Me gusta hablar español. That means 'I like to speak Spanish.' A new language is tough, but fun too. My mom tried to teach me Spanish when I was younger, but I could only remember a few words. It never really stuck with me when I was little, even through the constant push that my mom used to get me to pick up on it. Agua means water. I think I remember Spanish as a chore back then. Something I had to do but pleaded not to. Not like a starving child wanting food, more so, pleading to not eat the three baby carrots on my plate.

"I'm full," I would say, when all I really wanted was to not eat them. The words taste much better in my mouth now, but I still have some trouble with a couple pronunciations.

My mother majored in the best language and taught it to high schoolers too. She is the reason I'm taking it now. She would sing "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" to me as I fell asleep. I recall having more difficulty remembering the words to the English version. The lyrics just sound better in Spanish. Like how Coca-cola always tastes better in a glass bottle. Bien is good in Spanish. I walk into my class at 9:00 on BDF days. Señora Murillo is usually playing a music video in Spanish. She is a really good teacher. Upbeat and enthusiastic, but happens to get her stuff stolen a lot. "¿Cómo estan chicos?" she asks. "Estoy cansado," I will reply. I am always tired en la clase de español, but I manage. She asks what is 'go for a walk' in Spanish. I think to myself; I know this, I hope she calls on me. She doesn't however. Later, I am out of it, half listening to what she says, she calls on me. "Make a sentence using 'our family is making our beds.'" "¿Que? Whats the question again?" I have to ask. I make my sentence, regardless if I had to ask what 'dirty' is twice. (It's sucio if you're wondering). I can't complain, I love Spanish. The language just feels so good in my mouth. Like I was meant to speak it. It’s just so fun.

I blocked Duolingo's notifications. Never again shall I get a reminder to keep up my streak, or that Duo will kidnap my family if I don't practice. Still fun though, it's nice to use if I'm bored or using the bathroom. I learn a lot too. We were learning about la familia in class, and I took a lesson maybe a day before. Señora asks the class, "What is brother en español?" "Hermano." I reply. I learned about family at a perfect time. My dad also took a little Spanish in high school too. However, his pronunciation is wack. He enjoys bothering my mom and making her laugh with his sentences. I had an assignment for Spanish where I had to go to rooms in my house and say what my family or I does there. He goes into the bathroom and says "este es mi baño, yo como caca here." That makes me laugh.

Most of my friends take Spanish too. Jayden, one of my best friends, is really good at school (in general), and Señora Murillo likes him a lot as a student. We were in the same class last semester too. We worked together to do projects in class too. Once we had an interpersonal assignment where we had to have a conversation about our school. Jayden and I went on a call before the day it was due to practice. We had a good time. Very productive, and also a little goofy. Spanish has helped me bond with people.

Manzana means apple, and that was the first word my mom ever taught me. I have remembered it till today. I still use it. Me gusta hablar español mucho.

By l Perry Photo credit: cYokooji

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