All Things Español

I am already 2 weeks into my summer semester and thoroughly enjoying it. I told my boss that I'm starting to feel more like my normal self. It's no longer an effort to be pleasant and joyful.
The class I'm taking is Spanish. Although I didn't have a choice, I was leery about taking this as a summer class because learning another language in 6 weeks didn't seem very doable. I really want to retain what I learn since it's such a necessity with our rapidly changing cultural mix. I've already had 2 non-English-speaking Hispanic patients. It's quite frustrating to be unable to communicate.

My professor is what makes the class a pure delight. He loves to tell stories, and sometimes I leave with an aching jaw from laughing and smiling so much for an hour and a half. He freely admits everybody thinks he's loco. Initially, I didn't think I was going to be able to catch on because his accent was so strong (Costa Rican) and he "wasted" so much time telling stories and joking with us that we were never going to learn the lesson. Yet, when the first week was up, and it was time for a test, I found that I actually knew the material. I have even gotten used to the accent to the point where I only occasionally miss what he is saying.

He loves to poke fun at religion and politics, and his sense of humor can be a bit ribald at times. However, when he suddenly realized he had a mujer mennonita in his class, he became a bit more cautious. The day after his discovery, he told the class how he was severely discriminated against when he first tried to get a job in this country in the 70's. He lost his respect for "christians" because he believes christianity should be a religion of love, yet they treated him like he was a dog. Only Methodists and Mennonites were an exception. He said Methodists are a religion of equality, and Mennonites believe it is their mission to help people. Now I have become Sarita because, as he pointed out to the class, adding 'ita' to somebody's name is a term of respect; and I am bueno and a person to be respected.

I decided on Wednesday (my day off) that I was going to immerse myself in all things Español as I studied. So I've been listening to Selena while driving. I rented several Spanish foreign films. Then I made some enchiladas. I don't drink tequilla, so I'm sticking to agua. Now I'm actually starting to understand some of the words in the music and the films.

I Passed

Thanks to all of you for thinking about me and for your prayers these last several weeks. It's not a pretty thing to doubt your abilities or your intelligence. I have gained a new-found appreciation for the feelings of students for whom learning is difficult. (Too bad I'm not teaching any more.) I also know what it feels like to be driven to the very limits of your endurance stress-wise. I felt like something had to either give or I was going to crack. I did pass all my exams, and my confidence has been restored.

I did find out some information contributing to the "tightening down" of the nursing school. The nursing school is rated on it's first-pass rate of the graduates on the NCLEX, and four of the December graduates did not pass. Although they probably wouldn't admit it, I think the raising of the passing requirements and narrowing of the grade ranges are partially a reaction to that. There is a particularly high level of concern for my class since we will be the first to fall victim to the new NCLEX exams which are much harder. Statistically the pass rate drops whenever the NCLEX changes.

I will be quitting my job this summer since I won't be able to work and do my preceptorship for the fall semester. This is very scarey for me. I have never been unemployed since I graduated from high school 17 years ago. Given my adversity to debt, I'll be living very frugally for the next 6 months or so. I have resigned myself to the fact that I may have to take out a student loan if I something goes wrong and I start scraping bottom. I have determined I shall enjoy my time of unemployment. I wonder if I'll feel like a slacker.