Let's make friends.

Yesterday marked my radio début, as Peter, Carolina and I all agreed to participate in an English edition of the university radio broadcast. This consisted of us sitting awkwardly at a table with two microphones and stuttering through introductions and random sentences about our homes, trying to cover up long pauses as we glanced at each other wondering what to say.

Then, to break up the silence, Peter told everyone that Carolina and I would sing the American national anthem for everyone... and thanks to the enthusiastic nodding and smiling of the assembled radio cast watching us speak, we dutifully and painfully warbled our way through the Star Spangled Banner, complete with unintentional harmony and a bat-like shriek on "land of the free".

We were quite mortified, but we convinced ourselves that it was not so bad; walking outside, there were tons of students walking around so, "probably only ten" people even tuned into the radio, we thought. It wasn't until a few minutes later, as we walked out the gates to grab a quick dinner, that we saw Mat, who applauded our singing and congratulated Peter on his deft manipulation. As it turns out, the entire fifteen minutes were broadcast on the university loudspeaker for the whole campus to hear. Despite my embarrassment, I really just pity everyone who had to listen to it.

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In regards to the aforementioned weekly English Corner, I am going to be quite distraught when I return to the States and no one is constantly complementing me -- last night alone I was told I was beautiful more times than I had ever been told in my entire life. The message is also reinforced by frequent messages from students:

Hi Ali,I'm the girl named V, I am very happy when I talk with you,thanks for giving me such a beautiful night~Just now my roommates said that our pronunciation teacher may be Peter,if it's true,it's really a pity cause we like you more~(Oh, please just keep it a secret, hoho)Good night my friend, and have a sweet dream just like your smiles~

I of course promptly showed that message to Peter and gloated.

Oh my dear Alison we are your students,we think you are so beautiful. Can we make friends with you?

Alison!Hi!~I'm your student in class 12. When I first saw you, I said to my friend that you are so beautiful!We love you so much!I really wanna make friends with you,but my spoken English is so poor,