So I met with my first conversation partner today. His name is Faisel and he seemed like a pleasant person to talk to, as well as eager to learn the language. He is from Saudi Arabia, and has been in America for about 10 months. I was very surprised at his level of English (Intermediate he calls it) as he has had some practice at English back home, before he came here. Before he came to Tallahassee, he spent a couple of months in San Diego where he continued his education. He spent Christmas in Boston, so he has already been to places in the U.S. where I haven't. I asked Faisel if he came here with anybody else, and he said no. I was a little surprised that he would make such a journey on his own, but he said he looks at it as an adventure. That's a great attitude to have.

Faisel asked me about hurricanes, and I asked him about sand storms, never having experienced one myself. He says just to shut the doors and windows until it passes. I said hurricanes are a little more destructive, and usually last a lot longer.

My first experience as a tutor came a few minutes later, when he asked me how to say something. He wanted to know how to say "apply for graduate school" and if I had done it yet. Despite imperfect grammar, I knew what he wanted to say. I said "No, I have not applied to Grad Schools yet". Maybe I should get on that soon.