Blog

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 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 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:…

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…

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 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 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 11, 2011 | Hebrew

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…

November 14, 2011 | Hebrew

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…

November 16, 2011 | Hebrew

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…