English

My family and I pride ourselves in having a good grasp of the English language. We speak, read, write, think, quarrel and joke in English. Though by right, I should be speaking Tamil and Tagalog, those are the very two languages that have been pushed or rather side-lined as English has been used in our home from the very beginning. Attempts at learning Tamil has just made me not want to learn the language although I can understand the basic. As for Tagalog, I've more interest in this language as I think it's easier and there are more interesting ways to learn it - from watching telenovelas where there are cute guys, to listening to songs. Even my colleagues are Filipinos and though I have spent two years working with them, I've NOT improved much on my Tagalog. My understanding has improved but not my speaking.

Now...I've written countless essays, articles, emails and now blog entries, and though I am one of those who correct other people's mistakes (i.e. when they speak or write), I have made glaring and embarassing mistakes myself! Simple mistakes that are overlooked even when I take the time to check and read through whatever I have written. 'Living' is spelled as 'leaving'; the use of 'had' and 'have' have been confused at times; 'swapped' has been used instead of 'swiped'; even 'he' and 'she' mistakes have been made.

When I read my sister's blog, I always (though it's sub-consciously) look for mistakes in spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Sometimes I find it funny, sometimes I get irritated that such a minor, simple mistake was done. And yet....it's not as though I am perfect either! I have made those mistakes! Granted that sometimes the mistake is due to a typing error but sometimes, what you think and what you actually put down comes out so differently.

I'm not a perfectionist but I am slightly OCD. And yet...it's not OCD enough to realise the mistakes I've made. Sighs...I'm pretty sure that when I read this entry again, I'll not find any mistakes. A few days later...and I WILL find a mistake!