Did you know southern Mexico has a similar culture to the southern United States? Did you know the different regions have different accents and different foods? Did you know the tortillas in Mexico are made from corn, not flour? Because I didn't. At least, not until I had a 45 minute conversation with a family friend in Spanish.

I've taken Spanish at my school for five years. In that time I've written poems, listened to songs and even discussed politics all in Spanish. I never expected to love it as much as I do. Learning a new language has given me the opportunity to learn everything again. It's like being a child, every new fact and word is shiny and magical. I can connect with people I would otherwise have never met nor understood. I can be inspired by music, poetry and cultures that I never would have been exposed to before. Being able to create in a whole other language is exciting and adds to the numerous possibilities already available. For example, I was able to write this poem, inspired by "El Paso del Tiempo" by Koldo Fierro:

"El Ser"

Vi un pájaro, una vez

Lo miré volar, elevarse, ser libre,

Y por un momento,

Yo era un pájaro, era libre.

Pero, no soy un pájaro,

Estoy conectado a tierra, en realidad

Estoy sin alas, en mis sueños

Estoy enjaulada.

Y ahora el pájaro se ha ido,

Con él también

Toma mi libertad.

Translated, it means:

"Being"

I saw a bird, once

I watched it fly, rise, be free,

and for a moment,

I was a bird, I was free.

But, I am not a bird,

I am connected to the ground, in reality

I am without wings, in my dreams

I am caged.

And now the bird has gone,

with him also

he takes my freedom.

It sounds better in Spanish, I think. I can't wait to continue my Spanish-speaking career into a college and hopefully for the rest of my life. Bottom line, if you have a passion for creativity or meeting new people, learn a language. It's another form of connection and inspiration, two things you can never get enough of. You won't regret it. I promise.