The real reason that I haven't been blogging lately is because of Facebook. I don't have a large capacity for socializing, and I like to spend a lot of time at home with my face in a book (no pun intended there), hanging out with my kids, or watching DVD's. Facebook, even though I only spend a minute or two here and there, was ultimately about all I could handle as far as spending time on the internet. I actually spend very little time online, and that's really about it. The good thing about Facebook for Blackberry is that I don't even have to sit at a computer; even better.
I'm a task oriented person, so just trolling around on the internet bores me. I pretty much limit my use of the net to searching for a specific piece of information that I need at a given moment. I know that must sound hard to believe, with the amount of information and entertainment available online, but it's true. It's the same reason why I can't sit and watch hours and hours of television. After about an hour, I'm good to go...Any more than that, I become almost catatonic. I hate that hazy feeling that comes over me if I've spent too much time vegging out in front of the TV or online.
Today is actually Christmas at my house. Since the kids are going to KY for Christmas, and I'm going to PA, we decided that our Christmas would be December 20th this year. I'm cooking a roast, we opened presents, and I'm baking cookies today. It's funny how the day on the calendar really has nothing to do with a holiday. Today actually *feels* like Christmas to us. It's kind of a weird feeling, because tomorrow it will feel like Christmas is over, and it hasn't even come yet. Interesting.
On that note, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
K.
I have a chuck roast marinating in the fridge in a yummy lime and spices marinade, and I just made a black bean and corn salad that turned out really well.
Here's what I put in the bean and corn salad:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (can be substituted with balsamic vinegar, or probably even red wine vinegar)
2 tablespoons olive (or plain vegetable) oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8.75 ounce) can sweet corn, drained
You mix all the spices and liquids in a separate bowl, then add the corn and rinsed beans to it and mix it up, then throw it in the fridge for a while. Yummy. To kick it up, add a few drops of hot sauce, some cayenne pepper, etc.
Enjoy...
I just realized that I've forgotten all about you!
I've been so absorbed in learning to speak Spanish, helping the kids with school, and working, that I forgot all about blogging!
Hmmm...The good thing is that I have such a routine life that not much has happened since I last blogged. I'm somewhere between 60-70% of the way to being conversationally fluent in Spanish. I've reached the point now where I can say most of the things I need to say, and I can read a lot of Spanish. The slowest piece to come is understanding native speakers when they are conversing at a natural speed. I can pick out words and get the context, but a lot of it is still lost on me when people are speaking too fast.
So far I've managed to get a good grasp of present, past (preterit) and future verb tenses. It has been really helpful, conversationally, expanding beyond present tense only. I've dabbled a bit in the conditional tense, as well. I've been avoiding reflexive verbs (ie. I get myself up out of bed), stem changing verbs (the spelling of the root changes when you conjugate them) and pluperfect tenses (ie. I had already gone) because they aren't as easy to learn. Once I roll up my sleeves and get down to business, I know I'll learn it eventually. One of the things I didn't bargain for is that to really learn a language right, there's really no getting around learning correct grammar.
While I'm at it, I might as well throw in a word of the day
poderoso - mighty, powerful
El presidente es un hombre muy poderoso.
The president is a very powerful man.
One week from today until I visit my mom and dad! I can't wait to see them...
chaleco - vest
Lleva un chaleco salvavidas.
She's wearing a life vest.
Today was one of the best days of my life. I can't really say why on the internet. I love being a happy person.
periodista - journalist
Su hermana es periodista.
His sister is a journalist.
pájaro - bird
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Yesterday I went to the local Farmer's Market with Caroline. It's about 15 or 20 minutes from where I live.
I ended up buying some local honey and home made preserves (apple cinnamon, blackberry jam and hot pepper jelly) as well as a variety of veggies. I bought some bean sprouts and snow peas so I can make a stir fry this weekend, and I bought some carrots, strawberries and green leaf lettuce for our beardie. Some of the prices are at least half of what you'd pay at the grocery store, and it hasn't been picked unripe and sent on a cross-country road trip.
The fresh veggies were a big hit with the beardie. He seems to love green leaf lettuce and carrots the best, as well as the strawberries. I can feed him by hand and he takes it right out of my fingers.
This morning I made chocolate pancakes for breakfast for Justin and I had a nice cup of tea, some toast with cinnamon apple jelly, and a yogurt. I went to The Fresh Market yesterday and bought three new kinds of tea; cocoa chai, blackberry and orange pekoe. Yum.
Also, I booked my flight to Buffalo. I'm going to stay at my parents for a couple of days in October and I can't wait!!!
I have to get in the shower for church here shortly...Have a great labor day weekend!
cerro - hill
Desde ese cerro hay muy buena vista.
There's a very good view from that hill.
soltero - single (not married)
Ella es soltera.
She's single.
suplicar - to implore, request
Le suplico que vuelva mañana.
I implore you to return tomorrow.
The kids have finished up their first week of school. Both kids are in new schools this year, which meant a new routine. Everything is going quite well. Justin is on FIRE for school this year, and Tristan is learning to play the viola in his Orchestra elective. Since he already knows how to play guitar, I'm hoping that picking up a new instrument should come easier than if he had no prior musical exposure. I love the fantasic opportunities they provide in middle school. He's pretty stoked about learning to play classical music, and to be a more rounded musician. Speaking of which, here is a picture of Tristan jamming this morning.
Tristan has been studying up on bearded dragons for several months, and I bought one for him this past Monday.
I was surprised to see how observant and engaged this little reptile is. He watches my vacuum, and he runs up to the front of the tank and watches anything that you are doing with great interest. He's quite amusing.
poner en ridículo - to put in a ridiculous situation
La conducta de su mujer lo puso en ridículo.
The conduct of his wife put him in a ridiculous position.
derrumbe - landslide
Hay un derrumbe en el camino.
There's a landslide on the road.
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