Day 3 of my New Habits and I would just like to write out an early Progress Report on Habit No. 1— Converse with Mary in Tagalog.

Going just great!

I start the day with speaking Tagalog with her but as the day progresses, once we interact with her Dad and her half-sister and anybody else we encounter on our day, there’s less opportunity to talk exclusively in Tagalog.  Later in the evening, when its mostly one-on-one interaction again, as I get her prepared for bed, its back to me tryng to teach her the language.

Part of tonight’s conversation gives me hope that she would be fluent by the end of the year…

MarysMom:  Ayaw mo na nitong Ritz Crackers? (You don’t want anymore of these Ritz Crackers?)

Mary: Yes.

MarysMom: Sigurado mo, itatapon ko na ito.  Pero, gusto mo pa ‘nung Club Crackers? (Are you sure, I’m going to throw these out… But, you want more of the Club Crackers?)

Mary: Yep and more cheese.

MarysMom: Naiintindihan mo ako? Ang galing naman ng baby ‘ko.  (You can truly understand me? That’s great!)

Mary: I don’t really know what you are saying.. but it kinda feels like I understand.

I think, pretty soon, she would be answering me in Tagalog.  Can’t wait for that to happen.