Just thought I’d share a short little episode I experienced, giving me a happy HIGH (no, it wasn’t an “O” and I wasn’t on the white grainy stuff… sugar! 
anyway, the story!
= = =
It was Monday afternoon and when Alex checked his phone, he had a voice message. Dated Monday morning. Just after 930am. From Gary. Please call back.
Alex dutifully did the next day when he could talk.
‘Nihao Gary, got your voice message, how you goin’ – wassup?’
*surprised voice*
‘Hi Alex! I was just calling to ask you what other lessons you have? The girls have finished your course and want more.
Alex was so happy and fulfilled that the girls found the course fun and useful and wanted more. Being naturally thoughtful and curious he asked Gary, ‘That’s cool! So what’s the story? Are you and your girls learning together?…’
Gary replied, (summarising here)
‘I wanted to prepare my girls. Chinese is going to be so important but their school doesn’t offer it. So I pushed and lobbied the school to have a Wednesday morning off every week. To learn Chinese and starting to speak to one another.’
A: ‘That’s awesome! Your girls are really fortunate to have such a dedicated Dad like you. So what kind of learning material do your girls go through? …
G: ‘Oh – just yours.’
A: … silent shock…
‘waa? you mean they’ve soley been going through the ChinaSpeak course?’
G: ‘Yup. They’ve gone through it already and we’ve reviewed the course several times. Now I want them to go onto the next level and increase what they can say so they can start speaking even more with each other.’
at this point, Alex, me, I was beyond words.
One of my dreams was to help one Million persons start speaking Chinese. That is something I wanted to contribute, as part of being Here.
And Gary just said. He pushed the school for a morning off. Every week. Just so his girls could start speaking Chinese. With a ChinaSpeak course.
*tears of gratitude*
Thank you Gary. Xiexie ni
It’s just these little moments and words that inspire me to continue doing ChinaSpeak. I don’t have a big budget and definitely not making squillions. If I can help people doing what I love and contribute to this world – thank you.
= = =
Postscript. I’ll be meeting up with Gary and his girls for a coffee to chat and see how I can help them (and of course you) even more.
Thank you for your support and encouragement.
thank you for the few things i know how to say in chinese…if i was going to take any coruse it would be yours …my chinese wife is here now..and yes i did go to china ..i love the chinese people..well i will let you go for now …ps i always like to hear from you your friend ….bob
hey Bob!
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment mate.
And congratulations on your wife finally making it across!
=)
Now you have a native speaker and (hopefully) more motivation to speak Chinese even more.
But then again, partners aren’t known for their patience towards their other half…
That’s what ChinaSpeak students tell me anyhow
=P