Photograph by Catherine Lacey.
I kept this notebook during my first intensive period of studying Spanish in Oaxaca in November of 2022. I didn’t know then that this study would soon be interrupted by almost two years in New York. As I looked through it more recently, it became clear how cheerfully deranged the early days of learning a new language appear from even the slightest distance.
I am, you are, he is, we are, they are. I am a student. I am a writer. He is Mexican. She is a pilot. I was stupid. She was a pilot I was a marathoner until my accident.
Yesterday was Monday. I am not accustomed to it. I am tired. I am happy. I am learning Spanish.
That woman is never angry. Where are your friends?
The soup is very hot. They are afraid of my cat! Why? I don’t know. They have to do the shopping today. We have to go home. I have to work now. I have to see him this afternoon.
I try, you try, he tries, they try, we try. I tried. You tried. He tried. To teach. The taught Spanish to my son. They taught it to him. I have a question.
Can you speak louder, please? Can you speak more slowly please? I am sleepy. I am sleepy but I have something to tell you first. I learn, you learn, they learn.
How do you pronounce … What does it mean … Can you say … What is the difference between … How do you say … How do you pronounce … Can you repeat that, please?
Hello. How are you? What is your name? I am Catherine. My name is Catherine. What is your last name? What is your job? How many years do you have? Her name is Frida Kahlo. She is a painter.
I am not American, I am a person from the United States. Take care. Enjoy your weekend. I hope that you are well. Very. A lot. Many. Many. To live. To live in the past. I visit, you visit, he visits, we visit. We lived.
To go out. I am going out. You’re going out. I left the office at five. You left work early. What are you doing in the afternoon? Sara is making dinner. Sara makes dinner for us on Sundays. She makes breakfast before eight. I’m going to make you a soup.
How is the weather in Boston? There is a lot of sun in Barcelona. Sometimes there is heat here. It rained. It rained. It snowed. Some years ago.
When do you want to buy groceries? We have to buy groceries. Are you going to buy groceries? Did you eat something yet? We ate something together. He lived in Madrid for four years. I walked through the city. I ate dinner with my boyfriend in October. When do you leave for work?
Today the weather is bad. What do you feel like eating? Noon. Twelve o’clock. Midnight. Seasons. Times. Periods. Ages. The tacos come with guacamole. I have a desire to eat tacos. Do you want to eat lunch with me tomorrow?
How are you feeling today? Sometimes I am angry with my father. My mother feels a little tired today. I don’t feel good. How does your brother feel? Is your sister bored? They feel angry. The women are angry. I am very excited. You are angry sometimes.
I want to drink something. I want to dance. I think you’re going to like it! I was living in the city until March. I enjoy myself. I wake up. What are you think about? We think you’re going to like it! I know when your birthday is. Do you know Spanish? I need to know more words. I don’t really know. I don’t know why.
I think life is marvelous and I love to swim! We love cheese very much. I like to eat it. I want to eat it. Where did you spend Christmas last year? Casually. I like him. I don’t like him. I know many young people. I can use this pen. I want to be able to speak Spanish. I cannot remember. She cannot live in this house. Come back soon!
We are going back to Spain this summer. My children returned to school. When are you going? I don’t want to go to Seattle in the fall because it is always raining. I lost. You lot. We lost. You try. We try. It hurts. It costs me a lot. I start work Monday. When does school start? They do not start today.
Will you help me? We help many people. Can you help us with the bags? You have to put on your pants before you open the door. I love that pair of boots. I feel lazy. Tall. Short. Fat. Thin. Ears. Body. Feet. Square. Circular. You open the gifts.
Where did you put the bottle? Where did you put the dog? It’s foggy. Try the soup.
I recommend that you try the tlayuda. Brenda is more elegant than the girls. This is the worst restaurant in town. The vegetables are better than the fruits. There are my favorite songs.
Are you interested in this conversation? Life makes me laugh. Unfortunately. Smell. Open the window. Make the coffee. Wash it after you use it. Don’t go out at night. Don’t be stupid. Put the keys on the table. Don’t go to that restaurant. You wash your hands. I wash my hands. We want to wash our hands.
Maybe tomorrow I will go to the party. She is not going to invite us. We don’t have to stay home. Arrive. Give. Wash. To play. To create. To cry. To turn off. Cost. To miss. To promise. It makes sense. I am happy here.
Catherine Lacey is the author of Biography of X and a forthcoming work of nonfiction, The Möbius Book.
