Buenos días, amigas.  ¡Otra miércoles, otra canción!  Esta semana, os traemos HA-ASH’s “Pedazos” (“Pieces”).

Más de HA-ASH (¡Finalmente!)

In the past few months, my library of Latino music has broadened and deepened at the same time.  I’ve been exposed to more and more artists and duos, and I’ve dived into the “deep tracks” with some of my favorites (e.g., Paty Cantú and Lu).  When put my music app on shuffle, though, and the shuffle eventually dishes up a HA-ASH tune, I almost always feel compelled to push the replay button a few times before moving on.

I believe I may have subconsciously assumed that I had shared everything from my Primera Fila album a while back.  But I was so wrong!  Here’s one that, while not one of my top 3 on the album, I always have found hauntingly beautiful.  It’s a tear jerker; you’ve been warned!  But, come back in a week or so, and I’ll make it up to you with something a bit more merry.

Y ahora,

I’ve picked up (several times) where I left off with my Rocket Spanish lessons.  I’m in Module 9 now, and the material is getting a bit more challenging.  For example, Mauricio and his mother often converse in Spanish, and with no translation afterward.  The object is to get the student to use what vocabulary she already has, plus the context of the conversation, in an attempt to comprehend more of what’s going on in the conversation.

Amy’s still there, of course, to explain most of what’s said, but she warns the student in 9.1 (if I recall correctly) that there will be times when the conversation we’re eavesdropping on between mother and son won’t be interpreted for us.  It’s difficult, but I do truly believe that it’s proving somewhat effective, and will continue to do so as I progress through the lessons.

Duolingo is also becoming more challenging.  I’ve achieved Level 12 now, but the more lessons I knock out, the more I notice my “strength bars” from previous lessons fading.  There’s got to be a trick to keeping up and, at the same time, pressing forward.  Will just have to pop into the forums one day and check with some of the tribal elders have done!

Well, that about wraps it up for this week.  Hope you’re feeling encouraged to join me in the journey, if the prospect of learning Spanish has you leaning in that direction.

¡Hasta luego, amigas!