"You Are Going To Do What?" or "A Lifelong Dream Sought"

I have begun an interesting journey that I have wanted to do for most of my life. I have begun to train for the Ironman Triathlon. Ever since I was a kid I have watched this endurance contest each year. My favorite athlete growing was not Michael Jordan, or Reggie Jackson, or even Joe Montana. I always would mention Mark Allen as my favorite athlete, to which I would always get the puzzled response of, “Who?” Then I would tell them that he is a triathlete, which they would respond with an equally confused, “A What?”

But Mark Allen planted a firmly rooted desire in me which has gnawed at my heart ever since. I have been pushing myself to various limits over my lifespan but in the back of my mind I always knew I would never be satisfied until I completed this final test of my physical boundaries. And now has come the time where I am going to try and complete the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and the 26.2 mile run.

 

So in August of 2012, I plan to see if I am what I have always believe I could be, an Ironman! I will chronicle the training and result as time goes by on this blog. So check in periodically and get on board with: Operation: Prove It! (My mantra for this journey)

"What did You Say?" or "It All Sounds Greek To Me!"

One of many pursuits over the past several years has been to learn a foreign language. And while I have made some progress, I still have such a long way to go to even being considered fluent. It has been quite a challenge for me as I so desire to speak not 1 or 2 other languages but rather to be able to be fluent in many different languages. Right now, I am studying Russian as I have for many years on and off. My level of vocabulary and fluency would probably match that of a 6 year old. (even in that I am being generous) However, a couple of years ago I went to Russia and got to use some of my linguistic abilities, which just fueled this desire to learn.

I have heard of Rosetta Stone for quite a while and have even looked into buying it but my financial situation has not allowed me acquire this language speaking tool. So I have had to look elsewhere. That is what brought me to busuu.com. I have been using it for a little while off and on and have really like it! You can speak to people all over the world and get their help for the language you wish to learn. I am speaking online to people from Russia as I help with their English and they help me with my Russian.

I also have a desire to learn languages not often heard or spoken. I want to be able to speak Navajo. (It ties in with another desire I have to live in the desert for a period, but more on that in another post.) I have an interest in speaking Swahili as well as Catalan. Language gives you such insight to a people and a culture which others aspects can not. So, this desire to learn this languages goes hand in hand with my love of travel and anthropology.

Which do you think is better, learn one language till you get it before moving on to the next or learn them all at the same time?