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From Masala180: William and Laykah talk about being born in totally different worlds, but sharing the same dream.

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Masala180 No.01: “Let’s Start”

William and Laykah talk about being born in totally different cultures, but still having the same dream.

WILLIAM: I don’t know where to start. I think we should start at the beginning; the very beginning. Where were you born?

LAYKAH: I was born in Matsue, the capital of Shimane Prefecture, but I grew up in a small town about thirty minutes from there called Kashima. It’s a fishing village by the Japan Sea. I stayed there until I was nineteen, when I went away to university. That’s where I was born and raised. It’s a beautiful place actually; and you?

WILLIAM: I was born in Atlanta, Georgia; the home of Coca Cola. I moved to Los Angeles, California when I was five years old. I don’t remember a lot about Georgia, so I’m pretty much a child of LA. I’m not a Southern Boy. I’m a West Coast Boy. Tell me about Kashima, your hometown.

LAYKAH: It’s a small quiet town. Well not really a town, more like a village. We lived near the ocean, surrounded by nature. It’s very beautiful and peaceful, but like most small towns, everyone knows everyone. Most people are nice, but they have a small town mentality, and like to gossip. You grow up very conscious of what people think. How was it growing up in such a big city like LA?

WILLIAM: LA is so big and crazy, with millions of people from all over the world. Nobody cares what other people think. It’s America, and it’s individualistic, and it’s just too busy. LA is a fast city and sometimes dangerous, but as a kid, it was a great place to grow up, and I loved the freedom. I loved being around different kinds of people.

LAYKAH: When I was a kid I could see on TV that big cities like Tokyo and Osaka were busy and exciting places. I knew that Kashima was quiet and a bit boring, so I really wanted to get out and live in a big city. My family wanted me to go to university in Matsue, but I wanted to get away from home. So I went to Osaka. I’m happy I did that.

WILLIAM: I think a lot of people in big cities don’t bother to travel, or they’re too busy to travel. But ever since I was young I dreamed of it. It’s interesting how you and I grew up in totally different environments, yet, we both wanted to experience the outside world.

LAYKAH: Yeah, we both knew the world is a big place.

*Masala180 is my real life family adventure. The story of my relationship, my family and our experience living and traveling in different countries and cultures. Enjoy!*
 

Word help

we should start = means that it’s a good idea to begin something.
to grow up = means to mature from a child to a teenager to an adult.
be born and raised = to be born and to grow up in a certain place.
be the home of = means where something originates or comes from.
I don’t remember a lot = cannot recall many details about something.
be surrounded by st. = means to have something all around you.
a small town mentality = to think in a very closed minded way.
be conscious of st. = to consider or think about something.
be individualistic = to put your indivudual needs before the group.
be a bit boring = something is not interesting or exciting.
to get away from st. = to run away or leave or escape something.
don’t bother to do something = means you do not take the time to do it.
ever since = means from some time in the past up until now.

Discussion Questions?

Q: Tell us about one of your earliest memories?
Q: How has your hometown changed since you were a kid?
Q: What were the best and worst things about growing up there?
Q: What is your homewtown famous for or well known for?
Q: Are the people in your country individualistic or group minded? Explain.
 

Lesson Question!

Q: Tell us about where you were born and raised?

Post your answer Below!