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Hello, Friends.
Time flies!
Here in the United States we have shifted into holiday mode. Two weeks to Thanksgiving. Five weeks to Christmas. Family feasting and festing plans are in full-swing. Hang on to your hat! Make time for friends. The season is made for socialization and celebration. While close family visits are the norm, people show love and appreciation to friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers.
International Friends is celebrating our Traditional Thanksgiving Feast November 19 in person at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel beginning at 10:00 AM. Bring family, friends, and a dish to share.
Writing is Good
Holiday Greetings
Chit chat is a great way to practice your language skills. During the holidays, people can be particulary friendly and chatty. Holiday greetings open a conversation. Look in their shopping cart!
- Happy Thanksgiving: Turkey, pumpkin pie. Then say Happy Thanksgiving!
- Merry Christmas: Decorations, baking goods, wrapping paper. Then say Merry Christmas!
- Happy Holidays: Sweep the whole month with this greeting no matter what anyone has in the cart.
- Thank you: if someone greets you a simple thank you, and "You, too" is the best response.
Holiday greetings can open the door to more light conversation. Chit chat or small talk is not just a way to grow your language skills, it also can give you a sense of well-being and contentment. These feelings are also experienced by your conversation partner. By small talk or chatting, you are spreading Holiday Cheer.
How small talk improves well-being; Psychology Today
American Culture: Generosity and Giving
The American culture of generosity is never more evident than during the winter holidays. This giving culture is trust-based. Food pantries and other outlets providing clothing and household goods may ask for proof of need. On the other hand, resources may be made freely available using an honor system. BUT, some people take advantage of these services either intentionally or unknowingly by taking:
- More than intended
- More than needed
- More than specified
- Just because it is there
- When it is intended for someone else
Breaking this trust is seen as hording, greed, and stealing.
The Halloween example is when someone puts a bowl of candy on their porch during Halloween with a note "to take one". Ring cameras show adults helping themselves. Children grabbing handfuls or people dumping the whole bowl in their bag. Halloween is for the kids and the rules are simple and stated: take one.
When is it free and avoid the free for all:
- Take one or the amount specified.
- Take your turn.
- Ask if you can have some or one and say thank you.
- See who the "gift" is intended for: kids, seniors, college students, military, police, fire, parents
- Follow any instructions
- Make sure you are invited (don't be a gate-, wedding-, party-crasher)
- Say thank you
International Friends Meeting Notes
Practicing your American English is important. Join us! Click here to register and get the Zoom links. Or come to Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel.
International Bible Study: Monday, 8-9:00 PM, Zoom
We flew through Numbers 21-24. We had so many interesting discussions. God continues to lead the Israelites. There are grumblings, consequences, and redemption in Numbers 21. There are blessings and prophesies. There are angels and talking animals and people who are rebuked for short tempers and taking their feelings out on animals (and God says "no" to that).
Psalm 105 provides a great overview. This recitation is in poetic form that lends itself to memory.
November 9: Numbers 25-30
American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 9:00-11:00 AM, Zoom
Finding the proverbial statements in American language for describing predictive outcomes from following processes was our opening topic. American sayings include: the proof is in the pudding or the rubber meets the road. And when worrying about the possible outcome you might sing Que Sera Sera.
Holiday fun an planning as well rounded out the day.
November 19: Join us in person. Learn to make a traditional roast turkey. Bring a dish to share. Bring your family and friends.
November 26: Happy Thanksgiving! No meetings.
December 3: Welcome back to the last meetings of the year.
American English Language and Culture: Thursday, 7:00 -8:30 PM, Room 102, Cornerstone Lutheran Church-Carmel
We are moving our meeting time to 6:00-7:30 PM beginning (December 2).
No meeting this week
November 19: Start with a winter holiday conversation.
November 26: Happy Thanksgiving! No meetings.
December 3 meeting at 6:00-7:30 PM
American English for Kids: Friday, 7:00-7:30 AM, private Zoom
No meeting this week. Getting ready for tests.
When studying for a test, the point isn't to pass the test. The point is to make the information your own. A test is just external evidence that you know what was intended to be taught. Make the information your own or own the information.
- "Play with your words" while you study. This helps you make different "paths" and "places" in your head so the facts can pop out when you need them.
- Don't overthink it. What you are studying is sticking. Trust your brain to do its job.
- Studying and learning is what we as humans are made to do.
- As you study, make the information your own.Create "whiteboards," rhymes, songs, doodles, adventure "games" can tie it all together.
November 20: Preparing for holidays and saying thank you.
November 27: Happy Thanksgiving! No meetings.
December 4: Welcome back!
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