the itch

I refer to "the itch" a lot with running. There is a process you go through until you love it. Once I hit that love stage I can't not run without going crazy. I am slowly getting my groove back with running here, but I am learning that the itch for running is very similar to learning. At least for me.

 

It was so easy in the US because everything was expected and handed to me. Well, I worked for it, but I didn't realize it because it was over a period of 29 years that I had learned all I have. Now I am trying to learn that 29 years in a new culture. The common sense (or so I call it) is all the same, but the development is different. If that makes sense.

 

Back to "the itch"....so it has been extremely difficult to try and get in a groove of learning a new language and teaching the kids in the process. Just like the first steps in running. THEY ARE HARD. It is uncomfortable and you want to give up with every step.

 

I felt like today was an ah ha moment for me. The kids are slowly using a few words here and there, in Portuguese, that they are picking up. I started ABCmouse again for the kids and they couldn't get enough of it today. We must have been on the same page. We have an itch to learn.

 I am FAR from speaking Portuguese, but it is SLOWLY clicking. I feel like there is hope. Not only do I feel excited to learn a new language, I have an itch to keep learning something new. I am making my list of things I want to learn to excel in. Kind of like a bucket list...but a list of new things to learn. I don't know, maybe it's a mid-life crisis....or maybe getting out of my box has opened my eyes to all sorts of things. Kind of a weird post, I know. It was a good day for me and I wanted to share my excitement.

 The kids have a monthly theme at school and this month it is on families, things you do as a family. They are sent home with homework to draw or send pictures of stuff as a family. This week was a song our family likes to sing. Connor cracks me up. He didn't even hesitate when I asked him what song he wanted to draw. He said "20 dollars in my pocket!" I am not even sure of the name of the song, but I guess he loves that song. I don't even remember singing it as a family. It was pretty funny. He said, "I can draw twenty dollars in a pocket!" It all made sense to him and he was excited. That was all that mattered. I love his witty personality.

 I posted a couple posts back on feeling defeated trying to teach the kids a couple words a day. I gave up on it hoping the kids would start picking stuff up on their own and at their own pace. Today Connor asked me when we were going to do some more words. We must have been on the same page today. I guess I will start back up with it until they aren't interested again. It is all a vicious cycle.

 So, today was a good day. There was hope, light and encouragement today. Like I said earlier. It is a cycle and I know...well I will expect more hard, bad days. Just like running. Some days the run is great, others not so great. Today I will take the great. Thanks to everyone for your encouraging and kind words. They really mean a lot.