I'm starting to recognize a pattern. I can go pretty strong interviewing now, but after a couple of hours in Arabic, I stop making sense. It's like I hit a wall. Some kind of foreign-language-interviewing fatigue. I definitely haven't been here long enough to start talking about fatigue--and since my time on the line is pretty "short" compared to colleagues in "visa mills" who are processing upwards of 100/day, I really shouldn't complain.
So I won't make it a complaint. It's more an observation: my tongue seems to get lazy after I interview more than a few hours straight. And although I think I've put the words together correctly, they don't come out that way.
Over lunch I mentioned this to a colleague, and she said she's the same way in Arabic. It's always good to know it's not just you! But what to do about this predicament? Somehow I have to build up my stamina. Another colleague said later that the endurance happens naturally over time. But I'd really like to have some kind of countermeasure that I can apply asap....
Perhaps a sip or two of strong coffee at a strategic time? Or just stepping away from the window and shaking my head/cheeks/lips around? Or blowing raspberries in the air? Something to revive those little muscles. I think I'll probably try all of these - and others, if you have suggestions - and we'll see how it goes!
So I won't make it a complaint. It's more an observation: my tongue seems to get lazy after I interview more than a few hours straight. And although I think I've put the words together correctly, they don't come out that way.
Over lunch I mentioned this to a colleague, and she said she's the same way in Arabic. It's always good to know it's not just you! But what to do about this predicament? Somehow I have to build up my stamina. Another colleague said later that the endurance happens naturally over time. But I'd really like to have some kind of countermeasure that I can apply asap....
Perhaps a sip or two of strong coffee at a strategic time? Or just stepping away from the window and shaking my head/cheeks/lips around? Or blowing raspberries in the air? Something to revive those little muscles. I think I'll probably try all of these - and others, if you have suggestions - and we'll see how it goes!
4 comments:
I just started laughing picturing you standing behind the line blowing raspberries and doing drama camp exercises with your face. I am loving experiencing Baghdad through your eyes, keep writing! We miss you so M!
M...what do you do after a run, legs tired, achy, don't want to work for you any more? ICE!! can you sneak in a few cubes every now and then? (I don't think the 20 mins. on 20 mins off rule will apply here ;) SS
Would a tiny lay down/snooze-in-a-chair be a possibility? I say this because my brain began to shut down fairly precipitously yesterday. I was on Metro, which didn't help. I gave in. Yes, I became one of those people who snoozed - from Vienna to all of Farragut. (Pathetic, I know - that's not even a long ride!) But it made all the difference. And I don't even think I was out more than 15 minutes.
Plus yoga stretches! You used to do them at work frequently way back when. Maybe do that again?
I do understand what you're saying though. It's hard work on the brain to function in another language for hours in a row. We don't appreciate how much work that is until we have to do it.
Ahahahaha! You guys make me laugh out loud. All good suggestions. Thank you. I will definitely try the ice. And Sohini, you're totally right with the yoga. I do it often in the morning before work and I literally focus on putting energy into my face and mouth muscles as I work the rest of my body. Perhaps a little boost mid-morning would help my endurance.
Today I brought coffee over with me with the intention of sipping a little in between interviews. It just sat there and got cold and disgusting, so that didn't work.
On the other hand, you know what maybe did work?! After most of the cases I would walk back to drop off the old paperwork and pick up the new. And on my way back to the window I whistled (silently) a little tune and smiled to myself. That really seemed to help me reset. Or maybe I was just glad it was Thursday??!! Miss YOU guys!
Post a Comment