Ory part 6: Thanksgiving, Guatemala, and foreign languages

                Ory and I made it to the last meeting of the semester. It was bittersweet, as it had been nice for the both of us to be able to talk to someone outside of our immediate friends and family. It was easier in a way to talk to someone who knew nothing about you already.

                Ory had some disappointing news: he didn’t get his first American Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, he had to forgo Thanksgiving in order to get some of his research papers and projects done, or at least started. He had a nice week, though, waking up at 11 every morning and lounging around his room doing homework and watching TV. He said the campus was deserted and wished he had been in Mexico or New York with one of his roommates. But hopefully he’ll get a real American Thanksgiving next year at least.

                Ory said he is excited to go back home to Guatemala for winter break and lie on the beach the whole month. He told me I could come to visit Guatemala with him, but I respectfully declined. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their break working in a book store instead of tanning on a beach?

                As things wound up between us, Ory asked why we had been meeting all this time. He said no one ever really explained to him the point of all of the conversations. I told him that it was a chance for both of us to learn about other people’s cultures. Also, it could help him with his English. Ory sighed and said it was hard for him to perfect his English even though he really wants to because Americans are so impatient and when he takes some time to get a point across, most people cut him off and don’t let him finish his thought. I think this is true for all languages. When you are a native speaker, sometimes it’s easy to forget that people are translating the language in their head trying to find the appropriate translated word. I will do my best to be extremely patient next time I speak with someone who is not native to the English language.

                Ory is looking forward to next semester at TCU, but said he is more prepared for the work load and is going to crack down on himself academically. He flattered me by saying he had a great time meeting with me and hopes we see each other next semester.

Ory part 5: Traveling and football

         

             Ory and I met once more before Thanksgiving break. Like before, this meeting was done under stressful circumstances since we both are overloaded with school work. Ory and I are both dealing with papers, presentations and projects, but at least we were sympathetic to each other’s stresses.

                Ory said he is really excited to experience his first American Thanksgiving. He has some family in Houston, so he is planning on traveling to Houston for some food and to give thanks.

                Traveling has become a familiar topic of discussion between Ory and I. Somehow or another, our conversations always end up in a different state or country. This time we talked about New York, Australia, and Belgium. Ory is going to Belgium over the summer.

I told Ory all about my ambitious plan after I graduate next year. I am going to travel to Europe, but I also am going to move to New York and live there. Even if it is only for a summer internship, I want to live in the city for a time. I know it is expensive and far-fetched, but since a lot of big journalism and book publishing companies are based in New York City, this is a goal I plan to keep. I have only been to New York once, but I fell in love immediately. New York is the only place I’ve visited that Ory hasn’t. Ory said he desperately wants to visit New York, so I was a little pleased with myself until he reminded me that he had visited eight other countries in Europe that I desperately wanted to visit.

                Though neither of us has been to Australia, I had a friend visit from the land down under. Ory and I talked about how he perceived America and Americans compared to how Ory views American customs. For example, I took my Australian friend to a football game because he wanted to see an American football game. While Dan (the Australian) got really into the game and was shouting and screaming like a true American football fan, Ory says he never makes it to actual American football games because he loves the tailgating too much.

                Ory and I have only one last meeting before the conversations and the semester come to a close. I’ve enjoyed learning a lot from him and about him, and he said (though hopefully he isn’t lying) that he enjoys talking with me too.