Conversation Partner: Meeting #3

I met with WeiRan the day of the tornado warnings. I swiftly walked into the bookstore with the upcoming storm close on my heels. I saw my friend sitting there and waited with her. Soon the TV warned us of the coming tornados. My phone buzzed with a TCU alert. I no longer thought WeiRan would show up. However, he proves me wrong. WeiRan walked through the door wet and cold. I felt so bad! He still came even though there were tornado warnings!

I began with my usual intro of "how are you" and "how was your weekend?" While we were in the middle of our usual dialogue, I noticed a confused looking guy soaking wet trapesing around the bookstore cafe. I looked up and then WeiRan did as well. He recognized the boy and began to speak to him in Chinese. After the boy left, WeiRan explained to me that he borrowed his umbrella to come meet me. The boy had come running after it! I chuckled to myself and pitied him for braving such an awful storm for his umbrella.

I asked WeiRan if he was worried about the storm. He said he was not worried about a thunderstorm, but that he had never seen one like this. I tried to explain to him what a tornado was and that it is dangerous. He did not think they were dangerous at all! He told me his roommate (who is Jacob, the one that I could not remember his name) blew off their RA's warning to go to the basement. He just shut the door and kept playing his video games. I laughed at this, but still warned WeiRan of the danger of the storm. I tried comparing a tornado to a tsunami, but that did not help either. Honestly, they are completely different storms, but I stooped to grasp for anything just to explain my point. By the end of the conversation, WeiRan still had no idea what a tornado was.

After a long stare at the television to keep tabs on our danger, WeiRan mentioned that his other friend, Simon, got bit by his dog last weekend. He said he got onto him for chewing something up and the dog bit him! I remember Simon talking about his big German Shephard. I told him I was afraid of German Shephards and Simon just laughed at me. I wonder if now he understands why...

Next, WeiRan showed me his phone. He had an extra battery pack attached to the back. It aligned seamlessly with his phone. He said it allows him to only have to charge his phone once a week! Impressive.

Then, he showed me how he changed his phone into Chinese! I enjoyed looking at all the symbols. Chinese looked so interesting and complex.

As the rain began to stop, we turned to other subjects. I still wanted to explain to him what a tornado was. I decided to use an online translator. I thought I was being smart to find the translation for "tornado" in Chinese means "thunderstorm." Fail. I guess I'll have to call in a meteorologist to explain it. Honestly, I don't think I fully understand how tornadoes start. Hurricanes, that's a different story. I have been avoiding those in Houston for almost all of my life.

With the sky dry, I said my goodbyes and gave WeiRan an opportunity to run home without getting drenched. I really enjoyed talking to him even if I am an awful translator. He laughs off the silly things I do. I'm glad he has a good sense of humor.