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One of the things we do in SFI class is to work out if a list of statements is true or false. The list will be about a page of text that precedes it. Usually. Sometimes, though, it will also have a few statements that deal with the subject rather than the text.
For instance, today we were learning about the seasons and when they occur in Sweden. So, summer, for instance, occurs in June, July and August, while autumn is September, October and November. All pretty basic when it’s in your own language but handy to know in Swedish.
I find these exercises quite good. They are an excellent way to learn new words. Today, however, I found an anomaly.
The statement read: ‘Before December comes October’. I suggested to the teacher that this was, in fact, correct. What she was looking for was an understanding of the months of the year and their sequence. Which means, the statement is incorrect because November comes before December. But, I maintained, all months come before and after each other. Forever.
I know I was being a bit of an arsehole but my pedantry imposes strict rules on me, even in foreign languages.
Classes this week are limited to 90 minutes. (I don’t know why. It was, no doubt, explained to us, but it was all in Swedish and I don’t understand that.) Mirinda had a meeting of one of the boards she’s still involved with so I took the bus home. The Snorter was also on the bus.
She was having a lot of difficulty with paying the driver. She had three bus cards, each without money on them and she then had problems finding her debit card. Eventually, the driver mimed and gestured how she should use her debit card to pay for her fare. I realised my Swedish was a bit better than hers.
My, usually pleasant, bus journey was then punctuated with loud, wet snorts all the way to the ICA. At least she didn’t follow me all the way into the shop.
My walk home, through the woods, after a brief stop in the cemetery, was delightfully quiet.
I arrived home just in time for Jason to pop in and tell me he was going into Stockholm for some more Parkour and wouldn’t be home for tea. He really loves his Parkour.
