How the nuns flunked me in Spanish class

By Robert Rosenblatt
Staff Writer
411whittier.com
A critical week in history is starting to unfold before us. Will the United States attack Syria in order to punish Bashir al Assad for using sarin gas to kill innocent civilians? Poets who favor peace over war could tip the final decision by President Obama.
Vladamir Putin of Russia has given the U.S. a way to avoid the conflict by having Syria turn over all chemical stockpiles to the Russians and the United Nations’ inspectors and then verifying the actual destruction of the chemical stocks.
We will know by Obama’s speech which course to take.
The change in course by the administration “red line” and a reluctant congressional vote of approval for war remain in doubt.
The pressure to do something, anything, reminded me of how I had flunked Introduction to Spanish my freshman year of high school.
The crisp, black and white “habit” or uniform of the Dominican nun who was our teacher was intimidating enough. The rules of proper classroom behavior were enforced by the classic yardstick across the knuckles of your outstretched hands. It really hurt if you know what I mean.
I was just able to pass the written part of the test, and now the moment of truth, the oral part of the exam had to be completed. I knew a few of the basic questions and answers but had no confidence in the more detailed part of the exam.
The moment of truth was about to unfold. Sweat drenched my whole body and I felt like an actor who freezes when their lines come up in the script.
The immortal words I managed to blurt out will remain with me the rest of my adult life. I will leave these desperate Spanish words to all my fellow poets, especially those who attended St. Paul High School.
I don’t quite remember the question but this was my final answer …
“Mi tio’ es infermo, pero la carrera es verde.”
Yeah, that’s right, say it loud and say it proud. Call your best friend, or perhaps your estranged relatives and simply repeat the phrase.
If the world is not right today, it will be tomorrow, for you just can’t be sad when you say the words. “My uncle is sick, but the highway is green.”
Don’t be afraid to send us your favorite traumatic schoolyard nightmares. Until next time, look to the 411 …
Robert Rosenblatt is a longtime Whittier resident. Contact him at rrosenblatt@411whittier.com or call 562-314-7669.