Language update...

I know some of you are wondering how our language learning is coming. After all we are language and culture students. Well....it's a slow process, but we are ALL making progress. When we first came over, we started classes late and it was crazy to believe we would catch up. The stress of learning to live over here was more than I could handle WITH school...so I dropped out for the remainder of that semester and worked at home with a tutor. After the new year holiday and our vacation, we were all ready to get back to it. We've all started back and we're all being tutored also. The King did some studying before we came over and it proved to be a benefit to him. He is beyond the rest of us, but the kids are quickly catching on...It seems I'm the slow learner of the family. :)

Anyway, we use the language with each other as much as we can. We are building vocabulary and learning the grammar (which seems TOTALLY backwards to me). As a matter of fact we have coined a number of new phrases based on our limited language. We just say what we can in the national language and the rest in English. It's quite humorous at times. Many times we can't even speak English...the words are just...gone...without a trace. As a matter of fact, the Princess was having her first tutoring lesson after vacation and she was practicing conversation with the tutor. She was supposed to say one thing and another (similar sounding) word came out. Her first response what what she hears from us "I've been speaking English too much lately...I've forgotten all my national language (all 15 words)!" We got a grin out of it. Some days we can't speak any language fluently and we feel like we're speaking like toddlers. "Hello" "I want that" "How much?" "Thanks" "Good-bye"

There is so much more we want to be able to say. On a recent ride home from the airport, the King shared the MOST IMPORTANT STORY of all with the driver in the national language. The King had help and has it written down. He read it to the guy and was understood. The driver didn't make a decision, but has been told AND he drives us every time we take a trip...so we'll have more opportunities.

As for the culture...well...it "smacks you in the face" as a friend of mine put it. There are evidences of western life everywhere, but it's still so different. Understanding the "why" of things doesn't always come, but when it does, we can appreciate the differences. We're trying to appreciate them anyway. It's a beautiful country with beautiful people and wonderful history. We don't see eye to eye on how to stand in line (they don't believe in it...they just cut you off)...but they are staring at us less and less and we're co-existing, anyway.

My husband's former secretary was concerned that I would become "anorexical" (her teasing word) because I don't care for the food, but I've found there are several things I do like that I wouldn't have cared for in the States. Either my tastes buds are changing or I'm just not that picky anymore! Besides, I DO LOVE FOOD. On a recent trip in country, we had Mexican...Yep, and it was good. Not Tex-Mex, but good. However, it's a long way to go for dinner. There is a small (very good local food)restaurant in our apartment complex that we just found out will deliver. PTL! On long homeschool days when it's cold outside...bring on the delivery! The problem is...they don't speak my language and I BARELY speak theirs. So...it's a HUGE language victory when I call, place the order, ask how much, give my address, and when the food comes to my door (hence, the right address) and it's what I ordered...I'm THRILLED!

So, for the first few months we were just surviving, but now we're actually beginning to thrive. Keep praying for us! We need it and truly appreciate it. Hope that helps you undestand a little more. Love~