Good bye April Showers Welcome May Flowers and Racing Season

Hello Friends,

We are wrapping up our school year. This week we had what was for some our last classes. The next few weeks are more about social and parties!

NO ZOOM CLASSES OR MEETINGS THURSDAY: WE ARE MEETING AT CORNERSTONE LUTHERAN CHURCH 10:00-12:00 FOR OUR END OF YEAR PIZZA PARTY. JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

Over the years we have embraced the American tradition of saving the summer for families and friends and swimming pools and parks and festivals and camps and travel and concerts. Our staff will be meeting and planning for the upcoming year. Email us and let us know what you need/want to learn:

1. What are your favorite things about International Friends classes and meetings?
2. What could we do better?
3. Do you want to meet in person or on Zoom or a combination?
4. What topics are interesting (or hate but maybe need to know)?
   (Think "Never have I ever..." and what would you like to know or do.)

• Living in Indiana and the United States
• Writing for myself or for others
• Listening and hearing to be better understood and to understand
• Punctuation 
• General grammar
• Accents and pronunciation
• Vocabulary building
• Anything else?????

Local Fun

Hamilton County Arts and Events including work spaces, artist works to see

Westfield Summer Concert Series Check out free and fun concerts in Westfield.

May means racing!

May 3: 500 Festival Kick Off on the Circle

May 6: Mini Maration: Friends and family can make a big run around the city of Indianapolis including running on the track.

See the Calendar for the entire month

Indiana Primary Election: Tuesday, May 2

Indiana primary elections are Tuesday. For Carmel this election is important in determining what candidates will be on the ballot for the general election in November. Read about this race.

Dad Jokes

Dick Wolfsie (an Indiana comedic writer) observes the impact and legacy of dad humor.

Constitution of the United States of America, Article 1, Section 9

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

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

We practice our conversation an added an reviewed many words. It is amazing how far we have come this year.

May 2: Practice and converse! Grow your skills in signing and talking.

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

We recapped legacy discussions from the previous week. This helps us to tighten our story and message to suit the situation. 

Grammar-refresher: adjectives/adverbs

• Adjectives describe nouns. They answer what kind, which one, how many/much, or what color.  Example: My friendly neighbor stopped by today. OR My neighbor is friendly. She stopped by today.  
• Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They answer when, where, why, how, how often, to what extent. Example: We walked very slowly to the park yesterday. 

Mechanics: Spelling, punctuation, capitalization

• Hyphens are not as common as periods, commas, and question marks and other punctuation help a reader understand the intention of the writer. Many learners (even native speakers of English) find mechanics challenging. 
• A style manual help you make sure your writing is clearly and correctly "glued together" to make it easy to read and understand. Also, sharing your writing with others helps identify what to correct or clarify. 
• The book Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss illustrates in a humorous way why punctuation is important. It might be a fun summer read for you.

Legacy conversation wrap-up:

How we might perceive "our legacy" at a particular age in the future (and practiced citing a future age!) stretch vocabulary to include conditional terms. 

May 4: End of year pizza party at Cornerstone Lutheran Church 10:00-12:00. No Zoom.

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

Ahhh. This is always a great group! The last class was no different. We are ready to practice our American Accents in party mode!

May 4: End of year pizza party at Cornerstone Lutheran Church 10:00-12:00. No Zoom.

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

We had a nice visit and great conversation practice on Friday. Everyone is busy with school and is learning a lot. 

May 5: We each have special assignments next week. It will be excellent to get together and hear about how the weekend and week went.

comedic: humorous

embraced: incorporated something into customs and traditions

party mode: in the mood and frame of mind for fun and parties

recapped: restated in summary or review

tighten: improve, expand, strenghten

Whew! The Weekend Flew By!

Hello, Friends.

A very busy weekend! Read the class notes for food for thought. 

Quick Thoughts

Where are you on the American English spectrum. Your actual skill in speaking may seem to be not as developed as your neighbor. But, depending on your mindset, you may be more fluent that someone born in the United States. 

• Surviving
• Striving 
• Thriving

The Constitution of the United States, Article 1, Section 8

This section of the Constitution itemizes the duties of Congress. Compare these with current questions and issues. 

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

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

We took a break. Family and health visits took the priority.

April 25: Come together on Zoom

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

We had a great conversation and listened and decoded "can" and "can't". These two words can be confused. He and she can also give people problems (even American English speakers!). We observed and talked about all the dimensions of understanding and being understood. 

April 27: 

• For three people write their ages using "have a" vs "is": (for example: I have a XX year old son. My son is XX years old)
• Continue legacy discussions. What do you want your legacy to be? Or what do you think your legacy will be? Does that change as your life changes?
• Listen for can vs can't. Was it clear and easy to hear?American English Class: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom
• Bring five (or ten--yow! my fault) vocabulary words to share.

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

April 27: Join us for the last official, hard working class of the school year! May is party town!

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

We had a great discussion about our lives. 

April 28: Join us to chat about the best things in life.

food for thought: ideas to be savored and enjoyed and pondered

mindset: manner of thinking, mood

party town: a time of having nothing but parties!

April Showers, Downpours, and Deluges

Welcome back, Friends!

It was nice to see each other again both in person and as a meet up. We are winding down our official school year (because people are way too busy in the summer to take a class). Now is the perfect time to try our classes and see if you would like to continue with us in the fall (or meet up occasionally over the summer).

In recapping the week, there is so much to talk about from our meetings and conversations. Be sure to visit the class recaps to see what we are up to as well as find new and relevant words and ideas.

Fun Stuff to Do

Events in Hamilton County in April

Earth Day is April 22: celebrate our planet!

Virtual Events for Earth Day

May Days

500 Festival: It's never too early to plan for the month of May in Indiana. Check out the 500 Festival schedule and start planning!

The Tipping Points

In the United States, tipping or giving someone a gratuity is common practice. During the pandemic people generously showed appreciation to all servers or the people who showed up to provide food, haircuts, stocked shelves, did our dry cleaning and so much more. The Food and Wine Article: Wait, Are We Really Supposed to Tip 25% Everywhere Now? discusses what was happening before the pandemic and the new normal in service and tipping.

As a point of reference, Mapped: How Much Should You Tip Restaurant Staff in Every Country identifies tipping conventions in other countries. On this list there are notes about tipping 10%, but be aware that in countries it is offensive to offer or leave a tip. When you travel, though, always tip in the local currency. I have had traveling companions think that leaving U.S. change is a nice add to the tip jar...Small amounts of money are as useful as throwing in the bottle cap from your beer.

Lions and Tigers and Ticks, Oh My!

Spring in the Midwest wonderful. Get out and enjoy hiking in the woods, fishing, camping, concerts, picnics... Spring can be scary! Creepy crawlies are coming out and some have never died off. Aside from being irritating, bites from insects can carry and transmit disease to humans and pets. Fun fact: some insects hitch a ride on your dog or cat but since you use repellent the jump off in in your home or even in your bed! 

• ticks
• fleas
• mosquitos

Avoid the pests when outdoors:

• Wear long sleeves and pants.
• Tuck your pants in your socks to keep pests from crawling up. 
• Wear a hat.
• Check yourself (and each other) for ticks. Pay close attention to head and hair.

Find the Repellent that is Right for You from the EPA has a great search tool to help you find a bug spray for every occasion.

Insurance

The field of insurance includes many career opportunities. In the United States protecting yourself and others from financial loss may be mandatory. 

Insurance brokers and insurance agents as well as the free market offers great career opportunities. What is the difference between a broker and an agent? The Indeed Guide Broker vs. Insurance Agent: What's the Difference? offers explanations to hone your career options.

Overall, a brief breakdown of the types of insurance offered either as bundle or individually can include:

• Healthinsurance.gov offers the federal answers to health insurance.
• Car Insurance Laws by State from FindLaw can help you discover differences between states.
• Homeowners Insurance may not be required by law, but it may be required to get a mortgage. Renters Insurance is a companion to this topic.
• Property Insurance protects from loss due to fire, water, etc.

Meet the Candidates

Understanding community issues can happen by looking at the candidates running for election and their identified talking points and position. Meet the Candidates running for public office in Hamilton County.

The Constitution of the United States: Article 1 Section 7

Taxes were due. Is it a coincidence that our Constitutional reading is about taxation? I think not!

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Drop-In

We had a great drop in on Monday morning at Lemon at Needlers. We had the chance to mingle with local Friends and staff from American Accent, American English and American Sign Language. We had neighborhood people drop in to say hello. They were happy to see old friends and neighbors as well as were attracted by our lively and happy conversation. We learned so much from each other and shared odd bits of information and vocabulary. One of our newest Friends observed that the group gradually lost a strong individual accent as they listened and chatted. 

June 12: The Next Drop-In at Needler's, 10:00-12:00.

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

Back on Zoom brings home some of the challenges of ASL and comprehension. Being able to manage the space this language demands is critical. That being said, Zoom is part of our social and work experience and helps us to communicate in real time with each other in a visual way that was not part of our culture.

April 18: Join the conversation and expand your experience!

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

Our small groups shared the heroic figures in their lives. Our larger group met our newest Friends. As we became acquainted, we chatted about key elements of language, understanding and being understood including the observation that the more people you talk with the more blended your language skills become. One of our vocabulary phrases was "forewarned is forearmed". This idiom can be a pronunciation conundrum that can be solved with a smile; when saying "forewarned" you mouth stays as an "oh no" and "forearmed" is said with a smile. This tweak is a quick fix to problematic vowel sounds as well as informs the message with great facial expression.

April 20

• Conversation topic: Think about what you would like YOUR legacy to be. 
• Bring five or so new words or expressions to share with us (in English, but it could have originated in another language). Often one small word or the rhythm of a phrase can change its meaning.
• Review subject and object pronouns pay special attention to "he" and "she". Bring questions, observations and challenges.
• Street naming conventions.

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

Our Accent Training leaders announced their retirement at the end of the year. Never fear! Kathy and Gene plan to attend Drop-Ins and other events. We are thankful for their years of helping us grow. American Accent is a critical part of being understood and understanding our beautiful language.

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

We welcomed a new Friend (who is also family!) and had a wonderful time getting to know someone new. Practicing listening and answering at odd hours of the day can be tough when you are just waking up or winding down for the evening. We talked about (and showed each other) knickknacks (yes, that is the correct spelling or maybe nickknack). One of our Friends is enjoying learning about symmetry and math calculations. 

April 21: 

• Be prepared to talk about one happy thing (and be prepared to ask each other about it).
• Make something showing bilateral symmetry using pancakes or brownies or maybe even the best of both worlds brownie pancakes!