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Daily Chat
Christine wrote: "Gundula,I still can't whistle! Haha!"
Me neither!!
My Izzy B is a year old today! Yay!!!! I kept her yesterday and she was a little angel, such a sweet nature. My granddaughter at a year old has taught me more about joy than I ever knew possible. (Yes, the kids are now forgotten. LOL!)Gundula, I think you are wonderful to be persevering with the driving. It will all pay off in the end. Jeannette, nice going on the garage sale, and enjoy what sounds like a great dinner out with your hubby and daughter. I'm happy for you and her both that she will be nearby in school. Christine, you might not be able to snap, but you sure did turn out nicely. Give yourself a pat on the back for being such a fantastic mom and person.
Christine wrote: "Ah!! I did miss you, Joy! Sorry! Happy late birthday!"Thanks Christine! It was nice...:D
Regarding parallel parking - I have never been good at that. In Paris, the cars park thisclose together and it's amazing that they could ever leave their spot without bumping into the cars in front and behind them! We guessed that they probably never give up those spots and take public transportation - ha!When I was 16, my dad tried to teach me to drive a stick shift (it was a Dodge Dart which tells you how old I am!) and I was making a turn and ran into someone! It wasn't until I was married and we bought a Honda Accord that my husband successfully taught me to drive a stick shift. Ah, memories.. ;)
My mother was just the opposite. Because she hated anyone trying to tell her what to do she NEVER told me what to do. As a result, I tried to always be very good and never do anything wrong and would tell my friends that I had to be home at a certain time or my mom would get mad. Basically, I policed myself and that would, at times, make me very nervous. But hearing about your stories I much preferred my mom's way.
Maude wrote: "My mother was just the opposite. Because she hated anyone trying to tell her what to do she NEVER told me what to do. As a result, I tried to always be very good and never do anything wrong and w..."Well, I think there needs to be a good balance, you had to be your own mother, which is not right as well, there needs to be a balance between discipline and allowance.
Good morning comfies! Emma has her first meet (right now actually), but I had to stay home with my son who already has his first middle school virus. Ugh. That took just 3 days, sheesh! So I'm sending good running vibes to Emma and hoping that her dad doesn't act like Gundula's dad or my mom (there is that possibilty).
I may make September an all-comfort read month because everything I have been reading lately is depressing and heavy (with the exception of The Great Divorce, which wasn't upbeat, but not depressing). So I took a peek at my shelves and realize that I seem to acquire mainly depressing/heavy books. Hmmm..
And now I have reached the stage of babbling so I'll cut off my post. Have a great Saturday start!
I may make September an all-comfort read month because everything I have been reading lately is depressing and heavy (with the exception of The Great Divorce, which wasn't upbeat, but not depressing). So I took a peek at my shelves and realize that I seem to acquire mainly depressing/heavy books. Hmmm..
And now I have reached the stage of babbling so I'll cut off my post. Have a great Saturday start!
Good morning! Just a quick hello because I have to go open my garage sale. Lea is making all of the money on this one, but at least all the plastic stuff has new homes! :)
Christine, I am waiting to for you to read something fluffy, just for a change.
Have a great day everyone!
Christine, I am waiting to for you to read something fluffy, just for a change.
Have a great day everyone!
p.s. Good luck Emma! Get well quickly Benjamin! :)
I hope you have the same weather that we do, Jeannette, because it is perfect for a garage sale. Good luck!
Benjamin is quite offended that he got sick, as if it is a personal insult (which seems funny, but I hate to laugh).
I'm off to open windows and de-germ.
Benjamin is quite offended that he got sick, as if it is a personal insult (which seems funny, but I hate to laugh).
I'm off to open windows and de-germ.
Hi everyone! Jeannette, congratulations on your daughter's admission to Iowa State - so exciting. Kathy, Happy Birthday to your darling grandaughter. Christine, I hope that your son feels better. Gundula, good luck with driving and Joy, I learned how to drive a stick shift on a Honda as well!! Sorry if I missed anything but this is a very chatty group!! Everytime I check in there are over 50 new messages!!
PS: one of my worst memories growing up was my mother trying to teach me how to tie my shoes!!
Hi everyone! I'm back at home... hot and sticky, unfortunately, so I have the AC on, even if I hate it.
We had a lovely week at the beach with an old friend of my husband's (think I metioned that already), then a week up in the country at the MIL's house, which was okay. Then we drove north, stopping in Genoa which was a pleasant surprise (even if the aquarium was a little disappointing) and then on to Provence (Southern France), where we toured around for a week.
Haven't had a chance to download the pics yet, but everything was fabulous, especially Avignon (of the "dancing on the bridge" fame). The last stop before coming home was Vence and Saint-Paul de Vence, near Nice, which was also beautiful and where we visited the Maeght Foundation, an incredible gallery with Miro sculptures, and Giacometti and Braque.
Despite the laundry I am glad to be home... Thanks for all the birthday wishes and I will be checking in over the next few days between one load of wash and the next.
We had a lovely week at the beach with an old friend of my husband's (think I metioned that already), then a week up in the country at the MIL's house, which was okay. Then we drove north, stopping in Genoa which was a pleasant surprise (even if the aquarium was a little disappointing) and then on to Provence (Southern France), where we toured around for a week.
Haven't had a chance to download the pics yet, but everything was fabulous, especially Avignon (of the "dancing on the bridge" fame). The last stop before coming home was Vence and Saint-Paul de Vence, near Nice, which was also beautiful and where we visited the Maeght Foundation, an incredible gallery with Miro sculptures, and Giacometti and Braque.
Despite the laundry I am glad to be home... Thanks for all the birthday wishes and I will be checking in over the next few days between one load of wash and the next.
Welcome back Hayes! We missed you on Comfort Reads! :) I am looking forward to seeing your pictures.
The second stick shift car I drove was a Honda Civic (back in 1975). I owned a Dodge Duster (with the fake snakeskin Landau roof), but I have tried to forget that fact.
Happy Birthday Izzie! Did you do the "smash cake" thing, Kathy?
The second stick shift car I drove was a Honda Civic (back in 1975). I owned a Dodge Duster (with the fake snakeskin Landau roof), but I have tried to forget that fact.
Happy Birthday Izzie! Did you do the "smash cake" thing, Kathy?
Kathy, I can't wait to see birthday pictures! Welcome back Hayes!!! Your trip sounds wonderful!
Jeannette, How did the sale go? Mary, I have missed seeing your posts! I think you had a birthday during one of my distracted freak-out phases, so Happy late Birthday!
I've gotta' do stuff today...laundry, outside chores, etc. I slept way too much yesterday (accidentally). Happy Sunday!
Jeannette, How did the sale go? Mary, I have missed seeing your posts! I think you had a birthday during one of my distracted freak-out phases, so Happy late Birthday!
I've gotta' do stuff today...laundry, outside chores, etc. I slept way too much yesterday (accidentally). Happy Sunday!
Jeannette wrote: Happy Birthday Izzie! Did you do the "smash cake" thing, Kathy?
mmmmm....cake.
mmmmm....cake.
Mary wrote: "PS: one of my worst memories growing up was my mother trying to teach me how to tie my shoes!!"
AH! Now I'm having flashbacks!
AH! Now I'm having flashbacks!
Christine wrote: "Mary wrote: "PS: one of my worst memories growing up was my mother trying to teach me how to tie my shoes!!"AH! Now I'm having flashbacks!"
me too, not fun ...
Good morning sleepies! It is another beautiful day here in Iowa, hot day followed by a cool evening. It would be perfect if the mosquitoes went away.
Business as ususal today, followed by dinner out with my husband. Our local natural foods coop is hosting their investors at a local winery. We bought bonds to help build the new store, so it was all win for us. Of course, I spend a lot more at the new store!
Have a wonderful day everyone! :)
How are the kids doing at school Christine? Is Benjamin over his bug?
Business as ususal today, followed by dinner out with my husband. Our local natural foods coop is hosting their investors at a local winery. We bought bonds to help build the new store, so it was all win for us. Of course, I spend a lot more at the new store!
Have a wonderful day everyone! :)
How are the kids doing at school Christine? Is Benjamin over his bug?
Hi! Wow, my schedule is different now. I've been up since 5:00, but can't check in until now. Benj does feel better today, thanks! He was happy to head off to school today. I need to get some more feedback from the teachers at this point because he hasn't had much coming home. I know he finishes his homework in study hall (with his resource teacher), but I don't want to get out of touch. (Here I go again...I'll be that mom )
Emma is trying so hard to adjust, but she is still overwhelmed. She insists on being at school at 6:45 to get organized for her day (classes start at 7:40). I'm proud of her motivation, but I know she is stressed out.
I'm picking a new book.....any ideas?
Emma is trying so hard to adjust, but she is still overwhelmed. She insists on being at school at 6:45 to get organized for her day (classes start at 7:40). I'm proud of her motivation, but I know she is stressed out.
I'm picking a new book.....any ideas?
Hey Christine! There is nothing wrong with being that mom. They could probably use a few more like you to balance out the moms that have no idea what their kids are up to. I hope Emma gets settled soon. That is awfully early to be at school. Glad Benjamin is feeling better!
I started reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which is definitely a light read. I haven't read it in years! :)
I started reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which is definitely a light read. I haven't read it in years! :)
I'm not sure that I can catch up with everyone. Even missing a day or two leaves a lot of catching up. Izzy's 1st birthday was a smash (pun intended)! Fun was definitely had by all. She actually squealed with delight at each present she opened. Hayes, welcome back and glad you had a great vacation. Christine, it sounds like school is proceeding nicely for the kids, except that 6:45 arrival time. Hopefully, Emma will decide she doesn't need that early of a start, although I agree that her dedication is admirable. Jeannette, we did do the smash cake, and I am going to post a few pics on my profile. Izzy had to be shown a few things about being messy thought. LOL! She did seem to catch on though and enjoy the taste of sugar, not something she normally has in her diet. Dinner at the winery, right? Sounds wonderful! Mary, it's always so nice to hear your thoughts and comments.
Welcome back Hayes! Sounds like a wonderful vacation!
Jeannette wrote: "Guess who's celebrating his 80th birthday? It is hard to believe, isn't it? My husband just sent me this picture! :D"
that's really amazing!! couldnt help but laugh about it.. thats so cool!! :)
Back in the olden days, men had a lot more hair on their chests! lol (see message 4072)
Hi Jeannette! How's the Japanese coming?
I confess to a love of hairy chests and legs! Can't deal with the oiled up hairless wonders of today! Love the picture of the old geezer... he's even better as an old geezer too!
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I confess to a love of hairy chests and legs! Can't deal with the oiled up hairless wonders of today! Love the picture of the old geezer... he's even better as an old geezer too!
[image error]
Ohayoo! The Japanese is coming along slowly, Hayes! Some days I am sure I don't have enough brain cells to learn three new character sets. But, I can recognize a few already. The teacher is very nice and my daughter is helping me, too, :)
Hairy chests were sexy for so many years! Now, I am always startled when I see an actor with a hairy chest.
Hairy chests were sexy for so many years! Now, I am always startled when I see an actor with a hairy chest.
When I was doing my teacher training (a million years ago) I did a weekend course in Japanese using a method called "The Silent Way". Don't remember any of the Japanese characters, but I remember the colors we learned. It was amazing really. The teacher said two words the entire weekend and the rest of the time she was totally silent. But we were all saying something by the end of the weekend.
ETA: phone rang, sorry...
I know it takes longer now, but I'm sure you can do it! Why are you tackling Japanese? Planning a trip, you lucky thing?
ETA: phone rang, sorry...
I know it takes longer now, but I'm sure you can do it! Why are you tackling Japanese? Planning a trip, you lucky thing?
Sean Connery is one of those men who did improve with age. I love that picture you've posted. :)
I can't imagine learning a language from someone who is silent the whole time. It must have been an interesting experience.
I can't imagine learning a language from someone who is silent the whole time. It must have been an interesting experience.
Good morning! I finally log on and see we are chatting about hairy guys, haha! Too funny!
Benjamin had his first hard moment at school yesterday, but he managed to survive and is back to himself today. They have picture day, and he has told me that he's going to make a goofy face on purpose...I hope he's kidding.
Jeannette, you are my hero more than ever. I have realized how NOT talented I am at languages as I fail miserably to help Emma study for her Spanish quiz. Cripes! What's wrong with me?!
I'm off to hunt coffee. The big cup.
Benjamin had his first hard moment at school yesterday, but he managed to survive and is back to himself today. They have picture day, and he has told me that he's going to make a goofy face on purpose...I hope he's kidding.
Jeannette, you are my hero more than ever. I have realized how NOT talented I am at languages as I fail miserably to help Emma study for her Spanish quiz. Cripes! What's wrong with me?!
I'm off to hunt coffee. The big cup.
Just in case you guys didn't see it, The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel
is back up on the giveaways again. It's a goodie!
is back up on the giveaways again. It's a goodie!
Jeannette wrote: "Sean Connery is one of those men who did improve with age. I love that picture you've posted. :)
I can't imagine learning a language from someone who is silent the whole time. It must have been ..."
It was interesting. I still have very strong feelings about the experience more than twenty-five years later!
On the one hand I was intrigued by the method and how well it worked (for me anyway and I know for most of the others in the group), but on the other hand I was infuriated. It felt like the teacher was ignoring us and I couldn't bear that (part of my childhood baggage, etc. etc.). I wanted confirmation that things were going well, that the teacher was happy, that she was enjoying what she was doing and a million other things that I wasn't getting from the blank wall (like one of those "invisible" stage hands dressed in black in traditional Kabuki theater).
That is the point of the method, that the teacher is the invisible facilitator and the students are the actors and generators of knowledge, which is incredibly powerful. I use a lot of the methodology I learned that weekend in my own teaching, but I will never ever remain silent in front of a student who wants confirmation or contact or reassurance. It's too frustrating.
ETA: Hi Christine. Glad B is okay again. And as a language teacher I can say there is nothing wrong with you.
Just yesterday my son told me an apropos joke: There are 2 groups of people in the world: One group is good at languages, one group is good at math, and the last group isn't good at any of them.
I can't imagine learning a language from someone who is silent the whole time. It must have been ..."
It was interesting. I still have very strong feelings about the experience more than twenty-five years later!
On the one hand I was intrigued by the method and how well it worked (for me anyway and I know for most of the others in the group), but on the other hand I was infuriated. It felt like the teacher was ignoring us and I couldn't bear that (part of my childhood baggage, etc. etc.). I wanted confirmation that things were going well, that the teacher was happy, that she was enjoying what she was doing and a million other things that I wasn't getting from the blank wall (like one of those "invisible" stage hands dressed in black in traditional Kabuki theater).
That is the point of the method, that the teacher is the invisible facilitator and the students are the actors and generators of knowledge, which is incredibly powerful. I use a lot of the methodology I learned that weekend in my own teaching, but I will never ever remain silent in front of a student who wants confirmation or contact or reassurance. It's too frustrating.
ETA: Hi Christine. Glad B is okay again. And as a language teacher I can say there is nothing wrong with you.
Just yesterday my son told me an apropos joke: There are 2 groups of people in the world: One group is good at languages, one group is good at math, and the last group isn't good at any of them.
You are too funny, and too kind Christine! It's one thing to study and learn a language; totally different to try and help someone study for a language you don't speak! I speak German, but Lea still catches me with questions sometimes.
Hairy guys! What a great way to start the day! I might post my Pride & Prejudice video later......
I want to see Benjamin's school photo!! You must post it. XP
Hairy guys! What a great way to start the day! I might post my Pride & Prejudice video later......
I want to see Benjamin's school photo!! You must post it. XP
Hayes, you learned several things from your silent weekend, didn't you? I wonder what the instructor was hoping you would learn? I wonder if each participant came away with something different? It's very interesting to think about.
I remember talking about it with my class mates after the weekend was over and we all came to the same conclusion - that it would be very difficult to be a purist in any of the methods that we experienced. And I do think that was the point. The Silent Way instructor was the wife of the director of the TESOL department, a fabulous man, whose goal in life is to get people to think with their own brains. I loved graduate school so much! Best money I ever spent.
Hayes wrote:...I can say there is nothing wrong with you.
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!
Jeannette wrote: I want to see Benjamin's school photo!! You must post it."
I just posted a picture in my profile of what I am afraid he'll do.
I just posted a picture in my profile of what I am afraid he'll do.
Christine wrote: "Hayes wrote:...I can say there is nothing wrong with you.
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!"
I meant in terms of language learning!
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!"
I meant in terms of language learning!
Hayes wrote: "Christine wrote: "Hayes wrote:...I can say there is nothing wrong with you.
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!"
I meant in terms of language learning!
"
whew! I was worried about you for a moment, Hayes!
"
That's a bold statement. Haha!"
I meant in terms of language learning!
"
whew! I was worried about you for a moment, Hayes!
Christine wrote: "Jeannette wrote: I want to see Benjamin's school photo!! You must post it."I just posted a picture in my profile of what I am afraid he'll do."
I loved this picture, Christine! I like his attitude towards school pictures, too.
Hairy men? It's funny that in our family, my husband is practically hairless, but our son has plenty of hair (not too much), which he gets from my side of the family. Not that I am hairy. LOL!
Posted two pics of the "boys" which I took in France. The rest are on the other camera, which I will get to soon.
You want to see a great hairy chest? Check out Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men!!
Christine wrote: "Just in case you guys didn't see it, The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel is back up on the giveaways again...."I'm reading that now - it's great!
Hayes wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "Sean Connery is one of those men who did improve with age. I love that picture you've posted. :)I can't imagine learning a language from someone who is silent the whole time. ..."
Hayes, I think that as a language teacher myself, I know that sometimes the instructors tend to talk too much, or explain too much (it's something I have to guard against). However, a teacher who said nothing, answered no questions, gave no verbal input at all, would drive me batty, simply batty (and, would drive most of my students, especially adult students learning German batty as well).
Jeannette wrote: "Back in the olden days, men had a lot more hair on their chests! lol (see message 4072)"really? good thing women dont have! i cant imagine if we have hairy chest! :D
Hayes wrote: "I remember talking about it with my class mates after the weekend was over and we all came to the same conclusion - that it would be very difficult to be a purist in any of the methods that we expe..."I think the most effective teacher takes the best of each of the methods he/she knows and combines these into his/her own teaching method. Also, an instructor has to be flexible and realise that not all students learn the same way, so that one needs different types of activities that promote different types of learning styles. Personally, I learn best by myself, by reading and asking questions and then lots of written practice and examples, but not all individuals learn the same way.
Morning. :)
That's all I have. It's too early. I stayed up reading too late and my book ended up being so over the top weird that I'm still confused.
That's all I have. It's too early. I stayed up reading too late and my book ended up being so over the top weird that I'm still confused.
Morning everyone. Sorry to hear that Christine. What were you reading?
Gundula: That's exactly it. Not only does everyone learn things in a different way, also in different ways at different times. How I learn a language is so different from how I learn other subjects, for example. I'm a visual learner and need to organize things into charts and tables and diagrams, looking for patterns. Listening to a teacher talk at me is hopeless... why I always did so badly in history classes, but excelled in science and mathematics.
Gundula: That's exactly it. Not only does everyone learn things in a different way, also in different ways at different times. How I learn a language is so different from how I learn other subjects, for example. I'm a visual learner and need to organize things into charts and tables and diagrams, looking for patterns. Listening to a teacher talk at me is hopeless... why I always did so badly in history classes, but excelled in science and mathematics.
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Comfort Reads
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Rebecca Stead (other topics)
Ken Jennings (other topics)
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Nigel Tranter (other topics)
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Your mother and my father must be twins. He would also wait until we were on our way home or sometimes later to list all of the supposedly embarrassing things I had done lately. I remember him trying to give me extra help in math, not a pretty picture. He's actually much better now than he was, but still ...