This class was very different than the normal college experience. Not only in the expected sense of a high work load, but mainly in the sense of the class itself. Not many classes at UT are as small as this one. Also, very few classes involve me as a student so directly. The up close and personal way that makes the class so different and entertaining really involved me and allowed me begin to understand a foreign language more fully than I previously could have imagined. Knowing that 506 is only the beginning, I can only hope to find everything the same in the next series of Spanish classes (except maybe a possible course load reduction....but probably not).
One thing about the class I wish to learn more about is the Latin American countries themselves. Previously, I was set on visiting Europe and Spain wasn't high on the list. Now, I'm almost split between my history interests in Europe and my Spanish cultural interests of South America. Now, it seems like Spain would be a great compromise between the two interests. Hopefully, as I'm certain to need Spanish in some foreign place eventually, I'll be able to look back to this blog and this class and remember how it all started with having to ask my girlfriend if there was an accent in este semestre.
miércoles, 30 de abril de 2008
Me gusta...
Me gusta el espanol. I've learned Spanish to a greater extent and I'm super pleased. Something that I wanted to talk about is quince's. I had one when I turned fifteen but it was somewhat not traditional. Instead of having the big white dress, I decided to do things on my own and wear something that was unpredictable but now that I think about it I wish I would have stuck to my roots and would have just done it since it is a major event in every girls life. I guess that's why I'm clinging to my Spanish for dear life. I don't want to change. I want to eat frijoles and arroz I want to party with the raza! Being here is slowly changing me, like Alejandra was explaining how she integrates words in English into her Spanish. That's unacceptable to the family but I hope that I am able to stay true so I can pass on Mexican culture to my future kids.
lunes, 28 de abril de 2008
Popular fiestas in Spain
There are many festivals held in Spain. Actually, There are so many fiestas that even if you could attend more than one a day you would not be able to see them all in a single lifetime. I thought I would pick a few out and let yall know about them!
Las Fallas: This fiesta is known as one of the most unique and crazy festivals in Spain. In Valencian, Las Fallas literally means "the fires". This festival is a 5-day event in which over three million people gather to create and destroy ninots. Ninots are lifelike satirical scenes and current events. They often are of corrupt politicians and Spanish celebrities. Many are several stories tall. The ninots are left in place until March 19th. This day is known as "La Crema". During the evening, young men stuff the ninots with fireworks with many people surrounding. At midnight, all ninots are set on fire. Firemen cover storefronts with fireproof tarps to keep the fires from spreading. Each year, one ninot is spared from destruction by popular vote and is exhibitied in a local museum. There are many other events happening at this festival also. There are bullfights, parades, paella contests and beauty pageants during the days leading up to "La Crema".
Lunes de Aguas: Family and friends meet at the River Tormes for a huge picnick on the Monday after Easter. This is time for people to relax, have fun, and eat all kinds of food. The origins of this fiesta actually had to do with prostitutes being banned from the city during lent. When they were allowed back into the city, having to cross the river to get there, many people came to meet them with a party to welcome them back. This celebration continues on today!
San Fermin: This fiesta is celebrated in Pamplona. It is a week long event that begins on the sixth of july and ends at midnight on the fourteenth. everyone is accepted at this festival, young and old, religious and non-religious, local people and outsiders. It is known for the spectacle of bulls running.
Las Fallas: This fiesta is known as one of the most unique and crazy festivals in Spain. In Valencian, Las Fallas literally means "the fires". This festival is a 5-day event in which over three million people gather to create and destroy ninots. Ninots are lifelike satirical scenes and current events. They often are of corrupt politicians and Spanish celebrities. Many are several stories tall. The ninots are left in place until March 19th. This day is known as "La Crema". During the evening, young men stuff the ninots with fireworks with many people surrounding. At midnight, all ninots are set on fire. Firemen cover storefronts with fireproof tarps to keep the fires from spreading. Each year, one ninot is spared from destruction by popular vote and is exhibitied in a local museum. There are many other events happening at this festival also. There are bullfights, parades, paella contests and beauty pageants during the days leading up to "La Crema".
Lunes de Aguas: Family and friends meet at the River Tormes for a huge picnick on the Monday after Easter. This is time for people to relax, have fun, and eat all kinds of food. The origins of this fiesta actually had to do with prostitutes being banned from the city during lent. When they were allowed back into the city, having to cross the river to get there, many people came to meet them with a party to welcome them back. This celebration continues on today!
San Fermin: This fiesta is celebrated in Pamplona. It is a week long event that begins on the sixth of july and ends at midnight on the fourteenth. everyone is accepted at this festival, young and old, religious and non-religious, local people and outsiders. It is known for the spectacle of bulls running.
Semestre
So, this semester of Spanish...I've learned quite a bit.
Most of all, I think confidence has been gained in speaking (or at least TRYING) in Spanish, in everyday life.
I think the biggest test of faith was when I was with Jennifer in Fiesta today. We both were looking at candies that were popular in Mexico, but really had no idea.
We both stood there, confused, and a couple of ladies were next to us speaking in rapid Spanish.
Jen and I looked at each other, and started laughing. Should we ask them? shouldn't we?
Eventually, we got over our fear, and asked them in spanish if they could help us.
It turned out they knew English, so the rest of the conversation was easier. But, just asking them was a step in the right direction.
Thanks :)
Most of all, I think confidence has been gained in speaking (or at least TRYING) in Spanish, in everyday life.
I think the biggest test of faith was when I was with Jennifer in Fiesta today. We both were looking at candies that were popular in Mexico, but really had no idea.
We both stood there, confused, and a couple of ladies were next to us speaking in rapid Spanish.
Jen and I looked at each other, and started laughing. Should we ask them? shouldn't we?
Eventually, we got over our fear, and asked them in spanish if they could help us.
It turned out they knew English, so the rest of the conversation was easier. But, just asking them was a step in the right direction.
Thanks :)
martes, 15 de abril de 2008
Puerto Rico
Lorna taught us quite a bit about Puerto Rico when she visited our class on Thursday. She talked most about the tumultuous political scene within the country. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Basically, this relationship means that Puerto Rico is subject to the bills that pass in Congress, while having no say themselves in the process. They do have their own government, and remain mostly autonomous, but Puerto Rico is ultimately still ruled by the U.S.
This relationship divides the country between those that approve of the relationship, and those who want Puerto Rican independence. She also spoke about how this can even divide families, and used her own family as an example. I had no idea that the relationship between the US and Puerto Rico was so divisive. This is both enlightening, and mildly disturbing, as it seems we are subjecting them to rule without representation, which is what the US was originally founded to avoid. But that's for another post.
On a lighter night, she spoke about what people do for fun in Puerto Rico. Since it is an island, there are beaches all around... so many people travel to the beach to soak up some sun. She also talked about Old San Juan, where there are apparently a lot of bars to get cheap beer. These bars like to rip off tourists, however -- so be careful.
As far as music goes, the most popular seems to be reggaeton, which is a blend of Reggae, hip hop, and multiple other genres of music. Other more traditional music, like salsa, is still listened to though.
Overall, Lorna's talk was genuinely informative. I really didn't know anything about Puerto Rico before... but now I want to visit.
This relationship divides the country between those that approve of the relationship, and those who want Puerto Rican independence. She also spoke about how this can even divide families, and used her own family as an example. I had no idea that the relationship between the US and Puerto Rico was so divisive. This is both enlightening, and mildly disturbing, as it seems we are subjecting them to rule without representation, which is what the US was originally founded to avoid. But that's for another post.
On a lighter night, she spoke about what people do for fun in Puerto Rico. Since it is an island, there are beaches all around... so many people travel to the beach to soak up some sun. She also talked about Old San Juan, where there are apparently a lot of bars to get cheap beer. These bars like to rip off tourists, however -- so be careful.
As far as music goes, the most popular seems to be reggaeton, which is a blend of Reggae, hip hop, and multiple other genres of music. Other more traditional music, like salsa, is still listened to though.
Overall, Lorna's talk was genuinely informative. I really didn't know anything about Puerto Rico before... but now I want to visit.
Puerto Rico
When Lorna came to talk about Puerto Rico, she left us with a lot of interesting information that I really enjoyed learning about. The first thing that interested me was her favorite food which is mofongo or fried plantains. I love food and so I am always willing to welcome in new tastes such as this. She also told us about her favorite celebration in Puerto Rico called Fiestas de la Calle San Juan which takes place in El Viejo San Juan downtown. It is essentially a street festival in one of her favorite places to hang out.
Something else she talked about was the presence of politics and political conversation all around Puerto Rico. It seems that it is the main thing being talked about among locals no matter where they are hanging out. The politics between the U.S. and Puerto Rico are very complicated with many facets and each person has their own ideas about what should or should not be happening between the two places. Despite all the political conversations and differences in opinion, Puerto Rico is still a generally welcoming place that doesn't really seem to hold resentments against people who come to visit from the U.S. which is very nice to hear because I would love to go and visit.
Something else she talked about was the presence of politics and political conversation all around Puerto Rico. It seems that it is the main thing being talked about among locals no matter where they are hanging out. The politics between the U.S. and Puerto Rico are very complicated with many facets and each person has their own ideas about what should or should not be happening between the two places. Despite all the political conversations and differences in opinion, Puerto Rico is still a generally welcoming place that doesn't really seem to hold resentments against people who come to visit from the U.S. which is very nice to hear because I would love to go and visit.
lunes, 14 de abril de 2008
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is very different then other Latin American countries. In fact, Lorna said that Puerto Ricans don't even consider themselves Latin Americans. This belief may come from more than just a geographical context. Puerto Ricans share much more with the United States than any other Spanish speaking country. As a territory, the Puerto Ricans are split into two basic parties; one for independence, one for becoming a US state; but these parties belief don't draw simple emotions. Lorna reported that politics are everywhere in Puerto Rico. Where one may find a group debating a presidential nominee or the national news giving reports, the everyday American interest in politics pales in comparison to Puerto Rico's. People in the streets can be overheard heatedly discussing Puero Rican politics.
Another interesting part of this island is the city life. Lorna said that despite the islands relatively small size, it wasn't very walking friendly. San Juan is a city best traveled by train or car. However, once you reach Old San Juan, the Puerto Rican equivalent to 6th Street, tourists are easily separated from those who know the city. Lorna said obvious bars such as Senor Frogs will charge you up to $4 for a drink, where a local who knows people can get that same drink for $1.25 at another bar.
Another interesting part of this island is the city life. Lorna said that despite the islands relatively small size, it wasn't very walking friendly. San Juan is a city best traveled by train or car. However, once you reach Old San Juan, the Puerto Rican equivalent to 6th Street, tourists are easily separated from those who know the city. Lorna said obvious bars such as Senor Frogs will charge you up to $4 for a drink, where a local who knows people can get that same drink for $1.25 at another bar.
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