kayfa naquul… kick ass?!

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010… Day 8

After attending first class and being completely overwhelmed, I vowed to go home, study hard and come back to the next session and rock it out. Easier said than done.

Here’s how fast a week can go by:

TUESDAY—attend first Arabic class. Starts at 6 p.m. Ends at 10 p.m.!!!

WEDNESDAY—After previous night’s four-hour session, decide to take a mind break.

THURSDAY—Working late. Going to spin class after work. Packing for weekend conference.

FRIDAY—First night of Lake Arrowhead conference. Between sessions, dinner and other incidentals, no time was left for my studies.

SATURDAY—Full day planned. Sessions from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with lunch and dinner breaks. Can’t ditch. I’m Official Photographer. Eff, studying Arabic.

SUNDAY—Ok, let’s get serious. First quiz is coming up and haven’t even learned how to pronounce more than the first five letters. Drive home from Lake Arrowhead. Watch a couple episodes of BSG. Study FOR THE FIRST TIME!

MONDAY—After work, go home and glance at the book.

TUESDAY—Glance at book some more and hope teacher decides to quiz Chapters 1-3.

That last line was the plan for the evening. Now, let me tell you what really happened.

I made my peace with failing my first test. Out of 28 consonants and long vowels, I could recognize about 15. There were another five that I sorta new on sight, but could not differentiate. Like the “th” of three, that or THough (with a little bit of D). That would screw me on the dictation portion of the exam.

When I arrived in class, I found a room half full of students poring over books and cramming with flashcards. I started making my own flashcards, but stopped after 20. I hear two students talking about some random letter I hadn’t learned. Brief moment of panic disrupts my serenity.

Is that really going to be on the test?

I guess so. It’s in the book.

But it’s not in the first six chapters!

Yeah, but our test is on the whole book.

Frak me! (I said something else here)

Well, you have another week.

What?!

You have another week.

And that, my friends, is better than being Saved by the Bell.

 

THE ORIGINAL PLAN IS BACK ON!

CONTINUING… OPERATION KICK ASS