We got an email from Ryan with the title "Que Pasa, perros?" Translated literally, it means, "What is to happen, dogs?" Translated colloquially - he was going for, "What up, dog?" (which I still think makes no sense!) He's getting more comfortable with the Spanish language, but I don't think he's had his class on cultural differences in language use yet! Some things just don't translate well and especially not slang. In Spanish if you refer to someone as a dog that is one of the highest forms of insult. The only time Jeff was called a dog was from a Catholic nun while she spit on him! On the other hand, it's perfectly fine to refer to someone as fat - because that's just a descriptive fact - not derogatory at all!Ryan is doing well. He's had some ups and downs the last few weeks. His companion, Elder Norton, had to go home. This was his 2nd attempt at a mission. His back started hurting so they took him to the ER and he had ruptured 3 discs. Ryan was pretty sad to see him go but he was grateful for the opportunity to work with him this past month. He's still struggling a bit with his other companion. He says, "It's frustrating, but at the same time, it's a good opportunity for me to work on my patience, and trust me, that is hard to do."
He also had his first haircut from someone other than his mom! "They didn't use scissors and it only took 10 minutes, then they vacuumed my head. Not too sure, if I like the haircut."
He is enjoying MTC basketball. It's a small world in the church. There is a missionary there from Colville, WA, where we lived when Ryan was born. His parents were good friends of ours though we haven't stayed in touch. He and this Elder dominate the floor, according to Ryan. They tell people "it's those good vibes from nursery days!"
Ryan also is enjoying working in the referral center and actually making contacts with people.
Since he's such a sports fan, he says it's pretty hard to hear the crowds at the home BYU games and hear the drumline right outside practicing.
7 comments:
Love to hear the updates of Ryan. It is so great to hear how he's doing. Keep them coming.
Brian has some funny cultural/language difference stories! That's too bad about Ryan's companion. Poor kid. That would be heartbreaking. Glad he is enjoying the MTC. Can't wait for him to hit the streets!
That's funny. Hopefully he's learned his lesson. Now just tell him when he gets home he can't go around calling people fat!
LOL...hopefully someone clued him in on the language difference ;)
I had never thought about the BYU games being so close to the MTC. Another way the mission really teaches these missionaries to FOCUS.
How sad that his comp had to go home after his 2nd attempt at serving, I hope he is doing okay.
I bet that is hard to hear the BYU festivities going on while he is trying to study, and learn the language!!! I would want to be at the games cheering :) Football games are the best! Glad to hear that he is doing good. Thanks for keeping us posted :)
Only Ryan could get away with bad slang. His personality allows some room for error! :-)
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