Conversation 031 - Training

Todd: Hey, Victor, I hear you're going home tomorrow.
Victor: Yes, I am.
Todd: Ah, that's too bad... So how long have you been here?
Victor: I've been here for two weeks.
Todd: I'm sorry, I was never sure. Why did you come to Japan?
Victor: Came to Japan to study martial arts. Budo-taijutsu is the art that we study.
Todd: Oh! OK, cool! So are like a black belt?
Victor: Yes, yes!
Todd: Oh, really! Wow, how long have you been doing your martial arts?
Victor: I've been studying this art for about 18 years I guess.
Todd: Really!
Victor: A long time.
Todd: That's a long time. You're a young looking guy. You like 18 years.
Victor: No no no, I'm an old guy.
Todd: Well, so when you go back to the States you also train
Victor: Yes, yes! We have a group that we train in martial arts there as sort of a hobby. It's sort of a way of life also. But I have a real job. I'm a civil engineer.
Todd: So, actually what does a civil engineer do?
Victor: In America, a civil engineer designs things. In my case, I work on buildings, buildings that have structural problems, and I work on repair plans.
Todd: OK. Sounds like a tough job.
Victor: It's OK. It's interesting. All buildings need repairs and it's fun.
Todd: Great, thanks a lot, Victor. Have a safe trip tomorrow.
Victor: Well, thank you very much.