More classes

This is proof that persistence pays off. J has been trying to get me to enroll in an auto maintenance class ever since my car’s battery died the day we got back from our wedding. Well… 3 years later, I allowed him to enroll me in a course, and I just finished it last week. While I think I’m probably more knowledgeable than the average woman in minor car maintenance issues – I have replaced tail lights, I check tire pressure and oil regularly, etc – it was useful to practice jacking up the car and replacing air filters. I must say, one woman in my class didn't know how to pop the hood, and another put air in her tire for the first time (oh, to have never needed to air up my tires!). And, J even learned a few things from me, such as how to easily access the headlight in the car he’s owned for 7 years!

In addition to the auto class, J also insisted that I take a point-and-shoot photography class. Again, I’m not convinced that I couldn’t take better pictures if I gave it more thought and effort, it’s just that I typically think that the reason for having such a camera is to be able to simply 1) point and 2) shoot. Indeed, that’s often what I used to do, without really looking at the settings before I handed the camera off to someone else to snap a picture. J got so frustrated with my lack of attention to the matter that he felt compelled to tape the camera setting to “automatic,” which I had to admit to in class when I pulled out my camera and the tape was still there! Absent-mindedness is not the same as a lack of understanding, but I think a little more explanation and advice on technique will do me good. Now that I am required to take and share five new photos with my classmates in two weeks, you may get the benefit of seeing a few more shots from around the District from yours truly.

These classes are, of course, in addition to the 25 hours of Lithuanian class and corresponding homework that will soon give me a “limited working proficiency” of the language.