NoManches wrote:James29 wrote:I did not have a chance to update my log yesterday as I typically do on Sundays. This past week I pretty much just bounced around with various movies and random shows on Netflix. There were some dubbed shows I wanted to watch and a few Mexican comedy movies that turned out to be really bad. Then, today, I started in on Duenos del Paraiso starring my friend Kate del Castillo. The good thing about Telemundo and Kate del Castillo is that their novelas are pretty much guaranteed to be watchable.
I rolled my eyes quite a bit in the first two episodes, however. I knew what I was getting into in terms of the narco plot, but it still annoys me. How many telenovelas can have the same plot? Wife/girlfriend of drug dealer takes over drug dealing business. Anyway, the Spanish is super easy to understand. I usually watch the first episode of any new telenovela with subtitles just to make sure I don't miss anything critical in the first episode. That was totally not necessary with this. It is too early to tell, but I'll probably be able to watch the whole show despite the cheesy violence scenes.
I really don't do much more in Spanish. I speak every now and then (probably once a week now) at work with a customer. I also go to the local meetup. I go to lunch at the local Mexican restaurant so often that they have started giving me extra stuff. I order the same thing every time and they have it ready for me as soon as I walk in the door. They all speak Spanish there which is cool. I've gotten to know everyone there including the owner and the cooks out back.
I was traveling last week and visited a different Mexican restaurant and my Spanish was impeccable. I mean I felt like a genuine native speaker. It was a great time... I just wish I liked Mexican food more.
I really do not feel like I am "learning" or "studying" Spanish at all. It is just part of my life and I don't even really think about it. When I went into the new Mexican restaurant last week I just launched into Spanish with the hostess and waitress because they obviously spoke Spanish. It just seems easier. It is not something I even think about anymore.
Well, that's it for this week.
I've mentioned before how I'm a big fan of Kate del Castillo too. I'll have to check out that show, it sounds like it will keep me busy until the next season of Ingobernable (which I still can't find a release date for).
I can't wait for the day when my Spanish is so good that I feel like a native speaker. I've had a few days really close to this level, but normally I make a few mistakes or say something that reminds me I need to keep working. It's always a good feeling when you make friends and acquaintances because of a foreign language. I used to be a "regular" at a Mexican restaurant before I moved, and it was always a great opportunity to speak Spanish. I need to seek out some new Spanish speaking friends.I just wish I liked Mexican food more.
My love for tacos is probably the reason why I normally suck at running. I've cut back drastically and my running has improved. I think anything is good in moderation but my love for Mexican food was holding me back
And one more thing, what are your thoughts on the grammar books you have used? (Based on your log it seems like you have used Gramática de uso del Español. B1-B2 and the C1-C2 book).
It's only been a few years since I took a Spanish grammar course in college, but I feel myself getting really rusty. I think going through a grammar book at my own pace will be very beneficial for me. I'm not sure if I should go with the B1-B2 book or the C1-C2 book. My Spanish is still somewhere in the B2 range. I've covered all the verb tenses and advanced grammar on college but it's been a few years.
I've probably mentioned this before but your log is a huge inspiration for me. I feel like I can relate to many of the things you talk about (especially when I look at your older entries). I've only been learning Spanish for around 4 years during a 5 year span (after taking a year off due to work training). Im a few years behind you but I can look at your log and almost predict where I will be based on the things you have done and experienced in your Spanish journey. I'm sure I've mentioned this before but it's worth saying again.
Duenos del Paraiso is a pretty solid telenovela. The narco theme is not too bad. Obviously that is the premise of the whole story but the story is more about the characters and the development of the main characters is pretty good. Because it was on Telemundo the on screen violence is pretty tame. I'm on episode 20 now and will definitely continue all the way through. So far there have not been any ridiculous scenes like in so many novelas. And, the producers seemed to have taken the strategy to choose the most attractive women actresses possible. It takes place in the late 70s and there is definitely a disco-type feel. It feels like watching a 70s cop show like Starsky and Hutch or Hunter or something like that.
In terms of the grammar books, I cannot speak highly enough about them. I only did the B level book. I have the C level book but have not yet done it. It is really the only thing on my list that is "studying". The books are outstanding. The only thing I'd note to be careful of is that they are a bit easier than I thought they'd be. The B book seems to be for people who want to get to the B level, not for people who are already there. The same with the C level. The C level looks like it would be a pretty good/easy solid review for me so I'll do it.
I have not been updating my log lately because my home computer seems to be having problems connecting to the internet. I've been doing more of the same... working through Duenos del Paraiso (and liking it). I also read a bit every week from Atlas Shrugged. I also have been going to my local meetup.
This week at the meetup a guy came who has not been in about two years. He was stunned how much my Spanish has improved. This was really encouraging. My Spanish was pretty good two years ago and I feel like I have improved quite a bit and this was the proof. I'm just speaking much more effortlessly and fluidly.
I also was traveling and visited a nice small little Cuban restaurant. That was really cool. I chatted with the owners and made some new "friends" that I'll probably see again next time I'm in town.