Arabic
It's summer, and that means that my job at the university is a bit easier. Sure, there's still a lot to get done, but this is the time when we try to do all the stuff we were putting off for the rest of the year. So the projects and stresses are different, anyway. Yeah, and distinctly less than during the rest of the year, too.
So this seemed like a perfect time to take advantage of being a staff member and just sign up for some class that sounds cool. I decided it was high time that I took a class in Arabic, and I started yesterday with the basic intro level course. (Yes, that's right, despite having lived in the Arab world for many years, I don't know Arabic. Other than a few words - most of which are related to food - I'm hopeless. So it's time to fix that.) The first summer session is six weeks and the class meets three times a week. I figure I can handle that!
Actually, it's a lot of fun. I'd forgotten how pleasant it is to take a class just because I'm interested and I want the intellectual stimulation, and not for some reqirement or other. I swear I can feel my brain being stretched by this - which is neither entirely pleasant nor entirely unpleasant. But it's great to be challenging myself mentally. I am happy to say that I am not hampered by a fear of seeming stupid or embarassing myself in front of the class, which I think will actually help me out a fair amount. Hooray for getting older! And what fun this is!
So, wish me luck. So far I've learned, oh, fifteen or so letters of the alphabet. I read several words today, and am delighted every time I recognize a word from some dusty recess of my brain (this does not happen that frequently, but it's nice when it does). Considering that today was only the second session, I think that's not bad. I have to admit I also thought it was hilarious when the professor was trying to get the class to pronounce, um, the letter that's usually transliterated "kh" - he basically told people to act like they were going to spit. Some of the girls seemed less than enthusiastic about making that sound, but me, I had a mildly sore throat by the end of class. And a big grin. And a very squeezed-out brain.
So this seemed like a perfect time to take advantage of being a staff member and just sign up for some class that sounds cool. I decided it was high time that I took a class in Arabic, and I started yesterday with the basic intro level course. (Yes, that's right, despite having lived in the Arab world for many years, I don't know Arabic. Other than a few words - most of which are related to food - I'm hopeless. So it's time to fix that.) The first summer session is six weeks and the class meets three times a week. I figure I can handle that!
Actually, it's a lot of fun. I'd forgotten how pleasant it is to take a class just because I'm interested and I want the intellectual stimulation, and not for some reqirement or other. I swear I can feel my brain being stretched by this - which is neither entirely pleasant nor entirely unpleasant. But it's great to be challenging myself mentally. I am happy to say that I am not hampered by a fear of seeming stupid or embarassing myself in front of the class, which I think will actually help me out a fair amount. Hooray for getting older! And what fun this is!
So, wish me luck. So far I've learned, oh, fifteen or so letters of the alphabet. I read several words today, and am delighted every time I recognize a word from some dusty recess of my brain (this does not happen that frequently, but it's nice when it does). Considering that today was only the second session, I think that's not bad. I have to admit I also thought it was hilarious when the professor was trying to get the class to pronounce, um, the letter that's usually transliterated "kh" - he basically told people to act like they were going to spit. Some of the girls seemed less than enthusiastic about making that sound, but me, I had a mildly sore throat by the end of class. And a big grin. And a very squeezed-out brain.