unit 04

Unit 4: Romance Is in the Air
Video Story

Introduction
Sally and Gina are happy with the apartment that they find and they settle in
quickly. The two women have become very good friends. Sally still hasn’t heard
from Philip and is beginning to think that he will never call. Gina has
encouraged her to go out and meet new friends.

Sally: Hello.
Philip: Hi, may I speak to Sally?
Sally: Speaking.
Philip: Oh, Sally! Hi, it’s Phil. I don’t know if you remember me. We
met on New Year’s Eve at your uncle’s party.
Sally: Hey, Phil! Of course I remember you. How are things?
Philip: Great, thanks. Actually, I called to ask if you’d like to come with
me to my company’s Valentine’s party. I was hoping we could go
for a drink before ….
Sally: I’d love to, and going for a drink would be great too!
Philip: Wonderful! Well, I’ll pick you up next Tuesday at around seven
o’clock?
Sally: Great. Thanks for calling. See you then. Bye.
Gina: So, what’s that big grin on your face for?
Sally: Guess who just called and invited me out?
Gina: Who? Not Phil?
Sally: Why do you say that? What have you got against Phil?
Gina: Nothing. Well, you do know he went through a divorce recently,
don’t you?
Sally: What’s that got to do with anything? We’re only having dinner.
Gina: I know. It’s just that I think you need to understand his situation.
He’s probably not ready for a serious relationship.
Sally: You don’t like him, do you?
Gina: That’s not it at all.
Sally: What is it then? Come on, be honest.
Gina: Well, Phil does have a lot of personal baggage, doesn’t he? Maybe
it would be a good idea to keep that in mind. He’s so much older
than you, divorced, and he has a kid.
Sally: I know what you’re saying, but why does all that matter? We
really seem to hit it off.
Gina: It’s just, if I were you, I’d be careful about falling for him too
quickly without considering the consequences. I mean, could you
see yourself as a stepmom?
Sally: That’s looking pretty far down the road. All we’re doing is having
dinner. I know you’re looking out for me, but I really think
you’re over-reacting.
Gina: Fair enough. Just promise me you’ll take things slowly?
Sally: Look, I know what you’re saying, but let me handle this my way.
I’m a big girl and it’s not my first date.
Gina: OK, OK, you’re right. I don’t want to sound like your mother. I’m
much too young for that! On a completely different topic, I can’t
think of what to get for Peter’s birthday. It’s next week and I’m
running out of time. Got any suggestions?
Sally: Let me think. Hmm, have you thought of a gift certificate for
kayaking lessons? I know he’s really into kayaking right now, and
that way he can use it any way he wants.

 

 

Cultural Commentary

Introduction
Eye on the Street: Interview about Personal Growth
Twenty-five-year-old male with tattoos. Visually, this person’s appearance should
contrast with what he is saying.

Interviewer: Rick, what is your best memory so far in life?
Rick: I suppose it was getting my visual arts diploma. I dropped out of
secondary school and had to go back to re-enter the school system to get my
prerequisites to start the visual arts diploma course. That was the first big step,
and then getting the diploma was quite an accomplishment for me.
Interviewer: Would you change anything about the education that you had as a
child?
Rick: Hmm, yes. I think parents really need to take an active role in their
children’s education. You see, my mom was a hippie. She used to say that if I
didn’t want to go to school, I didn’t have to. As a kid that was great, but now
I regret it. Looking back, I realize my mom didn’t help me. Encouragement and
direction are very important for a child.
Interviewer: What would you say is the most challenging thing that you have
done?
Rick: Up to this point? Well, I’m taking Japanese right now. As an artist, I like
to talk about art and philosophy. Learning Japanese, I have to use the other side
of my brain. It’s a new way of learning, very challenging, but also very
rewarding.
Interviewer: What does “being successful” mean to you?
Rick: Setting goals and then achieving them. Hmm, I think it’s important for me
to plan what I’m going to do and then work towards it.
Interviewer: What do you consider to be the key to self-fulfillment?
Rick: It’s all about setting goals and achieving them, as I said. If you grow,
you change. Changing means learning to adapt to different situations. In that
way you grow wiser.
Interviewer: Thank you, Rick.
Rick: You’re welcome.

Interviewer: For Rick, the process of being successful and self-fulfilled is the
same thing. What does “being successful,” mean to you? Is it the same as being
self-fulfilled?

 

 

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