I last wrote a post eight days ago.  I told myself it was the right thing to do.  “Study Dutch.  Let everything else go.”  So out of balance.  So determined to pass yesterday’s exams.

I grunted.  I sweated.  I exhausted myself.

Today I rest.  I watch a cycling race on TV: the Critérium du Dauphiné.  And I write this post.

Yesterday I had three Dutch exams.  Although I get the official results next Saturday, I’m virtually certain this is true:

I passed the writing and listening parts.

I failed the speaking part.

If this is true, my understanding is that I therefore fail the course.  (Sigh)

I’ve never worked as hard at anything in my life.  “I will pass!” … over and over in my head.

A day later, I’m reflecting on what my teacher Jelle said:

Why are you here?  To pass courses or to learn how to speak Dutch?

She’s right.  My ego speaks otherwise … but then it’s not dependable.  I want to have conversations with folks who don’t speak English.  I want to connect with people, not just English-speaking people.

On I go.

Last November I passed the Level One course (A1).  I was told that I had to pass A2 to participate in conversation sessions at Amal, an organization that welcomes newcomers to Belgium.

Today I went to their website and read this:

For whom?  Anyone who has obtained A1 and wants to practice Dutch

I was wrong.

So … I promise to attend one of these conversations before I leave for England on June 21.

So there!