Y is for Yo Habla Un Poco de Español.

NOTE: I know I'd really just say "Habla un poco de espanol" but I needed a Y for my "Y" post.

I'm learning Spanish.

Well, let me rephrase that. I'm learning to speak Spanish. I understand it, but, for whatever reason, I'm having a hard time speaking it. I think it's cos I'm scared I'd say the wrong thing...or that my accent isn't right.

My sister is fluent. Like seriously. She lived in Cuernavaca (Mexico) for 2 years. She already knew it before she left for Mexico, but she wasn't confident. Oh, but after she came back? She was on a roll. I mean, she even speaks English with a Spanish accent now. Many people are surprised when she speaks it - I guess cos it's weird to see a black person speak Spanish. But after they get over their initial shock, they're amazed. When I visited her in Mexico, I felt so out of place. I mean, I kinda understood what they were saying (they spoke so fast), but I couldn't join in. Their English was limited like my Spanish was. My sister left me with her friends at times; not to be mean or anything. She did it so I'd be forced to speak the little Spanish that I knew. I even had to take a cab back to her apartment by myself. Boy was I nervous, but I did it! I held an entire convo with the cabbie. Yay me!

Maybe I need to go to a Spanish-speaking country so I can be forced to speak it, although, living in Houston, I'd probably find places here. I have help, though. My aunt, who's from Brazil, speaks Spanish (and Portuguese, for that matter). My cousin speaks it. I have Spanish-speaking friends. My sister helps me. If you all want, feel free to help also. How? By responding to me in Spanish. I'm determined to get over my fear. I will become fluent in Spanish. So, for now, hablo un poco de español, pero estoy aprendiendo.