It began by taking Chinese class on a whim in eighth grade. You need to take a language in order to graduate high school and in Los Angeles, some schools offer Chinese. I studied this language for the rest of high school and naturally, decided to continue it in college. When I began taking these language classes I never saw myself as becoming fluent one day and actually going to China. But through the years, I found myself loving it more and more. I don't necessarily tell everyone I meet that I speak Chinese but, it does happen to come up in conversations. You know those ice-breakers teachers make students do on the first day of class? My fun fact always was, "I speak Chinese." So now, it's been six years since I went to my first Chinese class. And over the years, there have been a few remarks I've heard more than a few times.
1. Is your class actually taught in Chinese?
We just discuss the study of Chinese.
2. Oh, so you speak Chinese?
Well, I certainly hope so. It is my major.
3. And you had that conversation in Chinese?
This question really bothers me. Yes, the conversation I just relayed to you actually took place in Chinese. Yes, I actually can understand and actually hold a conversation.
4. I could never do that.
But have you tried?
5. Are you fluent?
Hannah Montana said nobody's perfect. I'm workin' on it.
6. Say something in Chinese.
I am not a monkey, I will not perform for your entertainment.
7. Ni hao.
Uh hello there. But actually, give me a sentence and I'll translate it for you. I love Chinese, it's more than my major, it's what I see myself studying for the rest of my life.