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!