This is just a short post. first our new student arrived. very nice and excited about his time at GIA, then our second student arrived from Korea (only with us a few weeks until she finds an apartment) also very nice.
My husband is a great cook and I get by. We had planned to have him make the first few dinners so as not to scare them away. Unfortunately, he has two dental appointments and a family meeting this week. So it's my cooking.
I mangled pasta last night... even I have to admit it was bad, tonight I am making meatloaf.. this I can do..
tomorrow a cooked chicken compliments of Costco..
Many of the Asian countries appreciate the art of the food. Only these students go to fine restaurants and take pictures of the plates and presentations...
Family dinners in the USA can be a bit of a shock. In general, we value the company at the dinner table much more then what is put on the table.. Unless we are going out.. our goal is to put something on the table.. not looking at it as an event.
So for now... we will muddle through the first few meals.. and find a happy compromise between high end cuisine and the normal meals of American life...
Bon Appetit!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A fresh start and a wonderful summer ahead. It is safe:)
We are so excited to start off our summer with a new student from the Philippines with a family background and roots in Hong Kong...
One item that always seems to come up is.. Is it safe? such a very practical question and one that I used to be offended by. But most students, in fact most people, only see the worst of the U.S.A. when watching the news. Gang killings, Drug wars and crime everywhere is what is portrayed.
How to explain that although there are major social issues in our country most people do not see them or are exposed to this part of life.
I have come to enjoy these questions and use them as a means of finding common ground. In every country there are areas and issues that make one afraid to travel. Knowledge and education usually teaches us that they are tragic issues isolated to a specific region.
Just like people from the USA, that make broad generalizations about whole groups or regions of the world. Others also do this. The difference is we (U.S.A.) are more transparent and therefore more open to critique and fear.
Yes, there are parts of Los Angeles you don't go to.. I know where they are.. but I have never been. It is the same in any large city in every country in the world.
So before you nix the idea of a trip to a country because of crime or other issues.. research it, find out where to avoid and more importantly find out where you can go and what you will miss if you don't go.
I do this with our students. It is our hope that they begin to see the USA in a different perspective and enjoy our country with all it's faults and pimples...
Having a different more informed world view is a major part of our love of home stays..
Arrivals start tomorrow... Our new journey with new friends begins.
One item that always seems to come up is.. Is it safe? such a very practical question and one that I used to be offended by. But most students, in fact most people, only see the worst of the U.S.A. when watching the news. Gang killings, Drug wars and crime everywhere is what is portrayed.
How to explain that although there are major social issues in our country most people do not see them or are exposed to this part of life.
I have come to enjoy these questions and use them as a means of finding common ground. In every country there are areas and issues that make one afraid to travel. Knowledge and education usually teaches us that they are tragic issues isolated to a specific region.
Just like people from the USA, that make broad generalizations about whole groups or regions of the world. Others also do this. The difference is we (U.S.A.) are more transparent and therefore more open to critique and fear.
Yes, there are parts of Los Angeles you don't go to.. I know where they are.. but I have never been. It is the same in any large city in every country in the world.
So before you nix the idea of a trip to a country because of crime or other issues.. research it, find out where to avoid and more importantly find out where you can go and what you will miss if you don't go.
I do this with our students. It is our hope that they begin to see the USA in a different perspective and enjoy our country with all it's faults and pimples...
Having a different more informed world view is a major part of our love of home stays..
Arrivals start tomorrow... Our new journey with new friends begins.
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