Every fast-food employee knows that the drive-through window is the worst position. The window sticks with constant ice; the roar of engines hurts your 1; your words are lost in the howling wind.

    On a 2 afternoon, everything changed.

    Every once in a while, the sub-zero temperatures seal a 3 windows shut. Drivers don't exactly enjoy having to stand outside in the cold, 4 their orders into a speaker box, when they expect to drive through on their heated leather seats. In such cases, most customers tend to show their annoyance to the employees.

    This woman was 5.

    “I'll get the next car's 6 as well,” she said as she came up to the window to pay. She stood outside, 7 much snow on her hair. Though she was obviously freezing, her bright 8 lit up her face like a fire.

    “You can't 9 their drinks,” I said, confused and tired.

    “No, but I'll buy them,” she said. “Pay it forward and all that.”

    Completely puzzled, I charged her as 10, and when the next customer arrived at the window I explained what had just happened. I watched as his 11 changed — first angry to be out in the cold, then 12 at the random act of kindness, and finally, delighted by his 13.

    “I suppose I'll pay for the next order then,” he replied, nodding and waving at the impatient driver 14 him. He 15 over the cash and received his pre-paid hot drink. The trend continued. Customers arrived annoyed, only to leave 16 and pleased. Some were shocked to spend much more than they had expected, 17 others ended up receiving their order for less than half the price.

    Five vehicles passed, then ten, then twenty. No one refused to pay. Customers stood at my window 18 a fist-full of change to buy drinks for a complete stranger. Cars drove off, honking (鸣笛) and 19 their thanks.

    It only takes one customer, one person, to change the entire 20 of traffic. It only takes one moment, one smile, to warm up even the coldest of days.

Music is a Universal Language

    “Music is the universal language of mankind.” – Henry Longfellow

    Everyone has the inborn ability to understand and enjoy music. There are many theories as to why this is, but it has become a part of human beings. Since the beginning, humans have expressed themselves through music. Simple tribal rhythms evolved into many types of more complex music, including classical, rock, jazz, and R&B. While the styles between these many types of music may vary, everyone is able to understand and relate to them.

    What are the essential parts of a language? Every language uses vocabulary, or a set of words, to create sentences that convey messages. The tone and style of the sentences convey different feelings or emotions. Music is exactly the same way. Twelve tones, or notes, are combined to create phrases that also convey emotion. Music can even be written, like most other languages. Conversations even take place in music. Two saxophonists can play melodies back and forth, expressing different styles and feelings, building off of each other, responding to each other. Music changes over the years like other languages. Most people who speak fluent English cannot read one of Shakespeare's plays because the language has changed so much. Music is also affected by time, and over a long period, many new types of music and instruments have emerged to create different sounds and convey different messages. There are so many similarities between vocal language and music that they must be same.

    I recently had a chance to experience conversation through music. In 2008, I traveled to Manila, Philippines to participate in a high school jazz exchange where many students from all over Asia came together to share their talents. Everyone was mixed into different small groups to prepare for a concert at the end of week. Few people spoke fluent English so vocal communication was very tough. However, it wasn't needed. Everyone seemed to understand each other simply through the music and there were few times where direct translation was needed. At the performance, every group played for a live audience. They all sounded phenomenal and it felt like they were in perfect time and harmony. During my group's performance, I was able to improvise with a Korean boy who spoke very little English. But we managed to have a conversation through our instruments, building off each other's riffs until we were creating our own melody on the fly. It was a great experience.

    Because of the many similarities that music shares with other languages, it is a very effective way to communicate with others. Music brings us together, connects us with other people, and allows us to express ourselves in ways that are different from speech and writing. It has the ability to convey emotions and messages to the core of people, which is why Henry Longfellow is absolutely correct when he states that “music is the universal language of mankind.”

    Music is a Universal Language