The Greatest!

Dear Friends,

Saturday, May 4 is Star Wars Day: May the Fourth be with you!
Saturday, May 4 was the running of the Kentucky Derby
Sunday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo: celebrate with tacos and a Corona beer! This Mexican holiday is celebrated in the states, but not so much in Mexico.

May in Indy is a wonderful time of the year. Saturday kicked off racing month with the Mini Marathon that started in Indianapolis, runs past the zoo out to the Brickyard and back to Military Park. Runners get to run on the race track. While Saturday was gloomy and wet (which seems to be the weather pattern this spring for our long races), it was a great day for racers. There was some talk about whether the runners would kiss the bricks since they would be wet. This tradition went unbroken.

Check out the schedule at the Brickyard: Indianapolis 500

• Click on the events tab to see all the racing including practice events, Grand Prix, concert and so much more.
• There are many community events in which to to participate. One favorite is to rock your race gear on Fridays for a discounts at various restaurants.

There are more than 50 Programs and Events planned as a part of the 500 Festival throughout the month of May. May 25 is the 500 Parade which is televised internationally (the only other American parade is the Rose Bowl Parade). Watch to see the new pace cars around town. People may break out models from the past in true Indy500 spirit.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, room 100.
Our Bible Study class wrapped up the twentieth chapter of John, which describes the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his first appearances to his followers. Their responses mirror our own as we consider today what Jesus’s resurrection means. Some people believed immediately. They remembered what Jesus had predicted during his ministry, put the facts together, and accepted his resurrection as genuine. Other people believed after being presented with indirect evidence. Their initial doubt was removed when they received further information such as the empty tomb and the way the grave clothes were neatly left behind. Finally, some people, like Thomas, only believed when they were provided with direct evidence. They saw Jesus with their own eyes or even placed their finger into the nail holes in his hands. In her book, The Women of Easter, Liz Curtis Higgs writes, “The Lord’s resurrection is the most glorious, victorious moment in history.” We have enjoyed reading and discussing this Gospel of John, which is an eyewitness account of Jesus’s life, death and resurrection.

We finished our study of John with the last chapter on April 30. Jesus revisits the disciples while they are fishing. Jesus brings peace, reconciliation and closure to the group over a meal of fish.

May 7: No Meeting.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, room 100.
We had a great Food Challenge! I am so planning to do that again! I made squirrel in the crock pot (just Chicago steak seasoning so everyone could taste the meat). We feasted on 1000 year egg, duck stomach and pig knuckles with wide noodles, a Chinese "bread" dish, cow tongue, red velvet cake, spicy cheezy popcorn, Chinese snacks, pork lettuce wraps Hong Kong style, 100 percent dark chocolate, sweet rice crackers (they go great with beer). Everything was so delicious.

May 7: We are "down to the wire" for our meetings. This time of the year can make me begin to feel sad and nostalgic because our year is coming to an end. To combat the blues, bring something that brings a smile to your heart and the story that goes with it.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:00-11:30 or 12:00, Upstairs Classrooms
We only have two more meetings. Don't miss your chance to see your friends and practice, practice, practice.

May 9: We will have our annual end of year pizza party!

Parents with Children: Thursdays during our English Classes
This week we learned the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty. Saying Humpty Dumpty is fun. The rhythm of the rhyme is so pleasant and it is a usual meter: 8, 8, 10 10 or an AABB pattern. Is there significance to this rhyme? The oldest documentation says that Humpty Dumpty is "egg" Dutch "or some such language". The meaning? If an egg falls and breaks no one can put it back together (not even a king's army). Some people like to try and ascribe a political riddle, but its just for fun. In terms of language learning, the pronunciation and rhythm help practice the cadence and stress on syllables that make up the sound of English.

May 9: No official Parents With Children lessons, but we will have crafts and games at the pizza party.

Free concert.

whether: if; a question of if conditions are met

tradition...unbroken: a practice that continues to occur 

rock your race gear: wear clothing and accessories in a certain theme; racing gear can include caps, shirts, fan gear, black and white checkered anything.

break out models: display, show, bring out from storage

wrapped up: completed; finished
mirror: reflect
predicted: foretold
genuine: real; actual

indirect evidence: not seen first hand, hearsay

direct evidence: by a witness

revisits: meet again to discuss or finish business

reconciliation: restore friendly relations

closure: the feeling that an emotional or traumatic event has been resolved

over a meal: a meeting during a meal

nostalgic: wishing for the past
combat the blues: fight sad feelings
brings a smile to your heart: makes you happy; give you contentment

ascribe: attach a meaning

cadence: beat