Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Musical Lesson: Noun Clauses

Adele:  "Someone Like You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemWRToNYJY

I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now
I heard that your dreams came true
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light
I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me, it isn't over

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me, I begged,
I remember you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead

You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised in a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days
I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it
I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me, it isn't over yet

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me, I begged,
I remember you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead, yeah
Nothing compares, no worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you
Don't forget me, I begged,
I remember you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me, I begged,
I remember you said,
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead
Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Yichen is right

and I was mistaken. Roosevelt was president of the US for 12 years. The 8-year term limit was instituted after Roosevelt's presidency.

How ironic that a Chinese student is teaching the American teacher American history!

Tonight's Presidential Debate

I wasn't sure about the issues to be discussed in the debate tonight, and now I know why. The format is called a "Town Hall," where undecided voters in the audience get to ask the candidates questions, unlike the prior debate which was conducted by a moderator asking the questions. The questions are pre-screened to make sure they are appropriate so we can expect DECORUM in the room.

I'm getting my popcorn ready...

"Town Hall" Presidential Debate tonight at 9pm et / 6pm pt

Obama/RomneyThe second in the series of three Presidential Debates will take place tonight featuring a "town hall" style format from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. This debate will be 90 minutes long and will featured pre-screened questions from a group of undecided voters. The topics will range from domestic to foreign policy and everything in between. We will have the live stream embedded so you can watch the debate right here on this page.
Air Time: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 @ 8pm
Channels: ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and more including CNN Espanol and others

Today's Taboos

In America, we say that there three topics to avoid discussing at a party:  Sex, Religion, and Politics.
Well, I covered all three today in class!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Vice Presidential Debates: Great Listening Practice!

We haven't spoken about the upcoming election or about the presidential debates. However, if you're interested in practicing listening and getting an education in American politics, this is a great opportunity.

To do some pre-listening, read the following short article:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/eleven-things-hear-tonights-vice-presidential-debate/story?id=17453918#.UHdYdhiAFLA

You can watch the debate on line or on tv. (NBC).  The debate begins at 8p.m.

If you're not interested, that's okay. But this is history in the making and you're right here on the middle of it!

Feel free to post comments if you watch it.
For tomorrow, in the writing book do exercises 6 and 7.
Also in the writing book:  p. 254-255. Read 7b on parallel structure and do exercise 11.

Blog Writing #8: Modals of Past Certainty (in the Call Lab)

You are detectives trying to solve the murder of Amy LaTour. You have looked at all of the clues and have examined all of the evidence. As a team, explain your theory of who the murderer was. Use modals of past certainty to determine your answer. Tell us who it could or might have been, who it couldn't have been, who it had to have been (must have been), and why it could or couldn't have been them, etc...

Publish one answer per team.