I’d been editing film the last few weeks, so my main desktop computer was sidelined while I used my more powerful MacBook Pro along with my monitor for some dual screen action. Unfortunately, my iTunes library is linked to my desktop machine, so I had a lot of stuff to catch up on!
It’s a little like Christmas morning, in its way. I was simply inundated with all this cool stuff! I didn’t know what to open first! Do I gorge myself on Dear Amber? Dive head first into a Qing Wen marathon? And then there’s the lessons! Hoo boy!
As much as I’ve missed the sound of ChinesePod in my ears, I’ve still hit the site every day to review the dialogue. It’s been a great challenge to see how much I can grasp simply by reading the characters and then checking my “work” by clicking on the audio button. I’m not going to break my arm patting myself on the back, but I’ve been doing pretty well — even on the Intermediate lessons!
So while I’m thrilled to be back in the listening fold (and how great was it to hear Aric?), I think it’s good to take a break from your normal learning routines now and then. This forced my brain to work on the same subject in a different way and helped me with my character retention.
So… yay!
Oh, and in non-ChinesePod related news… I just signed a deal with a publisher in India to tell the life story of ALEXANDER THE GREAT in graphic novel format. It will be my first book in their “Lives of Important People” line. (That’s what I’m calling it, anyway.) I’m all kinds of excited about it. Wish me luck!
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Frank,
Yeah, I totally agree. Not just with language learning, but with quite a few of my own endeavors I’ve discovered that after a break I can make a lot more progress. Breaks can be just what you need.
I’m excited to hear about the Alexander the Great thing! I was just rekindling my interest in him recently (before going to Turkey), reading Wikipedia and stuff. Sounds like great material.
The Alexander thing just puts me on top of the world. I’ve read three biographies on the man and he just fascinates me. I’ll have to brush up on names and places, but for a 64-page graphic novel, this thing really writes itself!
By the way, bro… I tackled yet another Intermediate lesson today. I’m realizing how important this step is in one’s progress. You can stay down in Newbie and Elementary for too long. You can’t let the language scare you. It’s VITAL to hear the language spoken by a native. We’ve got you there to hold our hands as Jenny talks, but I am really enjoying this new level! (The one I just listened to was “Using ChinesePod”.)
Good stuff, man!
Frank,
I’m glad you’re enjoying Intermediate! Way to get out of your comfort zone.
Through your valiant study efforts, you’re making your blog title less relevant by the day…
Ha! Not at all, John! I think of the “Newbie Blog” not as something necessarily written by a Newbie, but as a source of encouragement for other Newbies. I think it’s vital to be able to come and see someone who has been where you are, who has worked the program, who has done the lessons and got the coffee mug, and see a real-life perspective on someone’s progress!
And besides, make no mistake, I’m sure that Aggie will tell you how really close to being a Newbie I am. I have a toe in the Intermediate pool, but I’m still neck-deep in Newbie waters.
Happy birthday, Frank!