- NPR did a story over the weekend about this century’s version of Victorian hair art. Instead of weaving our deceased loved ones’ hair into creepy wreathes and wall hangings, we can have their cremated remains compressed into diamonds. So when we introduce ourselves to prospective employees or clients, we can flash our jewelry and introduce dear departed Grammy and Papoo, too. That’s much less creepy.
- The dresses and play clothes worn by the adolescent character Sally in season 6 of Mad Men are dead ringers for the 4-H projects I sewed in junior high. Half of me is pleased to be able to verify the fashion accuracy of the show. The other half of me is not so happy to be old enough to verify the fashion accuracy of the show.
- Our guidance counselor wasn’t kidding when he told the students in our class that taking German in high school would come in handy for the rest of our lives. My rendition of Du Du Liegst Mir im Herzen calmed down a resident at the nursing home where I worked in college. A few years back, I wowed German house guests by counting to ten in their native tongue. More recently, while reading The Book Thief, I recognized most of German phrases sprinkled throughout the book, which must have boosted my comprehension considerably. Not a bad investment on 3 years of study!
How has your high school foreign language study come in handy over the years? Leave a comment.
I took 3 years of German back in the dark ages of high school and ended up living in Spain (10 + years) and more recently, in Ukraine (2 1/2 years). Surprisingly , I found myself being grateful for Frau Hagney’s lessons more times than I can count. During my first years in Spain, German was the only common language I had with my landlord/neighbor. It was a bit disconcerting because I learned new words and frequently did not know whether they were German or Spanish and whether the conjugations were anywhere at all correct. One mare story – when I came back from Ukraine where I was immersed in Russian (we lived in Crimea), I spent a week in Germany. It was so gratifying to find that I could read signs and menus, order food, follow and engage in conversation. It seemed infinitely easier than the Russian language I had been wrestling with for the last couple years! I am so grateful for the language classes I took at LCHS!
(Note: I love the idea of diamond made from cremains. The hair thing – THAT is creepy! ) – Ginn, In Sunny SC
Hi Ginn from Sunny SC,
Would you please teleport me your direction? It’s -4 degrees here and time for a change.
You’re comments about the benefits of high school foreign language class. If I could have a do over, I would have taken more years of German in high school, followed by more German in college, followed by time spent in a culture speaking the language to gain fluency. You are so blessed to have had such an experience!
Jolene
I took four years of Spanish in high school, and now I’m teaching my grandson colors and numbers.
Good for you, Constance. That’s putting it to good use and paying it forward.