Worth Mentioning

John and Angela took my co-teacher and I out to lunch last Wednesday. Those are the English names adopted by two of the students in our parents class. John is 64, and his sister Angela I'd say is in her early 50's. John is a retired police officer, and Angela is an avid golfer. She missed class last Monday because she hit her first hole in one. Not bad for a girl in her 50's. I get a little anxiety before these occasions because of cultural barriers, language barriers, and in this case generation barriers. Never quite sure how, or if, the awkward moments will fade into exchanges of pleasantry, information, ideas, and/or opinion. My co-teacher did a fair bit of translation. However, I tried to speak in simple English, and understand the Korean that was said.

John is of particular interest to me. He is at every class, always early. He brings an electronic dictionary, takes notes, and reads the handouts ahead of time. He pays attention, but doesn't understand everything. He has shown some improvement since last semester. Namely, more relaxed when trying to communicate. I know from class he likes hunting, fishing, and I've seen him at least once walking for exercise with his wife in the evening.

So seniors are of interest to me partly through my work experience, challenges/opportunities forthcoming related to US demographics, and my own "poor old mother and father."

I asked if his peers, including those he retired public sector with, are as happy as he?

He gave an emphatic no. He sited his hobbies stating the seasons he does each one. Then pointed out they were year round. He then mentioned he's also taking Japanese, and has only studied English for 2 years. I asked what his peers do, and he said watch TV. I believe he has grandchildren who are school aged... but he only talked about them once last semester.

So, it was a nice lunch and we manged to communicate. He extended an invite to his house sometime in the future for dinner.