges!
In which I speak Italian under the influence of propofol.
Today a nice doctor sent a small camera down my throat and into my stomach to take pictures of my insides. Normally I would not share this piece of information in a public forum, but I am so excited by…
Coffee Shop as Hebrew Language Lab
Aroma is turning out to be an unbelievable language-learning resource.
I think a couple of Aroma’s employees think I am kind of a loser, because I have been spending an inordinate amount of time there. Fully Equipped at Aroma: Coffee, Alphabet Book, and Unsuspecting Israeli Tutors But it is…
Status Report: Hebrew
What is up with my Hebrew studies.
Since I last wrote, much has happened. Despite the silence on this blog, I have logged many Hebrew hours, studying every day. I have learned the Hebrew alphabet and am on the 45th of 90 half-hour Pimsleur lessons available for Hebrew. …
Rosetta Stone Skepticism
I find a poor correlation between marketing dollars and learning efficacy.
Since I began this project in the summer of 2009, I cannot tell you how many times people have asked me whether I am using Rosetta Stone. Well done, Rosetta Stone! Everyone seems to have heard of you. Rosetta Stone at…
Studying Hebrew, Heading to Italy
On the eve of an Italy vacation, I simply cannot make up my mind which language to study.*
Tomorrow I head off for eight days in Italy. Brandt and I are visiting his sister and her family in Genoa for the holiday. Trying to decide which language to study right now—Hebrew or Italian—has been causing me…
Can Studying Be an Addiction?
As soon as I got on the plane for Italy, I started in on Italian again.
Compulsive behavior is a blessing and a curse. But at least in its more benign forms, I find it a blessing. On the Streets of Genoa When you really want to do something, you tend to go all out. In…
Gift Idea for Next Holiday Season
Learn your significant other's native language so you can dazzle your in-laws!
I am still in Genoa on a family vacation. When studying, I have been relieved to discover that it has not been a problem to flip back and forth between Hebrew and Italian lessons. Genoa Is Beautiful. Imagine Doing Your…