Goodbye November; Hello December!

 Happy Holidays, Friends.

I hope that you had a filling and fulfilling Thanksgiving. I hope that your Black Friday shopping was successful. I hope that your Cyber Monday helps you clean up on deals. We are on the festive fast track now! And to begin the season we are treated to our first snowfall!

Lights...Lights...Lights

Don't stay home! Get out and enjoy the Christmas Lights. Drive through holiday light experiences. Travel the neighborhoods and look for displays choreographed to synchronize with a radio station.  Wrap your scarf over your mask and take a walk on the Monon in Carmel or head to the Zoo or Newfields. 

• Visit Hamilton County has all of the area light spectacular.
• Best Lighting Displays in Indianapolis has a nice list of traditional destination favorites as well as drive suggestions.
• Carmel Holiday Fun: Lights On the Monon, Santa Letter Boxes (see where and how to get your letter to Santa) and the Santa Tracker to see where and when Santa will be coming to a neighborhood near you!
• If you want to go farther afield try some of these Illuminating Destinations.

TV Classics

Pop the popcorn and snuggle in with some hot chocolate to enjoy some classic holiday viewing.

• Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic that includes the true meaning of Christmas. Watch on WFYI December 13 at 7:30 and here is a great article the Behind the Scenes
• Frosty the Snowman watch the entire (25 minute cartoon) here on Bing.
• It's a Wonderful Life is my husband's favorite. Don't miss this favorite with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.
• Miracle on 34th Street
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas: this one is the best!
• Hallmark (the card and gift company) aired delightful holiday romantic movies. Watch Hallmark Channel for a continual fix or enjoy a seven day free trial if you don't have cable access.

COVID-19

Pfizer's Vaccination is in the air, literally. The vaccination is being flown to distribution points in the U.S. as well as abroad for distribution as soon as it is approved.

COVID-19 Tracker has all the latest statistics and links in one place. Follow vaccination development, find trials to participate

Immigration Update

The USICS issued update on policies for people who did not properly receive lawful immigration status. The onus is on the immigrant to file and maintain proper documents. Applicants are ineligible if permanent residence is obtained in error or fraudulently. Remember that immigration status is a federal issue and not a state or local issue. Be sure to follow official channels. Be informed. The Policy Manual is straightforward.

Answers

• Avoid Scams and Report Fraud keep yourself safe and protect others from harm.
• File Online and Manage Your Case to be informed about your paperwork and your case regardless of whether you are using a lawyer or have another representative (you are ultimately responsible).
• Job portability (changing jobs within classifications) can be allowed; file the proper paperwork.

Our Classes and Meetings

Stories and More: Mondays, 10:30-11:30

Pick up your packets for the rest of our year... 

November 30: We begin our crafts and stories leading to Christmas!

American Sign Language: Mondays, 5:30-6:30

We are starting to use what we have learned to have some conversations. It's important to know niceties in a language to open communications. 

November 30: Join us! We are going to use our newest food vocabulary to talk about our Thanksgiving weekend. Email Carolyn for access to our lists.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30

In Luke 4: 14-30 Jesus is then led to his hometown. Jesus reads the Torah and proclaims the prophesy of Isaiah fulfilled. Interestingly enough, the people who knew him best did not believe him but wanted more from him. Interestingly enough, he was tested and tempted by the people in a similar manner as by the devil in the previous story!

December 1: Join us as we finish our discussions of Luke 4.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00

I prepped my turkey with a bacon basket this year! This looks like it will become the norm in our household.

December 1: Join us as we chart our course for the rest of the year.

We resume our classes this week. See you Zoom! 

Afternoon Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00

English Classes: Thursday, 9:30-12:00

End of the Week Conversation: Friday, 10:30-12:00

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

On Thanksgiving, many families take time to tell what they are most thankful for. My Dear Friends, I am thankful for you! Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your willingness to join our Zooming experiment. Thank you for sharing your lives, recipes and friendship with each week. 

Love, 

Carolyn 

An Opportunity! Sign up!

 

Thanksgiving Week! Buckle Up!

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 Hello Friends,

The feasting season is here! My sister posted this reminder in her kitchen. Traditionally, Thanksgiving includes:

• Dinner with turkey and all the fixings.
• Macy's Day Parade on the television: 9:00-12:00 on NBC.  Preview the floats, see the entertainment line up! The webpage is wonderful! Be sure to visit.
• It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without football to sleep off your feasting! Check out the schedule!
• Plot your Black Friday shopping. Get ready to shop the Black Friday deals. While we are warned to stay out of the crowds, I think we can still figure out how to shop for the best deals!
• Plot your Cyber Monday deals. Don't get too shopped out...You can safely shop on-line on Monday.

Now the fun really begins. Maybe we are stuck at home, but maybe this is the very best way to celebrate!

Virtual Free Fun

Tour the new Fishers Fire Station virtually.

COVID 19 Advice and News

The US Government advice for COVID 19 over the holidays remains the same: wash your hands, socially distance, wear your mask when you can't socially distance. Thanksgiving has put a little more strain on our decision making: to gather or not? Here are CDC Guidelines for the week.

A  Light at the End of the Tunnel

Pfizer applied for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccination. This vaccination has proved to be 95% effective (which is really, really, really good) and safe. The vaccination by Moderna is close also. Timelines could see the vaccinations rolling out to vulnerable populations and healthcare workers before the end of the year! Read about Operation Warp Speed goals, partners and processes.

Stories and More: Monday, 10:30-11:30

We missed our Friends this week. Be sure to make your Indian headdress for Thanksgiving! Keep a lookout for an email to pick up your December and January packets.

November 23: No Class. Happy Thanksgiving week!

American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:30

We reviewed and attempted conversations using our vocabulary. It is intriguing to apply English in a new way. Fingerspelling and reading fingerspelling can be challenging. It is great to learn new ways to communicate as well as enhance our communication skills.

November 23: Let's meet to touch base, review our new vocabulary and chat about week 6.

International Bible Study: Tuesday, 9:30-10:30

Luke writes in the fourth chapter that after Jesus was baptized he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This  marks the transition of John the Baptist's baptism to a baptism in the name of Jesus (for the gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2: 38). Luke then tells about a supernatural encounter between Jesus and Satan. Jesus goes into the desert for 40 days (where he eats nothing) and is tempted by the devil in three ways:

1. In the first test (Luke 4:3-4), Satan attempts to appeal to Jesus' ego and physical hunger with a taunt. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 3:8 where God has provided Israel food in the wilderness.
2. In the second test, (Luke 4: 5-8) the devil's lie promises power if Jesus worships him. Jesus' quotes Deuteronomy 6:13 that says to only worship God.
3. In the third test, the devil quotes Psalm 91 to turn faith into a challenge. Jesus has had enough and answers: "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Deuteronomy 6:16. Jesus turns a warning into a threat.

The devil leaves Jesus until an opportune time... 

November 24: Join us as we talk about how Jesus is treated when he returns to his hometown.

International Friends: Tuesday, 10:30-12:00

We talked about making new traditions. The significance of this holiday is that it celebrates freedom of religion by being thankful for the gifts of food, family and home and the country. How we celebrate is by getting together with friends and family and sharing a feasting meal! This year we are being encouraged to not gather together but to gather apart. We talked about how many of us are separated from family and make a new family and traditions while here in Indiana.

November 24: Join us for a cook-along. We will prep turkeys, stuffing and cranberry sauce...We will talk about our pitch-in recipes and maybe prepare them, too.

Here are our recipes: make your shopping list and let's cook!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00

We are all working hard on developing our knowledge and skills in English as well as living in the United States and the world during COVID-19. Advantages of learning in our homes: 

• Learning in the place where we are continually reminded (and distracted) helps us to apply what we are learning to our everyday life.
• We are saving time in travel: it is easier to sit down in front of our computers and spend a few hours together.
• We can study close and far away. We are only limited by time zones (but do we really need to sleep?).
• We don't have to miss a class or meeting when the weather is bad.

November 26: No Classes. Happy Thanksgiving!

Conversations

Afternoon Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00

End of the Week Conversation: Fridays, 10:30-12:00

Keep the conversations going! Talking to your Gen Z friends and family. The Gen Z Dictionary compiled at IU (Indiana University) can help you keep in touch. Here is a great news clip from WTHR to listen and learn.

And speaking of books...Tsundoku is the Japanese word for buying books and not ever reading them. This great article talks about this obsession or affliction! There is even a support group on Goodreads (which is pretty funny since that is a website that encourages this behavior!)

November 25 and November 26: No Meetings. Happy Thanksgiving!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

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 Hello Friends,

As we go into this holiday season there are warnings for gatherings. Non-essential meetings are moving to Zoom or other platforms. We are being encouraged not to travel or gather together over the holidays. Things change. Individually and as a community we here at International Friends are always experiencing and building new traditions. We have hosted wonderful gathering for Thanksgiving over the many years of International Friends. Usually we meet and learn to cook dishes and prepare a turkey. Then we pitch-in and feast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before Thanksgiving. This year we are cooking solo (and prepping on Zoom on Tuesday).

Since coming to the United States, many of you experience Halloween American Style. Even this year with its restrictions, we had a great time. I am sure Thanksgiving and Christmas will be no different. As human beings, we can find joy and still touch base with each other. We can adapt! 

Welcome November

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Hello, Friends.

November launches a season of holidays and traditions.  Meanwhile, keep you eyes open for fun activities and events to celebrate. When you find something fun, be sure to let me know so I can pass the word along. We are enjoying some beautiful weather. Get out and have fun!

Arts and Entertainment:

Antigone: Butler University students present this Sophocles timeless play in a modern setting and modern English language. High school students and older are the recommended age. Live performance tickets cost $5.00; otherwise you can watch a virtual performance. You can watch the livestream performance at 7:00.

Sandhill Crane Update: The sandhill cranes make a major migratory stop in Jasper Pulaski Park every year. Sign up for updates for the numbers as they pass through. Meanwhile, you can listen for the distinctive call of these birds. They fly very high, so seeing them may not be possible.

Voting and Elections

We talked about the election and the election process. In the United States, we rarely do not know who is the president days and days after the election. This is a really close race and every vote counts. No one can predict what will happen. No one can claim victory. States have announced recounts. Questions have been raised about accuracy. There are a good number of stages to go through. The first Monday after the second Wednesday in December (December 14, 2020) is when the Electoral College electors meet in Washington D.C. to cast their votes. 

Stories and More: Monday, 10:30-11:30

We read Bob and Rob and Corn on the Cob. There is a nice surprise at the end that you can't help but enjoy. This great song helps to learn shapes.

 November 9: We will do more fun projects and read a great book. Go for a walk and find shapes and collect flowers, leaves, acorns, pinecones for your fall wreath.

American Sign Language: Mondays, 5:30-6:30

We had a strong review of fingerspelling and numbers. We reviewed question words: who, what, when where, why. 

November 9: Growing our vocabulary with colors, family, emotions, common phrases and more. Adding to our vocabulary is helping us to expand our ability to converse freely.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30

We read about John the Baptist at work in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord in Luke 3: 1-20. John preaches about repentance or turning from harmful practices. He draws people from all walks of life and proclaims the good news. John advises Herod and is thrown in jail! 

November 10: Join us as we read the rest of Luke 3 and the baptism of Jesus and Luke provides Jesus genealogy. What

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00

We cooked delicious chilaquiles. Cooking from scratch to taste is such

November 10: Let's cook Japanese food Miso Soup and Rice Balls:

Rice balls:

• Japanese style rice
• salt
• canned tuna with oil
• mayonnaise
• toasted seaweed
• plastic food wrap

Miso soup ingredients:

• Miso (from the refrigerated section of the store)
• Fish broth (dehydrated type is recommended like the brand Hon Dashi)
• Tofu (soft is recommended)
• Green onions
• Deep fried tofu
• Other vegetables to your taste

Preparations:

• Please cook the rice in advance
• Keep the rice hot!
• Prepare the fish broth according to package directions

November 17: Let's talk about getting ready for Thanksgiving. What is this holiday and why is it so important to Americans? What are our favorite feasting foods?

November 24: Let's prep our turkey and sides.  

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00

Building vocabulary is an important part of language acquisition. Here is s portion of another list of 1000 words to look over. 

English Study Here has plenty of lists and cheat sheets to help you advance your knowledge.

Conversations

Middle of the Week: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00

End of the Week: Fridays, 10:30-12:00

Conversations are always great. There is no way to prepare for all the twists and turns. We enjoyed talk about family, politics, and family politics. We demonstrated an example of an argument going South with some lively back and forth. We talked about the historic events in this presidential election and that we are in for the long haul until this election is over.

We talked about the things we like to collect including all those great boxes that come in our door.  We ended our week with this lighthearted look at boxes with this book: Not a Box