Kelly CP-4

On May 14 I met with Rose for lunch. As I live within walking distance to FSU, I had the misfortune of walking through the entirety of a rainstorm. I was a bit frazzled on arrival, and needed a moment to regroup. This helped me appreciate the notion that we should be aware that everyone has something personal going on in their lives. My misfortune of walking in the rain was easily overcome, but it is good to realize that people may be going through their own “rainstorms” of sorts.

Rose wanted to go outside of the CIES building, and as it was wet outside we wandered over to the library and sat in the lounge. Rose told me about her “boring weekend” (her words), as she often just does chores at home until it's time for school again. (I am actively working on taking her out and about!) \

I brought a Vogue magazine as she had mentioned she liked fashion. She told me that American and Vietnamese fashion are very different. She explained that in Vietnam, if a girl wore makeup and high heels to school, rumors would circulate about her. When she came to the United States, a cousin of hers told her that wearing high heels and makeup is very important in America for a woman. I tried to explain that this not necessarily the case. In looking in the magazine we came across shoes that Rose said she liked to wear- “ballet flats”- and a new term was learned. Beyond that I tried to point out that it is much more normal and comfortable for American women to wear these modest shoes. We also talked about handbags due to an advertisement. She practiced pronouncing “crocodile skin” and I explained that there is a difference in leather (mammal) and crocodile/snake skin (reptile). In an article a woman was made up to look like Marilyn Monroe. Rose did not know who she was, or Elvis Presly. This made me realize how the American idolization of celebrity is a bit funny. I told her I would bring pictures of some sort to show her these well known American figures.

Rose told me that she has tried renting films from the public libraray to use for extra listening time. She said she rented Titanic but was given the wrong film “it was black and white!” I told her that there were a few old versions of the film She said she could not understand the English in this old film, nor could she understand the English in a film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. I explained that even native speakers have a hard time with Shakespeare, who I also explained was the author of this piece. I suggested that she rent a Disney film (ie; Cinderella) as the English may be more easy to understand. She was excited about this. In the meantime, I will try to think of a live action English language film for her to watch.

When walking her back to class I told her that I had made Pho for dinner recently. She was very excited and surprised that I would make/eat Vietnamese cuisine. Little does she know that like so many of us, I CANT GET ENOUGH OF IT.  

Dear Library, You Sunk Rose's Dreams. Epic Fail.