Jonathan N    Discover your voice and build self-confidence in a new language like you never imagined

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

My first favorite word in Spanish was "sacapuntas" because it was long and fun to say, and means pencil sharpener. Other words I like now that I speak it more thoroughly include "azafata" and "alboroto" two words you could say are very "Castilian" as in from Spain. They are fun to say and demonstrate key characteristics of Castilian Spanish, where I learned to speak. Azafata is the old word for a "stewardess" on an airplane and the "z" is pronounced with the classic Spanish lisp sound, which can sound like an "f" so the word itself can sound like "a - fa - fa - ta." Alboroto is any kind of a commotion or disturbance, but is also in a Spanish Civil War era song meaning the riots preceding the Battle of Madrid. The "al-" prefix means it is of Arabic origin, which accounts for up to 10% of all Spanish language roots due to the centuries-long Moorish occupation of Spain.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

I loved chili cheese fries especially from the little league fields, or deep-dish pizza from Maria's Deli. There weren't any fancy restaurants in our town but lots of simple delights :)

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

No, but I have a basic knowledge of several languages.

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

I'm an avid reader of non-fiction books and news and a lapsed guitar enthusiast. I love spending time with my 12 year old dachshund Nelly and taking her to the beach near our new home in Ensenada, Mexico. I also enjoy exploring this beautiful area that I'm still new to, trying all the fish tacos and going to all the swap meets that I can. A former long-distance runner, I stay active through yoga classes and joining group hikes. I also enjoy landscape photography.

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

I grew up in Valencia, California on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It was once a quiet, easy going place with lots of family activities and sports events. There were many small, friendly businesses with deep roots in the community that served the neighborhood. It has an extensive system of walking paths we called the "paseos" where kids could ride bikes to anywhere in town and families could stroll leisurely in the evenings. My dad opened an Italian restaurant that he operated for a few years, our family all worked there and lots of friends and neighbors used to come eat after baseball games at the fields across the street, or before going to the movie theaters behind it. We loved living there and being part of that community.