Project Português

Some people think I'm not happy unless I'm overcommitted. They're right.

I've earned more degrees than I care to admit and often sign myself up for extracurricular activities I don't have time for... while working. Recently, I realized that despite all of the stress, I don't feel like I'm doing anything if I'm not doing everything. So, that's my self-awareness moment of the week.

Since finishing grad school and taking up running, it's become clear that I have a little bit of free time. The other day, Casey and I had a conversation that went something like this:

Casey: So, I figure you're going to need something to do.
Me: Well, I want to figure out how to crochet. I can make a blanket or something.
Casey: Yeah, I don't think crocheting is going to cut it.
Me: I'm not going back to school.
Casey: Sure.
Me: No really, I'm not!
(Let me just pause to say one thing: almost everyone in my life who knows me well will not believe for one second that I'm done with school. No matter how I insist that I'm not going back for a Ph.D. IF I do, there will be countless people waiting to say "I told you so.")
Casey: Okay!
Me: I should probably learn Portuguese.
Casey: That would do it.

I should explain that all of my students speak Portuguese. Quite a few of them speak English, but not all of them and I'd love to be able to communicate with all of them and answer questions from people who email me in Portuguese. I don't have to learn it, but if all of my students speak it and work will pay for classes, I figure it's kindof silly not to take advantage.

I'm using this opportunity to broaden my music horizons. Some of the radio stations I listen to play music from Brazil, but since it's such a great way to learn and practice a language, I've been looking for more. This lead to the discovery of Zeca Pagodinho. He's lovely and makes me feel like I should be in a little bar on the beach in Brazil sipping on a caipirinha. Here's to hoping that happens sooner than later. Enjoy!