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…
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…
You may believe that people in ancient times had a more “real” life. But whether life was more real now or in the past depends on how you look at it. In the past, people didn’t have as much access to information. Most knowledge wasn’t written down. People didn’t know as much about important things like medicine and geography. Life expectancy was shorter in the past. There was more disease and less medical knowledge. Also, people often went hungry if…
Wearing sandals indoors is a cultural practice in Vietnam. There are several reasons behind this tradition. People remove their shoes before entering a home to keep the living space clean. Wearing sandals that are only for indoor use helps to prevent dirt and other contaminants from coming in from outside. People also like sandals for their comfort and practicality. They are easy to slip on and off. They also help keep your feet cool on a hot day. These are…
The new year is here. Here are my hopes for this new year. My first hope is for personal growth and development. I would like to find a good job. I would also like to develop other skills outside of work. My second hope is for community and connection. I hope that I will find community, be able to form meaningful relationships and have a strong sense of belonging. The new year represents a new opportunity. Many people including myself…
Topic: “go with my gut”Thesis: some examples of situations where saying “go with my gut” might be appropriate. The expression “go with my gut” means to rely on your instincts or intuition when making a decision. Here are some examples of situations where saying “go with my gut” might be appropriate. In a job interview, if you have a gut feeling that the company culture doesn’t fit your values, even if it is a good job, you might decide to…
Topic: parksThesis: Here are some nice things to do in parks. Parks are a good place for doing many things. A park is a good place for playing games. A park is a good place for taking naps. There are many nice things which you can do at parks. Q. Have you been to a park? What did you do there?Q. Should a new sports stadium be built in you city? (Yes or no and why). Audio A Audio B