The English Language Is My Oyster

So, you might ask, how does one speak English fluently. The easiest way is, for it to be your native language. Or, you could have a gift for language, and pick it up the way you would a cup of tea. Unfortunately for most of us, it is a continual struggle to learn another language. Yes, I just battled my way through another Mandarin lesson. And like some other lessons in learning a language that often does not make sense to me, I came out of it feeling wrung (the past of wring) out, both physically, and mentally. Sometimes it seems that I am beating myself over the head (instead of a dead horse), in order to learn something new. Then, when I finally get it (understand), I feel like an idiot for not understanding it sooner. Yeah, I guess I am not the genius I would like to think I am. Boy, howdy (an expression).
Anyway, life is definitely struggle. If it wasn't, who would we be? Probably no one we would want to know. Or hang out with, for that matter.
Well, I can only say, that I am extremely thankful for the example of all my ESOL friends. They keep coming back for more punishment from that confusing, and complex English language. My little headache from trying to learn Mandarin is minor in comparison. Actually, if wasn't for them, I wouldn't even have thought to try to learn another language. And of course, there's always that faint, but persistent hope, that I will meet and marry a beautiful, and rich, Chinese woman. Who can say? Stranger things have happened.