Tag: lifestyle

Categories
Work

Writing a Blog is Hard

Writing A Blog Is Hard

Writing A Blog Is Hard

Writing a blog is hard.

Well, the writing part isn’t hard.

It’s the blogging part that’s hard.

I am not a tech person.

There are a million things that I don’t understand.

So there I was, in the chat box with the IT guy,  asking yet another question.

We were chatting for a long, long, LONG time, when I realized that he had already answered my question.

At the very beginning of the chat.

If only I had followed his instructions…

I’m probably the reason he’s going to drink heavily tonight.

And be late for work tomorrow.

Sorry, IT guy.

I’d like to promise that it won’t happen again.

But it probably will.

Because writing a blog is hard.

Categories
Work

Another Awkward English Class

Another Awkward English Class

Another Awkward English Class

Today I had another awkward English class.

One student was an IT engineer.

He was the only male in attendance with several female students.

He convinced the ladies that their husbands were running around, and he could help them spy on their guys with their iPhones.

For a small fee.

One woman was very interested.

I tried to steer the conversation away from this very awkward topic.

But my students were determined.

They spoke to each other in Vietnamese.

I’m sure they were exchanging stalking information.

I do not want to know how this story ends.

I’m just here to teach English.

Categories
Diabetes Lifestyle

The Misfortunes of Others

The Misfortunes of Others

The Misfortunes of Others

It’s wrong to laugh at the misfortunes of others.

I know, I know, I KNOW!

Today I was at the pharmacy.

With two diabetic kids, I am always at the pharmacy.

I was making my purchase at the counter when an angry and belligerent young man rushed up.

He was yelling and pounding his fists and making a scene.

He was furious because the pharmacy was out of pregnancy tests.

The clerk and I looked at each other and started to laugh.

So we both looked away.

I’m sure that the pharmacy staff has been trained to never laugh at the customers.

I, on the other hand, have had no such training.

And now I really want to know why there has been a run on pregnancy tests.

If I get struck by lightening any time soon, it will be because I laughed at the misfortunes of others.

Poor guy.

Categories
Lifestyle

I Have Some Sage Advice

Sage Advice

Sage Advice

I am now in a position to offer sage advice.

I had a birthday this week.

I am older and wiser.

Here it is –

Don’t ever place a plastic dish on a pre-heated cast-iron griddle and then busy yourself with other things.

You will regret it.

The smell will scar your brain.

For life.

I’m not saying that I actually did this incredibly stupid thing.

I’m just offering some sage advice…

Categories
Lifestyle

Tornado Sirens

Tornado Sirens

Tornado Sirens

The tornado sirens were going off.

We had plenty of warning.

This storm was predicted.

Our shelter was prepared.

We had blankets and pillows.

A leash for the dog.

Extra cables and batteries for the phones.

An ax and a crowbar in case we need to claw our way out.

I even made a point to wear shoes and socks instead of flip flops.

In case of rubble.

But there was one thing that I hadn’t prepared for.

My socks were the kind that sagged under my feet with every step.

Sock bumps!

This is going to seriously impede any kind of rescue effort.

I don’t know which is worse – sock bumps or tornadoes.

At any rate, the storm passed over us without incident.

My first plan of action was to change my socks.

Now I’m ready for the next round of tornado sirens.

Categories
Lifestyle

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Any man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

– John Donne

Categories
Work

Philip Roth

Roth

Roth

Philip Roth died one year ago today, May 22, 2018.

I did not know that.

Thank goodness for the internet.

I might have gone my whole life without knowing that bit of trivia.

My parents LOVED Portnoy’s Complaint.

I had never read it.

Finally, after finding this book on a “must read” list, I dove in.

I hated it.

Philip Roth, through Alex Portnoy, inspired an entire generation of men to follow his overbearing, self-absorbed and whiny example.

Ick.

I will not be reading any more Roth.

Categories
Work

Pronunciation Mistake

Pronunciation Mistake

Pronunciation Mistake

So many ESL teachers complain that their students continue to make the same pronunciation mistake over and over.

They mock their students in the teacher chat rooms.

Is it the student’s fault?

NO!

If errors are being made, it’s the teacher’s responsibility to teach the concept.

One very common pronunciation mistake is to mix up the hard /g/ and the soft /g/ in words like colleague and college.

Teachers, don’t get annoyed.

Impatience doesn’t teach your students anything.

Explain the rule about how to pronounce /g/.

Expect mistakes.

It’s hard to learn a new language.

With practice, they’ll get it right.

If you want your students to succeed, give them the tools to succeed.

Impatience is not an effective teaching tool.

Categories
Lifestyle

A Frog Was In My Kitchen

A Frog

A Frog

A frog was in my kitchen.

Seriously?

We’ve had our share of pests in the house.

Ants, of course.

Spiders, flies, moths and mosquitoes.

An occasional cricket.

Once we even had a mouse.

But this morning I had a first.

I was so shocked that I had to rub my eyes to make sure I wasn’t seeing  things.

It was a frog.

A FROG!!!

A frog was in my kitchen.

It was huge and brown and ugly.

Maybe it was a toad.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or to scream.

Or to kiss it.

It was as big as my fist, so squishing it wasn’t even an option.

And catching it seemed a little creepy.

OK, a LOT creepy.

Luckily, it was a smart frog.

I opened the back door, and it seemed to sense its opportunity.

It headed right toward the fresh air and hopped outside.

That’s one Texas-sized crisis that was averted.

Categories
Family Lifestyle

An Amazing Rest Stop

Amazing

Amazing

The other day, we finally visited the Buc-ee’s rest stop.

We’ve been in Texas a year, and we had yet to visit this place.

The word is it’s an amazing rest stop.

We happily discovered that it IS an amazing place.

The gifts!

The candy!

The beef jerky!

We had just eaten, and Bob was disappointed.

He would have liked to have eaten dinner here.

I promised I would bring him back for Father’s Day.

And then I immediately regretted that offer.

My birthday falls on Father’s Day.

I don’t want to have my birthday dinner at a rest stop.

Apparently I have already made the commitment…