Why I have to study Spanish

blackgirllatinworld.com

"Promise Auntie one thing... That you'll learn another language. It's the way our country is going. Believe now; I'm telling you the truth."

These words from my aunt have been gently nudging me. "Is that You, Lord?"

I've been studying Spanish on and off for the last 14 years...and I'm still not fluent. Shameful, I know. And I'm so afraid.

Afraid of failing. Lazy and afraid to mess up during practice.

But that is coming to an end. I HAVE to study Spanish. Looking at projections, Spanish is/will be the 2nd most spoken language in the United States. It's a beautiful language! Here are my other reasons though:

1. I like when I'm able to communicate with people in their native language.
2. I like the way that it surprises people when a black girl with a clearly Southern accent (proving she's not "Dominican") starts speaking Spanish.
3. I like to show off...so I like the effects of #2.
4. This will open up my travel and employment opportunities.
5. Maybe I'll marry a Latino and have bilingual babies! Speaking the language will help me converse with family members who may not speak English.

What I learned from dancing pt. 2

Pinterest.com

Happy early Thanksgiving!

The guy that I danced with the most that night was probably at least 25 years older than me but a good dancer. We danced with a space in between and he turned me (not spins he said...) so many times that at one point I was dizzy. It was fun though! I followed him and this other guy so easily too because they were really patient in helping me learn.

Ok so back to the previous story...So Mr. Watch extended his hand, and I took it. I tried to tell him that I wasn't a dancer and that this was my first night there, but he didn't seem to mind.

Him: "Just follow my lead."
Me: "Ok, I'll try."

I looked down at his feet to try to keep up. Then, I think I stepped on his feet.

Me: "Sorry! I told you I'm learning. Thanks for being patient."
Him: "You have some control issues, don't you?"
Me: "I'm trying to learn. I'm trying."
Him: "Well, just follow my lead."
Me: "I have the same conversation with the Lord."
Him: "I'm not even gonna touch that."
Me: "Just being honest. I'm trying."

So I decided to stop trying to figure it out, leaned into his chest, and followed his lead. It was beautiful...

Until I tried to figure out how in the world this was happening and looked down at his feet.

Me: "Oops! Sorry!" I said as I stepped on his feet again.

After that dance, I went back to my seat before another man approached me to dance, and I learned all about his job and how long we both lived in the area.

Later, Mr. Watch came back and we danced again.

So what else did I learn? I learned that just like dancing, when I try to figure out how things are going to work out and rely on myself, I mess up. When I depend on the Lord and follow His lead, things might not always flow smoothly, but He takes care of me. He's so patient and kind, guiding me back to where I need to be, chastising me when I'm wrong, but always loving. Sometimes I kind of glide along, and I wonder how things worked out so well and it's...beautiful.

Amen.

What I learned from dancing pt. 1

Pinterest.com

When it comes to dancing, I'm like a dance-in-my-living-room-dance-off-with-my-brother-line-dancing-church-"chouting"-type of dancer. And should I mention love line dancing again??? I love line dancing.

Anyway, last night, I went to a dance class with one of my friends from church. The big emphasis was on salsa dancing later that night while we learned some other dance earlier in the night. I was really nervous about the class because I don't really like the whole "dance with a partner" because I haven't been good at it up until this point in my life. I really haven't practiced or done this type of dancing much either...

I really like experiencing new things so that I can have a good story afterward, and I wanted to spend time with my friend...so I went with her to the class. I stepped on a few feet while dancing with the men there, but they were all very gracious. First lesson learned: When you take a risk to do something outside of your comfort zone, there will be nice people to keep you encouraged.

I went to sit down for a minute and struck up a conversation with the guy next to me...

Me: "You dance?"
Him: "I'm fixing my watch".
Me: "So you don't dance." (as a definitive statement not as a question).

My friend walked up. I told her that he didn't dance and that he was "fixing his watch". He cut his eyes at me, and I smiled at him, amused at my own joke.

He got up and took my friend out on the dance floor while another man grabbed me. I sat back down again right after that dance and "Mr. Watch" came back over and said something to the effect of, "Alright, let's go," and extended his hand...

How I saved $1,000 this year pt. 2

Marketwatch.com

...So I took the Financial Peace University class with a girl I knew from my church. It was challenging, inspiring, and pretty fun! We took it at another church because their class schedule worked well for us. We learned the tools that we needed to be think about money God's way including how to:

- set a budget and stick to it
- get out of debt
- save for emergencies and other important purchases,
- invest, and
- give.

The class just really helped me to think outside of my box of how money works and to see possibilities that I never thought of. I learned how to do more with less money in my pocket while saving more in a higher interest savings account. This has been both challenging and awesome! It took a whole lotta discipline and accountability. I now meet with the girl from my church once a month to go over our budgets, goals, exciting money updates, and bitter money failures.

During that class and in the months following, I paid off over $4,000 of debt, completely taking me out of debt. I saved $1,000 for emergencies, then used the money and had to build back up over $1,000 this year.

Now, here's how I saved the $1,000:

I set a budget and have limited the amount of cash (yes, cash) that I can use each month to buy groceries, eat out, hang out with friends, get my hair done, etc...and I've stuck to it for several months. A few slip ups here and there, but I get right back on the bus. I also put aside enough money each month to saved $1,000 this year. By doing that, I've come to the end of the year with over $1,000 in savings, instead of coming to the end of the year with nothing to show for it as I used to! I have also saved for vacation!

Have you taken Financial Peace University? You should check it out! It's a great class (other people are talking about as well!) that I'm sure will change your life, too! Tell 'em I sent you!