Last year's attempt at trying something new every month was a rousing success - ergo, I'm doing it again!
Last night was my first activity, and my friend (and one of the original Dilettantes), Amy, joined me.
January - Norwegian language lesson (beginner, obvs), Norway House, Fairfax, VA
Back in early December, I received an email with area holiday events that included a holiday market at the Norway House in Fairfax. This place is about six miles from my house and I was not aware it existed, so I spent a few minutes perusing their web site. During this perusal, I learned that the Norway House provides Norwegian language lessons every Thursday night, with a beginner lesson at 6:00pm, and intermediate lesson at 7:00pm and conversation at 8:00pm. I emailed the instructor and she assured me that even though the class began in January of last year, anyone could drop in at any time and pick up where they were. There were about 20 people in attendance for the beginner lesson, everyone was lovely to us and made us feel welcome, and they offered Norwegian cookies and coffee before we began. And if I may steal an adage from our Greek friends, from there it was all Norwegian to me. It was obvious that over the past year we had missed some crucial vocabulary and masculine, feminine, and neutral articles that would have made this a little more "beginner." Additionally, there are some words that just don't naturally form in this American's mouth (see "kjeks" below), though I did try with varying levels of success. I so want to go back because everyone was so kind and it would be so much fun to learn this, particularly because I absolutely loved Norway when we visited a couple years ago, but I feel we missed the bat (Norwegian for "boat") in actually getting in on the beginner level. Also, sticking with something to the point of mastery goes against all that being a Dilettante means.
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| The Norway House |
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| Name of a bakery the instructor owns. I appreciate this. |
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