February brings....so many chances to celebrate!

Welcome to February, Friends.

February is the shortest month of the year, but that is no reason not to celebrate often. Here are important dates on the American Calendar this month:

February 2, Groundhog Day: yes, we look to a giant rodent in Pennsylvania to give us hope that spring is on it's way.

February 7, Superbowl: the final football game that pits the two top teams. This year Payton Manning of the Denver Broncos is quarterback. He played for the Indianapolis Colts for years and is the man behind Payton Manning Children's Hospital on 86th Street.

February 8, Chinese New Year: This wasn't a big holiday until recent years. Be sure to make mochi/red bean soup and give red envelopes.

February 9, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras: This is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This is the party day and the feast day before the time of reflection during the Christian season of Lent. This is a big holiday in the French/Creole areas of the United States (think New Orleans). Celebrate with some good Cajun food and King cake!

February 10, Ash Wednesday: This day begins the Christian season of Lent (40 days before Easter excluding Sundays-which are not fast days). Lent runs until Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday). On Ash Wednesdays, many Christians attend church and get ashes placed on them as a sign of penitence. While fasting isn't a required practice, many Christians will give up something of value to them (chocolate, smoking, tv, video games, etc.). Other people will add something that shows love and service to others (collecting canned goods, saving pocket change, picking up trash, shoveling for neighbors, etc.).

February 14, Valentine' Day: show your sweeties some love! Kids exchange cards or small gifts at school. Families have special meals. Everyone gets involved (unless you gave up chocolate for Lent!).

February 15, President's Day: George Washington's birthday is observed. Back in the day we used to get Washington's (February 22) and Lincoln's (February 12) birthdays off. There were too many holidays, so they combined them into President's Day.

February 28, Oscar Night: Put on your evening gown and see which American films win awards for all things related to the Hollywood movie production. What is the Academy of Motion Pictures pick for the best actors, film, short film, cinematography, costumes?

February 29, Leap Day: we get one extra day this year to account for all those extra seconds and minutes not accounted for over the last four years! Another good reason to celebrate!

That's it? Not hardly! There are other days like Cherry Pie Day, Walk the Dog Day, and Public Sleeping Day! Don't miss a moment!

FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, Room 100
We finished reading Luke 6 where Jesus is teaching about judging others (we are not excused from determining right from wrong and we are not excused from having a hypocritical and critical attitude toward others), about how we act and particularly how we speak is evidence of our character. Jesus teaches that His advice is reliable: like building on solid ground so that when the troubles of life threaten to overwhelm us because we follow His advice we and our families won't be swept away (Luke 6:46-49). Matthew 7 is the parallel chapter for this reading.

February 9: Let's read Luke 7:1-17. Luke gives us specific examples of people who fulfill the teaching of Jesus teaching.

International Friends: Tuesday, 10:30-12:00, Room 100
Yaying taught us to make delicious rice ball soups Taiwanese style for the Chinese New Year. She also taught us to make Sesame Balls from scratch! Wow! Delicious! I can't wait to make this for my family this weekend. Hyuna brought us baby boc choi kimchi. She is the kimchee master!

February 9: Let's make Valentine Chocolate treats and cards for our sweeties!
Sayuri and Beth will show us how to make some delicious chocolate treats. Bring card making supplies and we will make Valentines. I will be in the mood for a Mardi Gras lunch! Plan to join me

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classrooms
Elizabeth was back and brought a delicious Austrian Plum Cake. We talked about what we would do if we had baby sitters and time to spend with no responsibilities. We talked of onsen, going into the mountains and zip lining, festing...

February 10: Read Unit 16 to build your romantic vocabulary just in time for Valentine's Day.
We expect a full house!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
Where have you been? Our class numbers have slowed down. Yes, it is winter. Yes, we may have colds and flu. Yes, it was snowing. This is one of the finest times of the year to come out and practice your English! We miss you!

February 10
That being said, I may not be at class at all on Thursday! I have been called to serve on jury duty! This is the first time in a very long time that I have been called. When a person is accused of a crime in the United States, they present their case before a judge and jury with lawyers to speak for and against them. The judge presides to make sure the law is being followed and the trial is fair. Whether the person is guilty or not is determined by 13 jurors. They have to agree that yes there is enough evidence to prove that the person is guilty. The judge, then assigns the sentence or fines. Jurors are citizens of the United States in the community where the crime is committed. I may be excused on Wednesday evening if they don't need me on Thursday, or I may have to appear on Thursday and not get picked for jury. Whether I serve or not, it will be a great experience!

This list is "slang-o-licious":
is the man behind: sponsor, the philanthropist, the person who "foots the bill"
we look to a giant rodent: we get advice from a really big rat-type animal
think New Orleans: when imagining what this could be be, imagine something like...New Orleans in this situation
fasting: not eating for a period of time
That's it? Not hardly!: is that all? No there is so much more!
Don't miss a moment!: be there for ever second, have a great time
parallel chapter: is another reference; tells the same information/story
fulfill: are an example
full house: everyone to come
That being said: but
presides: watches

Hello, Friends,

We will experience a true January Thaw this week complete with spring-like rains and temperatures. Don't be fooled! Winter will return. Since we are all eagerly looking forward to spring, in the United States we look to the ground hog to be our predictor of spring! Watch to see if we will have six more weeks of winter on February 2. Will Puxatawny Phil (the famous ground hog in Pennsylvania) see his shadow?

Keep washing your hands! Cold and Flu season is still with us. Have you had a sinus infection or an ear infections? Be sure to take all of your antibiotics so that you can be cured!

International Bible Study, Tuesdays 9:00-10:30, room 100

We read Jesus' command to "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." This advice is amazing. How hard is it to speak kind words to someone who is rude to you? How hard is it to smile and wave and acknowledge someone who "flips you off" or honks at you when driving? How hard is it to help a neighbor when they have spread mean or untrue rumors about you? How hard is it to reach out toward a child who has hurt your child's feelings? There are many times in the day when we can continue to carry the anger and hurt that is passed to us from others and let that become our way of life and eat up our our thoughts. Jesus shows us another way. He says, "love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back....and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

This reading also contains The Golden Rule: Jesus teaches in Luke 6:31--"Do to others as you would have them do to you." 

February 2: Let's read Luke 5:37-42. Jesus teaches us about judging others.

International Friends, Tuesdays 10:30-12:00, room 100

We feasted on Hot Pot, nabe, kimchee and chocolate fountain. Wow! How delicious. This is such a nice way to share a meal. By cooking and eating out of one pot on the table, you can enjoy some delicious conversation on these very cold days.
To make the dipping chocolate, combine a bag of chocolate chips with 1/4 C of of Coconut Oil. Heat them in the microwave on high for a minute or so. 

February 2: Let's get ready for Chinese New Year! Yaying will teach us to make Taiwanese Red Soup and Sesame Balls.

Conversation, Wednesdays 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom

We talked about hobbies and holidays. We had a question about feral cats. In the city, cats that aren't owned by anyone are called alley cats.

February 3: Let's read Unit 14. We will talk about things to do in Indiana and in the United States. What is your favorite things to do? 

English Classes, Thursdays 9:30-12:00, upstairs classroom

It was so fun to visit your classes and talk about so many different things.

true: authentic
January Thaw: This is Mother Nature's reminder to the Midwest that spring is on it's way
eat up our thoughts: be the only thing we think about
your Father: God
The Golden Rule: the standard taught in American schools and by American parents. 

Hello, Friends.

What a beautiful Saturday! We escaped the blizzard! I hope that you weren't planning a trip out East. It looks like the weather predictions will be accurate. All of the preparations are paying off. The airlines cancelled flights in anticipation of  the storms. This helped keep travelers from being stranded.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read Luke 6:17-19: people came great distances to hear Jesus and to be healed by Him. People trusted that just touching Jesus would heal them! Luke tells us that everyone was cured from physical, mental and spiritual diseases and evil spirits. Jesus didn't just cure the people, He taught to anticipate trouble for their belief from other people. We read Jesus' story that is know as the beatitudes. Jesus teaches hope to His disciples: that when they are in hated because of their belief, they are blessed (recognized by God) as a result of their faith (Luke 6: 17-23). He also teaches that the recognition and rewards from the world results only on emptiness and are not lasting. Because of His great love for us, Jesus doesn't only take care of our physical needs. Jesus also prepares us for the future: He teaches us to look past times of trouble and that He understands and cares for us no matter what the rest of the world might think. In this we have hope and confidence.

January 26: Let's read Luke 6:27-36 where Jesus teaches to love your enemies and to do good to all who hate you. Let's read Luke 6:37-42 to not judge other people. Let's read Luke 6:43-49 Jesus teaches how His followers should act.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We repurposed water bottles and old fingernail polish to make bangle bracelets. You can create one of a kind jewelry to match every outfit or even your manicure with this frugal craft. We got a little peep into the personality and preferences of each other.

Conversation, Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
We enjoyed Elizabeth's mother's recipe for blueberry dumplings. This quick and easy dessert would be delicious with any fruit and a scoop of ice cream! I can't wait to try it

January 27: Unit 13 is about Around Town and Hobbies. Elizabeth will make Austrian food for us!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
The cold weather shouldn't chase you away. What better way to spend time out of the weather than with Friends brushing up on your English skills!

out East: referring to the East Coast of the United States.
preparations: getting ready for something
paying off: when something works out as planned with a good result: His studying is paying off : he got an A on his test.
anticipation: looking forward to something; preparing for an event
stranded: stuck somewhere; not able to leave.
disciples: people who follow Jesus
repurposed: a new word that means finding a new use for an old thing. This word is part of the green movement.
match: something that goes well with something else.
frugal: costing very little.
a little peep: peep or peek is looking through a small opening. When you get a little peep or peek, you are getting a brief and limited insight. Into is used here because the image is that you are looking limited.

The weather outside is frightful...no it's not!

Hello, Friends.

This Monday is Martin Luther King Day. It is a national holiday to recognize the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. who was a civil rights leader in the 1960's. Our schools are closed for the holiday.

Conner Prairie is free on Monday and there are classes and activities for all ages.
Enjoy free admission at the Zoo, Eiteljorg, Children's Museum as well as special performances at the Madam Walker Theater and so much more.

Free Indy Events for Martin Luther King Day

International Bible Study, Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30

We revisited Luke 5:27-30 in light with Old Testament teaching in Zechariah 7:1-13. The Zachariah shows how the people were following "laws" and commands, but they weren't doing these things to remember God and care for each other, but to out of habit. God becomes tired of their not listening and their mean attitude, so He solves the problem by scattering the people. How sad that the relationships of the people were so broken that they had to be separated. Jesus demonstrates and explains the meanings for feasting and fasting in Luke 5: 27-30. Jesus shows that feasting to celebrate with one another and to celebrate the gifts of God are always welcome. Alternately, there is a time for fasting, repentance, introspection. Jesus ends with beautiful analogies to customs and laws and their application. When you look deeper, you can see that our response to God and His love as well as how we reflect this in our lives is always right and appropriate and that may be different depending on where we are in our life and our relationship with God.

January 19: Let's read Luke 6:17-26: Jesus heals people and teaches about blessings and woes.

International Friends, Tuesdays 10:30-12:00, room 100.

It was great to get together on Tuesday to enjoy mochi and steamed buns. Thank you Masami for the demonstrations. We all love fresh mochi, but we aren't sure about investing in the mochi maker. wikiHow gives directions for using Mochiko to make our mochi! There are also instructions on the box. Thank you Kari for writing instructions:

Steamed Bun
-Refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
-Red bean paste

1. Flatten biscuits.
2. Add 1-2 tsp red bean paste (or other add ins: cooked pork, peanut butter, pizza sauce, sesame paste and honey, etc.) and pinch closed.
3. Place on parchment paper square.
4. Steam on the stove until doubled in size.

Yaying noted that the Taiwanese version:
3. Fry the bottom of the bun in a little oil.
4. Add a cup of water to the pan to steam the buns.
5. After the buns double in size, fry the top of the bun.

Mochi:

1. Cooked sweet rice.
2. Beat using a Kitchen Aide mixer or a food processor
3. Form into balls (roll in corn starch to keep from sticking).

Mochi "toppings"

2 C soybean powder and 2 T sugar
3 T soy sauce and 2 T sugar
or fill with red bean paste

Tuesday, January 19: Let's make fun bangle bracelets from water bottles!

Join us as we make bangle bracelets to match any outfit!

Supplies needed:
empty plastic water bottles
scissors
nail polish (bring your old polish to share or your favorite colors to match your outfits)
Preview the video!

Wednesday Conversation, 4:30-6:00
We enjoyed some delicious South African gee#### and gallete des rois. Yoko won the "king" so she is baking next year!

In the spirit of our visit to the Doctor and medicine topic, Elizabeth decided to do primary research with an injury, a late night trip to the emergency room, an ambulance ride to another hospital, and negotiation with her insurance.

Wednesday, January 20
We will talk about going to the dentist and make blueberry dumplings.

English Classes
Join us as we continue to improve our English skills.

analogies: comparisons
woes: sadnesses
in the spirit of: to participate in or with a particular event or idea in mind (we give gifts to each other in the spirit of Christmas)
do primary research: in this case, I am being sassy and mean that she experienced
negotiation: in this case, I am really saying arguing

January 12: we are still meeting!

We are meeting today:

A little snow can't scare us away!

See you for International Bible Study at 9:00 and International Friends at 10:30.

Let it snow!

Happy Saturday Morning, Friends.

I hope that you are getting back into the swing of things now that the holidays are over. This is always the hardest thing for me to do after the vacation. There is laundry,Christmas decorations, laundry, new gifts, laundry...I think you get the idea. I can never decide if I should pack away the ski clothes. Since Indiana weather is warm then cold then rains then snows, I always think I can wait out the cold. It will go away soon!

Speaking of weather, we follow the Carmel Clay Schools cancellation policies: if classes are cancelled or there is a delay, we cancel our classes and meetings. I will post on indyinternationalfriends.blogspot.com as soon as I know that classes are cancelled. I also will send out an e-mail via indyintlfriends@gmail.com.


International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100

January 12, 2016: Let's continue reading Luke

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100

A very small group of us met at Sharon and Dave Reed's house to take a tour of her more than 200 nativities. Dave creates beautiful wooden furniture in the workshop off of his garage. Most of the cabinetry and furniture were designed and made by him. He also made the wood work in the chapel at Carmel Lutheran Church. We enjoyed coffee and refreshments. Thank you Sharon for you time, tour and hospitality.

January 12, 2016: Let's make mochi! Join us as we make and taste mochi to celebrate the New Year Japanese-style.

Conversation, Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classrooms
Elizabeth treated us to some delicious and healthy Greek style snacks. We talked about our holidays.

January 13: Read Unit 11. Elizabeth is trying a South African dish...we will, too!

English Classes, Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms

Thank you Bruce and Carmel Lutheran Church for the beautiful poinsettia plants. We were so happy not to have them go to waste and be a beautiful reminder of Christmas in our homes for the rest of winter.

January 14: Classes continue until May. Don't let the weather chase you away.

getting back into the swing of things: follow your usual routine
get the idea: understand
pack away: put away for long term storage
wait out: be patient and things will change
speaking of ____: to continue a subject, but in a different direction
cabinetry: cabinets and storage furnature
go to waste: be thrown out before they were dead

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year, Friends!

I hope that you had a fabulous break. I can't wait to see all of you again and find out what you did.

We will have classes and meetings this week. Here's our schedule:

Tuesday, January 5, 2016
International Bible Study: 9:30-10:30
Let's read about Epiphany. Join us at Sharon Reed's house and be surrounded by her 200+ Nativity sets and read the story of Jesus being revealed to the wise men. Meet at Carmel Lutheran Church at 9:00 to carpool/caravan or meet at Sharon's house (see the e-mail for her address).

International Friends: Let's tour Sharon Reed's Nativity Collection
Join us at Sharon's house and see her 200+ nativity sets and hear the story of her collection. Everyone is invited!

English Classes resume:
Wednesday, January 6, 4:30-6:00
Thursday, January 7, 9:30-12:00

See you, soon!
Carolyn