A 100 Day Challenge

italianmap.jpgFor a few weeks I have been thinking a lot about a goal that I never really thought I’d make because I was too scared. It is to learn Italian. It’s scary to me because: 1. Rob is fluent so he knows everything already, 2. I hate to make mistakes, and 3. let’s face it, I’ve never been good at taking criticism from those close to me… Right Mom and Dad? But it has really been on my mind, and I even started listening to a podcast called My Daily Phrase Italian. Ok, I listened only twice but had a great lesson from Rob on pronunciation and spelling Italian words. He has gotten excited to teach me and even got me a dictionary and grammar guide. But, as I am likely to flake out on this, the universe has given me another push.

A couple of days ago, I read a post by another Amy, that she calls The 100 Day Challenge. She gave herself this challenge after discovering all that her son, a kindergartener, had accomplished in his first 100 days of school. She then challenged herself to work on a goal for 100 days, and has made her next challenge to recruit 100 people to take the challenge on. Read a better explanation on her blog.

So here I am publicly committing to work on learning Italian every day for the next 100 days. That will put me ending on September 22. Maybe by then I can have a real conversation with Rob and Holly! Or even better yet, I’ll add to my goal getting a passport so I can try speaking with people in Italy! If you’d like to take part in the 100 Day Challenge let us know what your goal is, and go to Amy’s blog and tell her too 🙂

11 Comments

  1. Auntie Lauralee
    Jun 15, 2007

    Great! I’ve posted on Amy’s “Hey Maughans!” blog and noted that you referred me. Here’s what I wrote: “I have been ‘meaning to do’ this project for almost 35 years. Back in the 70’s when taking slides was all the rage, I took rolls and rolls of my five sons growing up. They are housed in lotza slide trays in boxes in the storage shed waiting for some action. During the next 100 days I am going to go through them, sort, catagorize, and digitize them and burn onto a CD. (What a great Christmas present to my boys!) Thanks for this nudge, I’ll report back in September after a Summer of walking down memory lane. Happy & Safe Summer to everyone! Lauralee ManorBooks”

  2. Auntie Lauralee
    Jun 15, 2007

    Amy, may I make a suggestion about getting your passport? It is taking more than 8 weeks for a new passport to process, all supposing they get it right the first time. I just renewed mine and I had to send it back THREE times because of errors. It took nearly four months sending it back and forth with letters and explanations (nevermind the postage) before I had a correct passport in my hand. They are swamped, so I would get right on the project if you can.

    Another suggestion, if you have a COSTCO membership, you can get your passport pictures taken there for only $5.00. It is quick and cheap. Then just take the application, pictures and documentation to the Post Office and have it all checked by the Passport Supervisor then send it and wait. Just in case a wonderful trip is on your horizon you will be ready.

    Also, if you wish to have your children to have passports, you can check as I believe you can have your younger children added on to your passport for very little extra. You will have to inquire about the latest regulations regarding this. But you might as do it all at once. I had Bob, Dave, Dan and James all on my passport until they were old enough to get their own. Check it out to make sure. Can’t hurt. Good luck.

  3. heymaughan
    Jun 15, 2007

    Amy–number one: Awesome goal. I love all things Italian and would love to be able to speak it. It is also the number one place I want to visit. I definitely think you should reward yourself with a trip there! Number two: thanks for passing along the challenge. I love your blog and have learned a lot about you, and it cracks me up that we’re in the same ward, have the same name, read each other’s blogs and still haven’t met! I’m looking forward to it though…the other Amy

  4. Melly
    Jun 15, 2007

    That is a great goal. Before Mark and I went on our trip to Montreal, I wanted to learn a bit of french. What I found helpful was as we were driving down the road to ask him how to say things in french, like “how do you say road?” , “How do you say car?” or asking what everyday things were in french.

    It was really helpful when we were actually there in Montreal, and everything was in french, and everyone around you spoke french. I even went into a store by myself and ordered some hot chocolate in french.

    Good luck with that.

  5. Amy
    Jun 15, 2007

    Lauralee- Great challenge, Rob has a binder of mission slides that we’d like to do the same thing with. Thanks for the insight on passports. I’ve heard that the government is way backed up, so it may take me 100 days to get it done!
    Amy- You’re right, we really should meet! Funny that our paths haven’t crossed better.
    Mel- I’ve started doing that too. Although I have been so focused on getting pronunciation right, that I have a very small vocabulary right now.

  6. Korby
    Jun 16, 2007

    I love the challenge. Now I just have to think of something to work toward accopmlishing in 100 days. I will get back to you.

  7. Heather
    Jun 17, 2007

    There are so many things I need to do that I could use this challenge for, I need to think this one over some more and pick just one.

  8. Papa N.
    Jun 18, 2007

    Amy – The only thing that works with language is to use it as much as possible. Try an Italian-only hour once a week with il Principe Azzurro (your Prince Charming), watch Il Postino or a familiar film with Italian soundtrack or subtitles. | Travel tip: my favorite site for world travel – http://www.airtreks.com | A way to expedite passport applications – http://clia.passportexpress.com

  9. Korby
    Jul 3, 2007

    Ok so I finally figured out what I will do for my 100 day challenge. I am going to read a book. Yeah the other day someone mentioned reading a book and I said “what?” they said “ya I read a book”. Wow people still do that I haven’t read one of those in years with the exception of picture books. So I am challenging myself to pick one of those so called “books” and read it. Now I just have to figure out which one to read from what I have heard their are MANY of them out there.

  10. Korby
    Jul 3, 2007

    I posted my challenge to heymaughan’s website. I am excited to take the challenge. Thanks for passing it on. I am sure I will like reading now that I have reading glasses. Thanks

  11. Heather
    Jul 8, 2007

    Ok, my 100 day challenge is to learn how to not only use my own camera and do the settings myself, but to also learn how to take better pictures. I will be taking an online class with Dylan, and I am hoping to get even the teensiest bit better at it since I have no where to go but up in my picture taking skills. I will post this on the other amy;s site too. Thanks Amy for posting about the other Amy’s challenge and giving us the chance to challenge ourselves!