Yes, I am a missionary and I just said hell. Let me explain...
Ok...theres alot to write about. I am coming out of depressed wanting to do nothing stage...thank God! But now that I am depression free and have some motivation, I am faced with my first big challenge.
Seeing as how today I teach 4 classes in 3 different cities, I figured I better write before I teach, ask for some prayer requests, becuase I feel that I will just come home and collapse tonight. Let me give you a run down so you can pray for my sanity.
10:00 Youth Class in Los Andes. The last time I had classes at this church, there were over 35 youth there. Hoping for a good turn out today, but honestly wont depressed if a only 25 students (a more managle number) show up.
12:00 Return to Balboa. Thank God for toll roads and the church's willingness to reimburse their cost. Without them making it back from Los Andes in one hour would not be possible. Conversation class in Balboa, easy and fun class to teach.
1:30 Return home. Scarf down some food that has been in the fridge just a little to long, and hopefully has no small green things growing on it.
1:35 Load bus to Loma. Depending on the age of the bus, I will be in Loma Cova in 20 minutes.
2:00 Youth Class Loma Cova.
3:00 Adult Class Loma Cova.
4:00 Private tutoring with some students in Loma Cova.
5:00 Load Bus to Panama City. Hopefully dont fall asleep and miss bus stop.
5:30 CRASH!
Please pray for strength to get through Saturdays...my day from hell!.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Quick Update
Just think, this could be you, surronded by Panamanians, laughing and having a good time. Yes, it is actually me in the corner, not so good at the self photo taking-age....but this picture reminds me of why I am here in Panama. Looking for an oppurtunity to serve? Well consider Panama. First things first. We are working on putting together a whole short term program here in Panama for volunteers to come down for 2 weeks to 3 months, and teach English intensively for that time in one or two churches. We feel there could be so much done with English...so keep this development in your prayers.
Second, my classes started again yesterday. Taking exams for the first week, not so much fun. But we will have actual classes tonight and tommorow in Los Andes and Loma Cova. Pray for these classes that they would be used as an outreach for all community and that the church leaders and church members would take more of a role in leading the evangelism and connecting with those new people in the churches.
keep praying...
Friday, March 10, 2006
And the desanimado-ness begins...
ok, to see how much I have to get done, see my last blog. Amidst all the quehaceres (things to do), I am definatly feeling a bit desanimado (unmodivated). I dont know if it is just tiredness or a little bit too long without having clases (I hope you can figure that one out), or if I am entering another phase of culture shock. De todos modos (Anyways) I am here and not evening having anything else to write in my blog...
Oh for some motivation...
keep praying...
Oh for some motivation...
keep praying...
Saturday, March 04, 2006
The business begins...
Well, its March, its Lent, and my five month Panamanian anivesary has come and gone without much notice even from me. I just dropped my best friend off at the airport and am feeling the slump of looking ahead to the many thing I need and want to do and the time shortage that rears its head no matter where you are in the world.
Speaking of work...there is so much to do here. I will begin my classes again very shortly. I have classes in three churches, which will be the largest amount of churches I have had, and will teach about 17 classes a week. That alot for someone who up until December was only teaching 6 classes a week. We are also discussing the possibilities of extending my time down here, and making some more responisibilites for the national church in the direction of the English program. I will also be coordinating classes to continue in Sora, where I did my camp, since a retired couple from the States wishes to help out with continuing those. Not to mention renovation in my apartment, helping Becky for her wedding (which I am a groomsman in, YEAH!!!), setting up objectives for all the classes I will teach until May and figuring out private english lessons for those who are commited to helping out the church.
And questions about my future arise as well. Stay in Panama? Go home? Do something else? Buy a one way ticket to Chile and hitchhike the way to Colorado? Stay in Panama is definatly my top choice right now, but for any of you who know me, I need an four year itenerary and so I have entered emotional crisis mood. I guess there are things about yourself that God will always be using to show you how to have more faith, no matter where you are in the world. Please pray for clear direction as I sometimes get clouded up in the fact that I actually have to decide something.
Also pray for financial support. I still am lacking some funds to cover my expenses for this year. I dont want to go into details here, but if you are interested, please contact me. You can also visit the Support Questions Link on the sidebar to the left.
As for now, I will sit here in my office, eat my spagheti and play with the kids who are making such an impact on my life.
keep on.
Speaking of work...there is so much to do here. I will begin my classes again very shortly. I have classes in three churches, which will be the largest amount of churches I have had, and will teach about 17 classes a week. That alot for someone who up until December was only teaching 6 classes a week. We are also discussing the possibilities of extending my time down here, and making some more responisibilites for the national church in the direction of the English program. I will also be coordinating classes to continue in Sora, where I did my camp, since a retired couple from the States wishes to help out with continuing those. Not to mention renovation in my apartment, helping Becky for her wedding (which I am a groomsman in, YEAH!!!), setting up objectives for all the classes I will teach until May and figuring out private english lessons for those who are commited to helping out the church.
And questions about my future arise as well. Stay in Panama? Go home? Do something else? Buy a one way ticket to Chile and hitchhike the way to Colorado? Stay in Panama is definatly my top choice right now, but for any of you who know me, I need an four year itenerary and so I have entered emotional crisis mood. I guess there are things about yourself that God will always be using to show you how to have more faith, no matter where you are in the world. Please pray for clear direction as I sometimes get clouded up in the fact that I actually have to decide something.
Also pray for financial support. I still am lacking some funds to cover my expenses for this year. I dont want to go into details here, but if you are interested, please contact me. You can also visit the Support Questions Link on the sidebar to the left.
As for now, I will sit here in my office, eat my spagheti and play with the kids who are making such an impact on my life.
keep on.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Two Faced Loma Cova
Loma Cove, let me count the ways I love the...
Oh, sorry, got cuaght up in my um Shakespeare. Well I really wanted to let you know about one of the churches here in Panama...Loma Cova. In a community with roughly a bazillion kids, there are always stories to tell.
First, it is incredible to see such a young group of people being the leaders in a church. As I have already mentioned, the childish population of Loma Cova makes for a unique oppurtunity where the biggest outreach the church does is VBS, Sunday School and other educational and fun things for children.
Its neat to see the many sides of Loma Cova. Two weeks ago the youth were off working their butts off in construction, learning how to lay block and level mortar. Last week, they were normal teens having fun at the youth retreat. And this week, the same guys who are out at construction working on firming up their muscles for all the ladies (yes, do I need to mention that they are teenagers) were the same guys who were tooting around three years on their shoudlers for VBS.
And while the events of Loma Cova are different, two things remain. The love and dedication of the people in the church, who often take on five or six different roles to make sure a building gets built, volunteers get feed, children learn about Moses, musicians practice and the community knows about upcoming events, stays the same. Two, the number of kids, while it may seem to grow (we have about 200 kids at VBS!), gives us the unique oppurtunity to spread to Gospel in its most simple form, whether it be in "Jesus loves me" or a hug to a crying kid.
Pray that the children of Loma Cova would continue in their child like faith and that it may spread to all of those who are in need of it.
Praise God for the work he is doing among his childre in Loma Cova, and for giving the spirit to be "two faced" (but in a good way!)
keep on...
Oh, sorry, got cuaght up in my um Shakespeare. Well I really wanted to let you know about one of the churches here in Panama...Loma Cova. In a community with roughly a bazillion kids, there are always stories to tell.
First, it is incredible to see such a young group of people being the leaders in a church. As I have already mentioned, the childish population of Loma Cova makes for a unique oppurtunity where the biggest outreach the church does is VBS, Sunday School and other educational and fun things for children.
Its neat to see the many sides of Loma Cova. Two weeks ago the youth were off working their butts off in construction, learning how to lay block and level mortar. Last week, they were normal teens having fun at the youth retreat. And this week, the same guys who are out at construction working on firming up their muscles for all the ladies (yes, do I need to mention that they are teenagers) were the same guys who were tooting around three years on their shoudlers for VBS.
And while the events of Loma Cova are different, two things remain. The love and dedication of the people in the church, who often take on five or six different roles to make sure a building gets built, volunteers get feed, children learn about Moses, musicians practice and the community knows about upcoming events, stays the same. Two, the number of kids, while it may seem to grow (we have about 200 kids at VBS!), gives us the unique oppurtunity to spread to Gospel in its most simple form, whether it be in "Jesus loves me" or a hug to a crying kid.
Pray that the children of Loma Cova would continue in their child like faith and that it may spread to all of those who are in need of it.
Praise God for the work he is doing among his childre in Loma Cova, and for giving the spirit to be "two faced" (but in a good way!)
keep on...
Monday, February 20, 2006
Back to life...
After two weeks of work in Sora and longer hair, I returned to the city (yes, mom. A Haircut is on my list of things to do!)
I am back from Sora, and have been for about a week, and it is high time to return to communicating with the outside world. I apologize for the lack of communication over the last weeks. Let me try to get you all cuaght up.
Camp in Sora. Great times. Good students, a little bit of frustration. All a growing experience. Check out the photos of my students below and in my photo album to the link on the right. To find out more about the camp, read February's newsletter, located at the link to the right.
This is Santiago, one of my students, working on his craft for the day.
Icenet doing the actions for our song J-E-S-U-S.
The youth English Class in Sora. This picture was taken at Cerro de la Cruz, a mountain that overlooks the city of Sora.
Renovation in el apartamento. Things are changing little by little and I hope to have a before and after picture for some of you all. Some painting, a lot of moving furniture and alot of settling things in nice homy places. This also includes moving all of my English supplies out of the church office and into my home. Nothing like working from home.
This last weekend was the national youth gathering in Panama. Over 50 students from the seven churches went. I had the chance to help out on the first day, check out the location of the retreat and watch the youth sing, relax and learn. There were session and talks as well as bible studies, games and plenty of food!
Some of the chicas getting ready to head to the other side of the country for the youth retreat. Dont worry, the other side of the country is about a 1 hour drive.
Yasmina making tejadas for the youth retreat. Tejados are actually fried bananas. They are so good!
About 1/3 of the food for the youth retreat at lunch time. Everything homemade and prepared especially for the youth!
The place of the retreat was called Nueva Providencia, located on Gatun Lake, on the Carriebean side of Panama.
One of the sessions dealt with conflicts in the Family. Here Ana, Yamileth, Ricardo and Carlos act out a "conflict" in the family.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Life in the bush...
Welcome to Sorá, the city that is one part mountains, two parts sweeping ocean veiws, equal parts lack of social oppurtunities, internet and other “modern” ammenities (like running water), ten parts bugs, incests and spiders, and six parts completely Panamanian countryside. I have been here for a week, and have learned so much. Let me share.
I started teaching my two week English Camp on Monday. We have two classes: one for children in the morning and one for youth in the afternoon. We are using the stories from Jesus’ life to learn more about the bible, and to serve as “starting points” for English themes. I have the faithful students who come everyday and practice things like “My name is…, Her Name is…. I am from…She is from…” and those who straggle in once every couple of days just to sing. That’s right, you can imagine me, the tonedeaf, leading over ambitious, often pleased with screaming as singing students in a good ole round of Praise Ye the Lord” or “Father Abraham”. Even though I think about the Spanish phrase me salió un gallo (which means literally, a rooster came out of me) when I think about me singing, you can imagine my pleasure last night when I heard kids singing Praise ye the Lord from the other side of town (ego check starts in 1, 2, 3: keep in mind that the other side of town in Sorá is a good 500 feet away, and it sounded more like Frase she da Loor…oh well…we have a week to work on this).
I think the big things I am learning are more cultural. I will never understand the Panamanian culture in it entirity, because every city has its own distinct thing that I will never pick up on. And while this leads to some sort of daily frustration, there are so many blessings that keep me going through each day. Let me expound.
The kids in my classes make it worth it. Although I often have to remind them that I am the teacher and they NEED to listen to me, and remind them that we only need a little drop of glue to glue googly eyes on our crafts, and as trite as it sounds, they make it worth it. And to hear some of the things that the kids live with (multiple step families, lots of poverty, child labor that would even make the Panamanian government cringe, abuse and drunkenness in all parts of the family) make me even that much more impressed with their ability to smile, to come to class and to have fun, and to be able to enjoy their life as a child.
Second, Pastor Matinho (Portuguese, folks…pronounced Mar-teen-yo) has been a blessing! His continual support and openness has provided so much. He leads the congregation here in Sorá with a gentle hand, and has been a big froce in motivating the often timid and shy students. He has also been very good at talking in Spanish (one frustration, as this is my first time with out any other English Speakers around and my firt time of communicating soley in Spanish) and we have both been slowly learning Portuguese and English. Eu tenho que trabalhar muito nos días. (Let see if you Spanish speakers can figure that one out...Even though it’s Portuguese, you can probably figure it out.)
The ability to be taken out of my comfort zone where all my approved methods of teaching don’t serve. When I look at my students, with some of their family situations, they only respond to yelling. This makes things hard for me, trying to get their attention, but refusing to let the church be a place like some of their very trobuled homes. Teachers, you can imagine the frustration when you want the kids to learn so badly, but don’t know how to help them in that fashion. Day after day, I leave frustrated, trying to think of effective ways to discipline the class, keep control of the class, and not feel like they don’t respect me. And while it would be easier to scream, the fact that they wave to me from across the street makes me deal with this frustration in a way that I know would be right.
Okay, well I could go on. I have so many stories. If you want to hear about the bugs (I saw a real live stick bug, a scorpion, and a posinous centipede) well too bad. And I will spare you from the dramatics of Martinho and I saving our house from a raging brush fire, with God’s miraculous providence, of course. And as far as the fact that I could tell you just about anyone’s name is Sorá, I will spare you from that detailled list. Keep praying for the students, that they would learn, not so much “I am” is right and “I is” is not, but that Christ loves them and even though they might not see it much in their homes, they would see his love through the open arms of the church here in Sorá
Oh…and the time to make a decision about staying in Panama is coming up. I have thought about staying, and extending my time until July 2007. Please pray for guidance as I make these decisions.
I started teaching my two week English Camp on Monday. We have two classes: one for children in the morning and one for youth in the afternoon. We are using the stories from Jesus’ life to learn more about the bible, and to serve as “starting points” for English themes. I have the faithful students who come everyday and practice things like “My name is…, Her Name is…. I am from…She is from…” and those who straggle in once every couple of days just to sing. That’s right, you can imagine me, the tonedeaf, leading over ambitious, often pleased with screaming as singing students in a good ole round of Praise Ye the Lord” or “Father Abraham”. Even though I think about the Spanish phrase me salió un gallo (which means literally, a rooster came out of me) when I think about me singing, you can imagine my pleasure last night when I heard kids singing Praise ye the Lord from the other side of town (ego check starts in 1, 2, 3: keep in mind that the other side of town in Sorá is a good 500 feet away, and it sounded more like Frase she da Loor…oh well…we have a week to work on this).
I think the big things I am learning are more cultural. I will never understand the Panamanian culture in it entirity, because every city has its own distinct thing that I will never pick up on. And while this leads to some sort of daily frustration, there are so many blessings that keep me going through each day. Let me expound.
The kids in my classes make it worth it. Although I often have to remind them that I am the teacher and they NEED to listen to me, and remind them that we only need a little drop of glue to glue googly eyes on our crafts, and as trite as it sounds, they make it worth it. And to hear some of the things that the kids live with (multiple step families, lots of poverty, child labor that would even make the Panamanian government cringe, abuse and drunkenness in all parts of the family) make me even that much more impressed with their ability to smile, to come to class and to have fun, and to be able to enjoy their life as a child.
Second, Pastor Matinho (Portuguese, folks…pronounced Mar-teen-yo) has been a blessing! His continual support and openness has provided so much. He leads the congregation here in Sorá with a gentle hand, and has been a big froce in motivating the often timid and shy students. He has also been very good at talking in Spanish (one frustration, as this is my first time with out any other English Speakers around and my firt time of communicating soley in Spanish) and we have both been slowly learning Portuguese and English. Eu tenho que trabalhar muito nos días. (Let see if you Spanish speakers can figure that one out...Even though it’s Portuguese, you can probably figure it out.)
The ability to be taken out of my comfort zone where all my approved methods of teaching don’t serve. When I look at my students, with some of their family situations, they only respond to yelling. This makes things hard for me, trying to get their attention, but refusing to let the church be a place like some of their very trobuled homes. Teachers, you can imagine the frustration when you want the kids to learn so badly, but don’t know how to help them in that fashion. Day after day, I leave frustrated, trying to think of effective ways to discipline the class, keep control of the class, and not feel like they don’t respect me. And while it would be easier to scream, the fact that they wave to me from across the street makes me deal with this frustration in a way that I know would be right.
Okay, well I could go on. I have so many stories. If you want to hear about the bugs (I saw a real live stick bug, a scorpion, and a posinous centipede) well too bad. And I will spare you from the dramatics of Martinho and I saving our house from a raging brush fire, with God’s miraculous providence, of course. And as far as the fact that I could tell you just about anyone’s name is Sorá, I will spare you from that detailled list. Keep praying for the students, that they would learn, not so much “I am” is right and “I is” is not, but that Christ loves them and even though they might not see it much in their homes, they would see his love through the open arms of the church here in Sorá
Oh…and the time to make a decision about staying in Panama is coming up. I have thought about staying, and extending my time until July 2007. Please pray for guidance as I make these decisions.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Iggi be goodi and other good times
Iggi be goodi? Iggi be nuga? An Chris nuga! An be doke!
Wow, its like you just wondered into a Kuna Class. As a new challenge for the new year, I have taken up Kuna lessons. Its informal really, I teach my friends English and they teach me Kuna. Kuna is the language of the one of the indigenous people groups here in Panama and most of my students in Loma Cova, a Kuna village, speak it. So Lenin, the superstar, is teaching me Kuna. Its kind of wierd having to learn a language through a language that is not your first language. We will see how it goes.
Alot of other good things have happened this week. Our first construction group came and worked, and worked hard...the gropu of ten, along with about 20 people from Loma Cova, almost finished digging and pouring the entire foundation. The group was amazing to watch. To be in Loma Cova and see them making friendships with people who they couldnt really talk to, and to see them last night, all emotional to leave people they had met just a week ago was a touching reminder of the power of God to work among his people.
I also got a chance to hang out with some of the youth from Loma Cova. I got my sorry self up out of bed at 6 in the morning on Wednesday to take a bus to Loma Cova and go running with Crenaldo, Ruso, Edelio, and Wigaliler. They took me up to the top of this mountain that looks over the entire city--the canal, the bridges, buildings, and ocean. It was increduble. Getting to spend time with my students, and answering questions like "How many TV channels are there in the states" reminded me that being here and building relationships is what it is all about. And while I want the students to learn English, when I spend time with these young men who are going to lead their community one day, even though they might say things like "I is" or "can work you in dirt?", I know that God is using me through my time spent with them.
And God is using them to change me. I see that in the three months here, I have changed. How to exactly articulate these changes is where we run into problems. Seeing the smiles on congregations members faces, the way they interact with people, the way the invite people into their family of faith, hides the fact that some of them struggle with money. Their faith is so strong, that interacting with them, you would not know that they have any bodily problems at all, becuase they know that God will provide and that shows in the way they live.
May we all learn from those who, no matter what their station in life, have lessons more valuable than any professor, pastor, or author.
keep on learning...
Wow, its like you just wondered into a Kuna Class. As a new challenge for the new year, I have taken up Kuna lessons. Its informal really, I teach my friends English and they teach me Kuna. Kuna is the language of the one of the indigenous people groups here in Panama and most of my students in Loma Cova, a Kuna village, speak it. So Lenin, the superstar, is teaching me Kuna. Its kind of wierd having to learn a language through a language that is not your first language. We will see how it goes.
Alot of other good things have happened this week. Our first construction group came and worked, and worked hard...the gropu of ten, along with about 20 people from Loma Cova, almost finished digging and pouring the entire foundation. The group was amazing to watch. To be in Loma Cova and see them making friendships with people who they couldnt really talk to, and to see them last night, all emotional to leave people they had met just a week ago was a touching reminder of the power of God to work among his people.
I also got a chance to hang out with some of the youth from Loma Cova. I got my sorry self up out of bed at 6 in the morning on Wednesday to take a bus to Loma Cova and go running with Crenaldo, Ruso, Edelio, and Wigaliler. They took me up to the top of this mountain that looks over the entire city--the canal, the bridges, buildings, and ocean. It was increduble. Getting to spend time with my students, and answering questions like "How many TV channels are there in the states" reminded me that being here and building relationships is what it is all about. And while I want the students to learn English, when I spend time with these young men who are going to lead their community one day, even though they might say things like "I is" or "can work you in dirt?", I know that God is using me through my time spent with them.
And God is using them to change me. I see that in the three months here, I have changed. How to exactly articulate these changes is where we run into problems. Seeing the smiles on congregations members faces, the way they interact with people, the way the invite people into their family of faith, hides the fact that some of them struggle with money. Their faith is so strong, that interacting with them, you would not know that they have any bodily problems at all, becuase they know that God will provide and that shows in the way they live.
May we all learn from those who, no matter what their station in life, have lessons more valuable than any professor, pastor, or author.
keep on learning...
Friday, January 06, 2006
And I promised you pictures...
Here are some pictures that help recap up the year of 2005. Some of the highlights here in Panama. Enjoy!
Let's start recently and work our way back. For New Years, we went to Chiriqui, in the western part of Panama, and this is the river we spent some time in. It was so relaxing! 
Ahh, the traditional Panamanian Nativity. Yes, that is a Guami Indian Angel Floating above a pollera toting Maria, and a Devil Dancer Wiseman. INteresting...
Let's start recently and work our way back. For New Years, we went to Chiriqui, in the western part of Panama, and this is the river we spent some time in. It was so relaxing!Although it may appear that I am giving birth to this rock, or urinating on it, but let the truth be told. This picture was taken as I was falling into aformentioned river.
Rivers and beaches! This is how Christmas should really be spent. This is me, chilling it out on the beach for New Years.
Dad, you can take inspiration for your Christmas Light Display. This is a house in David, actually belongs to a friend of Noriega, all decorated for Christmas. Yeah, nothing says Christmas cheer like a nasty totalitarian dictatorship.
Ahh, the traditional Panamanian Nativity. Yes, that is a Guami Indian Angel Floating above a pollera toting Maria, and a Devil Dancer Wiseman. INteresting...
Gift time in Loma Cova. The kids loved their gifts, and I enjoyed trying to teach Pilieler to use his new skates. Seeing as how there is a whole five feet of paved road in Loma Cova, and about ten bazillion kids, we got good at skating in the gravel!
The Nativity Scene Reenactment in Loma Cova. I didnt think I would ever laugh so hard at the Birth of Christ, but the personalities of each student shone through and made it the most interesting interpretation of the Nativity I have ever seen!
This freakin' huge boat is going through the canal. It was actually the first time I have seen such a huge boat up close. This was at the Pedro Miguel Locks, about three days ago!
This is the "Chris just said something stupid" look, which usually comes right before I realize the stupid thing I said and start laughing at myself.
Kids and fire. Not a Good Combination. You can see the concerned look on the mothers face. This was at the Independence Day Parade in Bouquete, a small town in the western, mountainous part of Panama.
Whoa, Chris the Giant. No Panamanains are not all that small, its just that Carlos had his chair reclined, making me look like one big gringo steriod mistake. THis was on the bus to Chiriqui, and yes it was too small for my mammoth gringo legs.
Get in my Belly. I like the tourist look with the camera and all. This was at my first street party experience which really was more like a scene from Fast and the Furious, with all the cars parked and radios blaring.
Students from Loma Cova play for the Christmas Concert in Balboa. There was so many people there at the Concert!
Joy getting a little power happy as she sets up for the Christmas Concert. Joy's motto in life is, If you arent sweat your guts out in a stuffy church setting up speakers, you arent working hard enough!
Panama La Vieja. The very first settlement in Panama. A little taste of the history I live among.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Feliz Nuevo Ano and other gringo-esque things to say...
Well, that sounded Spanish-ishy, you might say to yourself. After all, the song does say, Feliz Navidad, prospero ano y felicidad, so whats wrong with saying Feliz Nuevo Ano? I have learned my lesson over the past few days, greeting people with a cheery "Happy New Year" in Spanish that its never as easy as it seems in the text books or radio songs.
Well, first thing (and hereafter is a quick lesson in spanish grammer), it would have to be Feliz aNo, with a little tidle over the n (you know this little bugger ~, that changes the pronunciation of the n to "ny"). Second, after you take the American/Texan/Gringo/Deep South twang out of your pronuncuation (just picture President Bush saying this), it would be Feliz Ano Nuevo, becuase in Spanish, the adjective almost always comes after the noun (some exceptions pertain, of course). And third, in Panama, it might be just too much work to say Feliz Ano Nuevo, so the cut off the entire "new" (nuevo) part and just say Feliz Ano. So to all of you out there...Happy Year!
Language is never as easy as learning in a textbook. And since one of my resolutions was to talk Spanish more acurratly, I decided to let the urning public know where I am at with my Spanish. Here are some cases of gringo things I have said during my three months here in Panama.
1. The ever common "cosita". This literally means little thing. It comes in hand when ever you dont know a word for some sort of object. Could you pass me that cosita...I need that cosita that goes with this cosita, but I also need to know which of these cositas is better...
2. The ever confusing novio/a. In Spanish, female things (like women and computers) most often end in "a". Masculine things (like men and desks) usually end in "o". This goes for the word boyfriend and girlfriend, "novio" and "novia" respectively. You can imagine the confusion and the explaining on my part when I was asked if I had a girlfriend, and I said, no I dont have a novio, but that I am looking for one...
3. The ever subtle "chorizo". This word means sausage, however is often used in a double sense in Spanish (why this is not explained in text books, I dont know). I will let you figure out what it means as well as imagine the horror on a teens face when I told her that my friend likes "chorizo"...
4. The ever befuddling "que tal?" This seems to be the catch all welcoming greeting. Understanding it is not so hard (it means like whats up?) but answering it can be tricky. Things like Whats up, dont usually go with "the party?" "Whats up the party?" "Whats up your classes?" "Whats up the food?" This is not so much a case of what a gringo would say, but more what a gringo tries to stumble to put together as a sentence.
5. The ever present "joven." In the text books, this is just an adjective that means young. Well here in Panama, it refers to any kind of service person whose attention you need. Hey salesman, how much does this cost, hey waiter, the bill please type of thing. Well, you can imagine my shame when waiting in line at a buffet style restuarant, and then instead of saying joven to the server who happened to be of the "tercera edad" (a retired person) I said vieja (which means old lady!). And the correct thing to say: senora (a respectful Mrs.) instead of old lady!
Well, the list could go on. I feel fortuante that even in my times where I stumble, I have the grace of God to fall on. I hope that through whatever struggles you encounter this year, you would remember that. Through the joys that make the smile, the goof ups that we can laugh about, and the times when things just seem to go wrong, that you remember God is present through all those times, and on his rock, firmly built, you will make it. May God bless you as you head out through this year, and may it truely be for you a Feliz Ano!
until later, keep plugging!
Well, first thing (and hereafter is a quick lesson in spanish grammer), it would have to be Feliz aNo, with a little tidle over the n (you know this little bugger ~, that changes the pronunciation of the n to "ny"). Second, after you take the American/Texan/Gringo/Deep South twang out of your pronuncuation (just picture President Bush saying this), it would be Feliz Ano Nuevo, becuase in Spanish, the adjective almost always comes after the noun (some exceptions pertain, of course). And third, in Panama, it might be just too much work to say Feliz Ano Nuevo, so the cut off the entire "new" (nuevo) part and just say Feliz Ano. So to all of you out there...Happy Year!
Language is never as easy as learning in a textbook. And since one of my resolutions was to talk Spanish more acurratly, I decided to let the urning public know where I am at with my Spanish. Here are some cases of gringo things I have said during my three months here in Panama.
1. The ever common "cosita". This literally means little thing. It comes in hand when ever you dont know a word for some sort of object. Could you pass me that cosita...I need that cosita that goes with this cosita, but I also need to know which of these cositas is better...
2. The ever confusing novio/a. In Spanish, female things (like women and computers) most often end in "a". Masculine things (like men and desks) usually end in "o". This goes for the word boyfriend and girlfriend, "novio" and "novia" respectively. You can imagine the confusion and the explaining on my part when I was asked if I had a girlfriend, and I said, no I dont have a novio, but that I am looking for one...
3. The ever subtle "chorizo". This word means sausage, however is often used in a double sense in Spanish (why this is not explained in text books, I dont know). I will let you figure out what it means as well as imagine the horror on a teens face when I told her that my friend likes "chorizo"...
4. The ever befuddling "que tal?" This seems to be the catch all welcoming greeting. Understanding it is not so hard (it means like whats up?) but answering it can be tricky. Things like Whats up, dont usually go with "the party?" "Whats up the party?" "Whats up your classes?" "Whats up the food?" This is not so much a case of what a gringo would say, but more what a gringo tries to stumble to put together as a sentence.
5. The ever present "joven." In the text books, this is just an adjective that means young. Well here in Panama, it refers to any kind of service person whose attention you need. Hey salesman, how much does this cost, hey waiter, the bill please type of thing. Well, you can imagine my shame when waiting in line at a buffet style restuarant, and then instead of saying joven to the server who happened to be of the "tercera edad" (a retired person) I said vieja (which means old lady!). And the correct thing to say: senora (a respectful Mrs.) instead of old lady!
Well, the list could go on. I feel fortuante that even in my times where I stumble, I have the grace of God to fall on. I hope that through whatever struggles you encounter this year, you would remember that. Through the joys that make the smile, the goof ups that we can laugh about, and the times when things just seem to go wrong, that you remember God is present through all those times, and on his rock, firmly built, you will make it. May God bless you as you head out through this year, and may it truely be for you a Feliz Ano!
until later, keep plugging!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
