.micah.escamilla.

on monday, an assignment allowed me another chance to practice my spanish. i am getting much more confident in speaking and engaging with the latino community that i so adore. my spanish is slightly better than the last related post, but i still have much to learn. better get to it – i leave for argentina in 20 days!

you can read more about this particular story here.

Luz Helena Vargas, 56, of San Bernardino holds a sign in support of La Obra de San Martin during a protest outside the Central City Lutheran Mission building in San Bernardino on Monday, June 28, 2010. La Obra was protesting what they are calling an unfair eviction from the CCLM building, where they have been meeting since 1996. Over 100 protesters gathered outside of the building holding signs and singing songs while a town hall meeting discussing the eviction took place inside.

Alejandro Hernandez, 9, left, and Mark Rojas, 5, both of San Bernardino, play soccer outside of Central City Lutheran Mission building while their mothers took part in the protest.

Karla Nava, 14, of San Bernardino signs a petition in support of La Obra de San Martin during the protest.

Members of La Obra de San Martin sing “Yo Tengo Fe” (I Have Faith) during the protest.

Alex Avila of La Obra de San Martin speaks to the congregation.

Jose Aguilar Hernandez, 54, of San Bernardino holds a sign in support of La Obra de San Martin.

on wednesday morning i had an assignment to photograph a press conference in downtown san bernardino. the event was held by the may 1st coalition with members speaking out against the recently-passed immigration law in arizona, while also encouraging people to join in the may day march that is scheduled for this coming saturday.

i was excited when i received this assignment because i knew i would be surrounded by spanish speakers and i might get a chance to practice what i’ve been learning over the past few months. my joys were quickly dashed, however, when i realized that, despite my hours of studying, i still have a very long way to go before i can hold a good ol’ fashioned spanish conversation.