As someone who enjoys learning languages and has made blunders along the way, I find this story particularly funny and endearing. And we all know that we have made mistakes similar to this one:
Yesterday Binod (the volunteer from Nepal) was eating leftover curry takeaway. It was too spicy for him and he was suffering while eating it more than enjoying it. Sue suggested that he put yogurt on it to make the spiciness less intense. He was yelling all over the house, "Can I steal someone's yogurt". He disappeared into the kitchen and returned with his plate of curry with yogurt on top. However, he had misunderstood Sue had suggested he put plain yogurt on his food and instead he put strawberry yogurt on top.
Now, that is not a curry I'd like to try!!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Lonestar
Tonight Tammy, Amy and I decided to have dinner out. We chose a Tex-Mex restaurant in Buxton called Lonestar. Hanging by the front door was a Texas flag. Inside the restaurant there is a painted mural of a cowboy in the distance in the sunset. There are chili peppers painted on wall and tequila and Corona ads. It was great! Every once in a while a familiar taste of home is so great.
I had the Rio Grande Tacos. Although they were nothing compared to tacos in NM, for Tex-Mex in England they were actually really good. To save myself disappointment I came in to the restaurant with really low expectations (I am kinda a snob when it comes to NM Mexican food), but the food was good. My mouth was on fire for the first time since I left Las Cruces, and it felt so good!!! Tammy was laughing at me because I was so excited for my mouth to be on fire.
We’ve decided to return for my birthday dinner!
I had the Rio Grande Tacos. Although they were nothing compared to tacos in NM, for Tex-Mex in England they were actually really good. To save myself disappointment I came in to the restaurant with really low expectations (I am kinda a snob when it comes to NM Mexican food), but the food was good. My mouth was on fire for the first time since I left Las Cruces, and it felt so good!!! Tammy was laughing at me because I was so excited for my mouth to be on fire.
We’ve decided to return for my birthday dinner!
The Word Made Fresh
Saturday night I went with Hazel, Sue, Cida, and Naomi to a one-man play in a village about 20 minutes from Buxton. The man, Dave has taken about 20 various Bible stories from both the New and Old Testaments and turned them into 5-10 minutes comedic stories. I thought he was great! My favorite part was that he wasn't afraid to make a complete fool of himself--and did so quite often!
From the Old Testament he covered Noah (Genesis 8), Moses (Exodus 32), Gideon (Judges 7), Samson (Judges 16), Job (Book of Job), Daniel (Daniel 6) and Jonah. At his point we had an intermission where tea, coffee, juice, and scones were served. However, I must say that the 200 scones that my mom and I made for my fundraiser were much better than these!!! And that made me a little happy! From the New Testament he covered the stories of Zechariah (Luke 1), a shepherd at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2), the story of paralytic man (Mark 2), Peter (Luke 22), Thomas (John 20), Paul (Acts 26). At the end of the play Dave shared his own testimony of modern day miracles. As an infant he had severe developmental delays and after prayer and laying on of hands he showed so much progress that at his next doctor’s appointment his mother was accused if bringing in the wrong baby!
The evening was great fun and I really admire him for using such a fun and informal way of reminding us of modern day miracles.
From the Old Testament he covered Noah (Genesis 8), Moses (Exodus 32), Gideon (Judges 7), Samson (Judges 16), Job (Book of Job), Daniel (Daniel 6) and Jonah. At his point we had an intermission where tea, coffee, juice, and scones were served. However, I must say that the 200 scones that my mom and I made for my fundraiser were much better than these!!! And that made me a little happy! From the New Testament he covered the stories of Zechariah (Luke 1), a shepherd at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2), the story of paralytic man (Mark 2), Peter (Luke 22), Thomas (John 20), Paul (Acts 26). At the end of the play Dave shared his own testimony of modern day miracles. As an infant he had severe developmental delays and after prayer and laying on of hands he showed so much progress that at his next doctor’s appointment his mother was accused if bringing in the wrong baby!
The evening was great fun and I really admire him for using such a fun and informal way of reminding us of modern day miracles.
Friday Night Lives
One of my duties in my schedule is to attend and help with a youth group at the Good News church in Whaley Bridge, a town about 30 minutes from Buxton, on Friday nights. But since I’ve been here transportation has been an issue and I hadn’t made it until this past Friday.
Instead of staying at Charis House until 7:30pm to do family support, I went home with Chriss who is a community support worker for Charis House. She lives just outside of Whaley Bridge. I met her son Thom (22) in Buxton and he drove both us to Whaley. There I met Chriss’s husband, Nigel, who immediately gave me a hug (which was much needed this Friday evening) and her youngest son Alex (17). Chriss and Nigel also have a daughter Lizzie (19) who is off at university right now.
After a great meal of spaghetti, salad, and cake we headed off to youth group. The youth group consists of about 15 pre/teenagers from 11-18. We played teambuilding games and did a short Bible study followed by biscuits and juice (or tea for the adults). Then Chriss drove me home. It was a such a great night and I am really looking forward to getting more involved with this youth group.
Instead of staying at Charis House until 7:30pm to do family support, I went home with Chriss who is a community support worker for Charis House. She lives just outside of Whaley Bridge. I met her son Thom (22) in Buxton and he drove both us to Whaley. There I met Chriss’s husband, Nigel, who immediately gave me a hug (which was much needed this Friday evening) and her youngest son Alex (17). Chriss and Nigel also have a daughter Lizzie (19) who is off at university right now.
After a great meal of spaghetti, salad, and cake we headed off to youth group. The youth group consists of about 15 pre/teenagers from 11-18. We played teambuilding games and did a short Bible study followed by biscuits and juice (or tea for the adults). Then Chriss drove me home. It was a such a great night and I am really looking forward to getting more involved with this youth group.
Monday, October 8, 2007
To Be or Not to Be
It’s been just over a month since my arrival in Buxton. As I become more and more familiar in my surroundings I’ve noticed an internal struggle with myself. I am becoming more comfortable with my new “language”, understanding more and more words. But I am now struggling with whether I should be using them or not.
I feel like if I do use the words I’m just faking it and it’s not authentic. But by using my “American” words for things I feel like people think I am trying too hard to be American. That I am being inflexible.
When does it become natural and comfortable to speak like a native? What do people think of me using my American words? What do people think of me using British words?
I remember my sophomore year of college in my multicultural education class we had extended conversations about assimilation vs. acculturation. It was something that I struggled with in Germany as a first grader, even thought I obviously didn’t realize it at the time. And I assumed that I would never struggle with it again. But I was wrong. I want to keep my identity as an American. It’s who I am and who I will always be. Spending time in England is showing me that it’s actually even something to be proud of! But I don’t want to be viewed as the ugly American who can’t adapt to new cultures and customs.
The other day Steve asked me if it’s weird to hear an American accent cause I’m so used to the English one, or if the English one still sounds odd. After thinking about it for a second, I realized that both accents stick out to me. I’m stuck in the middle.
Both my mom and Steve are so adiment that I don’t come home with a British accent. However, some of my friends are hoping that I’ll come home with a British accent—or at least able to do a good fake.
It’s interesting to see how much a variation in the same language can give you a mild identity crisis.
I feel like if I do use the words I’m just faking it and it’s not authentic. But by using my “American” words for things I feel like people think I am trying too hard to be American. That I am being inflexible.
When does it become natural and comfortable to speak like a native? What do people think of me using my American words? What do people think of me using British words?
I remember my sophomore year of college in my multicultural education class we had extended conversations about assimilation vs. acculturation. It was something that I struggled with in Germany as a first grader, even thought I obviously didn’t realize it at the time. And I assumed that I would never struggle with it again. But I was wrong. I want to keep my identity as an American. It’s who I am and who I will always be. Spending time in England is showing me that it’s actually even something to be proud of! But I don’t want to be viewed as the ugly American who can’t adapt to new cultures and customs.
The other day Steve asked me if it’s weird to hear an American accent cause I’m so used to the English one, or if the English one still sounds odd. After thinking about it for a second, I realized that both accents stick out to me. I’m stuck in the middle.
Both my mom and Steve are so adiment that I don’t come home with a British accent. However, some of my friends are hoping that I’ll come home with a British accent—or at least able to do a good fake.
It’s interesting to see how much a variation in the same language can give you a mild identity crisis.
Happy Thankgiving, Canadian Style
The Holiday Season is upon us. Usually we are used to this beginning with Thanksgiving the last Thursday of November, however, living in an international household this year we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving tonight.
Tammy cooked all weekend preparing us a traditional Thanksgiving meal that she would have if she was back in Canada. Her meal consisted of chicken, mashed potatoes (one with cheese, one without), rice, chicken rice, meatballs, Yorkshire pudding, peroggies, green bean casserole, salad, roasted carrots, and of course gravy. For dessert we had chocolate trifle, raspberry trifle, and a berry jello. Everything was amazing.
Tammy’s dad is of Polish descent and both parents were born and raised in England. Our Thanksgiving resembled American Thanksgiving with a Polish and English twist to it. Yorkshire pudding is a typical dish in England and peroggies are a typical Polish dish.
All 5 of the volunteers came as well as some staff from Charis House, people from church. It was a packed house with close to 20 people for dinner. We went around and said one thing that we’re thankful for. The particular one I chose was Facebook so that I can easily keep in touch with all my friends back home. But I’m thankful for many other things. Like email, phone cards, care packages, wireless internet, MacBooks, webcams, myspace, new friends, old friends, family, new family, my boyfriend, comforts of home, the ability to try new things, God, music, pictures, laughs, smiles, sunshine, and many more things that makes life worth being thankful for.
I’m looking forward to sharing American Thanksgiving with my new friends and family next month!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_pudding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierogi
Tammy cooked all weekend preparing us a traditional Thanksgiving meal that she would have if she was back in Canada. Her meal consisted of chicken, mashed potatoes (one with cheese, one without), rice, chicken rice, meatballs, Yorkshire pudding, peroggies, green bean casserole, salad, roasted carrots, and of course gravy. For dessert we had chocolate trifle, raspberry trifle, and a berry jello. Everything was amazing.
Tammy’s dad is of Polish descent and both parents were born and raised in England. Our Thanksgiving resembled American Thanksgiving with a Polish and English twist to it. Yorkshire pudding is a typical dish in England and peroggies are a typical Polish dish.
All 5 of the volunteers came as well as some staff from Charis House, people from church. It was a packed house with close to 20 people for dinner. We went around and said one thing that we’re thankful for. The particular one I chose was Facebook so that I can easily keep in touch with all my friends back home. But I’m thankful for many other things. Like email, phone cards, care packages, wireless internet, MacBooks, webcams, myspace, new friends, old friends, family, new family, my boyfriend, comforts of home, the ability to try new things, God, music, pictures, laughs, smiles, sunshine, and many more things that makes life worth being thankful for.
I’m looking forward to sharing American Thanksgiving with my new friends and family next month!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_pudding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierogi
This Week's Activities
This past week has been a very fun week for me, with almost always something to do. Last Sunday Amy and I went to the Opera House to see the European Ballet perform Coppelia. It was great seeing a ballet not on TV or the LCCB’s The Nutcracker. This is the first live ballet that I have ever seen that was not performed by the Las Cruces Chamber Ballet. It was a great experience, but still a little strange.
Tuesday I joined Naomi and Tammy for an aerobics class. This was the first time I’ve ever done aerobics and I had so much fun. It reminded me of the jazz class I took in high school—but slightly different. The name of the class is Bums and Tums Madness (or something to that effect). I was fairly sore the next day, and even more sore by Thursday.
Wednesday night we had a dinner party at Debbie and Keith’s flat. They are co-founders and part of the management team for Good News Family Care. They are one of the family’s that live in Charis House. They had all five volunteers for dinner and various other people associated with us and GNFC for dinner. Debbie made curry with a lot of other things I’ve never had before and everything was delicious!
Friday night the leader’s of Little Fishes (the mom/toddler group I work with) and I had dinner at Nicola’s. We had Chinese take-away and talked about the group and planned for the rest of the year. I am now in charge of finding crafts for the children to do that are associated with the week’s Bible story. I’m really looking forward to that since that was always one of my favorite things about teaching Sunday school. It was a nice meeting, but a little awkward since I am the only single/non-mother in the group. But I can always appreciate a funny story about little ones.
Saturday night I went out with my new English friends: Tammy, Lisa, Jo, and Naomi. I had an experience last night that I’ve never encountered in England. Or Europe. I was carded. I’ve never had to show ID when ordering a drink before. The manager said that since I look like I’m younger than 21, she needs to see ID. I find this odd because the legal drinking age in England is 18. We noticed that Naomi, who just turned 18 in September was not carded. When I presented my NM driver’s license the manager said that she would accept it this time, but she really shouldn’t since it’s not British. I really should show my passport. But following that logic: my passport isn’t British so why would that be acceptable?
Each Sunday for about the next 10 weeks I will be taking part in an Alpha Course. It was started in London as a basic Christianity course for “baby Christians”. It has now spread worldwide. Buxton Community Church does this course whenever necessary. We were invited to take part in the course. It basically covers the basics of being a Christian. We were given a ride to Tim and Beryl’s in a 1950’s sports car. That was exciting. But don’t ask me what kind of car it was. I’d never heard the name before, but it was made only in the 50’s and only in Britain.
It was a fun-filled week and I’m looking forward to more!
Tuesday I joined Naomi and Tammy for an aerobics class. This was the first time I’ve ever done aerobics and I had so much fun. It reminded me of the jazz class I took in high school—but slightly different. The name of the class is Bums and Tums Madness (or something to that effect). I was fairly sore the next day, and even more sore by Thursday.
Wednesday night we had a dinner party at Debbie and Keith’s flat. They are co-founders and part of the management team for Good News Family Care. They are one of the family’s that live in Charis House. They had all five volunteers for dinner and various other people associated with us and GNFC for dinner. Debbie made curry with a lot of other things I’ve never had before and everything was delicious!
Friday night the leader’s of Little Fishes (the mom/toddler group I work with) and I had dinner at Nicola’s. We had Chinese take-away and talked about the group and planned for the rest of the year. I am now in charge of finding crafts for the children to do that are associated with the week’s Bible story. I’m really looking forward to that since that was always one of my favorite things about teaching Sunday school. It was a nice meeting, but a little awkward since I am the only single/non-mother in the group. But I can always appreciate a funny story about little ones.
Saturday night I went out with my new English friends: Tammy, Lisa, Jo, and Naomi. I had an experience last night that I’ve never encountered in England. Or Europe. I was carded. I’ve never had to show ID when ordering a drink before. The manager said that since I look like I’m younger than 21, she needs to see ID. I find this odd because the legal drinking age in England is 18. We noticed that Naomi, who just turned 18 in September was not carded. When I presented my NM driver’s license the manager said that she would accept it this time, but she really shouldn’t since it’s not British. I really should show my passport. But following that logic: my passport isn’t British so why would that be acceptable?
Each Sunday for about the next 10 weeks I will be taking part in an Alpha Course. It was started in London as a basic Christianity course for “baby Christians”. It has now spread worldwide. Buxton Community Church does this course whenever necessary. We were invited to take part in the course. It basically covers the basics of being a Christian. We were given a ride to Tim and Beryl’s in a 1950’s sports car. That was exciting. But don’t ask me what kind of car it was. I’d never heard the name before, but it was made only in the 50’s and only in Britain.
It was a fun-filled week and I’m looking forward to more!
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