Chronicles of My Boring Life – Ep. 1: Meeting My ESL Student In Detroit
Every now and then, I get to leave Ohio and go someplace that feels just a little more exciting. This week? Detroit. I was especially excited because I’d be meeting my ESL student in Detroit for the very first time.
(If you’re new here, you can catch the backstory in my intro post about how this “boring life” all started.)
Not only was I looking forward to a change of scenery, but I was finally going to meet one of my students in person. That’s the beauty of online teaching—you can connect with people from all over the world—but there’s something special about sitting across the table from someone you’ve only ever seen on a screen.
The Journey
The trip was relatively easy, and I made it to the hotel after a pretty smooth drive. I’m not usually one to stress over parking, but let’s just say things got a little tight. I managed to squeeze my car between two giant pickup trucks in the parking deck. I’m not sure how I pulled it off, but it turned out ok.
Once I got settled, I took the elevator all the way up to the 57th floor. Yep, the fifty-seventh. That’s not ideal when you’re slightly afraid of heights, but I was determined to check out the view. So I walked over to the window, took a deep breath, and—oh my goodness gracious. It was worth it.
The Wait
After soaking in the view, I tried to lie down for a quick nap. But honestly? My mind was racing. I was so overstimulated with excitement about meeting Gizem that sleep didn’t stand a chance. So I gave up on the nap, got up, and decided it was time to start getting ready.
The Meetup
By 7:30, I was ready to head out. Gizem, my student, had just texted to say she was on her way. We planned to meet around 8, which meant it was going to be a late night. But honestly? I didn’t mind. I was excited. I couldn’t wait to meet her.
We ended the evening with dinner, good conversation, and a quiet toast—clinking glasses to connection, shared stories, and the little adventures that make life feel just a little less boring.
Looking back, meeting my ESL student in Detroit wasn’t just the highlight of the trip—it was a reminder of why I love what I do.
Want to see how the day unfolded? Here’s a short video of my trip to Detroit—from the drive, to parking, to getting ready, to finally meeting Gizem.
Thanks for coming along!
Detroit really surprised me—it had more energy and character than I expected. If you’re curious about what else the city has to offer, check out VisitDetroit.com for more things to see and do.
Language Spotlight: Words & Phrases to Know
Here are a few words, idioms, and grammar patterns from my trip that English learners might find useful:
Vocabulary
| 🅿️ Parking Deck | A multi-level parking garage |
| 🛻 Pickup truck | A type of large vehicle with an open back |
| 😨 Afraid of Heights | Feeling nervous or scared when you’re high off the ground |
| 🤏🏼 Squeeze in | To fit into a small or tight space |
| 💖 Overstimulated | Mentally or emotionally overwhelmed (often due to excitement or stress) |
Useful Phrases & Idioms
| ⏰ Every now and then | Occasionally, not very often |
| ➡️ On her way | Traveling to the destination |
| 🤞🏼 It’s going to be okay | A way to reassure yourself or someone else |
| 😮 Oh my goodness gracious | An expression of surprise (mild and friendly) |
| 🛌🏼 Sleep doesn’t stand a chance | (Idiom) There’s no way sleep is going to happen |
| 🙏🏼 Thanks for coming along | A casual way to thank someone for joining or following a journey |
Grammar in Action
Present continuous for future plans
- “I’m going to meet one of my students.”
- “She is on her way.”
Past simple for storytelling
- “I made it to the hotel.”
- “I checked out the view.”
- “I tried to lie down.”
If you’ve ever met an online friend in real life—or hope to someday—I’d love to hear your story in the comments. And if you’re learning English, I hope these everyday moments help you feel more connected and confident along the way.
