Hank wrote:My spell of frustration has been replaced with a feeling of motivation. I decided that I want more listening practice so I have started listening to Radio Ambulante podcasts on the way to and from work. The episode I listened to this morning dealt with a contestant on the Peruvian game show El Valor de la Verdad. I found the episode in question on YouTube. Basically, the show involves having the contestant on stage in front of their family and they are asked a bunch of inappropriate, personal questions. I think I have a moral objection to exploiting people and their emotions for entertainment purposes, but I guess they know what they're getting themselves into. Having said that, this show is terribly entertaining. I suspect I'll watch more episodes.
I didn't watch a great deal of El Hotel de los Secretos this week. Maybe one or two episodes. I've been busy and we've been busy overnight at work lately. It kind of saps my desire to concentrate too much on anything. I have been watching a little bit of random Univision shows, though.
I'm almost finished with La reina del sur. I'm not really finding anything that interests me terribly so I'll probably try De amor y de sombra again.
Do you actually like watching Univision? Aside from the news and the occasional soccer match I am not a big fan. If you do like Univision, then keep it up. It seems like you are keeping up on the input side of things quite well. If not... then I will just say that there is more to life than mugrelas (mugre + novela). I get most of my native material input from checking Pixar films with Spanish audio tracks out from the library and Youtube channels that cover my own areas of interest.
I just wanted to add this because one of the most common things I hear from people that start learning Spanish is, "Well, I guess I better start watching Novelas on Univision." Why waste your time with something you don't enjoy when there are tons of Spanish speakers out there making content for things that you are actually interested in.
Speaking of that, Radio Ambulante is awesome.
Hank wrote:I'm finding myself wanting to communicate more. I occasionally think about getting a tutor just so I can chat but I really hate having my hobbies on any kind of schedule. I may try HelloTalk again or find another app or site like it. Chatting with the young ladies on HelloTalk made me uncomfortable. It's too bad that my old, Mexican buddy quit logging on. That was awfully fun and a real confidence booster.
I cannot remember if I asked this before, but do you have any Meetup groups that practice Spanish in your area? Are there any "learn English" classes that your library gives (because those are also great places to meet natives speakers and help each other out)? Technology is great and all, but nothing beats hanging out in real life with people and having a beverage while chatting.
Anyway, I hope you find some folks to chat with. Using a language to connect with another person is what it is all about.