Jennifer_ITA3

Today I went to the gym with my ITA Serena! I'll admit I never go to the gym, but I was willing to try it because she wanted to go. And actually, I had a really great time! I met her at the Leach and got to meet her boyfriend who went off to do his own thing in the gym. Serena and I decided to head to the elliptical. She asked me how the movie Brave was with my other conversation partners since she wasn't able to go. We got into a good discussion about different American movies, like the new Spider-man movie, Batman, and a new movie coming out she wants to see called "Ted." In the middle of exercising, we noticed that Serena’s machine wasn’t working correctly. This old lady next to us helped get Serena’s machine working. But after that she wouldn’t stop talking to us, and we were kind of weirded out. I think she was trying to be friendly and wanted to someone to talk to, but she came off as being a little rude. For instance, the lady kept talking to Serena about 9/11, and kept saying “Do you know what 9/11 is?” Serena of course knows what happened on September 11, 2001 in New York, but had never heard it termed like that before. So the old lady turned to me, asked if I knew what it was, and when I said yes, she said “See, she doesn’t know it.” She was also using more complicated vocabulary Serena couldn’t understand, so it was hard for Serena to understand, and the lady would just ask me instead. I was very offended that she would treat Serena that way, and eventually we went to the treadmill to get away from her. We both laughed her off since we knew she was just an old lady who wanted someone to talk to and meant no harm. While on the treadmills Serena told me that in China, University students must pass a physical fitness test each year, which is definitely not the case in America. Serena was also saying how in China, the body image for girls is to be very thin, even thinner than what most American girls strive to be. I don’t think Serena needs to lose any weight even though she says she does – she is already so thin! We also talked about beaches and she admitted she has never been to a beach in China since she lives more inland! Serena suggested for our next meeting that we could make a traditional Chinese meal at her apartment, and I told her that would be absolutely awesome! I really had fun getting to know Serena. I’m glad I went to the gym with her. Going to the gym with a friend is very fun!