當人們有了選擇之後,決定開始變得艱難;當自己只有一個選擇時,事情忽然變得簡單的多…
在加拿大已經一個多月,生活的瑣事似乎仍然干擾著我的學習,原本滿滿期盼的homestay生活,在期待過高之下落空…內心嚮往的homestay:親切和藹的噓寒問暖、開心的晚餐時間、像家人般的生活…在好友一句『或許她認為這一切只是一場交易行為?』下,被點醒…
Henry : hello Aileen, I think ur English is excellent... and this may be a cultural conflict more than a personal conflict. so...try to talk to ur landlord in a peace way,
or u can kill her when she is asleep. either way.
Aileen : Don't kidding. Henry ~"~
My latter is the other people help me, not my already means.
My English still not good. (英文是別人幫我修過的...不是我原本講的>< 我英文還很差啦~~)
Henry : I knew. and in fact, those foreigners are eating sandwiches only
Aileen : But our relations are a little intense, now. (但是現在我跟她的關係有點緊張~"~)
Henry : no hot pot definitely. so u need to talk to her in a peace way.
Aileen : I try to friendly. (我已經友善了)
Henry : they like to talk
Aileen : I can’t fluency with her. (可是我沒辦法很流暢的跟她說)
Henry : and I mean we can do nth here.
Aileen : and she sometime didn’t know my mean. (她也常常不懂我的意思)
Henry : no problem, try ur best
Aileen : mm (嗯嗯)
Henry : that's why u r there. u just be there for 6 months.
even u argue with her is better than silence.
u can learn some English that way.
Aileen : mm… I know. But sometime she has hiding my food. I don’t like this feeling.
(嗯嗯 她還會把給我吃的東西藏起來 這樣的感覺很差耶)
Henry : do u have any way to complaint?
Aileen : I have to pay. (又不是沒付錢><)
Henry : or just tell her that u r going to pay less if she still not providing u enough food
Aileen : Sure, but she think that is enough for me. (她認為那對我已經很足夠了!)
Henry : yes
Aileen : and she don’t want cancel my internet!! I don’t understand why can I not cancel?
(還有她也不取消我的網路費用 我不懂為什麼不能取消)
Henry : u tell her if u r going to provide me that much food......i will pay less in next month
money is on ur side.
Aileen : I can’t. (我不敢講)
Henry : u can choose not to pay her
Henry : why?
Aileen : I don’t know how can I say? (我不知道要怎麼講阿)
Henry : those foreigners are straight forward
Aileen : I think this is Old-fashioned thought for England. (可是她是英國人的古板思想)
Henry : 妳越怕她她就越斯負妳!that's western culture. i mean u can talk to her politely.
Aileen : when I order the detailed list, and you can check it. (我列好清單 再給你看看)
Henry : that's not good!think in this way.
would u like someone to talk u in a list of items?
saying u should do that and that
Aileen : But I always forget I’ll say something?(可是我會忘記阿)
Henry : no, u don't need to.try u best in normally conversations.
Aileen : If I have question and let her know? (就把我的疑問 問她嗎??)
Henry : yes
Aileen : But sometimes she reply to me, and I don’t understand? (但是有時候她回覆我我也不太明白)
Henry : my point is
u r only staying there for 6 months and ur purpose is to learn English ...
this is a good chance for u. to learn the language and the culture.
Aileen : mm… I know!but when I feel hungry, I’m very unhappy… (嗯嗯..我懂,但是之前餓肚子會不開心咩...)
So, I can’t open mean. (所以才會有點沒辦法釋懷)
I know I’m learning English in Toronto, but I hope understand how spends the life.
Or friendly being with the other people.
(而且我知道我是來這邊學英文的 但是也希望可以懂得怎麼樣過生活 或是跟別人友善的相處)
Henry : be very honest....it's two ways....and not every ppl is very nice to Chinese
and i understand that.......people........u can’t be friends to everyone if they don't want to
but do not talk to ppl in a list of items
Aileen : mm... I know. (嗯嗯 我知道)
Henry : just tell her ur grievances. don't be afraid. that's all
Aileen : mm… I understand. And I’ll try chang my mindset. (嗯嗯 我知道了...我會試著調整我的心態)
Henry : i mean i really want to help u. but i can't do nth. i can talk to her.
but it's not very appropriate. u know?
Henry : that's exactly the diff of cultures. they are very straight-forward.
u can't expect everything is perfect. or u can choose to move. there are always options.
Henry : she's not part of ur family. u hv ur own options.
if u hv not enough food. tell her. or u will pay less. that simple.
Henry : i know Taiwanese ppl are very nice. but not necessary in western world.
i think it's a good lesson to u too.
actually, but don't worry.......i'll try my best to help u. just let me know.
Aileen : mm… okay. I’ll try communication whit her. (嗯嗯 好 我會嘗試跟她溝通的)
Henry : good for u