SMAIM (Send Me An Instant Message)

I had to take 12 units of Spanish in college, it was a requirement for graduation. I currently live 15 miles from the border of Mexico yet all I can still manage are the basic "Buenos Dias", "Adios", "No hablo Espanol". In other words, I do not have an ear for languages.

I have recently discovered though that another language has evolved in the past decade, one that I should learn if I am to understand what Jason's friends are saying. Most Filipinos are familiar with it since the Philippines is the undisputed texting capital of the world. You guessed it right, it is the language of texters.

Since I would hate to respond with TY if someone texted me URAPITA, I typed in "common text lingo" into my Google toolbar which came up with the attached link, http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php.

I took a look at the list and was horrified to see how many offensive words there are. Foul language, disguised in text or even in another language is still abusive. Just because it takes me five minutes to figure out URSAI does not make it any less rude. I will eventually get it.

You probably think WE but TM, kids who cannot even spell know how to do this in their sleep. I think TOBAL that like driving, teens have to pass a literacy test before they are allowed to text. Come to think of it, perhaps grown-ups too. Texting is another thing I have not mastered. One of my sisters can do it while driving, with her eyes closed, while having a meal, all at the same time :-) She was born texting, which brings me to another pet peeve. Since when do people text at the dinner table? Why is the person at the other end of the line always more important than the person you are with?

It has only been a few years since texting really took off in the United States and since I have one of those plans that have too many minutes, I actually talk to people. None of this TTYL stuff for me. VCDA.