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December 2003 Online Newsletter...sent every other month
Tips and information about learning Spanish and the people who speak it.  Personal attention is what has made Language Link grow, and we value your contributions.  Please send an email to the address above to remove if you do not want to receive our news.  If you or a friend would like to be added to our online or mail list, email us at info@langlink.com.
What's in this edition
Online Lesson, Cocina Cooking, Culture Clips, Language Link's Latest, OJO (special deals), Rhythm & Book Blurbs, Been There, Loved That (reports from participants), Likeable Links
Online Lesson
Feelings and emotions are important to describe and discuss in any language.  Here’s a little help in Spanish.
¡Felicidades! – Congratulations!
Felices Pascuas – used at Christmas as well as Easter as a happy wishful greeting.
Qué emocionante – How exciting!  Estar emocionado(a).  Estoy muy emocionada.  I’m very excited.
Estoy anticipando muchísimo la fiesta.  I’m really looking forward to the party.
Qué triste. – How sad.
Qué bueno. – How nice!  (Nice is an all encompassing word in English.  He’s a nice person. – Es muy simpático.  I had a really nice time.  Me divertí muchísimo.  This is a nice place.  Es un lugar muy agradable.  How nice you are!  Qué gentíl eres.)
Odiar – to hate.  Odio las ciudades grandes.  I hate big cities (note the use of the definite article las, as you’re speaking of it in a general way.
Encantarle a alguien – to “love” something.  Me encantan las fiestas de Navidad.  A Luis le encanta la comida típica de México.
Envidiar – to envy.  Te envidio todo el cariño de tu familia.
Tener celos – to be jealous.  Mi novio tiene muchos celos.
Sorprender, asombrar – to be surprised, astonished.  Estoy sorprendido.  Estoy asombrada.
Caerle a alguien – to “like” someone.  Pablo me cae muy bien.  I like Pablo.
Respeto – respect.  El tiene todos mis respetos.  (If you mean in respect to this matter, the term would be Respecto a)
Espero que sí.  Ojalá. –  I hope so.  Be careful with any verb of emotion when you follow it with something, as it will require the subjunctive.  Espero que Juan venga a las 9:00 en punto.
Estar de mal humor – to be in a bad mood.  ¡Cuidado!  El jefe está de mal humor hoy.
Cocina Cooking
Empanadas are found in the cuisine of many Latin American countries and can be filled with a great variety, from potatoes to meat.  Two easy recipes –
Empanadillas (18 appetizers)
½ lb. ground beef, 1 C. chopped ripe olives, ¾ C. chopped fresh mushrooms, ¼ C. water, 1 pkg. taco seasoning, 1 pkg. (17 ¼ oz) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed, 1 beaten egg white.
Combine beef, olives, mushrooms, water and seasoning, and blend well.  Roll each pastry sheet into 12” square and cut each sheet into 9 squares.  Place 2 tsp. meat mixture in center of each square.  Moisten edges with water.  Fold one corner over to form triangle and pinch edges together.  Brush with egg white.  Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 375° for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown.  May be served with guacamole and sour cream.
Empanadas de Pollo (4 main dish servings)
1 pkg. Spanish rice mix prepared to directions, 1 C. shredded, cooked chicken, 1 C. (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, ½ C. sliced green onions, ¼ C. chopped black olives, 1 pkg. (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crust.
Combine rice, chicken, cheese, onions and olives.  Spoon half of rice mixture on half of each pie crust.  Fold crust over filling.  Seal and crimp edges.  Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 400° for 20 – 22 minutes until golden brown.  Cut each empanada in half.  Serve immediately.
Culture Clips
    We have been requested to give you several months notice of special events so that you can time your study with a very special happening.  Taking place in Seville Sept 2-12, 2004, there will be 10 performances of the opera Carmen staged in the actual buildings about which the opera was written, the original Tobacco Factory, the Plaza de España and the Plaza de Toros.  Between acts, audience members will stroll from venue to venue.  If they choose, they can travel by horse-drawn carriage.  These performances are the highlight of the Seville International Music Festival 2004 which will also include flamenco shows and concerts by the New York Philharmonic, the Russian National Orchestra and a cello recital by Rostropovitch.  How exciting to be in this beautiful city during this special time!  You can visit www.sevillafestival.org to see a full schedule.
    Seville is an extraordinary southern Spanish city located on the banks of the Río Guadalquivir, a river of great history.  Four days after reaching America, Columbus wrote in his diary that “the sea was the same as the river in Seville.”  The Seville Cathedral is the largest place of worship in Spain and the third largest cathedral in the Christian world.  Its ambitious founders declared, “Let us build a church so great that those who see it completed may take us for madmen.”  It is a storehouse of artistic treasures of incalculable worth and is the last resting place of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón).  Nearby are the Royal Palaces of the Alcázar, dating from 1326. The early part is one of the most beautiful examples of Mudéjar (a combination of Moorish and Spanish) art in Spain.  It is the very essence of history.  Later additions were made by the Catholic monarchs.  The garden, courtyards and private rooms are splendidly decorated with tiles and the geometric forms of Moorish plasterwork, all in perfect harmony with their surroundings.  Another attraction of interest is the Plaza de la Maestranza, one of the world’s outstanding bullrings, dating from the 18th century. Seville is the birthplace of many of the most famous matadors such as the incomparable Joselito.  Two major events which take place yearly in Seville are the famous processions of Holy Week, Semana Santa, and the Feria de Abril.  Holy Week celebrations are unforgettable in their beauty and exaltation.  Ancient statues of enormous worth are carried on floats through the streets by brotherhoods dating back to 1356.  The April Fair is considered to be the finest of all the fairs in Andalusia, with a history dating back to 1292.  The whole city is a celebration with parading horsemen and the well known flounced dresses of beautiful women.  Music, dancing and rhythmic clapping are everywhere and enjoyed by large crowds from around the world.  To see information about studying in this exciting city please go to www.langlink.com.
"Quien no ha visto Sevilla no ha visto maravilla." (well known Spanish saying) -  He who has not seen Seville has never seen anything marvelous.
Language Link's Latest
    We've been quite busy organizing and sending groups, both large and small, for study everywhere from Spain to Argentina.  These include adult professional groups, college groups, high school groups and even seminary students.  The benefits for the leader of a group of at least ten are complimentary classes and housing.  You can even organize your own group (call it Amigos de José or something) and get the same benefits.  We're very good at helping you promote and carry this out to be a successful trip.
    In the midst of the first snowfalls, we urge you to consider our warm weather destinations.  It's a treat to be in the beautiful Mexican beach areas of Playa del Carmen (new!) and Cancún.  Also, one of the unspoiled beaches of Costa Rica is available every week through Intercultura.  See details of all these programs at www.langlink.com.
    We are continuing our contest for a free trip (tuition and lodging for 2 weeks) to Córdoba, Spain. and will announce a winner soon.  Keep entering through our contest box on our website!
    Unfortunately price increases had to be put in place for all our Spain programs, as the US dollar continues to be fall against the euro.  All of our schools there collect your balance due in euros, so you will pay the prevailing rate in US dollars.  Our prices in dollars will now reflect a close approximation of those values.
OJO (Special Deals)
    Several of our schools are keeping their 2003 prices and extending them into 2004.  Get the same reasonable prices at SLI of Cuernavaca, Becari of Oaxaca, Academia de Español Quito, and PLFM of Antigua.
    Our Córdoba, Spain, program is offering a special reduction of 10% on tuition for study during the months of January through June of 2004.  With this reduction you could have two weeks of classes (4 per day) of intensive Spanish and homestay with 2 meals for only $638.  A great price for study in Spain!
Rhythm & Book Blurbs
Music – María Dolores Pradera is a well know singer throughout Latin America.  Her album liners have all lyrics in Spanish.  One of our favorite albums is As de Corazones (Ace of Hearts) which has a terrific song about Seville called Sevilla Tiene Un Color Especial.  One of the lines – Sevilla, tan cariñosa, tan torera y tan gitana, tan morena y tan hermosa.
Books – Carmen’s Rust (Oxido de Carmen) – by Ana María del Río, one of the most gifted writers of Chile, translated by Michael J. Lazzara.  This is a story set in a labyrinthine mansion which is a metaphor for the restrictive atmosphere of an authoritarian state.  The young woman Carmen represents the independence and rebellion of the dissidents.
Been There, Loved That
   Eureka of Madrid, Spain    "The school is very small, but certainly maintains the same high quality of instruction as other Language Link schools I have attended in Spain.  Good value for the tuition.  Eureka has a different lodging/board option which I found very convenient.  The school has a few studios close to the school which it rents to students at a reasonable rate.  Lunch with other students and a faculty member in a private dining room provides additional opportunities to meet students from different classes and practice speaking Spanish.  The professors were very well trained and knowledgeable.  Class size was perfect."    Linda Rexford, Pediatrician, Rhode Island
    PLFM of Antigua, Guatemala   "I have returned from my so-well-organized trip to Guatemala!  I just wanted to write and thank you for everything.  Everything from beginning to end went so well.  I mean everything, from the suggestions of travel agency to a ride to the city on our return.  I enjoyed myself so much and feel that I learned so much.  What a great foundation for me to continue my studies.  The school was very organized and helpful.  It amazes me how they quickly assess one's abilities, and take off from there.  I have such a base of understanding now.  I found all of the instructors that I met to be very involved, and helpful as well.  My B&B comes with my highest recommendation--as does the school.  I couldn't have asked for more in accommodations and in the school."    Tana Gwordske, Police Officer, Washington
    Amauta of Cusco, Peru    "I loved the school, the city, the teachers were excellent, and the other students very helpful.  Instructors exceeded my hopes and expectations.  I stayed at the school--great accommodations."    Mele Mason, Video Producer/Photographer, Nebraska
    Academia de Español Quito of Quito, Ecuador "It was great to be guided through the process, from being picked up at the airport, to assistance in arranging travel, etc.  Instructors were top quality.  Family was very nice and helpful in conversation and teaching me Spanish."    Craig Kauffman, Relations Researcher, Georgia
    Becari of Oaxaca, Mexico    "It was an amazing school!  They did everything possible to make your study and stay as enjoyable as possible.  My host family was great too!  Every instructor I had was superb!  All the information I was provided was extremely helpful."    Shannon Kane, Teacher, Maryland
Likeable Links
Virtual tour of Seville (in Spanish only, good practice!), also has links for tours of other Spanish cities:
http://www.cica.es/~masa/tvs/
Carmen festival:
http://www.sevillafestival.org/
Seville information:
http://www.red2000.com/spain/sevilla/
http://www.spaintour.com/sevilla.htm
Lonely Planet information on Seville--very good website:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/seville/
Christmas in Latin America and Spain (first one in Spanish only):
http://www.navidadlatina.com/tradiciones/welcome.asp
http://www.christmas.com/worldview/

Happy holidays to all our readers, and we hope you enjoyed our news. Please visit us at www.langlink.com. Or if you like a real voice, call us at 800.552.2051. We're on Central Time with office hours 9:00 to 5:00.
Kay G. Rafool, Exec. Director/Marcy Slane, Asst. Director, Language Link, P.O.B. 3006, Peoria, Illinois 61612 USA, Fax 309.692.2926 Worldwide 309.692.2961 Toll free 800.552.2051
info@langlink.com ¡Hasta luego!