Bear with me...

It looks like I will not be coming back to teach until Wednesday as things here are still "up in the air" as we say.

My good friend and wonderful teacher Kathy Najafi will be subbing for me.

Thank you to the amazing ANGELS who came to my home and did amazing things for me and my family. You are true blessings in my life, but more on this topic later...

Looking for workers!

Hi Guys!

If any well-bodied individual would like to come to my house to help with the work here (mainly packing things up and moving them upstairs), I will pay $10/hour for as long as you can stay!
I would love to have 2-3 people. Please respond if you can help today and probably tomorrow.

Thanks!
HC

Dear Students...

I hope everybody is safe and dry!

Unfortunately, my house flooded with about 2 feet of water on the first floor. Fortunately, we have a 2nd level so when the water filled our home, we were safely upstairs. It was a quite a storm! My street was a lake, no kidding. Both of our cars are ruined.

I will not be in class tomorrow and Thursday, and possibly Friday as well. For tomorrow and Thursday, both classes will be combined with Dugyu. For Friday, stay tuned...

G-d willing, I'll be back in business with you guys either Friday, or more likely, on Monday.

Listening #2: The 3 A's of Awesome (due Tuesday, 5/26)

Listen to the following TED talk. After listening, all you have to do is post a comment responding to something he said that "spoke" to you.

Have a great LONG weekend!

I hope you enjoyed our first week together. It's always a bit awkward starting out--new rooms, new classmates, new teachers--so I'm happy that we ended this week on a high note with a FUN DAY and 2 birthdays to celebrate. Happy Birthday again to our very special birthday girls, Nhi and Thao.

I look forward to an enjoyable and productive semester together.

Have a restful weekend before the big games begin :)

HC

Listening #1: Questions for the Lecture on Culture (due Friday)

Today we listened to a lecture on culture. You took notes and then you were supposed to review your notes with a partner or small group (who don't speak your language!) by trying to recite or recap the lecture in your own words.

Then I asked you to compose 5 questions that you think would be good test questions for this material. Please post your questions as a comment here. If Zoe and Khanh were partners, for example, then Zoe (or Khanh) would post the questions and say that they were from Zoe and Khanh.

I hope my instructions are clear. If not, just do your best!

Weekly Schedules will be posted HERE

Week Six:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVMkN5aWlfWjVNdGs/view?usp=sharing

Week Five:
 

Week Four:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVOTA2UUNRTXZUV1U/view?usp=sharing

Week One:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rIza1967iVVUh5cFFpMTNSNVE/view?usp=sharing

Grammar #2: Using the Present Progressive to Complain (due Friday, 5/22)

Today in class we practiced complaining using the present progressive with always, constantly, and forever.

For this post, write a complaint about your husband/wife/brother/sister/roommate/teacher/neighbor/other. Using the progressive will make it clear that you're annoyed with the situation.

Example: My students are forever playing on their cell phones. It totally drives me crazy!

Musical Lesson #1: Simple Present to Narrate Events

"You Were Meant For Me," by Jewel

 (She starts in the simple present, then she switches to the past, and then returns to the present.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWvk44LW9k

I hear the clock, it's six a.m.
I feel so far from where I've been
I got my eggs I got my pancakes too
I got my maple syrup, everything but you.
I break the yolks, make a smiley face
I kinda like it in my brand new place
I wipe the spots off the mirror
Don't leave the keys in the door
Never put wet towels on the floor anymore' cause

[Chorus:]
Dreams last so long
even after you're gone
I know you love me
And soon you will see
You were meant for me
And I was meant for you.

I called my momma, she was out for a walk
Consoled a cup of coffee but it didn't wanna talk
So I picked up a paper, it was more bad news
More hearts being broken or people being used
Put on my coat in the pouring rain
I saw a movie it just wasn't the same
'Cause it was happy or I was sad
It made me miss you oh so bad 'cause

[Chorus]

I go about my business, I'm doing fine
Besides what would I say if I had you on the line
Same old story, not much to say
Hearts are broken, everyday.
I brush my teeth and put the cap back on
I know you hate it when I leave the light on
I pick a book up. Turn the sheets down.
And then I take a deep breath and a good look around
Put on my pjs and hop into bed
I'm half alive but I feel mostly dead
I try and tell myself it'll be all right
I just shouldn't think anymore tonight 'cause

[Chorus]

Yeah... You were meant for me and I was meant for you.

Tubing in Texas

Here is another great Texas activity for you to do with your friends: Tubing down a river!

The following is some information on tubing the Comal River near San Marcos (between Austin and San Antonio):

http://comalrockinr.com/comal-river-float_virtual.php

There are several outfitters where you can rent the tubes. You don't have to get them at this particular place. They're all in the same area.

If you have any questions, please ask me. I'd be happy to help you plan your trip.

Places to Travel in Texas

Since you have several long weekends during this term (including a 3-day weekend this weekend), I'm giving you some of my recommendations for places to go outside of Houston. Actually, there are several great places to visit in Texas if you want to have some fun during the summer.

The first place I recommend is South Padre Island, which is located about 5 hours south of Houston. The beaches are beautiful and if you take a "dolphin cruise," you will actually see dolphins very close to the boat.  SPI is a great place for seafood and for playing in the sun and sand. It doesn't look anything like Galveston. You can trust me as I'm a Floridian who knows her beaches!

The second place I highly recommend is Austin because its a beautiful city where there is so much to do. Austin has wonderful nightlife for those of you who love music. Original bands play nightly on Sixth Street, which is downtown. In fact, a lot of famous bands get their start on Sixth Street. During the daytime there is also a lot to do and see. You can visit and tour the Texas State Capitol and wander around the campus of the University of Texas.

For water activity in Austin, you can go to Zilker Park, where you will find Barton Springs, a natural pool of really, really cold water (icy yet refreshing!) the length of 2 football fields. In addition to the pool, at Barton Springs you will also see lots of college students and other Austinites scantily dressed. If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, you can see many on display there! For children, there is a train ride and playground at Zilker Park as well as an outdoor theater that presents free performances throughout the summer (similar to Houston's Miller Theater). Finally, when you are at Zilker Park, you can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle along Town Lake. It's a true delight.

Another great place to swim in Austin is Lake Travis. The beach is a bit rocky but the temperature of the water is just perfect. You can rent jet skis and boats at various spots along the lake. There is also a water rides park in that area (I forget the name, but you can google "waterpark Austin Lake Travis" to find it, I'm sure). Finally, when in Austin make sure to enjoy some chips and salsa, or an entire meal, at the Oasis restaurant, which overlooks all of Lake Travis. It's quite a sight. You will ask yourself if you are really in Texas.

The last place I recommend to you today is about 45 minutes west of Austin, called Hamilton Pools. From the parking lot, you have to hike a short path and then you arrive in a swimming hole which feels like paradise and looks like Hawaii. The pool extends out from a grotto (like a cave) and you can swim or just float in the cool turquoise water. I visited Hamilton Pools for the first time nearly four years ago--it was the week after Hurricane Ike paid a visit to Houston--and we all agreed that we must return there again soon. The only thing I need to tell you is that you must check to see if the park is open before you go. If there are problems with bacteria levels in the water, they close the park. Here is the website:
https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool

Finally, if you have been to any great places here in the Lone Star state, please share the information with all of us!

Powerpoint Presentation: Present Tense

Presenttime from holly_cin

Grammar #1: Introducing Yourselves (due Wednesday, 5/20)

Today each of you briefly introduced yourselves to the class. Now I would like you to tell us some more about yourself in writing.

Here are some questions to consider:

Where are you in life (meaning, what stage)? Did you finish high school? College? Graduate school? Are you single or married? Do you have kids?

Talk about your background and your professional and personal aspirations. Also, discuss your interests, hobbies, and talents. Tell us something about yourself that makes you unique. Feel free to add anything else that you would like to share about yourself with the class.

You should post your writing as a comment to this post. Just click on comment.

This is writing PRACTICE. It does not have to be perfect.

Welcome to the BLOG

Hello 6C and 6D,

The purpose of this blog is twofold. First, it will be a place for you to do some of your listening and grammar homework.

I will also place weekly schedules and other class documents on it so if you're absent on Monday or you misplace something, you can replace it easily.

The second purpose for this blog is for us to share useful information (where to go, where to shop, what to do if you have a problem, etc.). You can also use the blog to post items of interest, such as articles, pictures, invitations, etc. Like facebook, but not facebook :D

Finally, I will use the blog to post internet links for different activities that I think will benefit you. These will be optional.

You should check this blog every few days in order to keep current with the class.

I look forward to a great semester with all of you, and I look forward to "seeing" you on-line.

HC