The moment
Hana is leaving Kyoto next week for a new job in Toronto, and her friend Lucas has taken her to dinner to say goodbye. She's excited about the move, but one part of it keeps worrying her. Listen for all the different feelings in one short conversation, and for how Lucas keeps the mood warm without ignoring the hard part.
The conversation
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
- Lucas
- Hana
Words to know
at the same time
begin again from the beginning
make close friends who feel like home
people may react better than you expect
a playful joke; it's not really a rule
Check yourself
Practice · 4 min
Round one: repeat every line in the gap. Round two: mute Hana and say her lines. Give each feeling in "Excited, scared, and a little sad" its own small pause. Round three: mute Lucas. Keep his jokes light and quick, and slow down only on "Of course she is."
- LucasSo, one week until Toronto. How are you feeling about it all?
- HanaEverything at once, honestly. Excited, scared, and a little sad.
- LucasThat makes sense. It's a huge move. What's the scary part?
- HanaStarting over. A new job, a new city, and I won't know anyone at first.
- LucasYou'll find your people. You did it here when you moved from Osaka.
- HanaTrue. But my parents are getting older, and I'm worried about leaving them.
- LucasHave you told them how you feel? They might surprise you.
- HanaI did, actually. My mom got emotional, but she said she's proud of me.
- LucasOf course she is. We all are. You worked so hard for this job.
- HanaThanks, Lucas. Sorry, now I'm the one who's getting emotional.
- LucasHappy tears are allowed at goodbye dinners. It's an official rule.
- HanaHa. OK. Will you visit me in the winter? I hear it's freezing.
- LucasOnly if you promise to take me ice skating. I've never tried it.
- HanaDeal. And call me when you miss me, because I'll definitely miss you.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.