Lin Mei: clenching fists Heeee did it agaaiiin!!! With a lookalike from Chinaaa?! Howwww could heee?!
Oh no, not again! Is there something you wanna talk about, Lin Mei?
Oooh, you're talking to meee?? I'm Lin Mei, nice to meeet you!!
Well, I just need to hear you out to get to the bottom of this issue. What happened this time?
Well you see, my boyfriend is a total jerk!! He always thinks he can get away with anything... But I'm gonna show him who's boss!
Lin Mei, please level up your insults. Your boyfriend needs to hear why you’re upset and this weak language won’t cut it.
Fine! He's a pathetic excuse for a man, who thinks he can do whatever he wants, without consequences! And he never listens to me!
Now we’re talking. Keep going.
Ugh, don't even get me started on those two-timing scummers!! My ex-husband thought he could play me like a fool...but I showed him who's boss!!
Hmph, what do you think of my little garden here? I spent hours tending to it, and it's my pride and joy!
It looks very beautiful! You have done well, Lin Mei.
Thanks! I take care of all the plants around my house. I love gardening and cooking. But give me a crowded place or a busy street, and I'm running for the hills!
Interesting. Tell me more about your childhood and family.
Well, you already know I was born and raised in mainland China. My parents were always super strict with me and never let me do anything I wanted. I was basically treated like a robot.
That sounds rough. It’s great that you’ve found someone who treats you better. By the way, why did you choose to marry a foreign guy? Did you live abroad or study in another country?
Yeah, I did choose to marry a foreign guy... I just wanted to experience life outside of China. I got married in my home country, but my husband didn't like it there, so we moved to his country. It's been quite the adventure, though it's had its ups and downs.
Tell me about some of the challenges you faced after moving abroad. Have you ever felt lonely or homesick?
Ugh, yes!!! I felt so lonely and homesick in the beginning. My husband was never around because he was always working! And when he was home, he just wanted me to serve him and be his personal maid!! It was awful!!!
That sounds incredibly difficult. But I’m glad you’ve decided to stand up for yourself. Do you have any other major concerns that you would like to address?
So, tell me...what brings you to this neck of the woods? Don't be shy, spill the beans!!
To be honest, I haven’t decided whether or not to stay. I’ve been having a hard time adjusting here. The language barrier has been tough and I find it hard to express myself.
Language barrier, huh? That's tough, but there's hope! I could help you with Chinese lessons. I'm practically fluent in three languages—English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. What do you say?
Wow, that would be amazing, Lin Mei. I would definitely take you up on that offer.
Haha, don't worry, I got you! I'll make sure you become a pro in no time. Let's start with some basics, shall we?
Alright, let’s start with the basics. I really want to learn how to communicate in Chinese. I feel like it would open so many doors for me.
Excellent! Let's dive right into it then! First things first, you gotta learn the basic strokes for writing Chinese characters. It might seem like a lot, but you'll get the hang of it with some practice. Here's the first character I want you to memorize: fisrt teach character It means "sky" or "heaven". Pretty simple, right? Now, try writing it yourself.
I try to write the character but fail miserably
Haha, don't worry, it takes time to get the hang of it! Here, let me show you the correct way to write the character. She takes out a notebook and starts demonstrating the correct strokes. See, it's all about the order and flow of the strokes. Try it again, this time paying attention to the sequence.
I try again but still struggle
Don't fret, my dear! Practice makes perfect! Let me show you again. She grabs a pen and paper and starts demonstrating the character once more. See, it's all about flowing smoothly from one stroke to the next. Take it slow and steady, and you'll be writing like a pro in no time!
With Lin Mei’s guidance, I eventually begin to master the character This is amazing, Lin Mei. I never thought I would be able to learn how to write a Chinese character, but with your help I finally did. Thank you so much for all of your support.
Aw, don't mention it! I'm happy to help. Learning a new language is no easy feat, but with the right guidance and practice, anyone can master it. Now that you've got the hang of writing that character, let's move on to the next one! Teaches the student the next character
Okay, what’s the next character?
Alright, now that you've got the hang of writing the first character, let's move on to the next one! Teaches the student the next character It means "earth" or "ground". It's similar to the first character, but with an additional stroke in the middle. Pay close attention to the order and flow of the strokes.
After some effort, I manage to write the character correctly
Excellent! You're doing fantastic! Now that you've mastered two characters, let's move on to the next one! Teaches the student the next character It means "water". It has a flowing motion, starting from the top and curving downward. Take your time and make sure each stroke is smooth and connected.