Lisa's Funny English Lessons

1.
Me: Do you guys understand what the word “sniff” means?
Student: Yes. Cocaina.

2.
Student: Lisa, how do you say Reyes Magos in English?
Me: Three Kings, or Three Wise Men.
Student: Three White Men?!?! But no! One Reyes is Black!!

3.
Older Student: HELLO! BITCH MOTHER!!
My student: LISA! Did you hear what he say?
Me: No, what did he say?
Student: He say, Bitch Mother!
Me: What? That doesn’t make sense.
Student: He say Puta Madre.
Me: Ohhh, ok. Do you know how to say puta madre in English?
Student: Umm… Mudderfaawker?
Me: More or less.

4.
Me: Do you understand what ‘barter’ means?
Student: Yes
Me: Give me an example.
Student: You give me good grade, I give you a ham. No no, better; a chorizo.

Commentary:

1. For your information, to sniff cocaine in Spanish is “esnifar cocaina”.
2. At first, I thought the kid was saying that black men couldn’t be wise, but was glad to realize that he meant that one of the Three Kings was black, and so it was incorrect to call them the Three White Men.
3. I couldn’t see who yelled “BITCH MOTHER”, which obviously is not to be tolerated. But I later found out from a friend of mine, that to say some one is “de puta madre” is actually a compliment. It’s more or less like saying that the person is the shit. I’m not sure if that’s what the kid meant, though. But I was also informed that you rarely use “puta madre” to describe a person. It’s “hijo de puta” as in son of a bitch. Iiiiiiiii don’t know. Slang is so hard.
4. And of course, I end with a jamon quote.

New Year, New Post

I suppose this is my first post in 2006. I’ve never felt less like I’ve entered the New Year. There are times when events and situations trump the holidays, and I feel like being here wins in importance than the fact that it is now 2006. I’m not sure if I make sense. I felt the same way when I went to New York for the Eve and the New Year with my boobie Peter. The fact that I was in New York having a ball made me forget the fact that we were entering a new year, and it took me a long time to realize that it was, in fact, 2003. Who actually feels like they’ve actually switched over when it becomes midnight, anyway?

Perhaps I feel more so like this because 2006 opened with my siblings being here with me. I was right; it was an unforgettable Eve and a great one at that. We made a brief cameo at the Puerta del Sol for the countdown, but unfortunately, we could not hear the bells. We ended up stuffing our mouths with grapes when the fireworks went off to ring in the New Year. It’s tradition for the clock at Puerta del Sol to ring 12 bells right before midnight, and you’re suppose to eat one grape for each bell to bring you luck for the 12 months. It was a bit anticlimactic to not fully participate in the annual ritual, but the rest of the night went well.

The three of us also went to Sevilla for several days. Sevilla was my introduction to Spain. I studied abroad there 2 years ago, falling madly in love with the city. It’s completely different from Madrid, with tiny narrow streets and buildings with strong Muslim influences. It’s breathtaking, really. I urge everyone to make a trip down there. I was happy to know that there was very little change in the city from the time I left there.

They’re gone now, but I’m really happy that my brother and sister came down here to visit. It was more relaxing to be with them than if I were to have other visitors. We’re more or less a good balance, and this week was a grand testimony of that.

My resolution for this year is simple; to progress. I don’t think it’ll be difficult while I’m here, but the real struggle will be when I go home. HO hum, how the months will fly!!

What is your New Year’s Resolution, if you have one?

Dime. Tell me.

P.S. FOTOS

The adventures of Los Tres in el Puerta del Sol: