BUT I've had trouble accomplishing things because I have this phantom mouse issue. The trackpad of my laptop randomly goes crazy and has gone as far as to completely delete paragraphs of my writing, which is kinda counterproductive. Not cool. So, before Missio Dei (the campus church group I attend) I took it into Tiger Tech and discovered the trackpad needs replaced. How lovely, I shall be computer-less for a week. At least it will be covered by warrantee.
So, I was kind of frustrated, tired, worn down, etc. when I sat down before services started. Then we started worship, and it was like all my frustrations melted away. And, people kept coming in and sitting down as we continued through the service. The room was packed, which was incredibly beautiful.
My friend Lauren brought two international students from China with her. Afterward we, plus two Missio Dei regulars and two other international students, all went to eat at Rollins (my first dining hall experience this semester!). On the way there, Sophie and Julie, the Chinese girls, and I got to talking. I guess Lauren had told them I am an agricultural journalism major, so they were very interested in that!
It's an interesting experience, explaining something so specific and personal to people whose first language is not your own. Sophie and Julie speak very good English, but there are some things that don't translate. I guess pride in where you come from is one of those universal things, however. After I was done explaining I grew up on a farm and want to share that lifestyle, and the stories of other agriculturalists, with people who do not have an agricultural background, Julie's first comment was about how inspiring it was that I have so much pride in where I come from. She may be from the opposite side of the world, grew up in a completely different culture and speak a different language, but she got it. And she seemed interested in learning more.
Another interesting thing they mentioned was how different our food is here. I don't mean different as in a different taste or texture, though definitely that too! They said their produce, specifically potatoes and corn (we didn't talk about anything else), has to be cooked much longer. They related their experience with corn. They simply popped it in the microwave for a couple minutes and it was ready to eat. Back home, they said they'd have to cook it for a long time. Same with potatoes.
Rollins was serving turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy. Yum! Well, yum for dining hall food. I told them if they didn't like the food not to write it off because dining hall food and quality home-cooked food is a completely different thing. I hope someday I can have them over for fried chicken, mashed potatoes and homemade bread: a real American meal.
The other international students were from Honduras and Algeria. The guy from Honduras is actually an agronomy major. It sounds like he is in a study abroad type program though, rather than for Mizzou's degree program. Now, when I heard he studies agronomy I immediately thought plants and seeds. That's agronomy, right? Well in Honduras I guess it's more of a general agriculture degree. He said he studies both plant and animal science. Very interesting, I thought.
The guy from Algeria is an electrical engineering major. The Chinese girls were also engineering majors, one chemical engineering, the other mechanical engineering. Lots of engineering going on! We teased them and said they should put their minds together on one big project.
So my slightly stressful afternoon turned into a really great evening. I was reminded of what is really important- people. And, as always, it was great to see agriculture in a new light- from an international perspective. Kudos to these kids for coming to a country to study, even if for a short time. I'm not sure I'd have the guts to go to a foreign country where another language is spoken.
Who knows, maybe my experience with these international students will make me want to study agriculture abroad. Their bravery certainly inspires me!
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