It's wonderful to have the visa for my Brazilian guitarist.
That big obstacle is finally out of the way. I can now move past that blockage. I ask for the posters and flyers to be reprinted, with the new show dates.
Excitedly, I start to tell people about the visa. Some share my excitement, but with others, I watch as a shadow of disbelief crosses their face.
"I didn't think you'd ever get it".
"Met him on Facebook? Really?"
I'm like the teenage girl who tells her friends she has a boyfriend, but they have never seen him and don't think he exists. She insists that he will accompany her to the school formal, but they have their doubts.
It is true. He is coming to Australia. He tells me he is creating some special musical arrangements that he thinks I will like. My travel agent is finding a hotel room for him.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, the Brazilian language school has an end of year party, outdoors at the primary school where our lessons are held. We have all been asked to write a poem, and now we are to read it aloud on video. I've written one that would go inside a graduation card.
I get to my feet and record my piece in one single take. The teacher looks a bit surprised. She listens to the recording, and declares my pronunciation to be good.
Later, they ask me to sing something. Someone has printed out the Portuguese words to A Felicidade (Happiness). I've never performed this song, but I want to include it in the show, so this is a good chance to give it a run, even though I don't have a backing track.
After a couple of false starts, I manage to sing it right through to the end. I've sung along to recordings of this song many times, and have worked on it at home. I have a general idea of its meaning, but now as I sing, words and phrases snap into focus. I'm understanding the lyrics.
This past year has provided a great opportunity to learn the language in a logical way.
I'm really happy with my progress. When I started a year ago, I could not recognise any words on the page. I could not understand any of the spoken language. And while I'm not yet conversing very easily, I think that will come soon.
I'm very excited about the show, but first it will be nice to have a few weeks' holiday, to gather energy for the big event.
My date will be there with me. You'll see.
That big obstacle is finally out of the way. I can now move past that blockage. I ask for the posters and flyers to be reprinted, with the new show dates.
Excitedly, I start to tell people about the visa. Some share my excitement, but with others, I watch as a shadow of disbelief crosses their face.
"I didn't think you'd ever get it".
"Met him on Facebook? Really?"
I'm like the teenage girl who tells her friends she has a boyfriend, but they have never seen him and don't think he exists. She insists that he will accompany her to the school formal, but they have their doubts.
It is true. He is coming to Australia. He tells me he is creating some special musical arrangements that he thinks I will like. My travel agent is finding a hotel room for him.
A couple of weeks before Christmas, the Brazilian language school has an end of year party, outdoors at the primary school where our lessons are held. We have all been asked to write a poem, and now we are to read it aloud on video. I've written one that would go inside a graduation card.
I get to my feet and record my piece in one single take. The teacher looks a bit surprised. She listens to the recording, and declares my pronunciation to be good.
Later, they ask me to sing something. Someone has printed out the Portuguese words to A Felicidade (Happiness). I've never performed this song, but I want to include it in the show, so this is a good chance to give it a run, even though I don't have a backing track.
After a couple of false starts, I manage to sing it right through to the end. I've sung along to recordings of this song many times, and have worked on it at home. I have a general idea of its meaning, but now as I sing, words and phrases snap into focus. I'm understanding the lyrics.
This past year has provided a great opportunity to learn the language in a logical way.
I'm really happy with my progress. When I started a year ago, I could not recognise any words on the page. I could not understand any of the spoken language. And while I'm not yet conversing very easily, I think that will come soon.
I'm very excited about the show, but first it will be nice to have a few weeks' holiday, to gather energy for the big event.
My date will be there with me. You'll see.
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