Go to our webpages for more information. Class times are Eastern Standard Time (or GMT-5).
Hello, Friends.
As January winds up, you may already be seeing signs of spring. I saw a small flock of robins and sprouting daffodils. What do they know? You may be seeing signs of summer, too! This week there have been announcements for summer camp registrations opening (like Adventure Camp at Connor Prairie).
Our families are getting back to school. Children are getting back in the classroom. College students are moving back on campus. Some of our classes and meetings are growing. Some of our classes and meetings are seeing less people. Be sure to keep in touch! We are worse than your mom and want to know that you are ok!
People are Saying...
Shopping Etiquette: We wait in line to check out. If someone has only two items and you have a full cart, it is rude for them to cut in front of you. They may ask to go before you or you may offer for them to go ahead of you. Otherwise, they need to wait their turn.
Interrupting Others: When someone is talking and you want to jump in...You can say, "Excuse me, can you tell me [where to find the potatoes]?"
Swearing In: The new president and cabinet were sworn in or took the oath of office. It is the official ceremony. American custom is to place their right hand on the Bible and the oath comes from Article II of the Constitution:
FYI: this is very different from our "swearing class" where we cover rude words.
Answering "You don't, do you?" For example, "You don't wear your mask at Costco, do you?" If you answer "yes" you are agreeing that you don't wear your mask at Costco. If you answer "no" you are disagreeing and you do wear your mask at Costco. In American English "yes" does not always mean that what is being said is correct. Substitute the words "that is right" or "that is correct" fits the answer you want to give. Obviously, we all wear our masks at Costco, so you would want to say, "No, I wear my mask."
Foodie Movies
We do love food and to talk about food. Bingeable series on Netflix:
- Midnight Diner: Japanese with English subtitles stories about a diner that is open in the wee hours.
- The Great British Baking Show: a baking competition show that pits amateur bakers against each other.
- Street Food: travel the world and learn the stories of fabulous favorite foods prepared by people for people.
Stories and More: Monday, 10:30.
Join us to read a story and do so much more. Packets for February and March are on Carolyn's porch for pick up. If you don't live locally and want to join our classes, register or email Carolyn. We will send you all the information you need for your preschooler to meet with us on Zoom and make friends.
January 27: Join us as we talk about staying well.
American Sign Language: Monday, 5:30-6:00.
We met and practiced conversing. We were surprised at our ability to "read" each other after our few short weeks of meetings. Join our conversations and expansion of our language abilities!
January 27: Continue the conversation with us. We will start by catching each other up with what we did during the week. We have a nice collection of career terms to sign about.
International Bible Study: Tuesday, 9:30-10:30.
We talked about Luke 5:27-32. In this story, Jesus calls a tax collector named Levi. Tax collectors were known for their collecting above and beyond what was due the Roman government at that time. This Jewish man was not liked by the people because he took advantage of his own people on behalf of himself in the name of the oppressive government. Jesus accepts an invitation to be the guest of honor at a dinner party of Levi's friends who were also tax collectors. Pharisees and teachers of the law "who belonged to their sect" complained to Jesus' followers asking why Jesus would dine with sinners (ironically, Levi changes his name to Matthew and writes the book connecting Jesus' and Jewish traditions and history). Jesus tells them that he came to call the sinners to repentance not to call the righteous. What an interesting turn of phrase. We talked about the fact that the church is a home for sinners. We talked how forgiveness requires trust and belief. We talked about forgiveness being an important part of a healing process. If you don't forgive: that can kill us.
January 28: Join us for Luke 5: 33-39 where Jesus is questioned about whether his followers should be feasting or fasting.
International Friends: Tuesday, 10:30-12:00
There was just a few of us on Tuesday. We shared things that make us happy. It is fun to see what things bring us joy. Some are practical and some are practical and fun at the same time! We talked about using Maggi Sauce to doctor up our dishes. We pondered whether the vaccinations have risky side effects and the efficacy of herd immunity. We talked about trending words like umami (the sixth flavor well known to Japanese people but new to the rest of the world) and hygge (creating a cozy or homey atmosphere which is why we love sweaters on our hot water bottle!).
January 28: Join us as we
Afternoon Conversation: Wednesday, 4:30-6:00
We enjoyed talking about poetic devices. As an analogy and alliteration always accents and alphabetical letter. Poetic devices help capture and express an idea or image.
We talked about "back of the envelop" calculations (how poetic is that!) or when calculations are made informally. We noticed that the headlines read "Biden signs slew of executive orders."
January 27: Join us to see what way the conversation wind blows!
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
Each week we meet to learn English and to talk. Sometimes we just need to reach out to each other. Please check in so we know that all is well with you! Either email or text your teacher or contact Carolyn at our email address.
January 28: Classes are in session. Check in!
End of the Week Conversation: Friday, 10:30-12:00+
Sometimes we have weighty conversations about family, school, jobs, COVID, children, parents, and more. Other times we need to talk about our favorite subject: food. We compared cultures. In America we talk about getting three squares a day. This means that we are in the habit of eating three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner or supper. We eat snacks in between, but there is some negative "press" about eating snacks, so most of us don't want to admit it! We found out that many of our Friends have five standard meals a day! Wow! They have discrete names and are part of the eating culture. We talked about grains (What kind of rice do you have at your house?) and beans. In the U. S. we tend to use potatoes as our filling vegetable, but many other cultures use rice.
January 29: Join us for conversation. Bring what is on your mind.
Did you know that all the underlined words in our Update are defined? Click on the read more to see the vocabulary!
cut in front of you or jump ahead of you: when someone steps in line ahead of you
wait their turn: stand in line and wait for the people in front to finish first
wee hours: late at night into the early, early morning
amateur: not professional; for pleasure and not for profit
staying well: not getting sick: wash your hands!!!!
on behalf of: for the benefit of
oppressive: inflicting unjust hardship on a minority or subgroup
guest of honor: the most important person at an event
sect: social, religious or philosophical group of people
ironically: unexpectedly, paradoxically
writes the book: becomes the source of information
turn of phrase: a striking, clear and memorable statement
doctor up: add seasoning or flavors
ponder: think about a weighty (heavy) or complex topic
side effect: a symptom caused by a vaccination or medication (for example a sore arm)
efficacy: the level to which something produces the intended result
herd immunity: when most people (or animals) have immunity and a disease can not be passed to others
trending: becoming popular
analogy: an example or comparison
slew: many, a lot
what way the wind blows: what direction our conversation takes...it is determined by the wind and who can predict that?!
in session: are being held
check in: let us know you are ok
weighty: important, serious
discrete: specific or unique
filling: food that leaves people feeling satisfied
on your mind: what you are thinking about and want to talk about
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