How long does it take a child to learn to talk? First words? What, like one year or something? Sentences? At least two, right? Past tense, proper verb usage...that must take at least 4 years. So I've decided that anyone who says they "picked up German in 6 months" is lying. And if anyone knows a 6 month old German kid, I want to meet them in 2 years and see who can conjugate more verbs. I'll be taking bets.

My German classes have ended for a 6 week summer break. But the problem with learning something you actually want to learn (rather than, say, being in high school) is that now that there are no classes I have to try harder and learn on my own. Because this week a good friend of mine finally said, "Well, you have to understand that if I invite you then everyone has to speak English." Blink. Blink. At first I was royally pissed off. But now I realize it's the difference between being a tourist in this town and making a home here. I can't ever really live here until I speak the language. And I want to live here.