Spring Spanish Challenge
Today is the first day of spring according to the calendar. As usual Ukrainian weather does not hurry to adjust accordingly but I’m sure it’s just a matter several weeks. For me the winter that just ended was awesome in all regards. In fact I was able to achieve 2 of my 3 yearly goals set up for 2011 in just two months — I got a decent photo camera and went to an unforgettable trip to Spain. So now in remaining 10 months of the year I can fully concentrate on my third and the most ambitious goal of becoming fluent in Spanish.
A serious goal requires decisive actions so I’ve come up with an idea of a public challenge that should motivate me. During this spring I will be reading a big book in original Spanish version with the goal to finish it by May 31. The book is “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez and the edition I have has 500+ pages, which means that I’ll have to read about 6 pages per day on average. It doesn’t seem to be a big deal, however with my current speed I’ll need to spend at least 60 min a day. Such slowness is explained by a special thoroughness I exercise while reading books in languages that I’m learning. For example, I look up every single word that I don’t know and make a note on it. The effectiveness of such approach can be debated, but I’m sure that it will work for me, because it has already worked with the English language.
To make it even more accountable I will be reporting on the progress regularly in the comments to this post. As of today I’m on schedule — 6 pages have been read ;)
Three days have passed and I’m right on schedule having read 18 pages with pleasure. The most inspiring are those moments when in several sentences in a row all words are familiar, there is no need to consult a dictionary and you can just enjoy the masterpiece in its original language, letter to letter as author put it.
Roman Malanke
2011-03-03 — 22:54
Man, I’m really glad for you. Especially that you are so motivated and make such achievements in you life. I wish you best. Keep on, brother.
Igor Kravchenko
2011-03-05 — 12:59
Igor, it’s so nice to hear from you after so long! Thanks for your comment. We should arrange and meet over the cup of coffee somehow!
P.S. I’m still on schedule with my reading, 36 pages done ;)
Roman Malanke
2011-03-06 — 23:42
Reporting the progress: after 9 days the reading is on track, 54 pages done. The process gets more and more enjoyable and the need to consult dictionary lessens. Dedicating some time for reading early in the morning seems to be a very good approach. I’m full of enthusiasm to continue.
Roman Malanke
2011-03-09 — 23:07
So far so good: 13 days, 78 pages. I can almost see the bookmark advancing towards the last page. Waking up early on weekends and reading one hour before doing anything else makes the day.
Roman Malanke
2011-03-13 — 09:20
It’s been one month since I started! Everything goes as planned: 186 pages done in 31 days. Every new portion comes more easily and with greater esthetic pleasure. I’m so excited about this approach that I’m starting to think about undertaking “Don Quixote” next.
Roman Malanke
2011-03-31 — 08:01
Done with the first half of the book. The reading is well on track, the process is a pure pleasure, I’m happy to have started.
Roman Malanke
2011-04-11 — 05:57
First deviation from the regular schedule was observed during the last week. Due to big workload and personal matters I missed 7 days in a row and had to catch up on the weekend. Luckily I had a chance to do 7-hour reading marathon on Saturday, which put me back on track. 336 pages done, 168 to go.
Roman Malanke
2011-04-25 — 15:16
Being overseas shouldn’t affect the schedule, right? Well, it doesn’t. Right now I’m in Seattle, where I just finished my daily portion of reading. 432 pages done, 72 to go. The next update will be the last one! ;)
Roman Malanke
2011-05-12 — 06:57
The challenge is now complete! Thanks to everyone who supported me and kept asking about the progress. I love you guys. Here’s the article with my observations during the process: http://malanke.com/blog/2011/morning/.
Roman Malanke
2011-05-22 — 12:38