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PRISM

September 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

Pittsburgh Region International Student Ministries aka PRISM, not to be confused with “prison,” is one of my favorite Pittsburgh nonprofits.

What PRISM Does

A small team of globally-minded individuals, working out of the Bellefield Presbyterian Church on Fifth Avenue, organize events such as English conversation groups, social evenings, and trips to surrounding areas specifically for international students and their families. PRISM offers a cooking class for internationals so they can learn how to prepare favorite American foods and PRISM likes to partner internationals with American families for a year for monthly dinners. This organization focuses on helping internationals adjust to the American culture with connections to Americans, traditions, and fun activities.

My PRISM Experience

As a native Pittsburgher, I love the opportunity to mingle with people from every continent (except for Antarctica). English conversation groups are low-key and questions are handed out to the native English speakers to help guide conversation for an hour. I found these “cheat sheets” super helpful since I tend towards shyness in a big group. The questions helped me to relax and encouraged an easy flow of conversation. The discussion often ends up revolving around the differences between our countries.

One evening, I learned from a Spaniard that he feared honking at Americans when driving because they might pull a gun on you. I admit that I laughed. This thought only ever crosses my mind in the most ghetto parts of America, but I looked around the table at the other internationals. They were all nodding. Most of their countries have a no guns policy so they are distinctly uncomfortable with America’s policy on guns.

Lend A Hand to PRISM

A no brainer to help out this organization is to donate funds. But if you’re local or visiting Pittsburgh, contact PRISM or email one of the PRISM staff to find out about upcoming volunteer activities. My favorite volunteer activities are English conversation groups and Holiday dinner hosting.

What About You?

Do you volunteer with a particular organization? Why do you like to volunteer with them? Tell me in the comments!

Whiskey Sour

September 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

This is a tiny scene that I wrote for an old blog. For some reason, I still love it and wanted to share it with you all.

“you’re afraid of love”

That’s what the scarlet-shirted man at the bar said to me. I shrugged and took a swig of my whiskey sour. Who was he to say that anyway?

When his drink was set before him, he grabbed it and moved to the other single woman at the bar slyly propositioning her. She threw her blonde highlighted hair back and laughed drawing her electric blue nails across the ice dew on her glass. She’s captivatingly fearless.

I stared down into my drink. Given a couple more of these and I’m sure I could be that flirtatious. “Doubtful. You’d just be a messy drunk.”

“Did you say something, Angel?” The big cowboy to my left asked. He’d already downed quite a few drafts, but he seemed no worse for the wear.

I began to shrug; then decided to confess. “See that man in the scarlet shirt, he asked me to sleep with him, and when I refused, he said, ‘You’re afraid of love.'”

The cowboy stopped mid-gulp and turned to fully look at me. My cheeks flushed warmth as I became spotlighted in his blue-eyed gaze. He looked at my empty glass. “Sweet Pea, can I buy you another drink? It’ll take the edge off.”

“One whiskey sour is my limit. A ginger ale would be fine, though.” I scratched my nose and pushed my straight red hair behind a ear. Cowboy seemed nice, toned, and twice the man that scarlet-shirted man was. “Do you think he was right?”

Cowboy waved the bar tender over and ordered a ginger ale for me. He picked up his draft and took a gulp. “From my experience, love and sex do not equate. You can have great sex and no love for the other person.”

It was my turn to take a gulp of my ginger ale. The liquid fizzed down my throat. “Okay, so you’re saying that dude equates love and sex? So I shouldn’t be feeling offended at his comment.”

“Exactly.” Cowboy raised his glass to mine, and we clinked glasses. I smiled.

What About You?

Do you enjoy writing little bits of fiction? Who’s your favorite short story author? Tell me in the comments!

Eating Dinner with a Korean

September 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

I plopped down my tray in the middle of the cafeteria. Most of the other conference attendees were done eating except the few stragglers and late-comers. Personally, I felt a bit peopled out since we had sessions all day long with meal breaks including a noisy room of people speaking many different languages. I bowed my head and then began eating.

The table shifted and I looked up to find one of my Korean acquaintances sitting across from me. She’d left her posse of friends to sit with me. I smiled at her and she smiled back but then shut her eyes. A bit confused at her wordlessness, I decided to keep eating and hoped she’d speak when she felt like it. I stole glances at her. Her eyes were still shut and I couldn’t figure out why she would join me only to pretend to be sleeping.

I scooped up the last bit of food from my plate and set my fork down. I looked at my Korean companion to find her eyes open watching me chew. I swallowed. She instantly began speaking about a session she’d finished, but I was having a hard time listening. I kept thinking, “Was it a Korean custom not to speak while someone ate?”

Finally, I asked her. She smiled and nodded, explaining that when you are with very good friends you can eat and talk at the same time, but with acquaintances or those older than you, you don’t speak until the meal is completed.

American culture: Eat and Talking is acceptable with strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family alike. Be more polite by not talking and chewing at the same time.

One thing at a time, eat first and then talk if you are with strangers, acquaintances, or those older than you. Good friends may eat and talk at the same time.

What About You?

Have you ever made a table blunder in another culture? Tell me all about your “oops upon a time” in the comments!