For the most part, Jorge is a fairly quiet and unassuming guy. But, once you get to know him, you realize what a talented, interesting and thoughtful guy that he is. Did you, for instance, know that Jorge is a very good ping-pong player? He played on the school team the past couple of years and it was during our drives to away games that I got to see a different side of Jorge.
One surprise was just how funny Jorge is. He's not boisterous in any way, but he sure got me laughing pretty loudly sometimes. The guy has a wicked sense of humour! Jorge is also a very proud person... and I mean that as a compliment. Proud of his heritage, proud of his family, proud of his beliefs. Jorge is also a very hard worker, both in school (at least sometimes, right Jorge? hahaha) and also outside of school.
Jorge is a kind and gentle person... an easy person to spend time with. Having said that, he does not suffer fools lightly. I'll never remember the time we played the worst team in the whole ping-pong league (I'm not saying who but it might have rhymed with "Man Wreck"). Well, somehow (I still don't know how) we managed to lose (we were one of the best teams in the league). It was literally the only time Van Tech (whoops!) won all year. And their coach was carrying on like they'd just won the Superbowl or something. "Aw YEAH! That's how we do it!" Fist pumps. Jumping up and down. It was a bit much.
Jorge was not impressed (none of us were). Of course, he was too polite to say anything to the coach at the time, but I'll never forget how surprising (and funny) it was on the car ride home. "I did not like that coach". "Why was he acting like that?" "That was not the way a coach should act". etc. I think he kept up a litany of short, clear, yet never-profane complaints the whole way home. For some reason it seemed hilarious to me. Plus, it allowed me to see Jorge's "dark side". (Newsflash: Jorge's dark side is still pretty kind and great).
Jorge, thank you for always being so genuine with me. You always told me exactly how you were feeling about math, about school, about life. You never tried to trick me or appease me by stretching the truth in any way. I really, really respect your honesty and your trust in me. I have nothing but fond memories of you Jorge. And for that, I can only say: thank-you very much! Good luck!