Welcome November

 Hello, Friends.

We were back on Zoom this week for all of our classes. We have some changes in our scheduling, so be sure to check our Update Schedule to log in to your meeting on the right day at the right time. To complicate matters further, Daylight Savings ends and we are falling back. If you are not in the Eastern Time Zone and Zoom to our classes, be sure to check your clock. The exception is to our Kid's Conversation; this class is falling back to 4:30-5:00 PM on Fridays (no change for most of our International Friends; local Friends need to mark the change).

November Notable Dates

Buckle up! Novenber is a great month. The weather turns cold here in Indiana, but holiday fun is heating up!

November 6: Daylight Savings ends. Set your clocks back one hour (fall back!). For our International Students: American Sign Language, American English, and American Accent Training meet an hour later or "fall back". Kid's Conversation meets 4:30-5:00 PM EST (we meet at 

November 8: Midterm Elections. Polls are open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Schools, churches, libraries, and other local community buildings may be hosting elections, so be aware of the extra people/traffic.

November 17: International Friends Feast! Meet at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Carmel to learn to cook traditional American dishes, bring a dish to share.

November 21-25: No classes or meetings for Thanksgiving break

November 24: Thanksgiving Day

November 25: Black Friday; the first official shopping day for Christmas sales; you can officially begin to decorate for Christmas.

Literal Slang in the News

Elon Musk carries a sink into Twitter headquarters and says, "Let that sink in."

American Midterm Elections

So many great ideas and words are bandied about during an election year. This year is no different. Issues to be solved for the United States and our communities come to light or take the spotlight.

• Midterm Elections: occur half-way or two years into the administration of a president. During these elections, congressional members are elected. These elections give the American people the opportunity to influence the direction of the country and redirect the law-making arm of our government.
• GOP: Grand Old Party. The Republican Party.
• Democrat: a person associated with the Democratic Party (not to be confused with the word democracy)
• Red Wave: each party has a "color". The Republican party is red. The Democratic party is blue. States may vote predominately one party or another (a red state or a blue state) or be split (a purple state). A "red wave" refers to political shift in Congress (and local government is some cases) to a majority of Republican representatives.
• Non-Partisan: not associated with a particular party.
• Poll/polling place: where people go to vote.
• Stump/stumping: travel around making political speeches
• PAC (Political Action Committee): a group that raises money privately to influence an election, either for candidates or for legislation
• Smear campaign: a plan to discredit a public figure by making false accusations
• Race: the competition between the candidates
• Seats: positions in the House of Representatives or Senate
• Early voting: going to vote in person prior to the first Tuesday in November
• Ballot box: the place where ballots are deposited
• Mail in vote: voters cast their ballot by mail
• On the campaign trail: traveling and making political speeches for a specific candidate

The Twenty Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Twenty-Second Amendment  Presidential Term Limits

Amdt22.1 Historical Background

Amdt22.2 Doctrine and Practice

Section 1

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

Section 2

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM, Zoom

We opened with three riddles:

1. What did the ocean say to the beach?                                             Nothing, it just waved.

2.  Why did the tomato blush?                                                         It saw the salad dressing.

3.  What do you call a bear with no teeth?                                                        Gummy bear.

iReviews emailed with the following article about The Top 26 Resources for Learning Sign Language.

November 1: Our teacher is out of town, so we plan to review what we have learned. This is a good time to join us!

American English Class: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

We talked about the many "tools" that help expand language study. Finding the right tools to build your repertoire (pronounced rep i twa) is half the fun of learning!

November 3: Prepare the "D" and "E" word lists from 1000 Words. Get ready for some emergency conversations like talking to an officer, dialing 911, etc.

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

The class concentrated on the short "o" sound. Bill's Tip is a great example as the sound as well as an example of the Update this week!

Bill's Tip: Hodge Podge

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM, Zoom

We had a nice little meeting. Kids in other countries mainly celebrate Halloween as a part of studying English. This is very interesting and helps us to understand how American culture impacts American language.

November 4: Come and chat! The best way to expand and grow your English is to use it with friends.

buckle up: get ready for fast moving or bumpy events

come to light: gain awareness

heating up: become more active or intense

take the spotlight: gain attention; take attention from others

Schedule Changes, Meet Up and More

 Hello, Friends.

We had a great Fall Break and we had our first in-person tailgate meet up for all of International Friends at CLC. While it was chilly to downright cold, we had a great time. It was great to get together and see each other in person, to share snacks, and to celebrate being together. We made new friends and our children got to meet one another. We were super happy to have 19 Friends and Family meet up! Thank you for coming. Mark your calendars for our November 17 Feast.

Carving Your Jack o Lantern and Halloween

We did not carve our pumpkins...This Wikihow To Carve a Pumpkin has great demonstration videos as well as tips for carving a pumpkin into a Jack-o-Lantern. Even seasoned carvers can learn a tip or two. Pick up a set of pumpkin carving tools from Walmart or any grocery store or drug stores. These tools can make your carving so much easier. If you want to hold off, you can often pick them up on clearance after Halloween and save them for future carving. This year Halloween is on a Monday, this means that you can start your celebration by carving over the weekend!

Pumpkin carving is not just reserved for Halloween. People carve pumpkins for Thanksgiving decorations as well as for fall weddings.

More About Pumpkins

Pumpkins are an important part of our fall fun and decorations. You may have noticed the many types of pumpkins out 

Halloween Final Preparation

Halloween is a great celebration in the United States. If you have not already noticed, people love to decorate with fun and chilling lights, spiders, ghosts, pumpkins and so much more.

Each community sets time for trick or treating. Check this schedule from Fox News to find you what time to expect visitors. Some neighborhoods or homes host hot dog roasts or coolers with adult beverages to help everyone have fun.

Turn on your porch light or decorate your house to signal that you want trick or treaters to stop by. 

By the same token, if you are taking trick or treaters out, look for homes that are decorated or have porch lights on. 

Be Safe: 

• Be sure to look over your children's candy before allowing them to eat any treats. 
• Be sure that all candies are store-bought and wrapped. 
• Watch for traffic. 
• If you are driving, watch for children.
• Carry a flashlight to see and to be seen.
• Keep pets safe in your home (dogs or cats love to dash out the door and join the fun).
• Dress for the weather...Indiana weather can change quickly this time of year.

Popular places for family fun:

• Boo Zoo: Wednesday, October 26, 2:00-7:00, Indianapolis Zoo
• Newfields Harvest Nights: ends October 30, 7:30-10:00 PM, Newfields 
• Headless Horseman at Connor Prairie: Thursday-Sunday, 6-10:00 PM, Connor Prairie

If you are looking for something a more, find more spooky fun on Fright Find. Some of these places are open all year. Some of the locations listed are restaurants or hotels with a good story or history.  You can enter an address and find phantom fun all over the United States. 

Changes to Our Schedule

Notice the changes to our class/meeting times. If you could not meet with us because of your schedule, maybe you could not meet with us before, but the class fits your schedule now. Current Zoom Links have been adjusted.

American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM, Zoom

American English: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom

The Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Prohibition was repealed with this amendment.

Section 1 Repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment

The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2 Importation, Transportation, and Sale of Liquor

The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Amdt21.S2.1Discrimination Against Interstate Commerce

Amdt21.S2.2State Regulation of Imports Destined for a Federal Area

Amdt21.S2.3Imports, Exports, and Foreign Commerce

Amdt21.S2.4Effect of Section 2 upon Other Constitutional Provisions

Amdt21.S2.5Effect on Federal Regulation

Section 3 Ratification Deadline

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

by the same token: in the same way or for the same reason

chilling: frightening, scary

clearance: final sales to clear store shelves

coolers: a container that holds ice and keeps food and drinks cold

downright: positively, absolutely

repealed: revoked, annulled, no longer a law or legal/binding committment

Meet-up and More!

Hello, Friends.

For a fall break, I did get to see so many of you. And I got to see and catch up with a few Friends who are living the life here in Indiana. It was so nice to see them again and hear about what they have been doing since leaving our classes. Keep in touch. Join our socials when you can. Shoot me an e-mail. I think of our alumni often and like to hear what you are doing.

Classes and meetings continue on the regular schedule this week with the exception of our English Classes on Thursday. We have our first, in-person meet-up as a school in place of our Zoom classes. We will open the Zoom room, so you can Zoom over and say "Hi" if you don't live locally.

Our First Meet-Up

October 20, 10:00-12:00, at Cornerstone Lutheran Church: 4850 East Main Street, Carmel

Join us for a pumpkin carving, tailgate in the parking lot. 

Bring a snack to share. Bring your own drink. 

Bring a pumpkin to carve into a Jack o Lantern (bring a knife and a large spoon)

Come to meet and chat and socialize in person. Bring your family, friends, kids. Everyone is welcome, even if you are not currently taking classes with us. 

American English Accent Observations and Tips

I got to sit in on the American Accent Training Class and learned about many fun places to visit in the Indianapolis area. This class is doing a great job listening and hearing American English sounds and subtilties. One note that is important when learning English is that "often what you hear is very different from what you see on paper." English is not a phonetic language, so when words are "borrowed" from other languages, they often retain a close to original spelling, even when it breaks English phonetic rules. As a rule, the standard American Accent is the Midwest accent (like the one you find here in Indianapolis!). Sometimes there are acceptable, subtle differences in pronunciation. 

Have

We use the word "have" in many different ways and contexts.

• have: possess
• have to: must, need to
• have at it: to try or do something, do something with great energy
• won't have it: not tolerate something
• have it all: possess or get everything one wants 

Sandhill Cranes Are Back

Indiana is a flyway for Sandhill Cranes. The Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area hosts these travelers. The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) counts of the migration begins in October and generally lasts through the end of December. Click here to see the current count and to learn more about the migration, the best time to visit and see this natural wonder.

November Elections 

Midterm elections are an important part of the government cycle in the United States. Many local governmental positions are filled. This year, school board elections are front and center. Carmel Clay Schools have three open positions, but voters cast their votes for three board members across the district. Click on the link to learn more about this important election and hear the candidates answer questions. Carmel School Board and Panel Interviews from the Hamilton Country Reporter

The Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

This amendment sets dates for terms of office and provides for the succession of office holders. Read more.

Section 1

The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

Section 4

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

Section 6

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission. 

Bill’s Tip: bottleneck

aviary: pertaining to birds

catch up: talking with people to find out what has happened since they last saw each other

flyway: a route regularly used by migrating birds

lasts: continues to exist through a period of time

living the life: enjoying all the things that life has to offer

natural wonder: something or someone that is amazing 

ratified: gave formal consent, make official

sit in on: attend

succession: plan for replacing leaders

October Days

 Hello Friends.

I am sorry for the late Update. It was a busy weekend full of moving and family. Lucky for us it's break week.

October is a busy month for our Friends:

Fall Break Oct. 13 & 14: American English class and Kid's Conversation are not meeting

Pumpkin Carving Tailgate Oct. 20 In Person (and on Zoom) at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 4850 East Main Street, Carmel. Meet in the parking lot (indoors if weather is inclement we will meet indoors) 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.

• Bring a pumpkin to carve.
• Bring a sharp knife and large spoon.
• Bring tailgate snacks to share.
• Bring your own beverage.
• Bring your family and friends.

Get Out There

Downtown Indy Events: Fall festivals are firing up downtown. Bookmark this site to keep up to date with fun events.

Only in Your State: Find fun in the state where you live or where you would like to visit.

The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Women's suffrage campaigns in the 1800s gave women voting rights on a state by state basis (with Kentucky being the first state). This right became a Federal law in 1920. Read more.

• Understanding America: 100 Years of Women Voting is a video briefing with a transcript to follow along or to understand words you may have missed.
• League of Women Voters: is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that provides a great deal of information and resources for all American voters.

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

Technical difficulties made for a short class. Class vocabulary review continues.

October 10: Introduction and review of Fall vocabulary and The Lord's Prayer. Here are two videos of the prayer. This Lord's Prayer video helps to understand the attitude of this signing. This video helps to understand the words or vocabulary as well as variations of the meanings of the words.

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30 AM, Zoom

Back together again. Bill's Tip was Jump through hoops.

October 13: American Accent Training is Zooming.

October 20: Meet up to experience the American traditions of tailgating and pumpkin carving for Halloween (and other festive, fall holidays).

American English Class: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM Zoom

We are moving our meeting to 9:00-11:00 AM to accommodate our Asian Interntional Friends with the Daylight Savings/Time Zone change.

We talked about number pronunciation and number conventions in the United States. How we say "personal" numbers like house or phone numbers is different than how we talk about amounts. 

We also talked about writing a check and how American number conventions work when both writing and speaking about the check.

October 13: No class. Fall Break

October 20: Meet up to experience the American traditions of tailgating and pumpkin carving for Halloween (and other festive, fall holidays).

October 27: Back to class. Be ready to go through the "C" words from the 1000 Word List. "C" can be pronounced a number of ways. In order to be understood, be sure to use the right pronunciation.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00 PM, Zoom

We learned about field day in Brazil. We play many of the same games. Field day in Brazil lasts three days and even has opening ceremonies!

October 15: No meeting. Fall Break.

October 28: Let's talk about getting ready for Halloween and Halloween in our home countries.

accommodate: adapt of change to fit the wishes or needs of another person

follow along: read at the same time as watching or listening

get out there: leave your comfortable home and have some fun

made for a [something]: caused [something]

say: talk about or pronounce

talk about: refer to or explain something

Welcome October!

 Hello Friends

October is a very special month in the United States. We celebrate some major cultural holidays over the next few months. Look for Halloween decorations. This holiday is second only to Christmas in outdoor yard displays! Halloween shops are popping up in vacant stores. These are great field trips!

To celebrate the season...

Mark your calendars for our in-person meet up:

Thursday, October 20, 10:00-12:00 at Cornerstone Lutheran Church 

4850 East Main Street, Carmel

To tailgate and carve pumpkins for Halloween

We will meet in the parking lot to have a tailgate party. This is a parking lot party before a sporting event or concert where people meet and share snacks or food. Bring food to share and a pumpkin to carve for you Halloween decorating. Everyone is welcome! Bring friends and children and meet up with old friends and new friends.

• Bring something to eat to our tailgate.

• Bring some delicious thing to eat to our tailgate party.

Storytelling

Everyone likes a good story. Storytelling Arts of Indiana is just that. You can go to listen (and watch the ASL interpreter) to a storyteller weave his or her magic. Most events are free (but you need to register) and may be in person or virtual or a hybrid. 

Fun to Ponder

How we say a word or words make a difference. Consider the following words. There is a little difference that can make a big difference.

something or some thing: We say and write these words together and they function as a pronoun. We only separate them if we add an additional descriptive word in between. 

someplace or some place: 

sleep over or over sleep

The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

This amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment. Read more about this now defunct amendment.

Section 1

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Section 2

The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Section 3

This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

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

Emergency weather language as it relates to hurricanes. We found that we generally understood about 85% or more of the signs. Some of the signs we "missed" were either quickly transformed into another word, were a bit stylistic or maybe local. Look how information about Florida is signed. The interpreter's left hand was the state of Florida and the right hand demonstrated what Governor DeSantis was saying. This signed map is a clever visual presentation and shorthand.

October 3: Meet and explore new topics and practice stringing our vocabulary together.

American English: Thursday, 9:30-11:30, Zoom

We had a very productive meeting. We compared the word advocate to similar words in our home languages. An advocate takes the side and the cause of another or others. In America, advocates may or may not be personally involved. Some advocacy agencies are hired. We covered the "A" words in a favorite 1000 word list. 

October 6: Be Prepared:

1000 Word "B" List
Email three goals for the class.

American Accent Training: Thursday, 9:30-11:30, Zoom

Class met for a brunch meet-up to end the month of September to practice social skills....
October 6: Business as usual on Zoom.

Kid's Conversation: Friday, 5:30-6:00, Zoom

We learned about field day in Japan. Games include running races, tug of war and, martial arts "dance". We also had a drive in the Indiana countryside and got to see harvest equipment and fall farm fields.
October 7: Hear and ask questions about field day in Brazil.

business as usual: return to normal events after a break or different program
clever: ingenius, inventive, origional 
defunct: no longer functioning
ponder: think about
shorthand: a short or quick way of saying something
stylistic: eloquent; skillful way with words
thereof: the thing mentioned
weave magic: mesmerize, entrance