Hi Meltingpot Readers,
I am so sad to report that I will not be making it to Spain this summer. * La sigh*
Unfortunately, not enough students registered for the class I was supposed to teach, so it’s a no go. As you can imagine, I am extremely disappointed and so are el esposo and the kids. I was so looking forward to exploring northern Spain. *La sigh*
But, since I am a perpetual optimist, I’m trying to find the bright side. The practical part of me is actually semi-relieved because I have to do a lot of research for my next book this summer and being in Spain wasn’t going to help. At least I will have more time to research and write without thinking about taking a six-week Spanish hiatus in the middle.
Since el esposo and I really don’t want our boys to go so long without visiting Spain and being immersed in the language, we talked about him just going with the boys and babygirl and I would hang at home. It’s a work in progress. But I promise to keep you posted.
Peace!
Comments
8 responses to “No Spain, No Gain”
Hi again,
After reading your blog yesterday, I can across this article and thought how the times have really changed. Addititionally, Angela Davis, accompanied by Shola Lynch, will be returning to France later this month for the screening of “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners”.
http://www.thenation.com/article/166784/dreaming-french-angela-davis#
Cyretha
Cyretha,
Thanks for the article. And oh, how I’d love to be in France this month.
Off topic, but I wanted to let you know that I just ( literally one minute ago) finished reading Kinky Gazpacho and I loved it! I really enjoyed the whole thing, from your childhood stories to your first travels to the research into Spain’s history of Black people. Very interesting! My brother-in-law’s mother and sisters live in Barcelona. Abuela recently came to visit her son and granddaughters and it amused me whenever she would point out the things that were superior in Spain, such as the coffee! Reading your book has made me more interested in visiting Spain, and I’ve already got people to stay with!
Susan,
Thank you so much for reading my book. I’m so glad you liked it! And that is hilarious about “Abuela!” I can totally imagine it. I hope you make it to Spain soon!
It is certainly disappointing to hear that study abroad/cultural exchange programs are not at the top of the food-chain in the US. We live in a global society which is highly competitive. How can an individual exist with out the necessary tools? If we look at other countries, learning a second or third language is not a luxury, but a requirement. And, I am not just speaking about learning English.
Nevertheless, I hope your sons and daughter make it to Spain this summer, because at least you and your husband know the value of this.
Cyretha,
You speak the truth. I’m not giving up on creating an abroad program for our students in Spain. Just wait…*cackles with glee*
Our family is going to be separated for five weeks this summer. I will be doing my graduate course (in Salamanca) sans husband and daughter. I feel 60% guilty about this and 40% excited. Given my daughter’s ADHD and the condensed nature of my course, the husband and I decided it wasn’t worth the 3,000 extra dollars to bring the entire family. When I applied for the program, they idea was to take the family both summers. I’ve been coming up with ideas to let her know that I’ll miss her terribly. And, thank god for SKYPE!
Wendy,
If we can figure out the finances, el esposo will take the boys and I will be very sad for me, but extremely happy for all of them. I think the happiness will win out. It’s hard being a family and an individual 🙂