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We posted not one but THREE Sorry! What Did You Say? episodes this week. Who knew there was so much to talk about and listen and learn? Listen, like, comment to let us know what you think or what you want to hear.
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Hello, Friends.
Spring is in full swing! Every day gets greener. You might think that winter has gone away, but here in the northern hemisphere, conventional wisdom (and the Farmer's Almanac) tells us to wait to plant until after Mother's Day (in the U.S. this is the second Sunday in May). We have forgotten about sunburn and sunglasses and have to relearn these lessons.
April is famous for rain and rain and rain. But, do not be surprised if wintery mix and snow covers all the beautiful blooming bushes and bulbs. But as the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers...that would be for your garden, be patient and wait for Mother's Day.
International Friends Wrap-Up: Memoir Month
We start with an elevator pitch, which is a very short and engaging conversation starter that tells who you are or what you need or what you can provide. We are ending the year with a memoir. A memoir is a reflective story about an event or events that relate the storyteller's emotions, memories, and experiences that were life changing.
April 9: Talking about a memoir. A slice of your life.
April 16: Priming the pump: three things that stopped me in my tracks (from Now Write! Nonfiction Sherry Ellis) Notice three things that stopped you in your tracks throughout the week. What is common about these things? What is uncommon?
April 23: What is the conflict? Who is the hero? Stories need conflict to move them along.
April 30: Watch one. Do one. Teach one. How does your learning, experience, and then help someone else learn inform your memoir?
May 7: Last day of classes...Pizza party! Bazbeaux Pizza 111 West Main Street, Carmel
Personal Safety
Sometimes you just do not feel safe. You
can not quite put your finger on it and maybe you
shrug it off. In the United States, the police are there to help you and to help others from becoming victims of the people who commit the crimes. Gavin De Becker's book The Gift of Fear addresses the many ways that people can become victims or be manipulated.
Wikipedia has a nice summary of the points.
Do not feel silly if you feel unsafe (fear). Take action and be prepared.
People may have been told/taught by some conventional wisdom that they are being racist or are making decisions based on feeling uncomfortable because the people around them are different. On the other hand, people have been told/taught that they are unsafe because of their race. Be prepared and rational. Do not let doubts override a gut feeling. And remember
The UCLA Police Department posted this article: Personal Safety—Be Prepared. This is common advice from many American police. They are here to help.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself and also discourage those who commit crimes.
- Always be alert and aware of the people around you.
- Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
- Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots.
- Street Precautions
- Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you—especially if you are alone or it is dark.
- Whenever possible, travel with a friend.
- Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible.
- Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide.
- Walk confidently at a steady pace.
- Make eye contact with people when walking.
- Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street—continue walking.
- If you carry a purse, carry it securely between your arm and your body. Although a purse-snatcher's intent is to steal the purse, your personal safety may depend on not clinging to it.
- Do not use or wear anything that will impede your vision or hearing (i.e. iPods).
Car Safety
- Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle.
- Park in well-lighted areas.
- Have your car keys in your hand so you don't have to linger before entering your car.
- Check the interior of your vehicle for intruders before entering your car.
- If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police or sheriff station.
- If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antennae. If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police, sheriff or a tow truck service.
- Don't stop to aid motorists by the side of the road. Make a phone call requesting help for them.
While Waiting for a Bus
- Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
- Try to avoid isolated bus stops.
- Don't open your purse or wallet while boarding the bus—have your pass or money already in your hand.
- Keep jewelry out of sight; don't flash jewelry; turn rings around so the stones don't show.
On Board Buses
- During off hours, ride as near to the bus operator as possible
- If someone bothers you or makes you feel uncomfortable, change seats. Inform the driver of the situation.
- Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket.
- Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands.
- Be alert to pickpocketers on crowded buses; check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you.
Office Security
- Never leave your purse or wallet in plain view or in common accessible areas.
- Don't leave cash or valuables at the office.
- If you work alone or after business hours, keep the office door locked.
- If you work late, try to find another worker or a security guard to walk out with you.
- In an elevator, be mindful that there is a distress alarm on the control panel.
- Be alert for pickpocketers on crowded elevators.
- Report all suspicious persons and activities to the proper authorities (office manager, building security, law enforcement).
- Be aware of escape routes for emergencies and post the police and fire department numbers near telephones.
Finally, if a crime does occur...REPORT IT! Everyone should consider it his or her responsibility to report crime. Many criminals develop favorite areas for committing crime, as well as predictable methods of operation. When you report all the facts about a crime, it helps the police assign officers in the places where crimes are occurring or where they are most likely to occur, and your report may help prevent a crime from reoccurring.
At least half of the crimes in the Unites States go unreported, either because people don't think the police can do anything about it, or because people don't want to get involved. If you don't report a crime, this allows the criminal to continue to operate without interference.
In many cases, it is the information provided by victims and witnesses that leads to the arrest of a criminal. So, tell the police as much as you can; no fact is too trivial. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens.
International Friends Meeting Notes
International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom
We reviewed Hebrews in light of Leviticus. This book parallel and describes how Jesus is the perfect and final sacrifice. We talked about how the Word and the Spirit of God touches us individually and uniquely. As we considered Jesus' Passion in Matthew and then read the explanation of Hebrews we can only end with a common understanding and meditation to take us through Easter in Hebrews 13: 20-21
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
April 6: We return to Leviticus and chapter 13.
American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00AM- 11:00 AM, Zoom
Vocabulary and Context:
As we talked our spring break plans, we reviewed time and sequence phrases for the future and the past. Here are some examples:
Future: Tomorrow I have class. On Friday, we have a team meeting. This Sunday is Easter. Next Sunday, we leave for Florida. The Sunday after that we return and go back to school the next day. In two weeks, my presentation is due.
Past: I haven’t seen my family in Japan since we moved here three years ago. Last year we planned a trip, but we had to cancel it.
Last Tuesday was her birthday. Last week we threw her a party. The week before that, I took her shopping for a new dress.
On our anniversary we will have dinner at a nice restaurant. We have been married for 39 years.
We also discussed “Safety” as a practical and cultural concept and compared our language acquisition experiences.
April, 9: Reflecting on experiences you have had in the past is a good way to begin your memoir. Think this week about a personal story you could share at our pizza party in May. Tell us details about a meaningful event in your life. What did you learn from the experience? How has it informed your life since then?
American English for Kids: Friday, 6:00-6:30 PM, private Zoom
This YouTube channel called Up and Atom (a great pun on the idiom "up and at 'em" (them)) that has many science and math videos. This video explains Entropy: the most misunderstood concept in physics.
April 10: What Is Quantum Physics? from CalTech and here is a great documentary from PBS Nova series: Decoding the Universe: Quantum. This is a great program. This field of study is so interesting and mysterious. You will love it!
Words and Phrases and Resources
beautiful blooming bushes and bulbs: this is a phrase that begins with the letter "b"; when a phrase begins with the same letter it is called an alliteration and adds interest and "color" to your message
cannot quite put your finger on it: identify a specific reason or source
feel silly: discount your instincts
in light of: draw knowledge from or take into consideration
inform: give facts for someone to use
memoir: a nonfiction narrative that focuses on a specific period, theme, or event in the author’s life, emphasizing personal memories and emotional truth
