Well well well in my prelude earlier, I indicated my challenged ability to "conquer" Mexico. So I've decided that I am going to start learning Spanish! How?
Online! I've been learning about social media and what-nots about UCC (user created content) I've found this site REALLY good: Sign up for a free membership and they will teach you basic pronounciation, vocabulary, vowels, grammar etc... Click here for basic conversation. For random translation click here.
Alternatively, you can pay about $270 for 10 lessons at Cambridge Language Centre, 3hrs a week. But I rather do it on my own. That's not a challenge if I cannot do it myself - what's more? It's free! That's the perk about UCC!
Was googling for random information on Monterrey [pronounced as Mont-teh-ray] and I got fantubulo links! ¿no es eso maravilloso? - Isn't that wonderful? They've got interactive maps, bloggers' opinions (all in spanish. crap) places to see, food to eat yah-dah-yah-dah...
I've got some stuff down like 10 phrases but problem is it's difícil (difficult) to remember. So tendré (I will have) to use español (spanish) as often as possible! I think spanish's sentence structure is extremely different than ingles (English) & pronounciation too. C
I'd pray to God for good encounters in Mexico, good strangers to meet and a good and safe journey. Not forgetting good housemates. Amen!
¿cuál es siguiente? (What's next?) Airtickets, Accomodation and Visas - perhaps I will worry about my modules later.
Oh yes Airtickets!
I called STA and inquired: $1280 flat for a 2 way exculding taxes so everything would be about $1780 for a 2 way! Nice price! Just last year it was $950 flat.... see how the crazy airlines regulate their prices every now and then?
At the same time, Im thinking of purchasing the youth travel card. Id think abt it when Tel de Mont's package arrive.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Monterrey Mexico - A Prelude
Listening to Kelly Clarkson's Breakway and typing on my X41 in the school library (bored studying Strategic Management)
She sings:
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Breakaway
It sounded really surreal to me. I thought my previous stint to China was challenging enough. But this time, its challenging x10 - I tell you why.
I'm going to Mexico! North America - to the salsa-dancing-spanish-speaking place. Monterrey to be exact.
Language
They speak mainly Spanish. Well well.... Im in for a treat! I heard English is widely spoken, then again you are mixing with Mexican Amigos!
Air Tickets
Most likely be flying from Singapore to Los Angeles, making a brief stop in Tokyo. From LA, I will be on domestic airline straight to Monterrey. Checked out the prices - doesn't come cheap. Mexico's TOO ulu (not popular) hence there isn't a straight flight. Oh right there is on Royal Dutch! but it will cost me $3k+ (!!!!) I can sense Prof Gregor's ear ringing!
Did I mention that I will take about 20+ hours for us to get to Monterrey. Nearly a day. LONGEST flight I've ever flown in my life! my current longest was only about 7-8 hours to South Korea!
Accommodation
We dun have the luxury of that school helping us FIND accommodation. Hallelujah! its on our own. So its house hunting first thing when we get there! Who would I be staying with (????) I am super clueless.
Visas
Usually Id apply for my foreign visas here in Singapore. But I heard its cheaper to do it there. the previous batch did it. So yup. Im gonna do it there - in the name of saving MONEY!
Just like my trip to Shenzhen - I am going to do a Greater Expectations for Monterrey before my departure. I have about 3 months to go. Plenty of time =)
Finally..
the thing of the matter - KA-CHINGS! $$$$$$$ money makes the world go round round roundy! will i have enough to spend ?
How would I fare?
____
just a short thank you to Jesus. - Thank you for keeping me here in Singapore for the summer. I know you have your plans for me. Thank you for the CK Tangs acceptance. I really needed it.
She sings:
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Breakaway
It sounded really surreal to me. I thought my previous stint to China was challenging enough. But this time, its challenging x10 - I tell you why.
I'm going to Mexico! North America - to the salsa-dancing-spanish-speaking place. Monterrey to be exact.
Language
They speak mainly Spanish. Well well.... Im in for a treat! I heard English is widely spoken, then again you are mixing with Mexican Amigos!
Air Tickets
Most likely be flying from Singapore to Los Angeles, making a brief stop in Tokyo. From LA, I will be on domestic airline straight to Monterrey. Checked out the prices - doesn't come cheap. Mexico's TOO ulu (not popular) hence there isn't a straight flight. Oh right there is on Royal Dutch! but it will cost me $3k+ (!!!!) I can sense Prof Gregor's ear ringing!
Did I mention that I will take about 20+ hours for us to get to Monterrey. Nearly a day. LONGEST flight I've ever flown in my life! my current longest was only about 7-8 hours to South Korea!
Accommodation
We dun have the luxury of that school helping us FIND accommodation. Hallelujah! its on our own. So its house hunting first thing when we get there! Who would I be staying with (????) I am super clueless.
Visas
Usually Id apply for my foreign visas here in Singapore. But I heard its cheaper to do it there. the previous batch did it. So yup. Im gonna do it there - in the name of saving MONEY!
Just like my trip to Shenzhen - I am going to do a Greater Expectations for Monterrey before my departure. I have about 3 months to go. Plenty of time =)
Finally..
the thing of the matter - KA-CHINGS! $$$$$$$ money makes the world go round round roundy! will i have enough to spend ?
How would I fare?
____
just a short thank you to Jesus. - Thank you for keeping me here in Singapore for the summer. I know you have your plans for me. Thank you for the CK Tangs acceptance. I really needed it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
