First writing en masse since 2010's deployment. I'll work on this because it's not my strength to generate large amounts of text for ready consumption. I have my checklist handy to mark off my completion of my tasks. Our deployment is going well. I did not overwhelm myself with PT and other items which has made for a reasonable deployment. Not too much stress, added a couple of classes, began French...especially at the French Desert Commando Course. It was fun discussing language with the French Soldiers and trying to communicate with them with limited language skills.
I hope to continue speaking and studying French. Possibly with the wife, Michelle. She spent some time in France for summer school and studied French in High School. I found that I speak better Spanish than she does French but she is ahead of me due her previous studies. I've found many resources to help us practice. Duolingo makes it feel like a game, Youtube has videos/cartoons in French, and I can speak with some of the Camp workers in French to practice a few items.
I want to make studying French fun because it has been a chore to maintain Spanish. Reading 90 day to fluent...the author wrote about considering levels in languages and shoot for lower level but functional fluency. When I acknowledged this, I found the strain of studying language less of a burden. I now have more fun studying a new language and with some good opportunities for use.
I began with Korean. My wife's parents native language but found no one to talk to, it was challenging, and suck my energy away due to the complexities. I'm not against trying again but when I'm home and possibly near others that speak it frequently. I did embarrass Michelle in front of her parents at Thanksgiving when I read a small box with Korean characters. She was flabbergasted and her mother was impressed. I hope that I don't burn out at home for some of the items I'll do upon redeployment.
I found writing in my journal a bit frustrating due to my complaining. I guess it's that things are perfect to my standards and others conflict with my career goals. We did finish the French Desert Commando Course and I'll have a nice and shiny new badge for my Army Service Uniform. The experience working with the French was to say the least - a lesson in patience. Their standards, priorities, and integration are much different than our American details. The French Foreign Legion was not as accommodating as I believe the Americans can be. The French Foreign Legion did not integrate use into their units due to several reasons.
I hope to continue speaking and studying French. Possibly with the wife, Michelle. She spent some time in France for summer school and studied French in High School. I found that I speak better Spanish than she does French but she is ahead of me due her previous studies. I've found many resources to help us practice. Duolingo makes it feel like a game, Youtube has videos/cartoons in French, and I can speak with some of the Camp workers in French to practice a few items.
I want to make studying French fun because it has been a chore to maintain Spanish. Reading 90 day to fluent...the author wrote about considering levels in languages and shoot for lower level but functional fluency. When I acknowledged this, I found the strain of studying language less of a burden. I now have more fun studying a new language and with some good opportunities for use.
I began with Korean. My wife's parents native language but found no one to talk to, it was challenging, and suck my energy away due to the complexities. I'm not against trying again but when I'm home and possibly near others that speak it frequently. I did embarrass Michelle in front of her parents at Thanksgiving when I read a small box with Korean characters. She was flabbergasted and her mother was impressed. I hope that I don't burn out at home for some of the items I'll do upon redeployment.
I found writing in my journal a bit frustrating due to my complaining. I guess it's that things are perfect to my standards and others conflict with my career goals. We did finish the French Desert Commando Course and I'll have a nice and shiny new badge for my Army Service Uniform. The experience working with the French was to say the least - a lesson in patience. Their standards, priorities, and integration are much different than our American details. The French Foreign Legion was not as accommodating as I believe the Americans can be. The French Foreign Legion did not integrate use into their units due to several reasons.
