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January 24, 2010 | Italian

Nightmares and Head Injuries

I keep studying despite injuries and traumatic dreams.

This morning I woke up—way too early—from a nightmare that a massive and sinister lunar force was dragging everyone in Manhattan to New Jersey. Vehicles of all types were being sucked across bridges and tunnels to the other…

January 29, 2010 | Italian

A Grammar Exercise Is Not Just a Grammar Exercise

Grammar tickles the brain.

I did a bunch of grammar exercises on pronouns and prepositions today. I did them in the morning. I did them in the afternoon at Café Margot. I did them in the evening, with the TV on in the background. …

January 30, 2010 | Italian

Winding Down Italian, Winding Up Korean

I prepare for my next language.

More Italian grammar today. I need to review verbs tomorrow so I can do well on my Italian exit exam, scheduled for Monday with ALTA Language Services! I begin my next language, Korean, in two days, so this afternoon I…

January 31, 2010 | Italian

L’Ultimo Giorno (The Last Day)

I study for my Italian exams tomorrow.

Shortly after midnight tonight, I finished my Italian studies. I did hours of review today—at home, at Café Margot, and then at home again, with particular attention to the various verb tenses. The last two weeks have in some…

February 1, 2010 | Korean

Ciao, Italiano

I take my Italian exams and promptly begin Korean.

Today was my official goodbye to Italian—for now. Though I think I will be spending more time with it in the future. Technically I said goodbye yesterday, but since yesterday was not a business day, I had to wait…

February 3, 2010 | Korean

The Art of Handwriting

There is art in learning a new alphabet.

I am having trouble “graduating” from the beginning Pimsleur lessons. I did lesson 1 for the third time in three days and decided I can finally move on. Then I did lesson 2. I did not do well enough to move on.…

February 4, 2010 | Italian

Italian Test Results In!

I do better than I expected on my Italian tests.

I got the results of my Italian exams today, oral as well as written. I was amazed that the scores were as high as they were: 10 on my oral exam out of a possible 12, and 11 out of a possible 12 on…

February 5, 2010 | Korean

Word (Dis)Order

After years of ordering words a certain way, I take a while to get used to completely new sentence patterns.

Today I had an appointment with my internist. I walked there through Central Park, past the reservoir, and past lots and lots of ducks. When I arrived at my doctor’s office, I was blown away by a sign in…

February 6, 2010 | Korean

Native English Speaker?

In which I confuse my husband, again.

Today I was talking to my husband when I mixed up words (in English) that I would not be comfortable reprinting here. Brandt said to me: “Talking to you is like talking to a non-native speaker of English. Non-stop…

February 9, 2010 | Korean

A Pimsleur Walk in Central Park

It's cold, but there are signs that spring is near(er).

Today the two main venues for my Korean studies were (1) Café Margot, where I practiced my writing skills, and (2) Central Park, where I went for a walk as I did lessons 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Pimsleur (Level I). As usual, I did …