Wow, yet again I'm stunned at how bad I am at learning languages. I've always been audibly challenged but trying Babbel is reminding me of the hill I have to climb and just how much memorization vs a working vocabulary can differ. Of course it's hardly a major problem; we'll be on a tour with guides who are bi (or tri- or however many lingual) and the staff will likely speak English, but I really would like to someday be able to really at least know the basics of another language.

In the meantime, I still have to check on the re-issued collections notice and make sure all of the parties are playing together nicely, and pray nothing else comes up. I've gotten somewhat used to over 12 doctor appointments per year, managing to work (literally) around them, the humdrum day by day and the hectic rush when some bill or unexpected expense crops up. It doesn't leave a lot of mental capacity to work on things like a new language and I think that's part of my problem.

There was an idea decades ago that automation would lead to a shorter work week (https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/120415/does-shorter-work-week-lead-greater-productivity.asp), yet in reality it has led to fewer jobs and more hours for those of us left working. Maybe someday it will change for the better and if it does, I'll be able to devote some serious time, like when I was in college for studying new things including languages.