Christmas Videos

Here's a couple videos of stuff I did with my students. I hope you enjoy. Sorry they are so long. There was just so much I wanted you to see.

xmas1 from michelle on Vimeo.

xmas2 from michelle on Vimeo.

Sushi

Well, all our foreign friends in the city had tried this Japanese restuarant in town except my roommate, Jessica and I. So, Jess and I said Let's Go! So, we did. And I have to say it was amazing!!! Sometimes people over use that word and use it to describe just about anything. But this place was truely great. It felt like I was in Japan. Not that I have ever been there. But anyways, I had a tuna roll and assorted tempura, which is fried stuff. Delish!!! I really was hoping for some spicy tuna roll, but the regular tuna roll was good anyways. Jess got the California roll and wrapped beef with mushrooms. I wish I had taken my camera. The beef was wrapped AROUND the mushrooms so they looked like little squid. So cute. And I had fried shrimp, sweet potatoes and onions. DELISH! I don't feel bad about the price. Some of the other people thought it was a little pricey. But I'm okay with spending a little more than $2 on a good meal. Well, it was a little more than just a little more. But it's one night out.

a little look-see of my students

students from michelle on Vimeo.

Need Directions?

What a wonderful language day today!!! It's fun to practice most of the time. But sometimes I just don't know how to use new words in every day conversations. Or sometimes, words I learn aren't really words for conversations with shopkeepers or taxi drivers.

Anyway, I tutor a boy and girl Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On my way to their house, my taxi driver asked me the typical questions; how long have you been here? what do you teach? where are you going? how old are you? I politely asked him: do you have kids? how old are you? what's your name?

Then he asked some other questions and told me about his kids. I could actually answer and understand him. BUT that is not the great part...

My tutees live on a side street. So, as I approached a bigger street to hail down a taxi, a giant semi-truck pulled over in front of me. The passenger got out and walked towards me. At first, I couldn't hear him or understand him. But as he approached he said, "Ooooh," realizing I was not Asian.

Now, keep in mind the following conversation took place in this countries language.


Me: I'm so embarrassed. I'm so sorry.
Man: Do you know where BuBuGao is?
Me: Uhhh...?
Man: BuBuGao. The supermarket. Do you know where it is?
Me: Oh! Do you know YY Tower? Do you know where YY Tower is?
Man: Yes. I know. I know.
Me: It's near YY Tower.
Man: I understand. Okay.
Me: Okay.
Man: Thank you. (Then in English - "Shank you.")


He hops back in his truck and drives away.

And I am a happy duck. I gave someone directions in the third language I kind of know. And he understood me. I also felt very Asian, in the sense of helping a complete stranger.

What a good day~!