Like a puzzle

Quick "thought of the day" I had yesterday (or was it Tuesday).

So, as I was pondering my 4 & 1/2 months of language study so far, I came up with this analogy. Language learning (for me at least) is a lot like putting together a puzzle - a BIG, 5 gazillion piece puzzle that is. I feel like I have a lot of my "edges" put together and am getting the frame part completed. That is a very good feeling and that is where I can see the most progress.

Then I start trying to put together all of the green pieces, or group the blue ones together, etc. And voila! I eventually come to realize that those pieces become a field or river or some such thing, not just a random spot of color on the little piece of cardboard. Those are my "aha!" moments with learning verb tenses, grammar concepts, and all that other hard stuff we are learning over and over.

Good start, now I have a bunch of little pictures that are just "floating" around inside my frame as I try to figure out where to put them in the big picture. There are still lots of loose pieces and many big holes in my puzzle but little by little things get put together and the holes become smaller.

Language learning is not for the faint of heart or those who hope to not have to review their grammar lessons from elementary school! I must admit I am learning more about English grammar now that I am learning French. Because seriously, how many people remember what a past participle, personal pronoun, or the imperfect tense is??? (Except Mandi, that is! - she's the grammar "queen.")

Exactly. Ciao for now.