WHO KNOWS!

One. Learning a language is really my interest. I just love the sound of every spoken word not my own. 

It is fascinating!

Two. I consider myself a cross-cultural communicator more than just a learner. If you’ll hear me speak another tongue one day, that’s what I am trying to say then. Learning other languages is just inseparable from me.

Three. It’s part of my job undeniably. And so I have to learn a particular language of the country where I am based. It’s challenging at times especially when it’s tonal. 

But I truly understand its necessity or the agony!

And some more reasons. And whatever they are, I truly know them by heart. But suddenly one question came out to me in my mind. I was surprised to realize. 

“WHAT’S THE USE OF OTHER LANGUAGES I LEARNED FOR?” An inquiring mind asked.

I don’t know honestly speaking!

As a matter of fact, not all of those languages I learned seem beneficial (except for Filipino, English, Vietnamese, and Khmer). Not for now maybe. For I’ve learned them in the name of interest or a program’s requirement. Arabic, Greek, Spanish, Hebrew, Korean, and French for example - I haven’t used them as much the others.  

And I‘ve never been to any of these places either. 

The question of being able to use any of these is in the air – hanging!

Who knows!

I would be surprised to see myself in Korea for a coffee-talk with a native speaker.

Or I would be in Israel buying some kosher food in wet market in my Hebrew accent.

Maybe I would be in France as an interpreter.

Let say, I would be in Spain as a volunteer teaching little children as I try to speak Español. 

If not I would be in the Arab world simply working in an area where speaking Arabic is a must.

Who knows?

I’d find out one day. 

After all life is full of wondering and uncertainties. Like a feather blown by the wind, soon you''ll be caught surprised. And when it lands the ground, you'll find out the purpose it is designed for.

IT’S YOUR CALL

Now that I am getting old, I need to be creative learning a language. To remember some vocabulary for the day, I must post them anywhere in the house - on the wall, on the door, on the window or anywhere possible to look at. I tried my hardest but I never uttered any discouraging words to keep learners from learning.

“Language is very difficult to learn!” one commented. Sad to say I heard more second the motions or amens than people refuting such an idea. 

I heard enough and it's enough. Don’t even listen to this limping conclusion. You still have choices to make – to try it first or just quit. I just don’t understand why there are a lot of learners who aren’t encouraging at all – trying to be modest or really having a difficulty learning languages. After all it’s your call to believe. As for me, I didn’t listen to them.

And my decision was right!

I don’t want to sound harsh to people who are struggling with learning tongues, but I am always cautious that their impression isn’t always true to me or to others. That’s when I said don’t listen to this kind of thought. You have to learn a language to make a decision

.

Believe it or not, I have been learning the 10th language (in my list) since last year. If I listened to people who were not helpful at all, I don’t think I’d be enjoying this long venture.

It’s fun! 

I’m not 40 yet, but I have reached my goal – to learn 10 languages before this particular age comes. One excellent reason was because I gave my self a try and didn’t listen to someone’s antithesis about language learning.

Of course, I do respect every monolingual. And this is not about criticizing one. My simple intention is to refute an idea that language learning is always difficult. It’s not! Think of it as someone is learning a song. It may not always true to every language – at least you get the rising and falling tones or no tones at all. 

As I said, it is just like learning a new song! 

Try it! 

Does age matter? 

Yes and No- at least for me! 

YES in a sense my brain can’t remember a lot of words or phrases anymore unlike my younger years. There were times I felt like an old winged-creature so difficult to flop its wings. It's like every feather is worn out, overused. And that's my real challenge these days. So learn while you are young. Well, I am also open for exceptions here – for those who do not buy this idea. But sorry to say, I am working harder really in learning French because of old age. 

The good news – I am learning. Again it’s your call!

NO in a sense even a granny can still learn a language. I agree that learning is forever. But sad to say it won’t work the way it is when we’ll learn it at our young age. Well, thanks to the word motivation – it always lies on how someone motivates himself or herself to aim a goal. Even so, being a youngster is not always the guarantee to learn things easily. 

It is not!

What important is for you to make a choice – don’t just follow someone’s impression. 

It is always your call. For sure it is! 

Enjoy tongue twister (I mean language learning)!

A BEAUTIFUL MISTAKE

I am definitely a commuter. That’s what I do more than just saving fares. Few reasons, it’s kind of boring taking a taxi all the time. And also, it makes me dumb not knowing at least few streets or hems in the city. 

This is just my conclusion.

I am a commuter for sure. But it doesn’t always guarantee a smooth commute. I get lost at times, but that’s part of it. I always expect to get lost anyway – but not when I am in a hurry or tired. I don’t mind walking and wandering around though - not when I am in mega city such as Bangkok, and the like.

To make a mistake is unavoidable circumstance, but that’s when I get to a right place the next time around. Funny it seems, but making a mistake is also a precious thing to treasure. Like this one I had last weekend, in Bangkok. Yeah, it was a beautiful mistake. 

For many years, I usually stayed with my team during the tournament – it means I had less commutes or no commute at all. But I decided to get away this time to a faraway area where commuting was a must. It was for a practical reason since it would only take me 45 minutes to get to my destination. 

I did!

Not that I am unfamiliar with this long road of Sukumvhit, it was about taking the right bus going to the field. Anyway, I took bus number 59 to Ari station from the crowded place of Khaosan.

My first attempt was smoothly perfect. Not to mention few discoveries along the way. Thanks to a Frisbee friend for the instructions and directions.

Sunday, after the championship game and the awarding, I had to go back to my guesthouse by bus. But then I had to ask my friend if I should take the same bus number. I left the field assured enough to hit the road again. After waited for 15 minutes long, the bus came with hopes being able to reach my destination right (forget about the traffic). 

Yes, it was the same bus number 59. The bus was filled with other commuters. It stopped and picked passengers along the way. It went through the same long road. I was still seeing signs and landmarks as much as I can remember. But something was just strange – no one pays and no one collects fare. It usually has a conductor. I am no new commuter in this city, and so I know.

I held my money in my hand for a long time. Now I had the feeling of a disaster. I had to ask before it would take me anywhere. I was tired and sores all over. I had to walk limping because my feet really hurt from playing too hard. I don’t think I would enjoy another wandering – not this time. I had enough already. 

And so I was right. The bus driver had to drop me somewhere because I took the wrong bus unfortunately. Only to find out there are two 59 buses around. I just have to read Thai to figure it out. Speechless! Thanks to an angel who speaks English and helped me find my way back. 

But why is it a beautiful mistake? Remember when I said I had few discoveries along the way my first attempt the other day? And one of those is the place where the bus driver has exactly dropped me. When I realized I was still in a familiar place, my heart overjoyed. I just had to walk long through a very huge over pass that connects three big roads. It was very uncomfortable but I got what I wished for earlier.

I have seen this area from a distance while commuting last Saturday morning. The place was fascinating and that captured my heart. “I wish I had time to go and take pictures.” I said beholding the scenery. 

And there I was!

The situation I had was compared to a feather tossed here and there but ended up at the right place still. That was the exact feeling I had. All I had to do was go with the flow. Instead of being mad about the situation - for one reason, I was so tired limping, I had my camera out and took pictures then.

I had fun!

This time I had to take another bus to get going. It was bus number 12. Again in hopes that I would be able find my way home. Not yet, for the bus dropped me on the other side of Khaosan road which I haven’t ventured yet. Thanks to these angels who were such a help. They are French volunteers, and students traveling in Bangkok for a while. And as we went through street after street to our destination, we got to know each other a little too well. 

This is when I said making a mistake is also a precious thing to treasure. Like this one – a beautiful mistake. If you are wandering around this time just enjoy it. You'll find your way!