These slides are for our free group class. They are multi-lingual–the flags are language buttons.
Jealous of attention My coworker got a haircut, and everyone at work was excited and made a lot of noise. But nobody noticed when I got a haircut last week. It was a beautiful event when the trees shed their leaves. I was excited. Maybe there should have been a lot of noise and a big party with cake and everything. Q. When did you last get a haircut? Did you receive any compliments? Did you like the haircut?Q. Tell…
The other day I forgot my wrist watch at home when I went to work. I always wear the wrist watch, so it felt weird to not have it on me. I kept checking my wrist out of habit, and then remembering that it wasn’t there. I did this over and over. Whenever I would think about the time, my hand would automatically move up to my face. On the weekends, I like to go for long walks. I carry…
I was going to do homework today, but instead I went for a long walk. It was worth it. It was worth it because I needed a break. I’ve been thinking about work a lot, and I needed to just put it out of my mind for a while. The long walk felt good. The weather was just lightly raining all day long. I listened to podcasts on my headphones as I was walking. Putting off work was worth it…
The word ‘blank’ comes from the old French word ‘blanc’, which means white. The following examples give a sense of how the word is used. A blank stare is a facial expression which shows no thought or emotion. “The patient does not respond to anything. He only stares blankly at the wall. His mind is somewhere else.” A blank slate is a fresh start, a new beginning. “The criminal wants to leave his past behind. He completed his prison term…
Cheese and warmth I’m happy to be in Vietnam, and I almost don’t miss anything at all about the USA. But there are just a couple things which I miss a little bit. I miss cheese. Sometimes I feel hungry but don’t want to eat rice. I just think about biting a big piece of cheese. It’s hard to feel satisfied without it. I also miss the cold, I think. Not that I like being cold, but I remember things…
Urban environments can be loud. Living in such a loud environment is challenging for many. I’ll give you a couple tips on how to cope with urban noise. First, find quiet spaces. Even though you are in the city, you can find some places which are quiet. This may be in your home, or outside at a big park or empty cafe. Second, use headphones. Headphones give you some control over what you are listening to, even while out in…
Why do people wear hats? Let me explain the reasons why we wear hats. One reason people wear hats is for protection. For example, a farmer in a rice paddy wears a conical straw hat to protect their head from the sun and rain. Another example is an old man who wears a cap to protect his head from the cold. Another reason people wear hats is for show, or to signify something. For example, a person may wear a…
I studied agriculture in college, but I didn’t follow a career in that field. Instead I became an itinerant teacher. But I don’t think that I wasted my degree. Even if I never grow any rice or keep any bees (which I hope I do), it would still be worth it to have studied agriculture. I’m enjoying taking photos of rice paddies, probably because I know a little about plants and soil and stuff. They say ‘the more you learn,…
Topic: change of environmentThesis: I can adjust to a new environment In the countryside in Cambodia it is a very different environment than what I am used to. On my first night I was in a bad mood because I was tired from travel and in a strange place. My second day here has been much better. Cambodia has a very hot and humid climate. At first it was hard to get used to feeling sweaty all the time. I…
Topic: trip to Thai NguyenThesis: I went on a trip to Thai Nguyen I. IntroII. my impression of thai nguyenIII. about my activities thereIV. Conclusion In the morning I had a job interview over video chat. The employer suggested I come to observe some classes at the center in Thai Nguyen. So the next day I got on a bus to Thai Nguyen. This is the 9th largest city in Vietnam, and the population is 420k people. The streets are…