Lesson Learned

Day 5: A kid in my Spanish class talked to me today. On purpose. And by that I mean he looked directly at me and spoke in complete sentences just like grown-ups do. 

But he barely spoke Spanish.

Everyone in my Spanish II class took Spanish I last semester. I haven't taken a Spanish class since 2001 one and, as such, expected to be out of practice and far behind my classmates. But the opposite has been true. We're only supposed to speak Spanish in class. But, aside from a word or two here or an awkward sentence there, they all speak English in class.

Today, someone asked me how to say "no" in Spanish. I said, "No." We went back and forth for 2-3 minutes before she understood. But, at least, she learned something today. 

And so did I.

I'm still getting used to finding my classes. The same class can be in different rooms depending on the day. Today, I was lucky and made it just in time for my Poli Sci course. Poli Sci ran late, however, and I found myself running to English. 

...shuffling and huffing, really. But still, on my way.

The elevator was broken, so I hiked up four flights of stairs, my shins and lower back protesting the whole way. I finally get to class, exhausted, and pause to catch my breath just outside the door. Ten seconds later, composed, I walk in to class. And no one was there. 

I checked the time. I was only 2 minutes late. I walked out and checked the number on the door. I double checked my schedule. I was in the right room at the right time. Where was everybody?

I walked back into class and sat down, unsure of what to do. After a few minutes, I decided to email my TA to see what was going on. Turns out she had sent me an email about three hours prior:

"As much as I hate to start a new semester this way, I'm going to have to cancel class for today, January 28."

For the first time, I realized that I was sweating. Lots. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. Looking around and seeing no one else around, I wiped my hand on my pants. 

Canceled. 

I sat there for a few more minutes, winding down, unsure of what to do. Then, after swearing once, I gathered my stuff and headed toward the exit. Outside, a woman walked by with a large coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

"Donuts," I said to myself, and headed toward the Student Union.