Hola Elizabeth!! Felicidades en tu jubilación (retirement) y mudanza (move) a la bella nación de Mexico! Yo vivo en Monterrey, y también estoy tratando (trying) de ayudar a mi esposo aprender (learn) español ! Le da mucha pena y miedo! (He is very shy and afraid)

Okay enough of that lesson—I think the older we get the more self conscience we are about how it sounds and wanting it to get it right. I was born and raised in Venezuela; the one thing that sticks with me about Venezuelan adults who learned English when I was a child: they just didn’t care how many mistakes they made nor how they sounded. They were always so excited to get across two words or even imitate a song and still have no idea what they were singing! (I smile thinking back and remembering so many of them). My parents were English speakers having immigrated to Venezuela, so I pretty much grew up speaking both languages.

Dad learned Spanish on the oil rigs. But he told me that what helped him a lot was watching movies and read the Spanish subtitles! Loved that you notice how helpful it’s been for you as well! Fascinating!

I loved this read — you’re a great writer!!!! Btw if you’re ever up visiting Monterrey this way—give me a shout out! Enjoy your new chapter in Allende—look forward to reading more of your stories!