Friday, July 3, 2009

Learning Disability

I'm often stumped by things I want to learn, think I should be able to learn, but then because I don't immediately understand them I just stop.
I think I'm pretty learning spoiled.

Anything to do with moving my body, you can pretty much count out. I am hopeless at seeing someone do something (like a dance move, or a flip) and then doing it myself.

Even on my P90x video, there's a sequence where you throw and catch a pitch, and I just move around to get the exercise, but I can never figure out which foot to lift and what arm to put down, and I feel like I'm doing some sort of tribal dance. And yes, when I dance, it looks like an accident.

Things I want to learn, but am frustrated by easily:
1. Sew. It's too frustrating to even talk about.

2. How to fix actual problems with my computer without calling my dad. I am good at defragmenting and changing the startup programs, and beyond that, I can do nothing. I did open up my computer twice, and I think I broke my internet wireless card by touching it too much.

3. Play the guitar. I should be able to do this, but I get really annoyed really fast because I cannot remember where to put my fingers and it hurts.

4. Speak Japanese. It's tragic how I speak a minimal amount of French and next to no Japanese. The worst part is that Jake is now listening to the Japanese podcast. I am foreign language retarded, and I blame that on my English skill.

5. Gardening. Now, you're going to say, just go out there and do it. But for some reason, I am afraid of doing it. I think I am going to kill things. I can rake leaves, but I worry about touching actual alive plants.

There are a number of other things I want to learn how to do: fish, basic auto mechanics, carpentry and house building, do an ollie, dance like Michael Jackson... I'll probably need to spend too much time to learn those things.

I also want to write a book, get my PhD, have more kids, read every book on my bookshelf, travel, and everything else I already do.

I wish I didn't have to sleep so much. And that reading a book about doing something was as good as doing it.

Of course, if that worked, first thing I'd do before any of that list, I'd buy a bunch of diet books.


Kristina P. said...

Dance like Michael Jackson. I wonder how that's going for him.

Smiths said...

What you may lack in ability in some areas you more than make up for in the areas you do have skills: writing, going without sleep, cooking, reading, patient with Amaya and Jake-ing,... Consider yourself lucky to have so much natural talent.

iMaLLheaRt said...

AMEN! I'm kinda like you. I think this is why we're friends. I want to learn how to do so much (ask David) but I either don't because I don't have the time or I don't want to fail. But I think it's mostly because we have no time to do all the stuff we want to do. If only we didn't have to sleep then we'd get so much more done!

Syl said...

I don't think there is anything that gets me angrier faster than trying to sew. Two minutes of measuring, cutting, pinning or running under the "foot" thing and I'm irate and calling for blood.

Damaris said...

I'm pretty convinced that I'll be a pro skater one day and do lots of cool tricks. I only need to get over the fear of falling. I also need a skateboard.

Jesse said...

Sewing, computer, guitar. You've got me. Japanese is totally doable though, as is gardening. Check out Tae Kim's guide to Japanese grammar online (or show it to Jake). The magic ingredient for these and all other activities is time. Ditto on the guitar though. I was never really interested in learning how to play as a teenager, but I want to now. Just need to get a guitar I guess.

Mariko said...

Da: Ditto. I have total dreams of being able to skate and surf like a master.
I have a board. Not sure what my excuse is. With surfing it's that I'm freaked out by big waves.
Syl: Agreed. I pretty much hate it the second I start, but I still wish I could.
Jill: Not sure I'm so patient, actually. :)

April said...

Are you afraid of doing them...... Or doing them perfectly?

I only ask, because it kinda sounds like me. :)

Melinda said...

you are so amazing at so many things. i have no doubt you'll get your phd, write a book, have more kids, and become a pro skater.
i'm glad you said you can't garden. i thought i was just justifying myself, but you've validated my fears. it's a real phobia. if i don't grow plants, i won't feel bad killing them.

The Crash Test Dummy said...

OMGosh! We are twins! Absolute TWINS!

I loved this post.

I saw you today. Crossing the street with your daughter. We waved. Then 10 seconds later we saw Jake ride past us on his bike.