The moment

Li Na is back at her desk in London after two weeks in Vietnam with her new husband. Her coworker Oliver stops by with coffee and the obvious question. The trip was wonderful, but not in the way she planned. Listen for how she turns a travel disaster into a good story.

The conversation

OliverLi Na
  1. Oliver
  2. Li Na
  3. Oliver
  4. Li Na
  5. Oliver
  6. Li Na
  7. Oliver
  8. Li Na
  9. Oliver
  10. Li Na
  11. Oliver
  12. Li Na
  13. Oliver
  14. Li Na

Words to know

happen the way you expected

not have something you need

stop trying

end up being, often as a surprise

keep something for as long as you can

Check yourself

1What went wrong on the honeymoon?
2How does Li Na feel about the problem now?
3Why does Oliver mention the two hundred emails?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat every line. Round two: mute Li Na and tell the suitcase story as if it happened to you; let "Three days" land with a small pause. Round three: mute Oliver and react with sympathy, then humor.

  1. OliverWelcome back, Mrs. Newlywed. How was the honeymoon?
  2. Li NaHonestly, it was amazing. But it didn't exactly go to plan.
  3. OliverUh oh. What happened? You look very relaxed for someone with a disaster story.
  4. Li NaThe airline lost our suitcases on the first day. Both of them.
  5. OliverOn your honeymoon? That's awful. How long were you without them?
  6. Li NaThree days. We had the clothes we were wearing and one toothbrush.
  7. OliverI think I'd have gone straight back to the airport and shouted.
  8. Li NaWe tried that. Then we gave up and went to the market in Hanoi instead.
  9. OliverSo you bought a whole new wardrobe?
  10. Li NaPretty much. Matching shirts, cheap sandals, and a very silly hat.
  11. OliverPlease tell me there are photos of the hat.
  12. Li NaHundreds. It turned out to be the best part of the whole trip.
  13. OliverGood. Now you have two hundred emails, and they're all less fun.
  14. Li NaI know. I'm trying to hold on to that holiday feeling until lunch.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.