*due to a backlog of experiences, sarahhepola.com will not report on this past weekend in Tena -- aka "The Rumble in the Jungle" -- until later in the week. In the meantime, sarahhepola.com will tackle smaller issues, so that sarahhepola.com can get to bed at a decent hour. Also, sarahhepola.com asks that you please, please only refer to her as sarahhepola.com from now on. It's a brand name, people.

When you are learning a new language, you are stripped of your verbal defenses. It's tough. I spent years cultivating my sarcasm. Those ironic exchanges are hard-won. I can't dodge sincerity in Spanish, though; I'm lucky just to communicate at all. This can be a good thing. There is something nice and simple about it. When I ask someone in Spanish, "Do you like this soup?" and he says, "Yes, I like it," I believe him without pause. I don't wonder if he's being sarcastic. I don't wonder: Does he like this soup because he thinks it's good, or does he like this soup because it's so bad it's good? Everything has one meaning. And usually for me, it's the wrong meaning.

Even without words, though, your personality comes across. My teacher Zulma knows I like to laugh and when words fail us, we rely on meaningful sighs and loaded looks to crack each other up. But some humor just doesn't translate. In class today, Zulma asked why I wasn't going on the school trip this weekend. I explained that I had a story due for the newspaper and that I should stay home to finish it. "What is the story about?" she asked. I squirmed. I stalled. And then, the following David Sedarisian exchange took place. [Real quick: The story I am writing is about Mr. Sinus Theater, an Austin-based spin-off to Comedy Central's Mystery Science Theatre. Truth is, it's not that easy to explain in English, either]:

The explanation begins ...
SARAH: Three men. And a movie.
ZULMA: The men are in the movie, and you will review it?
SARAH: No. Three funny men. But the movies! Terrible. To smile. To laugh.
ZULMA: What is it called?
SARAH: Señor Sinus.
ZULMA: Señor Sinus? What are these men's names?
SARAH: John, Owen, and Jerm.
ZULMA: Cherm? Are they like the Three Stooges?
SARAH: [a lie of desperation] Yes. The movies is terrible, and the funny men talks and many people to laugh.
ZULMA: What movies?
SARAH: Like Xanadu.
ZULMA: Xanadu is a bad movie? I like Xanadu. Olivia Newton-John, yes?
SARAH: I like Xanadu also. But ...
ZULMA: This is popular in Texas?
SARAH: Many people to laugh. Many people to smile.
ZULMA: Hmmm. Interesting.