I have hunger

So unfortunately the realization that my time in Spain is almost over hit the other day.  (Seriously where did the time go??)  Said realization produced an almost quarter life crisis (wait, I'm 24 now??) and panic.  Since then I've spent my time applying to teaching jobs (damn you Applitrack...), studying Spanish, drinking lots of vino, and pulling my hair out (no really, I've developed a bald spot)...

I've also spent some time reflecting on some of my past eight months here along with what goals I still have left to accomplish:

Goal 1: Read a book in Spanish.  

Goal 2: See more of Spain.

Goal 3: Speak more Spanish.

Goal 4: Try not to cry.

The Spanish book I'm reading.

It may or may not be written for teens...

Since my main goal is to become better at the language (in the hopes of becoming Spanish Certified upon my return to the States... oh dear), I've become hyper-aware of everything Spanish related.  This mostly includes my daily conversations with people.

Realization #1: For the life of me, I cannot roll my stupid "R's".  (When you can roll your "R's"  while conversing in Spanish, you know you've made it.)

  I encounter this problem rather frequently whether in school with my students:

Kelly: Perro
Student: Que?
Kelly: Perrrrro
Student: Que?!
Kelly: PERRO
Student: (blank stare)
Kelly: (writes "perro")
Student: Oh! Dog! Perro.
Kelly:That's what I was saying the whole time!

If only it were this easy

Or in my private classes with my Spanish teacher:

Spanish teacher: (rolls r sound)
Kelly: (attempts to roll r sound.)
Spanish teacher: try again (rolls r sound)
Kelly: (attempts once again)

And this continues on and on until the teacher finally sees that this exercise is going no where.  While the Spaniards are born with this gift to roll their "R's", I've been left with the capability to sound like a pirate... arrr. 

The other helpful (self-taught) tip I've learned while attempting to speak Spanish is to think like a caveman:
 Tengo hombre-- I have hunger
Tengo 24 anos -- I have 24 years
Tengo sueno-- I have sleepiness
Tengo calor-- I have hot

 I have hunger!

 And what's really funny is that when you google "I have hunger" Chris Christie comes up...

I've also developed a few favorite Spanish words and phrases since arriving here:

Joder: Literally means the f-word.  But before you get your panties in a knot, it's equivalent to an American saying sh*t/shoot.  Aside from it's meaning, this word is just plain fun to say.  You get to sound like you're hacking up a loogy since the sound starts at the back of your throat!

Vale: Literally translates to the word "okay" but it is used so much more than our "okay."  The Spanish use this word for everything.  You can even have whole conversations only using vale:

Person 1: Vale.
Person 2: Vale?
Person 1: Vale.
Person 2: Vale vale.  

And somehow that conversation actually makes complete sense.


Guapa: To some people this word may sound like a type of fish (ehem Madre.)  But it actually means the word "beautiful" and the Spanish LOVE to use it.  So much so, I'm going to return to the United States expecting everyone to greet me with "Hello beautiful" (Hola guapa!).  Plus the word "guapa" is just plain fun to say.

Cateto: Cateto is the word for a hillbilly.  As you might have guessed, I have not been able to pull this off in casual conversation so far in Spain. However, there is still time and I am optimistic.

Challenge accepted.


Ganas: This word is great because it means "desire."  With the people I socialize with, this term is typically used when referring to going out that night.  "Are you going out tonight? "  "Si! Tengo ganas." or  "No tengo ganas."  I have desire.  I don't have desire.  Sounds much cooler in Spanish.

Madre Mia: Literally means "Mother of mine".  However it actually translates to "Oh my God/goodness."  A person can get very creative and dramatic using this one.