Jen! There are, like, ten quotes I want to restack from this post! So beautifully articulated. I just signed up for Spanish lessons through my community centre to make some progress ahead of my South America and Spain portions of my upcoming sabbatical around the globe. I’m going to use this as my mantra throughout the process, both the language learning and the life-lesson learning on my journeys. Thanks for the inspiration!
This makes me think of Spanish translation class with you back in the day ! :))) remember ?? ? I love that I can see the world with you through your eyes ! Your posts are a gift . I miss you.
Hi Jen! This resonated so deeply. The distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally — I know that gap well. I taught myself English as a child and write in it now, but my thoughts are born in Spanish, and something always gets lost in the crossing. Yet there's a gift in it too: writing in a second language forces me to slow down, to choose every word, to listen harder. The vulnerability becomes a kind of attention.
"Estoy aprendiendo" as a way of being... I love that.
What a gift that you’re able to write in a second language. I journal in Spanish sometimes, but it’s more for the language practice. I love your last line—the vulnerability becomes a kind of attention. So beautiful. Thanks for reading and for your comment, Pamela!
"There is a strange vulnerability in not being able to fully express yourself. You become aware of the distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally." The distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally — I know that distance intimately. After 26 years in Switzerland my French is still imperfect. And somewhere along the way I realized that living in that vulnerability, that gap between what I feel and what I can say, has made me more willing to be uncomfortable in other ways too. Vulnerability at one level seems to open doors at every other level. Thank you for this.
Speaking of curiosity, could you share the name of your favorite coffee place and the rooftop bar in Antigua? I'm going to a writers retreat in Lake Atitlan in March and will be passing by. Gracias por todo. Laura
Jen! There are, like, ten quotes I want to restack from this post! So beautifully articulated. I just signed up for Spanish lessons through my community centre to make some progress ahead of my South America and Spain portions of my upcoming sabbatical around the globe. I’m going to use this as my mantra throughout the process, both the language learning and the life-lesson learning on my journeys. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Jenna! Thanks so much for this comment. I started my Spanish learning in the same way. Where in South America are you headed?
I love that you took the plunge and moved to Guatemala! That’s a country very high up on my list! We are traveling to Peru and Chile next spring.
This makes me think of Spanish translation class with you back in the day ! :))) remember ?? ? I love that I can see the world with you through your eyes ! Your posts are a gift . I miss you.
I love to learn. I often start my sentences with "I wonder..." I'm curious about the world and enjoy every discovery, especially the unfamiliar ones.
Maybe some people see learning as a duty, or that they learn because they have to, as if it has to be motivated by a big reason.
While I think curiosity is my hobby.
I also understand the language barrier. There is a strong desire to connect on a deep level, but it is slowed because we are not quite ready for it.
Me too! Curiosity as a hobby—love it!
Hi Jen! This resonated so deeply. The distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally — I know that gap well. I taught myself English as a child and write in it now, but my thoughts are born in Spanish, and something always gets lost in the crossing. Yet there's a gift in it too: writing in a second language forces me to slow down, to choose every word, to listen harder. The vulnerability becomes a kind of attention.
"Estoy aprendiendo" as a way of being... I love that.
What a gift that you’re able to write in a second language. I journal in Spanish sometimes, but it’s more for the language practice. I love your last line—the vulnerability becomes a kind of attention. So beautiful. Thanks for reading and for your comment, Pamela!
I love this post, Jen.
Gracias, Beth!!
"There is a strange vulnerability in not being able to fully express yourself. You become aware of the distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally." The distance between who you are internally and what you can communicate externally — I know that distance intimately. After 26 years in Switzerland my French is still imperfect. And somewhere along the way I realized that living in that vulnerability, that gap between what I feel and what I can say, has made me more willing to be uncomfortable in other ways too. Vulnerability at one level seems to open doors at every other level. Thank you for this.
Hola Jen
Speaking of curiosity, could you share the name of your favorite coffee place and the rooftop bar in Antigua? I'm going to a writers retreat in Lake Atitlan in March and will be passing by. Gracias por todo. Laura