Gale_CP#6

Gale Workman

CP#6

Sept. 25, 2014, noon

Hecht House

Jianwei and Wiwik were both so tired a lunch today, so I set aside the article I brought (grad school essay tips) in favor of conversation. As usual, we started our session by comparing our lunches -- even sampling each other's food.

That started us to compare the meats we ate in China, Indonesia and the U.S. The students said in their countries some people -- not them -- ate dogs and cats. I asked if either of them kept pet dogs or cats. Wiwik's family has seven pet cats. Jianwei's boyfriend (in Hong Kong) has a pet cat she says they refer to as their "daughter." (Photos all around of our pets.)

I asked Jianwei about her boyfriend of three years. They are planning to marry when she finishes grad school. I asked Wiwik, who has been married for 24 years and has three grown children, to explain the secret of a successful marriage to Jianwei. I’ve been married 30 years, so that was an interesting discussion.

We enjoyed a lively conversation about marriage, resolving arguments, managing money and children. That evolved into a candid and informative discussion about cultural differences in family planning among our three countries.

Jianwei had to leave a few minutes early to prepare a presentation for class. Wiwik and I chatted for about 10 more minutes about the article I brought. I asked her to explain the main idea of her grad school (math education) personal essay. We discussed her ideas, and I helped her find the language/vocab to express her ideas.