Hello, Friends.
We only have two more official meetings this year. You don't want to lose the connections with your friends so be sure to exchange contact information so you can keep in touch with each other over the summer.
I posted our schedules for classes and meetings in the fall on these pages. Be sure to check them out.
About Us
International Friends Program
I will open registration for the 2016-2017 year in July.
I am already missing you. Be sure to keep in touch!
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We got off track at Bible study by talking about churches and finding a place to worship both in the United States and in our home countries. Here is advice from our class: Churches are a place where imperfect people come to worship; there will be people who do not fit your picture of a Christian person. Churches are an organization of imperfect people, so you won't always agree with the decisions made by the church such as whether there should be a new building or whether more staff should be hired or if carpets need changing. Churches have different styles in which they practice worshiping God, and many of these are a matter of taste: do you sing songs, what is the the style of music, what instruments should be played, is there stained glass, do you kneel when you pray. These are "things of man" or traditions that give us a sense of belonging and comfort. Churches will have very strong opinions on how and when people are baptized or about how and when to offer holy communion. These particular gifts are given to us in the New Testament but there are not specific descriptions or instructions for how to do these things. Simply put, church traditions dictate how churches do these things in practice. Practices can be negotiable. A deal breaker is if the church does not teach the truth about God that is told to us in the Bible: He loves and cares for us and knows we aren't perfect and that our sins are forgiven through Jesus. God sent His son Jesus to live the perfect life and die in our place. Jesus rose from the dead and He is a living God. God's Holy Spirit is with us and works in us to help us understand the truth about God. If a church does not tell us that we are loved and we are forgiven through Jesus, then we should keep looking.
When we finally read, we found out that the Bible always has the answers. We read Luke 9:46-50 where the disciples argue who is the most important (people not acting like we expect) and Jesus answers them that when you welcome anyone in His name you welcome Jesus. He tells them that the least is the greatest. Then the disciples tell Jesus that they saw a man driving out demons in Jesus' name. They tried to stop the man (who should be doing things and how). Jesus told them "Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you." And when a town doesn't welcome them, the followers asked Jesus if they should "call down fire from heaven and destroy them". Jesus rebukes the disciples and then they all stay in another town. In all of these cases, we see the downside of people and the upside of God.
May 3, 2016: Let's read Luke 9:57-62
Join Jan and the crew to read and discuss.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
Thank you Maaki for bringing us the supplies and patterns for making Mother's Day cards and book marks. There were so many beautiful results. Our mom's will know we love them! We shopped at the Mexican market on the southwest corner of 96th and Allisonville Roads. Do you have a craving for fresh Mexican breads, tamales, or other foods? This is a close and easy place to shop!
May 3, 2016: Cook and come to the polls
Join the girls for cooking at the church. I am working the polls in the church off of Main Street. Come and seen American polling place. If you are a U.S. citizen with a residence in Indiana, you can vote in this election. Do it! It is your right in Indiana in this primary election to choose a ballot (either Democrat or Republican) and to vote for people in one party. Not every state has the same rules for voting in the primaries.
May 10, 2016: Let's have a closing BBQ.
Let's wrap up the year with a BBQ. I will bring brats for the grill...Bring your favorite BBQ dish to share and a chair.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classrooms
We celebrated Ashley's Sweet Sixteen birthday. Maaki fulfilled Elizabeth's question about high tea by bringing a beautiful tiered plate of finger sandwiches and scones. Ashley texted her English boyfriend and asked him for the rules for high tea and Elizabeth read them to us (in a lovely British accent). We also looked at them in Japanese and had to translate this practice into American English and understanding. Whew! It is difficult to explain customs of another culture. Did you know that in the United States you should put your napkin folded on the table when you excuse yourself but are returning to the meal? In England you are supposed to leave your napkin on your chair.
May 4, 2016: We will taste delicious Japanese food.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone this week. I enjoyed
May 5, 2016: Join us for our end of the year party CINCO DE MAYO style!
Come for class and then let's celebrate our end of the year and Cinco de Mayo all in one party. Our Conversation is hosting our party this year. Let's wrap up the year in true American (steal a party) style.
May 12, 2016: Our last official class of the year.
Make sure you come for our last class of the year.
____________________________________________________________
loose the connections: not see or hear from someone
exchange contact information: share phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.
keep in touch: maintain a relationship with each other
over the summer: during the summer months
check them out: look!
got off track: talked about something that wasn't on the agenda
advice: recommendations from other people
fit your picture of: not what you imagine
style: a particulary way of doing something
practice: a way of living by the customs of a religion
Christian: person who follows the teaching of Jesus
; use a semicolon to connect two sentence ideas into one
matter of taste: what someone likes
stained glass: pictures in windows made of colored glass
organization: group that is formed for a particular purpose
negotiable: open to discussion
simply put: a very basic explanation
dictate: an order to be obeyed; lay down with authority
deal breakers: when things happen that cause you to not follow through with an agreement or relationship
sins: when we do not show love and hurt each other and God
whoever is not against you is for you: anyone who isn't your enemy isn't against you and your goals and is your ally
rebukes: reprimand, scold
downside: bad points
upside: good points
the crew: slang for a group that meets
polls and polling place: where people vote
right: fundamental legal rule owed to people by law
either...or: pick just one
BBQ: bar be que, bar b que, or grilling meat
tiered plate: one plate on top of another separated on a stand
finger sandwiches: small, bite sized sandwiches
Whew!: like wow, an expression that sounds like it looks
customs: traditions put into practice
thoroughly: very much
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Summer Homework
Hello Friends,
We only have three weeks of meetings! Time flies! As you plan for your summer break, remember to keep up your studies in English. I just read that knowing the most frequent 1000 words helps you understand a language and grow your language skills.
Here is a great list of the 1000 most common phrases and the most common 1500 words with pronunciation. This site also has 100 conversation/listening lessons. Please enjoy!
And speaking of the listening lessons, the 100th lesson is about elections. How timely (although the lesson was recorded eight or more years ago--Obama and McCain are the candidates). And here we are in a primary election year! One interesting statement there is that one of the characters says, "It's hard to know what the truth is. That's why I don't pay attention to politics." That was a prevailing attitude for a while, but that perspective seems to be changing. Everyone is getting involved. So much of American political news is based on sound bites and opinions. You have to do your own research: read webpages, watch YouTube videos of the candidates and hear their talking points straight from the horse's mouth to get to the heart of matters.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, Room 100
This week we read Luke 9:28-45. This is a great story where Jesus has close friends and family support Him in a very unusual way. He takes two close friends up on a mountain and they meet two famous Jewish prophets/leaders: Moses and Elijah. Both of these heroes were long dead. It is good to have old friends and new friends to meet with when you need support. God speaks out and says, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen: listen to him."
We continued on to read a story where a Jesus heals a young boy from an evil spirit. Jesus returns from His meeting on the mountain to find that a man came to the disciples for help healing his son. Somehow, the disciples were not able to heal the boy. Why? The father believed that they could help, but the disciples attempted to take the glory of the healing for themselves. They didn't realize that this power comes from God; credit is due to Him for these gifts. Jesus warns them about what is to come, but even though they didn't understand, they didn't ask questions. They were afraid of looking like they didn't understand. How often do we fumble through life because we don't understand and are afraid of our appearance.
Tuesday, April 26: This week we will read Luke 9:46-62
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, Room 100
We enjoyed a spring pitch in. What delicious treats! We often share fall and winter foods that are warming, but this time we e
Tuesday, April 26: Let's make Mother's Day Cards
Maaki will host Mother's Day card making. Bring scissors and double sided tape or glue tape. We learned an interesting fact: in Japan they call glue tape a "snail".
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We grilled out in the parking lot. It's amazing how delicious hot dogs taste when grilled over a charcoal fire. We sat around in a circle and enjoyed conversation.
April 27: Let's take Jeep rides
If the weather is nice, we will take a spin in my Jeep with the top down and the doors off. How is that for excitement?
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-12:00, upstairs classrooms
It is so nice to see everyone again. Welcome back to many of you. Things get crazy as the weather warms up and school wraps up. It may be hard to finish up these last few weeks. You can be sure that as we end up classes you will make plans with friends to meet up over the summer months.
Time flies: time passes quickly (slang)
keep up: practice, continue to do something
How timely: when something occurs at a good time
primary election: selection of one candidate by each of the parties to run for president next year
prevailing attitude: common idea or sentiment
for a while: for a short time
perspective seems to be changing: a new opinion or idea
sound bites: short audio clips, not a full conversation
talking points: main discussion and the conversation surrounding it
straight from the horse's mouth: from the person and not other people's opinion
get to the heart of matters: find out the truth
this week we read: this is talking about what happened in the past or previous week. We know this because the word here is read (pronounced red).
whom: if you could substitute him/her then you use whom; if you could substitute he/she then use who. Some people misuse "whom" to sound classy!
This week we will read: upcoming event will is one indicator and then pronounce read reed.
appearance: our reputation; what others think of us.
things get crazy: people become busy and schedules change
up: many times we add the word "up" after a verb to emphasize or intensify the verb; in this case up isn't functioning like a preposition telling you a direction but is providing action
We only have three weeks of meetings! Time flies! As you plan for your summer break, remember to keep up your studies in English. I just read that knowing the most frequent 1000 words helps you understand a language and grow your language skills.
Here is a great list of the 1000 most common phrases and the most common 1500 words with pronunciation. This site also has 100 conversation/listening lessons. Please enjoy!
And speaking of the listening lessons, the 100th lesson is about elections. How timely (although the lesson was recorded eight or more years ago--Obama and McCain are the candidates). And here we are in a primary election year! One interesting statement there is that one of the characters says, "It's hard to know what the truth is. That's why I don't pay attention to politics." That was a prevailing attitude for a while, but that perspective seems to be changing. Everyone is getting involved. So much of American political news is based on sound bites and opinions. You have to do your own research: read webpages, watch YouTube videos of the candidates and hear their talking points straight from the horse's mouth to get to the heart of matters.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, Room 100
This week we read Luke 9:28-45. This is a great story where Jesus has close friends and family support Him in a very unusual way. He takes two close friends up on a mountain and they meet two famous Jewish prophets/leaders: Moses and Elijah. Both of these heroes were long dead. It is good to have old friends and new friends to meet with when you need support. God speaks out and says, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen: listen to him."
We continued on to read a story where a Jesus heals a young boy from an evil spirit. Jesus returns from His meeting on the mountain to find that a man came to the disciples for help healing his son. Somehow, the disciples were not able to heal the boy. Why? The father believed that they could help, but the disciples attempted to take the glory of the healing for themselves. They didn't realize that this power comes from God; credit is due to Him for these gifts. Jesus warns them about what is to come, but even though they didn't understand, they didn't ask questions. They were afraid of looking like they didn't understand. How often do we fumble through life because we don't understand and are afraid of our appearance.
Tuesday, April 26: This week we will read Luke 9:46-62
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, Room 100
We enjoyed a spring pitch in. What delicious treats! We often share fall and winter foods that are warming, but this time we e
Tuesday, April 26: Let's make Mother's Day Cards
Maaki will host Mother's Day card making. Bring scissors and double sided tape or glue tape. We learned an interesting fact: in Japan they call glue tape a "snail".
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We grilled out in the parking lot. It's amazing how delicious hot dogs taste when grilled over a charcoal fire. We sat around in a circle and enjoyed conversation.
April 27: Let's take Jeep rides
If the weather is nice, we will take a spin in my Jeep with the top down and the doors off. How is that for excitement?
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-12:00, upstairs classrooms
It is so nice to see everyone again. Welcome back to many of you. Things get crazy as the weather warms up and school wraps up. It may be hard to finish up these last few weeks. You can be sure that as we end up classes you will make plans with friends to meet up over the summer months.
Time flies: time passes quickly (slang)
keep up: practice, continue to do something
How timely: when something occurs at a good time
primary election: selection of one candidate by each of the parties to run for president next year
prevailing attitude: common idea or sentiment
for a while: for a short time
perspective seems to be changing: a new opinion or idea
sound bites: short audio clips, not a full conversation
talking points: main discussion and the conversation surrounding it
straight from the horse's mouth: from the person and not other people's opinion
get to the heart of matters: find out the truth
this week we read: this is talking about what happened in the past or previous week. We know this because the word here is read (pronounced red).
whom: if you could substitute him/her then you use whom; if you could substitute he/she then use who. Some people misuse "whom" to sound classy!
This week we will read: upcoming event will is one indicator and then pronounce read reed.
appearance: our reputation; what others think of us.
things get crazy: people become busy and schedules change
up: many times we add the word "up" after a verb to emphasize or intensify the verb; in this case up isn't functioning like a preposition telling you a direction but is providing action
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Wow! Beautiful weekend!
Hello, Friends.
If you loved Indiana before, you will really love it over the next few months. Have you noticed all of the beautiful blooming trees? Somehow, it can snow and become spring at the same time here in Indiana. How can that be?
With the advent of beautiful weather, people really start to get out. It's time to sharpen your lawn mower blades and fire up the grill to kick off the season.
Did you get stranded by the Carmel Marathon? The runners are still circling our house on the streets and on the trail.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read a great story where Jesus asks Peter a classic teaching question: Who do the people say I am? He asks Peter what is the popular opinion of Him (Jesus). He goes on to ask Peter, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Peter has to voice his own opinion. He tells the disciples not to tell others their opinion. Why? Jesus goes on to prepare the disciples for what would come (that He would be rejected by the priests and elders and teachers of the Jewish law, put to death, and then be raised to life on the third day). How does their not telling, their keeping quiet protect them? Jesus teaches that if people want to follow Jesus, they must "take up their cross daily and follow me." Jesus explains that they their actions speak louder than their words. He explains that to follow Jesus' way isn't always a piece of cake. That if someone is ashamed of Jesus they are not showing that they love Him. He warns that these actions can speak louder than our words (and Peter's words do speak quite loud read: when Jesus is on trial, he denies Jesus three times: John 18: 15-18 and 25-27; after Jesus is raised from the dead, He gives Peter the chance to be sure of their relationship John 21:15-19.) Even when our words and actions don't show our heart, Jesus reaches out to us to mend the relationship between us and God and set our mind at ease and teaches us how to act out that love.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's read Luke 9:28-36
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We hoped to start our gardens. The garden center wasn't stocked, yet. The best way to start your garden for now is to plant indoors.
We ended up talking a little about American politics. This is a very exciting topic as the discussions really heat up. Who will win the primaries? Why do each of the states have different rules for voting in the primaries? This is a point of contention in politics this year since the rules are so different in this atypical candidate field. It is so interesting to hear the sound bites that are being promoted on the news programs.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's have a pitch-in!
We haven't enjoyed a pot luck in a long while. Let's have a spring pitch-in. Bring a dish to share!
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We met and enjoyed banana chocolate chip bread and had some roving conversation. Join us for a freewheeling discussion, and learn casual vocabulary and grammar on the spot.
English Classes: 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
This week two of out classes talked about questions like:
You aren't going to come to the picnic, are you?
You aren't a vegetarian, are you?
Think of these kinds of questions like this:
Are you going to the picnic?
Are you a vegetarian?
Agree or disagree with the question.
No. I am not going to the picnic. OR Yes. I am going to the picnic.
No. I am not a vegetarian. OR Yes. I am a vegetarian.
somehow: no one know the reason
How can that be?: Why
stranded: stuck someplace
really: in this case, "very"
get out: leave their homes for pleasant activities
kick off the season: begin an event
fire up the grill: BBQ or bar-be-que
popular opinion: belief or sentiment shared by most of the people
voice his own opinion: when someone has to speak for himself or herself
their actions speak louder than their words: in this case, show and don't tell
a piece of cake: easy and pleasant
ashamed: feel embarrassed or feel guilty
stocked: there are no supplies
for now: in the short term
primaries: political party election to to select the who will be the party candidate for president
point of contention: heated disagreement, argument
atypical: unusual
sound bites: short phrases taken out of context
roving: drifting and moving around
freewheeling: following no particular course of discussion
on the spot: as it occurs
presume: to suppose or guess something based on observation or to act on something in a way that shows the other person disrespect
If you loved Indiana before, you will really love it over the next few months. Have you noticed all of the beautiful blooming trees? Somehow, it can snow and become spring at the same time here in Indiana. How can that be?
With the advent of beautiful weather, people really start to get out. It's time to sharpen your lawn mower blades and fire up the grill to kick off the season.
Did you get stranded by the Carmel Marathon? The runners are still circling our house on the streets and on the trail.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read a great story where Jesus asks Peter a classic teaching question: Who do the people say I am? He asks Peter what is the popular opinion of Him (Jesus). He goes on to ask Peter, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Peter has to voice his own opinion. He tells the disciples not to tell others their opinion. Why? Jesus goes on to prepare the disciples for what would come (that He would be rejected by the priests and elders and teachers of the Jewish law, put to death, and then be raised to life on the third day). How does their not telling, their keeping quiet protect them? Jesus teaches that if people want to follow Jesus, they must "take up their cross daily and follow me." Jesus explains that they their actions speak louder than their words. He explains that to follow Jesus' way isn't always a piece of cake. That if someone is ashamed of Jesus they are not showing that they love Him. He warns that these actions can speak louder than our words (and Peter's words do speak quite loud read: when Jesus is on trial, he denies Jesus three times: John 18: 15-18 and 25-27; after Jesus is raised from the dead, He gives Peter the chance to be sure of their relationship John 21:15-19.) Even when our words and actions don't show our heart, Jesus reaches out to us to mend the relationship between us and God and set our mind at ease and teaches us how to act out that love.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's read Luke 9:28-36
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We hoped to start our gardens. The garden center wasn't stocked, yet. The best way to start your garden for now is to plant indoors.
We ended up talking a little about American politics. This is a very exciting topic as the discussions really heat up. Who will win the primaries? Why do each of the states have different rules for voting in the primaries? This is a point of contention in politics this year since the rules are so different in this atypical candidate field. It is so interesting to hear the sound bites that are being promoted on the news programs.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's have a pitch-in!
We haven't enjoyed a pot luck in a long while. Let's have a spring pitch-in. Bring a dish to share!
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We met and enjoyed banana chocolate chip bread and had some roving conversation. Join us for a freewheeling discussion, and learn casual vocabulary and grammar on the spot.
English Classes: 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
This week two of out classes talked about questions like:
You aren't going to come to the picnic, are you?
You aren't a vegetarian, are you?
Think of these kinds of questions like this:
Are you going to the picnic?
Are you a vegetarian?
Agree or disagree with the question.
No. I am not going to the picnic. OR Yes. I am going to the picnic.
No. I am not a vegetarian. OR Yes. I am a vegetarian.
When people ask this type of question they aren't sure of something about you and want to confirm their idea. They don't want to presume your answer and make a mistake with their actions. (In either of these cases, not be able to feed you in a way that you would like.)
How can that be?: Why
stranded: stuck someplace
really: in this case, "very"
get out: leave their homes for pleasant activities
kick off the season: begin an event
fire up the grill: BBQ or bar-be-que
popular opinion: belief or sentiment shared by most of the people
voice his own opinion: when someone has to speak for himself or herself
their actions speak louder than their words: in this case, show and don't tell
a piece of cake: easy and pleasant
ashamed: feel embarrassed or feel guilty
stocked: there are no supplies
for now: in the short term
primaries: political party election to to select the who will be the party candidate for president
point of contention: heated disagreement, argument
atypical: unusual
sound bites: short phrases taken out of context
roving: drifting and moving around
freewheeling: following no particular course of discussion
on the spot: as it occurs
presume: to suppose or guess something based on observation or to act on something in a way that shows the other person disrespect
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
A Public Service Announcement
大家好： 4月10号，1~4pm, 在卡梅尔高中 (Carmel High School) 收集中国签证申请材料，随后把材料递大使馆，四月20号前后拿签证。
签证$140每本，手续费$25每本。
签证有分类，大都选L旅行签证，可选10年多次出入。
要用最新签证申请表格，必须打印，不能手填。
邀请信要写上联系人姓名，地址，身份证号码，与邀请人关系，国内地址等等。
护照含照片的那页，要一份copy 件，大使馆留存。
第一次申请中国签证的华人，要递上原中国护照，以便剪角作废。
用新护照签证，旧护照如果有最近的中国签证，要附上原来签证的copy件。
儿童第一次办签证，要带上出生证原件和复印件。
十年签证的老护照过期后，可同新护照一起使用。
大家不需要办money order, 带上你们的支票本和护照材料， 4/10下午1~4pm, 来卡梅尔高中就可以了。
There is a Chinese Visa application service on April 10, 1-4pm at Carmel High School, Your application material will be collected and you may get your visa back around April 20. The visa application fee is $140, and service charge is $25. Your personal check is acceptable. Please visit Chinese Consulate website for what material is needed.
Best regards,
Chinese School of Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Inc.
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