Marissa_CP#6

Marissa M.
Conversation Partner Blog #6
10/1/2014

At my last meeting with Jesus we had beer and he mentioned that pumpkin was not something he was familiar with in his country.  I had promised to make him pumpkin bread so he could try it - and get more of the taste then you do with beer.  Instead, I ended up making pumpkin cupcakes for him and all of my tutees.  He was very appreciative and texted me that night that he had loved them! 

We went to Cascades Park for our weekly meeting.  He told me that his class was going to be going to St. George Island at the end of the week to visit the beach.  He was very excited about this!  There is also going to be a potluck party the following week.  These will be some of his last activities, as he is finishing the program and preparing to head home on the 12th. 

At Cascades we walked the entire mile route so that he could see the park.  He wanted pictures taken at the water pump and the war memorial.  We talked about the memorial and he observed that Americans are very supportive and happy about their soldiers fighting.  I explained that it wasn't so much that we were happy about them fighting, but proud that they were willing to do so because they risk their life when they go away to war.

He learned a few new words, many of which I did not write down this time since we were walking.  However, I remember amphitheater, recycle, churn, water fountain, perimeter, and picnic.  \

We played on the map of Florida - a game of where is the city.  He guessed most of them correctly.  And when we got to Miami we both laughed because of the association foreigners have with it.  Jesus pointed out that most people in his country think Miami is the capitol and question where in Florida he is actually going when he says "Tallahassee."  I told him that I found this to be true in most other cultures also.

For next week's session I told him that I wanted to take him out for southern cuisine - we are planning on that and possibly taking my tutees (most of whom he is friends with) as well.  I just have to pick a good place!