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!
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
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!
at odd hours: at different and sometimes unusual times
brings home: results in something to become more understood or recognized and acknowledged
creepy crawlies: bugs, insects
died off: sudden decline in a plant or animal population not due to human causes (weather, disease, etc.)
odd bits: this and that, small and unusual, and not matching
point of reference: something used to judge or compare to something else
showed up: came to do the work (as opposed to appeared or came to not work. Context is important!)
talking points and position: topics of interest and individual's opinion and action plans
tip jar: a container for collecting gratuities often by musicians or the cash register
up to: doing
No comments:
Post a Comment