If we were having coffee or sharing a bottle of wine, I’d tell you it’s been one of THOSE weeks.
CHARITY SHOP: This week, I once again worked in the animal charity shop. The heat in the shop was unbearable, so between unpacking and sorting clothes donations, tidying shelves, sorting hanging rails and serving customers, my co-worker and I hugged the fan, which was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. But it’s worth it. I love interacting with the customers, and one elderly Portuguese lady was helping me with Portuguese words and pronunciation for various items of clothing. She is one of life’s treasures, and I’d love to buy her coffee so we could chat further.
Circling back to the heat, it came as a surprise when I learned that the shop’s head honcho had purchased a steam press and expected the volunteers to iron creased clothes before displaying them. No, although tempted, I did not tell him to shove the steamer where the sun doesn’t shine. Judging by the grumblings within the group, I will leave that to another volunteer. I have learned that while people moan in private, unlike me, they rarely step forward and voice their opinion.
PORTUGUESE LESSON: This week, I asked my teacher to focus on going to the doctors. The homework for the lesson was at least A2/B1 level and made me feel thoroughly demotivated. It was way above my basic level, and by the end of the lesson, I felt more confused than when I started. He really has no idea how to teach different levels. I don’t want to pass an exam. I need a thorough grounding in the basics to build on and adapt. It doesn’t help that I am dyslexic, but it seems he has one script based on teaching people to pass exams, and that’s it!
Rant over. Only one pre-paid lesson to go. I seem to have worsened and lost confidence under his tutelage – not improved. Feeling crushed. I am SICK to the hind teeth of Portuguese people telling me I should be able to speak Portuguese. I agree, but I have spent thousands of euros on lessons. I am not LAZY!!! Please don’t judge.
Perhaps I will just subscribe to a language learning site to continue my studies.
ART LESSON: This week, after a couple of months’ break, I continued with my Buddha painting. I am learning different techniques, but with Buddha so far advanced, I am nervous about experimenting with further techniques as the end is finally in sight. It was meant to be an experimental painting, but I love it so I tread carefully. In this lesson, we added highlights to the flowers, and I decided to try adding beads for further texture. Now I just need to be careful to stick each bead in place before varnishing the picture.
I love textured painting and am looking forward to starting more projects! Creative projects are SO restful. What creative projects are you working on at the moment?
FOOD… trying to go gluten-free is tough.
On a positive note, after several attempts contacting different clinics, I did find one that could fit me in for a scan in mid-August. Result!
Now I replace my coffee with a nice glass of wine. Which do you prefer – red or white?
That’s it for this week, foldks. Do pop over to Natalies’blog to read more #WeekendCoffeeShares
Piglet in Portugal 
Have missed your posts recently, Carole. Hope allās well with you š¤
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Hi Terry, I’ve been on vacation. Thanks for thinking of me. š I did intend to create a blogging break post but time run away with me.
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Iām relieved to hear that youāve been on vacation, Carole. I was worried that you were maybe ill.
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Goodness, no! the summer is not the time to institute steaming clothing! That’s just madness!
I do hope you’ll find a language learning site you enjoy so you can find your confidence and joy in the language again! We use DuoLingo and really enjoy it. The gamification of it makes it fun and easy in only a few minutes a day (of course you can study/practice as long as you like). We have a family plan which allows me + five others to learn for the one price. Three of us are learning Spanish, two are learning Portuguese, and one is learning Japanese.
Going Gluten Free is rough. I’ve had to do it due to an autoimmune disease and the inflammation gluten creates in my body and have to be *very careful with cross-contamination. I still miss it but have found some solid alternatives that help.
Hope your weekend ahead is a lovely one!
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I also struggle with the language, I dont judge. We are all different, for some its easy for others not. Since I dont speak portuguese very often I forget what I have learned. But Dylan has at least got me more confident. Maybe IĀ“ll start 1:1 with him in the winter. Not decided yet.
I love red wine, and dont drink white at all. Tried talho a week ago, and that I like!
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Hi Ana, I wondered how your lessons were working out with Dylan. He was so patient. I also don’t get to speak Portuguese often so yes, I also I forget what I have learned and when I do get the opportunity to speak, I get stage fright and the words evacuate my brain.
I created a page of useful Youtube lessons
https://pigletinportugal.com/learning-portuguese/
I never used to drink white until the last year or so because it gave me heartburn. Now I know which ones I can drink and am cautious when ordering. Not seen talho, I will look out for it. Which region is it from?
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Talha is a traditional way of doing wine, in Alentejo. https://www.portugalvineyards.com/en/blog/talha-wines-the-ancient-tradition-of-the-alentejo-n1794
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I’d have a glass (or two!) of red. I hope it’s cooling off a bit, the steamer is ridiculous during a heat spell.
It sounds like you have a drag of a teacher, you are clearly willing and trying. I’m interested if the results of an app are better – I think it might be.
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RAises a glass or red * Sudade! Cheers! Tracy. Fortunately we have had some cooler weather this week so time to get some jobs in the garden done. Yep, the steamer is a silly thing. I for one wont be using it.
My teacher is good but is use to teaching at a more advnaced level so his teaching material is geared to a different level. Plus he teachs people to pass exams which is different to conversation.
I have collected various options which I think I check out.
https://pigletinportugal.com/learning-portuguese/
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I’ll have a glass of red please š Perhaps you could find an online class for your Portuguese studies? A good teacher should not make the student feel discouraged and belittled. I am sorry you had to experience that.
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Hi Maria, yes, my teacher is online via disqus. I had a good lesson yesterday. the problem is he is a good teacher but just not for beginners. I would recommend him to anyone who wants to pass the exams but not someone with limited language skills like me.
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I see.
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raises glass of red wine. Suade!
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SkƄl!
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Iām still struggling with Spanish, Carole. Iām using both Babbel and Rosetta Stone. I took a long break after my accident and that didnāt do me any favours. I love your art work! Iām still dabbling in Folk Art, and have a long way to go before my ocd-ish personality is satisfied with my results. Iām happy you got booked for your scan and wish you all the best with results and any necessary follow up. Oh ā¦ and itās red all the way for me. White gives me a headache after just a few sips. Cheers!š·
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Hi Terry, I wondered how your Spanish was coming along. We listen to many spanish tourists here and they speak like rapid machine gun fire. I am pleased you like my painting a lot of hours, love and thought has gone in to it. I find creative work SO relaxing! Appointments for scans etc are like hens teeth in Auguest … so aprt from having to drive a long way it will be worth it. As for wine. Red, white or rosie is all good except I haate green fizzy wine. Cheers. Have a good week!
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I didnāt know what green fizzy wine was, Carole, so I had to look it up. Iām pretty sure I wouldnāt like it either, as Iām not a fan of any type of sparkling or bubbly wine ā¦ not even champagne.
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The best way to become proficient is to speak it as often as you can.
Maybe you could try using Portuguese when you make you and hubby breakfast, a cup of tea, when referring to your veggies or simply talking to yourself?
“I need to pop outside to the garden”
Just use a Portuguese word instead of an English one.
My brother in law is a truck driver and for company he WhatsApps with us most days. My daughter learned basic Portuguese by chatting with him on a daily basis and now she and her mum regularly exchange in paring orders Portuguese when they are baking or orders. Repetition will encourage familiarity and confidence.
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SAdly this is the most frustrating, part. We live in a tourist area plus a multinational community.
This idea has possibilities. My hubby is also a dud when it comes to languages. Maybe I’ll ask him what he would like for dinner but he must tell me in Portugueuse every day.
BTW: i frequently chunter away to myself. Haha… maybe I should try in Portuguese.
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Also, you could put sticky notes on the kitchen cupboard doors with their Portuguese name. Cup, Saucer, Plates, etc.
I did basic French at school and our teacher was a great believer in repetition. Much like when we all learned our times tables. Don’t tell you couldn’t recite them if I put you on the spit right now! š
When we were on holiday last year in the UK we crossed to France on the Ferry.
I was hungry and went and found a restaurant. The staff were French(though they probably all spoke English) but I was able to order fish n’chips in French. Having hardly never used the language in over forty years I amazed myself at how easy (with a bit of stumbling and a few smiles from the chef) the words arrived as I needed them.
You just have to start.
Also, get a Portuguese newspaper and read it, even if you don’t know all the words.
Listen to the radio or have the telly on. There was a breakfast show that was on when we were over there a few years back, Praca de alegria… Or something like that. Having this on in the background every morning in the kitchen helped familiarize me with many day to day words.
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I have a hard time with languages… That said, yes, subscribe to a language leaning site to get the basics down.
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I am glad it’s not just me who is experiencing difficulty, Trent.
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