Hello, Friends.
I posted this in the wrong place! My apologies!
This week has so many days and events to observe and celebrate.
Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday or Carnival, February 13: In many Christian-based cultures a day of celebration precedes Ash Wednesday and Lent. Everyone celebrates a little differently: in the United States Mardi Gras parades and parties in New Orleans, Louisianna are famous. Here is a calendar of the events in NOLA.
Ash Wednesday, February 14: Ash Wednesday kicks off the Lenten season in the Christian church. You may see people with ashes in the shape of the cross on their foreheads (or hands). Ashes are a symbol of repentance for sins against others and God. This article from the Indy Star describes the practice of Ash Wednesday and answers common questions. You are welcome to attend services at Cornerstone Lutheran Church at any of the sites. Click on the link for more information.
Valentine's Day, February 14: Be sure to show your love to your Valentines! Flowers, candy, cards, jewelry and sweet words and punny phrases. Here are some catchy tag lines and slogans from Brandon Gaille: Small Business & Marketing Advice.
The Chinese character for hair is the first character in the word for prosper. Therefore washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away.You’ll also want to avoid purchasing footwear for the entire lunar month, as the term for shoes (haai) sounds like losing and sighing in Cantonese.
Tweaking English
Our Worksheets and Handouts Page has a fill in the blank practice exercise using talking words.
Meetings and Classes
American Sign Language: Tuesday, 5:00-6:00 PM EST (UTC -5), Zoom
We had a wide-ranging conversation. Our vocabulary was stuck in review mode.
February 12: Let's stretch! We will talk about "others" this week including using the pronouns "we" and "them" and naming, describing, and discussing groups and their characteristics. Be on the lookout for people groups to describe and talk about but not gossip...or maybe...
International Bible Study: Tuesday, 8:45-9:45 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We read and talked about Revelation 6-9. These chapters can be difficult to understand because they are written about frightening and potentially unknowable events. We discovered that disasters listed are repeatedly suffered by humans. That Jesus is the one to open the seals demonstrates that he is in control of the situation. We know from the Bible and from Jesus, himself, that he loves and protects us. There is comfort in knowing that God is in control of these events, and we can rest easy when we keep our focus on him.
Prophetic books are unusual; we talked about how we have to take the written words at face value.
Revelation 6 When we considered the five horsemen and what they bring to the Earth, we realized that humans have and will repeatedly disasters, but knowing that God has our back and that Jesus is in control is a comfort.
Revelation 7 This chapter is itemizes and describes who will be preserved. The heavenly realm worships. John (who is in the throne room of Heaven) is quizzed by an elder and is given the answer. The poem at the end of the chapter describes God's people and how Jesus leads and preserves them. Comforting reminders to face the things to come.
Revelation 8: Jesus breaks the seventh seal. All is still then trumpets are given to seven angels to announce the next events. One angel is given an incense burner (a double edged sword: prayers and salvation; judgment and destruction) and the smoke brings the prayers of God's people to him. Fire is thrown from the burner to earth carrying physical destruction of 1/3 land, water, and the heavens.
Revelation 9 The Fifth and Sixth trumpets announce disaster as never before seen pours out on the earth. Imagination can run wild as we try to envision what John is witnessing. He describes using the words "is like". Even through these terrors and plagues, some people persist to follow evil paths.
February 13: Join us as we begin with Revelation 10.
American English and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We met in person and celebrated Valentine's Day and birthdays. Our mixer was to take on an identity and use "I" statements to promote our identity. We also shared delicious sweets and exchanged White Elephant gifts. The morning passed too quickly, and we had great fun.
One suggestion that came out of our meeting was to share our pictures via Instagram. I am looking into creating an Instagram account for International Friends. Help!
February 15: We are back on Zoom. We practiced presenting ourselves and role play alter egos. But, speaking another language is about connecting with other people. This next we week are focusing on "them and they". How does a person connect with others? What are opinions and values that can get in the way?
Get your crayons and a blank piece of paper ready as we get colorful with doodling to explore how drawing and color can help us creatively process and retain information.
Many of us are on job hunts. Let's continue to talk about the practices of getting and retaining a job as a reflection of ourselves as well as the "others" in American organizations. What is acceptable and unacceptable and how do we avoid burning bridges?
Writing prompts for reflection:
- What is different about how your home country approaches a job search and what is expected in the U.S.?
- It's a Gamble: reflect on a time when you took a risk and the outcome.
- How do you move from "them or us" to "we"?
Kids' Conversation and More: Friday, 4:30-5:00 PM EST (UTC-5), Zoom
We shared Martin Luther King's life and learned a little more about him. We discussed whether there are human rights figures in Japanese culture
February 16: Look in to the early life of president Abraham Lincoln. What was he like as little boy and growing into a man. What events shaped his character to become one of the United States greatest presidents.
Words and Phrases
alter ego: an alternative personality
be on the lookout: watch for
burning bridges: damaging relationships beyond repair and creating a negative reputation within a community
covers: reports about
double edged sword: something that has two seemingly favorable and unfavorable consequences
figures: heros...try searching Japanese human rights figures and see what you get?
NOLA: New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is pronounced N'AWlins, locally (and by those who have been there)
plays on words: clever or creative ways words can be used to convey a different meaning
preserved: kept safe and whole
role play: act out or perform a character or situation
take [something] at face value: the apparent significance or value; as stated
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