Conversation Partner 6
Kevin
and I met for the last time on Tuesday, December 3, 2013. We decided to meet
back at the bookstore, the very first place we ever met. We started off by
going inside and grabbing coffee and then found our way back outside. The weather
was really nice on this day, unseasonably warm for this time of year. Kevin,
like me, thought the weather was great. But, I had to explain to him, it
doesn’t always stay this nice out in the winter time!
Kevin
and I asked each other how Thanksgiving went. I went first and explained to him
the ins and outs of my entire trip. I told him how long it takes to get home,
who went with me, how much of my family was back there, what we did while at
home, and how we enjoyed it. He thought my story from Nebraska was really
exciting and said he’d love to visit the place someday. I laughed and told him
it isn’t as great as I talk it up to be, I’m just proud of my home and like to
brag about it.
I
asked him how his Thanksgiving was and he said it went well. He couldn’t g
home, but he said he took the time off to reach his parents and see how they
were doing back in China. He said he misses them, but especially at a time of
year where everyone around him is going home to see family. He said he felt a
little lonely last weekend with everyone gone and no family around, but he
enjoyed his time off and spent the long weekend relaxing. I felt a little bit
bad for him not being able to see his family and all, but I know he’s doing
just fine. If he can move away from his family to another country for 5 years,
I know he’s got thick skin. I sure as heck couldn’t move to a foreign country
for 5 years!
We
talked about finals. He asked me if I thought I was prepared and I had to tell
him that studying has been a bit of a struggle lately. At this point in the
semester, its easy to just put school behind you and blow it off. I know I
can’t do that but sometimes I wish I could. I asked him again how his English
classes were progressing. Again, he said they’re going well. And I can tell.
His English is getting easier to understand. Yes, he still struggles to find
his words from time to time, but who wouldn’t? I’m pretty impressed with how
quickly Kevin has been able to pick it all up and adapt to his new home (or at
least extended vacation).
Kevin
and I finished up our conversation after about 25 minutes. Our talks have been
getting increasingly shorter and I was surprised that this meeting went fairly
short. As our meetings continued, we frankly ran out of things to discuss.
After a while, it jut becomes difficult to connect with someone from such a
different culture, language, and lifestyle. At the end of the day, we ran out
of things to say.
While
I wish our talks could’ve been a little less superficial, I am really glad I
got to meet Kevin through this program. It was obviously great for him to have someone
to speak English with, but it was also a great experience for me. I have never
met a Chinese native and getting to talk to Kevin once every few weeks gave me
a great new perspective on the world.
