"But I thought... *confused expression*... I thought she was fat?"
This is where my story ends.
I believe that some of the most genuine compliments get lost in translation. This was most definitely the case yesterday after our Alpha group's City Links service project.
But pray tell? What IS City Links, exactly?
Well-- I'll tell ya!
This is where my story begins.
City Links is first and foremost, mandatory. But that's not at all a bad thing. In fact, if City Links were optional, I don't think many Alpha groups would participate. Each Alpha group (made up of one Sophomore or Junior leader and 7-15 members) is assigned a certain project to complete within an 8-hour period. From 8am-4pm, we go out and lend our services to wherever we are assigned for the day. My Alpha group, led by an adorable brunette, marathon running psychology major named Kellie, was assigned "Painting the Contreras' Home." A Totally AWESOME Job! Way better than something like 'Landscaping' or 'Picking Up Trash.'
Upon arrival, a lovely hispanic couple in their mid-50s instantly took us into their tidy, quaint 70's home and made us comfortable in their living room (maybe a little TOO comfortable for college kids at such an early hour of the morning) and began talking about who they were, what they did, and where they were now. They offered us water pods, fresh grapes and melon, and asked us our majors and how we came to APU. Everything was going so well until the painter, who was assigned in instructing us, arrived. He lumbered through the front door with an old western mustache like looked more like a down-curved horse shoe across his upper lip and a heftiness that can either protect you or scare you.
Unfortunately, he must have been having an off day. An awkward conversational lull swept across the room as he peered around the living room with a countenance as hard as stone, or really well-dried paint.
Painter: "Why are there so many of you? I only needed two other people."
Kellie: "Well, we were sent here to help you paint their home."
Painter: "Yeah but... there are so many of you. *loud, yet distant* I called them and said I only needed two other people. I called just two days ago. I don't need all of you here.
Kellie: "Well-- (trying to sustain composure)-- (turns to the Contreras) we are here to service you with ANYTHING you need done. We'll have two of our guys help him paint the house, and, is there something else we can help you with today?"
Painter: (butts in; passive aggressive) I called only yesterday. I only needed two...
SO long story short... the painter intended to paint the whole house himself, and only needed two guys to scrape off the old paint; AKA, do the tedious, boring work and let me have all the fun. The whole time, the 12 of us were still sitting on the couch, pretending everything was alright as the couple led the painter and two of our four guys outside while Kellie made a phone call to headquarters about the rest of us "Unneeded Folk." She came back in and looked Mrs. Contreras straight in the eye,
"We are here to serve you in any way today. We are all yours."
We ended up-- yes, you guessed it-- "landscaping" her garden by picking stubborn weeds and enduring millions of underground ant farms for 2-3 hours, and then sat on the front porch in the shade and talked for 3-4 hours. I tell you, in was like fulfilling a little piece of the American Dream. Doing yard work for a wonderful family, talking and singing and laughing as we worked, and then sipping cool water and sitting in the shade, enjoying each other's company. We put our newest Alpha member in the hot seat and asked him a bunch of questions, gave back massages, took pictures, and waited much too long for our pizza to arrive.
God was right. " There is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God." ~ Ecclesiastes 2:24.
After our van arrived, and we had to depart this new house that felt like "home" much earlier than we wanted, I came across my roommate Xinyi and her friend (Mario, I now know, is his name) talking by Adams Hall. We smiled and said hello, and then Mario looked at me quizzically.
Mario: Why do you-- look so?... skinny?
Me: Wait, I'm sorry. What?"
Mario: (looks at Xinyi; speaks in quick Chinese; both look back at me.)
Me: (Blank stare; raise eyebrows) Umm... NO COMPRENDE!
*We laugh*
Mario: (tries again) Why you look...so skinny?
(At this point, I don't really know what to say. I'm not fat, not too skinny.)
Me: Err, well-- I work out and we just got back from yard work at City Links.
Mario: (combination of looking at Xinyi and Me; very confused and quizzical) I thought... I thought you... I thought she was fa-at?
Me: Umm... No???
*Awkward laugh*
Me: Well, it was great seeing you both again. I'll see ya around! (Quick wave)
Both: Yeah, you too. Bye. Later!
(I book it inside only to crack up in the lobby)
Soooo... that was my day yesterday.
Xinyi later tells me,
"His point was that you look thinner than the first time he saw you."
~~dont be sad~~
Truly, this was a very nice thing of him to say.
Lost in Translation, I guess.
I'll treat him extra nicely next time I see him.
Thanks Mario!!! =D
My next 2.25 miles in JUST for you.
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