I dig around and find the math practice exam that Sandy was struggling with. It took me a while to find them since I completed them weeks ago.
I startrf going through them looking at all the questions. I figured that I might as well go through them and refamiliarize myself with them.
Since Sandy's going to be coming over this weekend, I want to make sure I can help her to the fullest.
I go over all the math problems fairly quickly. For the most part they seem pretty simple. Though I see how they can be confusing at first glance. I make some notes on the practice exam for some of the more confusing question.
Breaking down the complicated parts into something simpler and much easier to digest and understand.
This should do it, I think to myself as I finish making some notes on the final question. I am at least 90 percent sure that my explanations will be easy to understand.
Hmm. Somehow in the back of my mind I'm still not 100 percent satisfied with my explanations. There must be something else I can do to make it better.
Even I don't know why I am trying so hard. Normally for myself if I am 90 percent sure on something then it is good enough for me.
But somehow its different when it comes to sandy, I want it to be 100 percent.
I sit around spinning my pen around my finger as I continue to think about how I can further improve my explanations.
This is when an idea hit me. If I want to know if people can understand my explanations I should do just that, explain it to others and see.
Though the only person around is mum.
It feels a bit awkward to go up to her and use her as a guinea pig for explaining math problems.
Mum and I catch up whenever she comes back since we don't get to spend much time together.
But sometimes I can see her working on her laptop even at home. I know how important work is so I try not to interrupt her if I can.
Oh well I mean its just some math problems it shouldn't take too long, so it should be fine.
* * *
I see mum typing furiously on her laptop with her face leaning close towards the laptop, it feels like her glasses will be touching the screen if she leaned any closer.
"Hey mum, do you have a second? I need help with something."
"Hmm?"
Mum turns around, and looks at me. She seems to be taking a second to register what's happening. I guess I haven't really seek her out on my own in a while.
"Oh definitely, what do you need help with sweetie?"
My mum smiles warmly.
"Its nothing big. I just want to try explaining some math questions and maybe you can help me see if these explanations make sense."
"Sure!"
I proceed to explain all of the math questions that I thought were a bit more tricky. My mum went along with me and also provided valuable feedback. She asked questions on part that she thought could be confusing. This also gave me a chance to fine tune my explanations.
In the end everything went pretty well. I didn't make any major changes to my explanations but did do some minor adjustments with the help of my mum.
Now I feel pretty confident about my explanations, it might not be 100 percent buts its at least 99 percent there.
After we were done I can see that my mum is gleaming with curiosity.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what is this for?"
"Its um for a friend, we're gonna have a study session. So I just wanna make sure I can help her to the fullest."
Mums eyes suddenly lit up, it almost felt like they were sparkling behind her glasses.
"Oh that's great! Is she coming here for the study session? I would love to meet her!"
"Yeah, this Saturday."
"Ah, darn. I've got a business meeting that day, but hopefully it'll end early. So I can come back early."
"Yeah that'll be nice, Sandys a good friend of mine."
Mum comes over and ruffles my hair.
"I'm looking forward to Saturday, hopefully I'll be able to see your friend!"
Me too, I am looking forward to Saturday as well. I feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement, it's a strange feeling.
One that I'm not used to but something that I am feeling more and more ever since I got to know Sandy.