Father’s Day Things
Paraguay could win their division! I think if Italy doesn’t win their next game, Paraguay will win the division. I also think that if Paraguay at least ties their next game they are guaranteed to pass to the next level. That sounds right…if Paraguay ties, they will have 5 points, and if Italy wins they will also have 5 points, and the others will have less, so they will go through. If Italy doesn’t win, the other team will have 4 points and Paraguay will have 5 (if they at least tie) and will go through. So go Albirroja!
We had a fun barbecue today. I tried to make it as authentically Paraguayan as I could. I even bought 2 lbs of mandioca (for $6!!!! Robbery!) to go with my beef, ribs, and sausage. The prices are quite similar, but the cuts of meat are tastier down south. I mean, mine turned out really tasty, but I think the cuts are better (for taste) in Paraguay, for the price. Please to enjoy the slideshow.
-j
Dale Albirroja!
I’m all soccery this week!
I think I’d seen maybe six soccer…er…football matches in my life before now. Some of you probably have heard that it’s World Cup season. My Canadian follower(s) might realize this more than my American ones, but outside of the US this thing is as big as the Olympics. And I realized last night that it’s going to take a while to finish!
All of the games, except *maybe* one Superclasico (a soccer match between Paraguayan clubs Cerro Porteño and Olimpia) have been the Paraguayan national team. I’ll admit frankly; if it comes to Paraguay vs US in the finals of the World Cup, I’ll be rooting for the albirroja (white and red) all the way! We have to dress up at work on Monday (clients coming), but under my shirt I’ll have my Paraguayan jersey, close to my heart…
Now I just need to learn how to play. I was mowing my grass when I realized my kids will need a dad who can play soccer!
-j
Añe’eta Guaranime
Guaraní is the native indigenous language spoken in Paraguay and probably areas of Brazil, Argentina, and Boliva that share borders with my beloved South American home. I think nearly all Paraguayans are bilingual, but I also know there are many people who don’t speak Spanish there, just Guaraní.
Kathy’s family speaks it as well. She says they speak jopará, which is a hacked version of Guaraní with a large Spanish influence. Mine’s gonna be even more of a jopará than hers, but I feel I’ve left out a bit of info.
I wanted to learn Guaraní in Paraguay, but I never took the chance. Then when I got back to the US I wanted to find a course, but they don’t exist. Through links from other blogs, I found a *great* site-slash-podcast to learn guaraní. Paulita is the best.
I’ve been studying for a few days, and Kathy is already talking to me more. I can’t understand much, but I at least know whether or not she’s talking about me or herself or someone else, and sometimes what the verb is and whether or not it’s past, present, or future. She says it’s coming along well! I’ve realized it’s going to be a pain to speak but a bit easier to understand. I don’t quite get how to form a sentence, but I can pick one apart. This online dictionary helps me figure out my verbs and nouns.
It’ll be a long road, but maybe if I make progress with Guaraní, she’ll be encouraged working on her English.
-j
ps> extra credit if you can use the links I provided to figure out what my subject is!