Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to meet again with Daisy and catch up on what is going on with our lives. Daisy told me about her progress she has made as an English student and her upcoming assessments to test each respective english skill. This conversation was much more fluid. I could tell that we were becoming more comfortable with each other and topics would flow with little hesitation.
New challenges were presented, however: The frantic noise at the BLUU made listening a bit more difficult for Daisy. At times I could tell she was struggling to keep up and I would have to ask her if she understood what I was saying. Often a smile and courteous 'no' would be the given response. Moments like these really made me respect Daisy for the challenge she was taking on. I tried my best to explain to her that if I had been in the same position as her (as an english speaking student trying to learn her native tongue in her native country surrounded by ample distractions and doubts) I would not be nearly as competent as she was. Unfortunately such a complex idea was hard to express, but I know that Daisy could understand that I was admiring her for her challenge with her given circumstances.
One topic that led most of the discussion was Spring Break. I got to share with Daisy what my plans were for the break and where I was vacating. Instead of just blatantly stating I was going to Gulf Shores, Alabama, I told Daisy of the beach and weather I was anticipating. Daisy expressed the vacations she hoped to go on in the near future. Daisy wants to visit San Francisco as well as New York, two popular tourist sites in America that most foreign visitors are familiar with. Daisy wants to see the beach in California and fashion stores in New York.
After discussing major tourism sites in America, Daisy revealed what major tourism sites were in her home country, China. There was a fashion district with nice architecture very close to where Daisy lived. Daisy explained that this was a major tourism spot for many surrounding nations. I asked if Daisy has ever visited the Great Wall of China. She said she has not but does have interest in visiting eventually.
This conversation was a milestone for me. Gone was the awkward interview style conversation, instead we spoke as friends wanting to learn about each others' lives and countries. Heres to hoping for an even further development in this relationship.
As you stated, I am also always so amazed with my conversation partner and full of admiration of her when I think of how challenging it would be to live somewhere and try to communicate with people who didn't speak the same language as me! My conversation partner speaks English well and seems to understand most things--so much so that I forget she might not know the meaning of certain phrases or slang that I employ. At times, she looks a bit confused and I am reminded that I need to enunciate my words and make sure that she is understanding everything. I've certainly gained an awareness of the difficulties immigrants must face when moving to the United States and am more sensitive to those challenges they must endure.
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