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Views #1309 | Intermediate (B2)

Going Home

Abidemi talks about what it is like have not one, but two home countries, in her case Nigeria and Canada.

Jeremy: So Abedimi, you grew up really with two homes. Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like having two homes? Do you feel any particular loyalty more to one than the other or are they both home for you?

Abidemi: That’s a good question. I think for me, both places are home. I grew up in Nigeria and in Canada. My extended family, he’s in Nigeria. So when I go there, I instantly feel at home, like, they welcome me with open arms. It’s the food, the music, the people, the smell. It’s amazing. It’s like I almost never left, except when I open my mouth and speak in English and it's a completely different accent. That’s a different story.

But then I go to Canada, and I think my way of thinking, my mentality, is more oriented toward that way. Like, I think more like a Canadian, I find in a lot of situations. So that is home, too. A lot of my friends are in Canada. My parents are in Canada.

So, I don’t know. I don’t really feel a conflict of interest most of the time. So I think I’m just kind of enjoying having two places where I fit in more or less.

Jeremy: So it is possible for a person to have two homes then.

Abidemi: And even more. I think it is possible, yeah. And it's great. It’s awesome.

Jeremy: So you’ve been away from Canada for a while now. When you go back there, do you find it difficult or easy to reintegrate into your city, into your family’s house, or does it take a little bit of time to readjust?

Abidemi: It does take a couple of days or three, because where I live now is different. So sometimes, when I go home, just the language, hearing English everywhere and being able to understand what everyone is saying. Sometimes it’s overwhelming. I’m just like, “Whoa, whoa, which conversation do I listen to? Do I eavesdrop--eavesdropping on?” So there is that aspect.

There is also the fact that some of my friends, our relationship is not as close as it used to be. So you go back home and you’re talking about—I talk about my new life and they don’t really understand all that I’m going through. And they are moving on with their lives as well. So that aspect is different—and missing my parents as well. But it always feels really good when I go back and see them, and spend that time with them, yeah, to reconnect. And eating all the food that I’ve missed being away from home, that’s always awesome. I always try to make list to make sure I cover everything I want to eat.

Jeremy: Is there anything in particular that you look forward to eating when you go back home, the first thing that you immediately make a beeline for?

Abidemi: Oh! I love food, so it’s hard to choose one. I just want to eat everything. I mean, there is pizza—the local pizza shop near my house where my—oh my gosh, I got to have pizza there. There’s Tim Hortons, Timmy’s, the hot chocolate, the muffins. Love that. There’s my local restaurant—I don’t know—my mom’s cooking. So it’s hard to pick just one thing. I really look forward to going home and the food, so yeah.

Jeremy: Yeah. As a fellow Canadian, I know what you mean, especially with Tim Hortons.

Abidemi: Oh, thank you.

Answer these questions about the interview.
Audio Lessons about Phrases and Vocabulary

welcome with open arms

image

They welcome me with open arms.

This means people are always happy to see you. Open arms refers to a big hug. Notice the following:

  1. My family was waiting with open arms.
  2. It was nice to be welcomed with open arms.

fit in

image

I fit in more or less.

When you fit in, you feel comfortable and part of a group. Notice the following:

  1. He did not fit in, so he quit the company.
  2. Some kids do not fit in in high school.

readjust

image

It took time to readjust?

When you readjust, you change from a previous state to a prior one. Notice the following:

  1. I had to readjust after moving back in with my parents.
  2. It took time to readjust to life in America after living overseas.

eavesdrop

image

Do I eavesdrop?

When you eavesdrop, you listen to a conversation you are not a part of. Notice the following:

  1. I like to eavesdrop on conversations in the bar.
  2. I think that man is eavesdropping on us.

move on with your life

image

They are moving on with their lives as well.

When you move on with your life, you continue life after a change of some kind. Notice the following:

  1. After the fire, we all moved on with our lives.
  2. After her divorce, she moved on with her life.

make a beeline

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What is the first thing you immediately make a beeline for?

When you make a beeline, you hurry directly to something, Notice the following:

  1. After the class bell, the students make a beeline for the exit.
  2. When I got off the bus, I made a beeline for the toilet.

Vocabulary Quiz

open arms • fit in • readjust
eavesdrop • move on • beeline
  1. It takes time to after retirement.
  2. He made a for the breakroom.
  3. I know you miss her, but it is time to .
  4. I did not mean to on your conversation.
  5. He could not at his last job.
  6. They were waiting for him with .

 

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