Saturday, July 08, 2006

What in the hell is a Reflexive Verb??

Hey all,

Things are going well in Antigua. Have now completed a couple of days of tutoring. Not sure if I´m making progress, or if I´m just getting more confused. I spent the majority of the day doing verb conjucations using verbs and nouns that I have no clue what they are. It also doesn´t help that I have absolutely no clue about English grammar. My tutor keeps referring to all these English terms so that it will make it easier to understand the Spanish. I finally had to tell her that I had no clue what the English terms actually meant. She has her work cut out for her.

The tutor is great though. She is super nice, and she speaks fabulous English (unlike the first one). She´s a 28 year old mother of one. She gets about $60 for tutoring me for the week, which is enough to keep her in the middle to upper class range in Guatemala (judging by her Razor cell phone). She has been pretty patient with me. When I was going over my notes this morning though, I think I may be slightly more lost. I may have to just stick with the grunt and point.

Things are great with the family that I´m staying with. The lady keeps trying to speak Spanish to me, but all I keep saying is ´Ci, ci´. Hopefully shes not asking me anything too complicated! First meal at the house: mini potatoes, white rice, and (drumroll)..........a fried egg. Ha! Pretty tastey though actually. Now that I think of it, I haven´t had meat since I got into the house. Last night´s meal was beans, some kind of salad, and fried bananas.

I´m loving the fact that I have my own room. Have been sleeping A LOT over the past couple of days. Naps before class, in between class, and then after class. Kind of reminds me of my first year and UNBSJ (Chris, remember taking those naps out in the old green Celebrity in between classes.....Ha!!).

Loving the fact that I now have my own guitar. I wouldn´t accuse it of being too concerned with staying in tune, but it´s a nice little guitar anyway. Still adjusting to the nylon strings.....definitely a different sound. I´ve already started writing my first song in Spanish, ´Quisiera un Batido de Banano´ (I Would Like a Banana Milkshake).

I´ve posted some pics from Antigua. The volcano pics are included. I realized afterward that I went a little crazy with the camera when I was up there, so I only posted a few. Enjoy.

R

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8ab2nqp.ccq2aj3l&x=1&y=mayj2f

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:29 PM

    WOW! Great pictures. What's this all about? - big hands, big feet, Melody says it's not true! I see you still haven't shaved like your Mother asked - you'll be in big trouble 10 months from now. NOT! Now that the beard has grown in a bit it's starting to look pretty good.
    You got volcanos - New Brunswick's got Tornados - Catagory One to boot! Dangerous place this New Brunswick, good thing at least you're in a safe place.

    "Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait For The Signs"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:27 PM

    Hey ry, the scuff is so hot!

    have a sweet weekend!

    -G.town

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  3. Anonymous9:03 PM

    A reflexive verb is a spanish thing. It is when the verb and the object are the same. I knew you didn't pay any attention in school,now you're paying the price. You should have shown your mother and I those report cards. Papa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:36 PM

    Nice pics snoop!
    I am no reeeeaaaaly jealous, not for anything other then the snoozes!!!
    I was so tired at work the other day i had to go into the shitter and have a 10 minutes nap. The only tuff thing about that is when your legs fall asleep and you cant walk back to your desk and then you have to get rid of the red line on your face from resting on your shoulder

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  5. Love the pic that looks like fire is coming out of your (very large) mouth. Good shot. Thought I could smell your bad breath from here though.

    I think I would look like a size 0 next to that woman in the picture...so feel free to bring her home.

    Lost in the quarters in Cavendish against a crappy team...will need to redeem myself this w/e at Freddy Beach.

    Te amo. Sea seguro.

    (I hope this says "I love you, be safe")
    http://dictionary.reference.com/translate/text.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous5:29 PM

    Ryno - I don't know what's funnier, Aldy's inappropriate post, or the one from your pops... call it a draw, then? Love (LOVE) the pics - looks amazing. Take care of yo'self.
    Stinch

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  7. Anonymous5:30 PM

    Ryno - I don't know what's funnier, Aldy's inappropriate post, or the one from your pops... call it a draw, then? Love (LOVE) the pics - looks amazing. Take care of yo'self.
    Stinch

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:19 AM

    Ryno just got the Blog address looks sweet brother, me and C-Mac would have loved to have you in house for UFC61 but it sounds like you are doin just fine without us. Take it ease man hope you are doing well.
    -Joey Mack

    p.s Ortiz over Shamrock TKO :49 of RD 1

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mom,
    Still have the Ryno. Actually using it as my keychain right now. Hope the weather is good at the cottage. Are you enjoying the boat??

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dad,
    Who needs school when you have charm. All university did was teach me how to get what I need. Spanish school is killing me. The more I learn, the less it makes sense. I´m think that I´m going to stick to the point and grunt.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Colin,
    I´m loving the beard right now. Will have to shave when I get back to the beaches though, so I can regain the youthful appearance! Ha.

    Catergory 1 tornado in NB??! Where??

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aldy,
    Haha!!!! I love it. Have taken many of those naps. I eventually just started going out to the car and driving up the road to take a nap (how´s the jeep btw?).

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gregory,
    Yeah, only the good arm´s length ones are getting posted. The rest are pretty bad. What´s the lake been like for waterskiing??? Are you staying in the Bay? Are the kiddies loving the tube???? Pics?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kimi Geisha,
    I actually watched some of that Geisha movie the other day. Do you have those little fan thingys too? How come you never danced for us??

    PS - Chris 6´2....Ryan 6´5. You do the math.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tara,
    Nice work on the Spanish but, no entiendo.

    How was PEI? Fun?? Who is your partner now??

    When did Fredericton get a beach??

    ReplyDelete
  16. KyGuy!!!
    You´re right, the fourth word is a bad one. Reflexive verbs are bad too. Kidding....ask your Dad what they are......or actually, maybe you should ask Mom.

    The guitar was the best that I could find. Its really fun to play though, and its small, so it would be even easier for you to hold. Are you going to try to play when you get older??

    The best meal at the family´s house were the fried bananas. They were tastey!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Katey!!
    How come I haven´t gotten any messages from you?? You must be hanging out with your BOYFRIEND!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Stinch,
    The funniest part is when Aldy and my Dad are in the same room. Aldy, I think that he is still waiting for you at the curling club.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Joey Mack!
    I can´t believe Shamrock even lasted that long.....that must have included the ring introductions. I think that we´re going to find out soon the Shamrock may possibly be the first ever mentally retarded fighter in the UFC.

    Next UFC - Shamrock vs. Tyson...no mouthguards allowed.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous2:25 PM

    I'm G.Town - it was Saturday night after the Indy "tent" or should i say "Grand Prix"- obviously a little intoxicated! Showing the girls your pix... they all wish you well!!!

    Jess

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  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  22. Usted es muy muy alto y tiene gusto de mujeres muy muy pequeñas. ¿Por qué?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ahhh, G town is miss Jess! The scruff feels great, but can inflict beard rash! Good to see that your amigas are getting entertainment as well.

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  24. Tara,
    Beggers can´t be choosers. Ha.

    PS - Was starting to think that my spanish classes were useless, but I actually understood that.

    ReplyDelete
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