Nerves...

Ever since I decided to study abroad in Spain, I've been on a roller coaster ride of emotions, usually ranging somewhere between anxious-excited and anxious-nervous. Of course, I'm really excited to study abroad, especially in southern Spain. Ever since we learned about El Cid, la Alhambra, and la Mezquita in high school, I've wanted to visit the region. At the same time, I'm nervous that my speaking skills won't be good enough and that my nerves and tendency to be embarrassed speaking a different language to native speakers will hinder me in increasing my fluency. I was thinking about this the other day, and I realized that I don't know how to say "speak slower" in Spanish. I can say "habla más rápido," but that's asking people to speak faster, not slower. All these years of Spanish, and the word for "slower" has never been burned into my mind. You'd think I would be able to remember it as it would be handy in trying to overcome language and accent barriers. After further musing on this matter, I thought of it as either a really good thing or a really bad thing. Obviously, it is a bad thing because native speakers speak Spanish faster than I can process it, so I should be able to ask them to slow down. On the other hand, I have to listen carefully and try and get over my fears of making mistakes. I can't rely on the crutch of asking people to speak slower if I can't remember the word. So, maybe it'll be a benefit. I don't know. I'll let you know in about a month.

Thanks for listening to/reading my ramblings.

¡Hasta luego!