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There is something to be said about reading

 I was born in Mexico. I was taught how to read and communicate in Spanish. I was, in my own estimation, an average student who was not particularly fond of reading. There was, however, an early interest in the English language. I loved movies, particularly the ones filmed in Hollywood. I remember asking my dad to take me to see West Side Story for the sixteenth birthdate. I hated having to read the sub-titles to understand the dialog. I remember thinking: I've got to learn English.

I immigrated to United States when I was twenty-one years old. My first English teacher was Dr. Kaplan, who was an instructor with the Mott Adult HS. I graduated from Central HS, Flint, Michigan, then enrolled to college in the fall of 1969.

There are three life events that aroused my interest in reading, particularly in the English language. The first was a college professor who encouraged me to read, Thank you Dr. Cyril Leeder, Flint Community Junior College. The second event was being promoted by Mr. Henry Wright to the Divisional Policies and Procedures Department at a major automotive company, a department that required a firm grasp of English. 

But above all, the insatiable appetite for reading was fomented by Darwin Zeller, who encouraged me to enroll at Northwood University. Not only did I read with enthusiasm subjects like cost accounting, statistics, and many other subjects, but above all, I was taught critical thinking. Wow, what a life lesson.

The above writing and speaking skills acquired during my undergraduate studies prepared me to attain a master's degree in Psychology. Although I do not practice psychology, I try to keep up with my area of expertise; i.e., learning and cognition.

I am a septuagenarian. I have read non-fiction books for many years. That has changed. My interests these days are reading fiction books. I am currently reading The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco and Death of an Expert Witness by P. D. James. I have recently read a series of books by Philip Kerr. I read March Violets, Greeks bearing Gifts, and Metropolis, famous novels by Mr. Kerr.

I am happy to report an extraordinary accomplishment. I am studying German on-line. I am on a 290 day streak on Duolingo. Learning the grammar is a real challenge. Anna, du hast jeden Tag Kopfschmerzen. Geh zum Arzt. We are talking about Anna's health. Anna has had a headache every day. Go to the doctor.

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