chillin with Leo 6

     Wow, I can’t believe that this was my 6^th meeting with Leo! The time certainly flies by. We met last Monday, at good old’ Market Square, as usual. We met earlier than we’d planned, because he finished working out early. So we met at Market Square, got our food, sat down, and let the good times, and the conversation, roll!

     Not long after we sat down, Leo happened to glance at the TV, which was on the news station. The news was playing coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombings, which happened not long before we met. He asked me what exactly the news was showing, because he hadn’t heard about the bombing yet. I told him that 2 bombs had gone off near the finish line of the marathon, and that many people were injured and a few people died. He then asked me who did it, and I replied that they didn’t know yet, but that they were looking for them. I also told him that they had planted many more bombs around the city. One even went off at the JFK library, but luckily, no one was hurt and there were no casualties. I still can’t believe that the Boston bombing, as well as the West explosion, had happened. This week has been an awful week for our country, and I’m keeping Boston and West in my prayers.

     We also talked about the similarities between words in the Chinese and English language. For example, Leo told me that the pronunciation of “marathon” in Chinese is similar to the English pronunciation of “marathon.” Also, the Chinese and English pronunciations of “microphone” are  similar. I thought this was pretty cool, because the Chinese and English languages are so different that I couldn’t imagine that they shared any similarities. We also talked about how there are variations within a language. For instance, I taught him some American slang, such as the term “struggle bus,” which is what people say when they’re having a difficult time. I’m sure that this term is not used in Britain. Second, Americans say that they’re “going to the movies.” But the British say that they’re “going to the cinema.” Also, what we refer to as “trash” in America is called “rubbish” in Britain. The reason why we were discussing differences within a language is because I was saying that when we learn a language in school, it’s often the more formal version of a language rather than what people actually speak. I think that the topic of different languages is fascinating, which is why we often discuss it when we meet.

     We also talked about music because I had just watched the music video for Psy’s new single, “Gentlemen,” earlier that day. I didn’t really like it though, it wasn’t as good as “Gangnum Style.” So I asked him what he thought about it. At first, he didn’t know what I was talking about. But then, he remembered the song and how it went, and he said that it had a good beat, or “rhythm.”

      Leo is always fascinated by is the difference between the Americans and the Chinese people. He always asks me what I think the differences are. It’s hard, because I don’t want to make any generalizations. So I told him what my Chinese friend would tell me. She told me how they aren’t really allowed to date in high school, that the girls hardly wear, makeup, and that the parents and kids take grades a lot more seriously there. But I also told him what I’ve learned in classes about collectivistic and individualistic cultures. The Chinese culture emphasizes loyalty to the family, while the American culture emphasizes individuality, independence, and success, even if it means moving far away from your family. I always enjoy learning about other cultures. It’s intriguing to see how life is different in each country.

     I’ve really enjoyed meeting with Leo over the semester. I can’t believe that there is only one meeting left. It seems like only yesterday that we met and had lunch for the first time.