The Hare and the Tortoise

Anyone remember the story of the Hare and the Tortoise?  For those who don't' know it, it is one of Aesop's fables and contains a moral lesson. Basically, the Hare is a very fast fellow and a bit sure of himself. After a brief meeting, he challenges the Tortoise to a race. The Hare speeds off, but realising that the Tortoise is very slow, keeps stopping to rest and enjoy himself. In the end he is so sure he is so far ahead he can't lose. Then he gets the surprise of his life to find the Tortoise has beaten him. You see, the Tortoise just kept plodding on and little by little caught up and eventually won the race. The moral, as I understand it, is that slow and steady wins the race.

Wondering why I told that story? Well, this week has been a mixed bag for me and I can identify very much with the Tortoise. I can only hope that by applying the Tortoise's game plan, that I will achieve my goal as well.  Slow and steady, step by step, that's all it takes to achieve one's goals.

I would prefer to write and say how brilliantly I am doing and how much I am enjoying learning Spanish. The truth is, I seem to have hit a wall and my brain just won't take in any more information. Hence I am feeling a bit disappointed and somewhat frustrated at the moment. Leaving aside that I've just arrived in a new town, with a new school, new students and upgraded level (B2) and new host family to get used to (and that it usually takes at least a week to adjust), I just can't seem to take in any of the new information. B2 is not just another level, it feels like a totally different world. I'm in the deep end of the pool and I can't swim. I find I can speak quite well outside of school and be understood, but in class it all goes out the window, no matter how hard I try. To say I'm having a bad week with learning would be an understatement, but you know, there are always solutions.

After having a chat (in Spanish) to the Head of Studies, I trialled a different group, but at the same level. However the same situation occurred and I felt like a deer in the headlights and couldn't recall even simple stuff I know well. After having another chat with my teacher today, I've decided to skip classes tomorrow and change to individual classes next week so I can review and consolidate what I know. Hopefully, this will unfreeze my brain enough so I can return to the group lessons after that. It will cost some more dollars, but I'm happy to give it a go as I don't want to give up on the dream unnecessarily. Besides, I have another 7 weeks in this wonderful town and I want to enjoy it all, including my studies.

However, I am struggling a bit with my inner demons today and it's hard not to compare myself with others and feel somewhat stupid and unintelligent. All that reframing I do for clients I now have to use on myself! Lucky I have some skills in that department but it remains to be seen if I will be a good "self-client". Since the excursion this weekend is to Morocco and I don't want to go, I can spend some time doing some revision and settling myself for a different learning experience next week. If anyone has any tips on how to "unfreeze" one's brain, I'd love to hear them! I hope to give a very different report next week.

Till then, take care and enjoy life. I know I will!