When I first approached local HR about taking a few months off I was informed that this was only allowed if I was studying. I did not plan to study during my time off - just actually take time off and relax - but jokingly said that perhaps I could sign up for a Spanish course or something as a lot of people in DC only speak Spanish. Then my request for leave suddenly for approved without the study-requirement so I thought that was great!.
However, the house cleaners speak Spanish, the painters speak Spanish and the gardeners speak Spanish. Whenever I will need any services - I will need to know Spanish. I saw some guys working in the garden across the road the other day and decided to ask them if they wanted some more work - and do mine too. They did not understand me at all - not even simplest basic English. I thought - maybe I should ring up Alastair at work and he can speak with them, but that is not really an option for a supposedly independent Sissi, so I resorted to Google Translate. I typed in my message and asked for it to be translated to Spanish and printed it out. I then took the printout across the road and gave it to them. Then worried - perhaps they can't read? But the message made some kind of sense to them and they indicated I had to call the boss and gave me his number.
So, perhaps I do need to learn Spanish anyway. I really don't want to. I would much rather learn better Mandarin, or perhaps Korean? Let's see what I get up to over the next few months.
I have been granted leave from work from 9/9 for three months, which I will spend exploring DC and looking for local work, as well as getting the house in order. Visitors are Welcome!
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