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Hello, Friends.
The shortest month begins with a really long Update. What a busy and interest week we had. What an exciting week is coming. Keep your eyes open for words this week; we will be talking and building brainstorms.
Groundhog Day came and went. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club (established in 1881) provides the most up to date information on Spring. Other areas of the country may rely on their own groundhogs for local predictions. And the result is.....Phil saw his shadow. This means six more weeks of Winter!
Speaking of funky pronunciations: February. We love this guy and his pronunciations: February. Mirriam Webster has the two common American-style pronunciations. How have you heard it?
We keep coming up with new words or ...? Have you been watching the news? MAHA and MAHA Moms trended this week (probably the RFK Jr. confirmation hearings made this mainstream). Make America Healthy Again is the "mom" movement. Parents want their children to be healthy and live quality lives.
February is Black History Month
February is African American history month. The president first signed this proclamation in 1976 and continues today. Learn more:
February Fun
February 22: Pro Volleyball at the Fishers Event Center! Find out more and buy tickets.
Devour Indy munch away your winter blahs at a new or favorite restaurant. Try a special menu or dish or special just for Devour through February 2.
She L.E.A.D.S. Conference is an opportunity to attend a conference and learn more about American culture and meet and practice your networking skills. Let Carolyn know if you are interested...Should we get a table?
Things to Do in Hamilton County offers a list of fun and informative things to do locally.
Superbowl Sunday: one of the greatest holidays in the United States. Watch the game. Watch the commercials (companies pay the big bucks for spots). Get together with friends for snacks or meet at a sports bar. CBS Sports is the place to go to learn more.
American Culture
Valuing Cars and Car Maintenance
Cars play an important part of life in the United States. While we may love the idea of mass transit, it is not practical for most of the United States. So, we drive cars. Many people buy used cars. These are offered from dealers or from private owners.
Car maintenance, insurance, and value all come into play when deciding to buy (or sell) or repair a used car. Kelly Blue Book and Edmonds are two places to find out what a car is worth and worth the repair. A car is totaled when the cost to repair is greater than the value of a car.
Car Inspections. Some states (and countries) require an annual inspection. An official (government required) car inspection includes emissions, breaks, and lights (including break lights and turn signals). These are required in some states (and countries), but do not guarantee a car that is foolproof. Your car can still break down. Buying a used car has risks and also rewards (it is broken in) but may have maintenance expenses or repairs (After all, someone does not want it any more). This article from Edmonds details the advantages and disadvantages of a mechanic inspection. Google "used car inspection" for a list of mechanics. You might rely on a friend or family member that is a car fanatic to help you decide on a car that you find on Next Door or with a For Sale sign. Having a mechanic go over your car before a road trip is a good idea to make sure you don't get stranded.
Buying (or Selling) a Used Car. If you are looking at a used car from a private owner, if you can take the car to your mechanic to see if it is in good running order.
Maintenance can include a big-ticket item since many cars survive well past 100,000 miles. One example is that the timing belt needs to be replaced. This means that the radiator is pulled and the water pump is replaced with a new pump (because they tend to go out now; often when your water pump goes out and your mileage is up, your mechanic will advise you to replace your timing belt). This is pricy maintenance, but worth the bucks if you want to keep your car another 100,000 miles.
An older car with a rough interior or exterior that still runs well enough to get around town is called a "beater". People will get an older car with high mileage for the "kids' car".
On another note, a good number of our Friends have Uber and Amazon and Door Dash side hustles. They strongly recommend these opportunities to see neighborhoods and amenities while making a few bucks.
American English: We are on the same page
Sorry is used to apologize. It is also used as an affirmation. When someone gets something wrong, "Oh, sorry. That's right" means "I was wrong. You are right. Forgive me." Other ways we are saying "right" or agreeing:
- 100 percent!
- Absolutely
- Affirmative
- Alright
- Certainly
- Heck yeah
- Of course
- OK
- Right
- Right on
- Sure
- Totally
- Uh-huh
- Yeah
- Yep
- Yes
- You bet
International Friends Meeting Notes
Join us! Click here to register.
International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom
Jacob draws close to where Esau lives in Genesis 32. He sends almost half of his flocks as a gift and divides his family (in case they would be attacked). He prays to God and admits his fear of meeting his brother. In this chapter, he wrestles with God all night and dislocates his hip. God blesses Jacob and renames his Israel.
The reunion between Jacob and Esau is a happy one. Jacob stays behind with his family instead of going ahead with his brother to their home in Genesis 33. Jacob buys property and settles apart from his brother. We talked about why this might happen versus him going to their home. The Torah.com gives a great discussion of the event in light of Jewish customs and history as well as insight into Jacob's character.
God makes promises to Jacob in Genesis 28:13 including that he would give Jacob the ground he is sleeping on. The story continues to disclose that his promises had absolutely nothing to do with his heritage location. God is faithful in keeping promises (God Affirms His Promises to Jacob). These do not always work out the way people expect and even when their imperfections seem to derail, God is trustworthy.
February 3: We continue with Genesis 34. Things get real.
American English and Culture: Thursday, 9-11:00 AM, Zoom
We listened to each other and then worked on specific instances developing an understanding of phrasing, cadence, grammar, etc. in a variety of specific situations. We brainstormed several specific instances. Class members can review our work in the Zoom Chat (the whiteboards are there). There is a lot of information, so please take advantage of it.
February 6: Bring a list of your personal "professional" words to explore in grammar, context, and pronunciation. Bring your resume and we can look at your specific professional (and personal) history.
American English and Culture: Thursday, 7-8:00 PM, CLC, Carmel, room 102
We never know who will be able to make it. Tonight was "girls night". We burned through four whiteboards. Sorry. We were so caught up in the moment that I only got a picture of the last one. See our Notes and Handouts page. Scroll down.
February 6: Warm up with conversation. We will go from there. Bring a resume as a backup.
American English for Kids: Thursday, 4:30-5:00 PM, private Zoom
Funny animals are the topic of the week. We watched a YouTube of funny animals and then listened to stories about a fictional animal. Our Friend did a great job telling an extemporaneous story! She included humor, repetition, introductions, and conclusions just to mention a few features.
February 7: We are talking nonsense. Be prepared to sound clever, but really not say anything. Make up words, facts, associations that lead nowhere. Groundhog Day is a good example of nonsense talk. This is always fun and funny.
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