I was reminded of my Spanish-speaking days at my wedding this past weekend. The groom was born in Uruguay by a mother who is Uruguayan and a father who is American. The groom, his family and his friends were speaking Spanish during the wedding day and I wished I still knew how to speak it as well.

Spanish was a regular part of my curriculum from 4th to 12th grade. During high school, I had Spanish class every day and even an independent study for Spanish 5 during my senior year. I was taking Spanish because I was required to take a language in high school and it didn’t make sense to switch to another. So after eight years of Spanish, I was pretty good at it!

During my college years, I initially decided not to take a language, but that all changed once I decided to be an International Studies major. Of course I decided to continue my Spanish studies and even opted to take an interterm trip to Mexico my senior year. I studied at the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico. My classes were taught in Spanish and I was required to talk in Spanish during most of my time on the campus, especially during conversation class. I also lived with a Mexican family where I ate the best spaghetti and cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten! 🙂 I was totally and completely immersed in the Mexican culture and Spanish language, so it was safe to say I was getting even better at my Spanish!

But for me, Spanish is like Math. If you don’t use it, you lose it. So since my senior year of college, I haven’t really used my Spanish. I still know the basics, but most people know the basics. It’s times like my wedding this past weekend that I wish I still knew a bit more. To be able to speak with my clients, their friends and families in a second language…how cool would that be!?! I think that would definitely give me a little bit of an edge. 😉

It was fun looking back through my pictures from my time in Mexico, so I thought I’d share some from my trip. This was me in my Spanish-speaking days…

 Note: All these pictures were taken with a point-and-shoot camera BEFORE my true photography days. 🙂

Our group from Bridgewater. All girls, no guys.

Even Mexico has Office Depot!

On campus at the Universidad Internacional. It was beautiful! Definitely a lot different from the campuses I’ve been on in the US.

Our room at the host family’s house.

I have a similar blanket that I now use as a tablecloth! I fell in love with these and bargained my way to a custom order!

We climbed this pyramid! Unfortunately I don’t remember the name of it.

We made it to the top!

We took a cooking class. The food was DELICIOUS!!!

And we got to go to Acapulco! I had only heard about it in songs so it felt pretty cool to actually be there. 🙂

We were hounded on the beach. So many people wanting us to buy their goods and pay for their services. This lady was giving massages.

Buckets of Corona on the beach. 🙂

Celebrating our host dad’s birthday.

We visited a city elementary school in Cuernavaca. The kids LOVED us!

Dr. Morton treated us to a fancy meal after our visit to the school. She also treated us to some stories. 🙂

One of our professors at the university. He reminded me of Mr. Bean…ha!

Another professor! I couldn’t believe he was only a few years older than us!