Day 2 with Jason

Jason is a charming kid, doesn't talk much, so we're following his pattern. Most of that is just the idea that you don't want to overwhelm him with needless chatter. That said, to learn English he needs to hear it. We're learning things like - juice is confusing, fruit water is comprehendable.

Pancakes were a hit, as was maple syrup and butter. He likes coffee with sugar. When he is done eating, he checks his phrase book or digital transmitter and tells us "One is full now, thank you". So we're learning. And glory be, he made his own bed before coming out this morning.

We're grinning like idiots and nodding a lot, Jason likely thinks we're simple. After taking a walk with the dogs this morning, he's more comfortable with them thankfully. He's still surprised that we have so many critters. Jason and Josh have gone to the basketball to play a bit, it's interesting how 2 man games are well known enough they could play easily together without too much explanation.

There's a bit of confusion over laundry. He washed his underwear and socks in the tub, then wanted to line dry them last night. We gave him a hangar with clips since we haven't a clothes line. It just rains too much here for them to be useful. Josh and Kevin will pick up a bathroom clothes line and some clothespins, then get it installed for Jason's use. We're a bit concerned that he may not have brought extra underwear and socks, though. He brought such a small suitcase, about the size of an over-nighter. We'll get it sorted out, though.

Day 2, evening

Since I had to work, Josh went to the BBQ with the host family and students. Everyone was talking about using Babelfish to talk with their students, so we decided tonight to put Jason on my netbook so we could have actual conversations. Yes, this is cheating in some regards, but now he has confidence and is actually talking with us. We had a ball holding a taste test of things to pack in his lunch and he was able to make some requests and let us know what he'd like to do while visiting in the U.S.A.

Granted, we're probably breaking some unknown, unwritten rule using the computers, but if it helps him learn English by helping him relax - I'm all for it. He was able to ask me how to get to a site where he can chat via instant message with his uncle, parents and friends back home. Talk about a huge change, his eyes lit up and he's been laughing. Now that he's not feeling so isolated, I think we're going to see a huge change in his enjoyment of the program.

Eureka!

Now, if I could just get Tina's chickens to stop flying into the living room window and startling us half to death! One of them actually made it over the fence, onto the front porch and attacked the front door until Josh went out there. Then she ran back into the yard and has been behaving herself.

Note to self: sell that one ASAP!