N: Patrick meets Akiko after a school day. They go to dinner on Grafton Street, and she tells him about the interesting conversation that she had with her new friend, Estelle, from France.

P: Why do you say that?

A: Well, for example, she introduced herself to me in class today...she asked me the meaning of my name.

P: Actually, that's a good question - what does Akiko mean?

A: Do you remember we talked about kanji?

P: Yes, I remember - so there are going to be lots of meanings even if the kanji is the same, right?

A: That's right. In my case, it means "bright child".

P: Hmmmm (looking at her) I think that's pretty accurate, although I wouldn't call you a child:-)

A: It isn't...oh, we learned this word today...it isn't literal. Anyway, in class today the subject was...employment. What people think about their work. And our teacher talked about...please wait a moment, I wrote this down...（あれ、ノートはどこだろう）

P: Take your time.

A: Oh, here it is （あ、あった。ふう、こんな風にノート取るのって大学の時以来だな…） : it was about finding your lifework. Everyone had a different opinion about it.

P: Where are your other classmates from?

A: They are from everywhere: except I am the only one from Japan. Giacinta is from Italy. And Marco is from Spain. And there are 3 girls from Slovenia: they all came together. I don't remember their names. And there are a lot more...

P: Speaking of employment and France, did Estelle talk about the youth protests last year?

A: Oh, she did! The English was a little bit hard - but Mrs. O'Connor made sure everyone could catch the meaning. The teachers are so helpful!

A: So, she explained the reason for the demonstration is - the government in France made a law, so that people under 26 could be fired without any reason. The government thought it would make businesses take a risk, and hire young people. But, young people want to feel stable in their jobs, and they thought the law was not fair.

P: Well, what do you think?

A: （うーん…）I don't know...I think it's not very fair.

P: Ahh.

A: Estelle told us that it was very scary in Paris, but that most of the demonstrations were peaceful. They were just very big - she said one million people protested.

P: One million people. That's grand. Are glad you decided to take the English course?

A: Yes, I am. Ever since I came to Ireland, I feel better about my English. The students have accents, but I feel very natural speaking English with them.（みんな目的意識が高くて英語を話せるようになって自分の夢に近づこうと努力しているから、すごく刺激を受けるんだよね）

P: So you think you wouldn't have the same feeling in Tokyo? You went to some courses that went on for months, right?

A: Well, in Tokyo: I learned a lot in my English courses, but it didn't feel so...personal. In Ireland I am living a kind of dream life...

P: I know what you mean. Oh, here it comes...

A: Here...comes...

P: The very finest Irish stew, my dear. Tender mutton, fresh onions and carrots and potatoes.

A: Mmmm...and I think I smell herbs, too.

P: Lovely.