I have had a hard time in Spanish all throughout my time here at ODU. however, I have grown dramatically. I feel vastly more confident conversationally than I did before I started. I had a job in retail before Covid started where I had to talk to customers in Spanish and I knew I could do it and I was actually able to help them! It was fantastic!

Exploring Culture

Hispanic health care seems so much better than American health care… 34 months off for maternity leave?! I could not believe that! WE ONLY GET A FEW WEEKS! As well as the option of private and public retirement! What an idea! We have social security here in America but, it honestly depends on if you can get it and how much. Sometimes its not enough to maintain the housing and Homelife you had previously when you were working! Central/Southern American resumes are different as well! You can add your picture! I don’t think I’d like that given that America has a lot more secretly racist and sexist tendencies so the chance of someone not getting a job due to secret discrimination would be higher.

Interpersonal Culture

I’m starting to explain myself in a deeper and more grammatically correct way in Spanish. I can actually have conversations explaining my emotions and thoughts to someone without sounding like a child. I’ve grown IMMENSE respect for people who come to America not knowing how to speak English and put in the work to learn it either through their children or a tutor they should know they are doing a phenomenal job.

Interpretive Listening

I don’t know what my future holds. I have big dreams for myself but, I don’t know how I will obtain these dreams and goals or how I will get there. The thought of being behind a desk scares me. It’s so hard for me to focus and the horror stories I hear from friends and family of incompetent peers who annoy them irritates me and I’m not even at the workplace! I too want to be an artist like Felipe and I don’t know how to conduct a good interview when it comes to those trick questions like, “Tell me two of your biggest flaws.” How can I tell you that and get hired?!?!?! But, I do know my strengths and they’re with communicating with people and interpersonal relationships. So I will do as the advisor said and focus on mine!

Interpretive Reading

Carlos Slim is wealthy. Not rich, wealthy! Jarritos, Real estate, Tel Mex, and fashion this man has diversified his forms of income sooo much! He is a smart and strong business man who understands his position in the world. “You can’t take it with you.” I hear this term a lot in my personal life. My grandma is a hoarder and I’m always warned by family members of this saying and though this man is a billionaire he still can comprehend something my grandma cannot. The concept of enough. I’m glad he gives back. To have that much money and not help would be a catastrophe of the spirit.