#improving English

[hosoudehanjouki]

Went to a cafe. It was such a blessing to have a friend who can just chat and chill together.

We took photos of ourselves with my camera.

Until just a few years ago, she was deeply depressed and didn’t reply for my messages. But suddenly God worked and she began to recover. I am surprised to see God’s mysterious work.

[hood-ex]

All the Americans on RedNote/Xiaohongshu that are interacting with Chinese people for the first time and are realizing that our governments hate each other but that we can build community/friendship with Chinese people reminds me of a conversation I had with a student of mine.

For context, I taught kids from China how to speak English for 4 years. I had one student named Rain (his English name) from Guangzhou. He was about 9 years old, and I'd been teaching him since the very beginning of his English journey when he only knew very basic vocabulary like vegetables. He got to the point in his language learning where he could use simple words and sentences to talk about more complex subjects.

There was one class we had that I still think about to this day.

"What classes did you have at school today?" I asked. "Math? English? PE?"

"Math yes. English class yes. And... history," he said.

"Oh history? Nice," I said.

"Teacher, I don't like USA a little bit," he said.

"You don't like it? Why?" I asked.

"Because..." he tried to explain before realizing that he didn't have the words he needed to express himself. He switched to miming and drawing the USA fighting with/being mean to China.

"So you don't like the USA because the USA fights China? Hurts China?" I asked for clarification.

"Yes, yes, I don't like it a little bit," he nodded.

"Do you like USA people? I like people from China," I said.

"You like China people?" he asked.

"Yes, I love Chinese people," I said. "I don't like when the USA and China fight, but I love Chinese people."

"Me too!" he said. "Kind of don't like USA, but I like USA people."

In that moment, I was amazed that even with a language barrier, and even with our age difference, we could come to the same conclusion that we didn't like what our countries did to each other, but that didn't mean that he had to hate American people or that I had to hate Chinese people.

"USA people and Chinese people are kind of different," I said, referring to our cultural differences. "We are the same too."

"Yes, kind of the same," he agreed.

That's what many Americans on RedNote/Xiaohongshu are starting to understand better.

[powpowhammer]

All the Spy x Family Chairs as of March 27 2025

I got sick of not having a good reference guide updated to current. All the chairs are Modern, but some are identified with related/sub-movements. this will be very embarassing when door inevitably corrects me

Volume 1: Le Corbusier, LCF Grand Confort LC-2 (Cushion Baskets, 1928) wikipedia

Volume 2: Irving Harper for George Nelson for Herman Miller, Marshmallow Sofa (Marshmallow Love Seat #5670, 1956), MCM wikipedia

Volume 3: Charles and Ray Eames, Chaise Lounge (La Chaise, 1948/1991), MCM eames

Volume 4: Eero Aarnio, Ball Chair (1963), MCM/industrial wikipedia aarnio

Volume 5: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, Barcelona Chair (1929), Bauhaus wikipedia knoll

Volume 6: Verner Panton for his Series K with Vitra and others, Heart Cone Chair (1958-1959), pop-art vitra panton bklynmsm

Volume 7: Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Willow Chair (Chair/Settle[sic] for Willow Tea Room, 1902-04/1973), Glasgow school glasgow

Volume 8: Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (1956), MCM wikipedia

Volume 9: George Nelson for Herman Miller, Coconut Lounge Chair ("Coconut" Chair, 1956-58), MCM bklnmsm

Volume 10: brutalism, whose name comes from the french 'beton brut' meaning raw concrete and frequently incorporates concrete and rebar as design materials, was in several ways a rejection of the modernist movement that could have been said to only have been made possible in part by post-war prosperity in 'allied' nations

Volume 11: Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Hill House Chair (Ladder Back Chair [for White Bedroom], 1902-04/1973), Glasgow school glasu

Volume 12: Harry Bertoia for Knoll, Diamond Chair (1952), MCM/industrial knoll wikipedia

Volume 13: Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Tulip Chair (Tulip Side Chair, 1955), industrial/proto-space age wikipedia knoll

Volume 14: Frank Lloyd Wright for The Robie House, Robie Chair (Dining Table Side Chair, 1907-1910) smartmsm

Volume 15: Hans Jørgensen Wegner for Johannes Hansen, Peacock Chair (Påfuglestolen/PP50, 1947) wikipedia

[corvid-language-library]

A lot of my colleagues comment on how good my Japanese is because I can use interjections pretty well despite the fact my actual speaking is garbage. I always know when to say "えっ" and "やばい" and "え〜そうなの" and "いえいえいえ" and "そっか" and "そうだね" and every single time they're like "wow! You're like a native speaker!" and I'm like okay but I can't form an actual sentence that's more than 4 words long and if you make me use grammar my brain will catch fire

[meow-won]

Jungwon's English has improved so much! I'm not crying 😭

Listening Party hosted by JUNGWON, JAY, and NI-KI on StationHead 🎧

[makereadgrow]

A beginning! The bear has been hanging clipped to my picture thingy for a while now and last week I got in some fabrics to use for the background. I started with the grass and I'm very happy with what I have here. Its very improvisational and I'll eventually make it into one large section but maybe not until the sky starts coming together.

I want to try one block wonder style hexagons for the sky.

[captaindogma]

My boy Fox is finally here!

And so is Cody

I'm glad he has a face, my old Cody didn't.

These two will finally be able to kiss 💖

[hosoudehanjouki]

Today I went a part time job. I was a staff member of the concert. Checked tickets, watched people attend the concert and if there were troubles then helped them, and most of the time… I was just sitting on the sofa.

If I can get money for just sitting on the sofa, how easy the life is! I was exhausted though, it was one of the most easiest job I’ve ever had.

[leolovesumore]

People who find nonchalance appealing have had too much attention growing up. For you only love what you've never had

[puckpocketed]

16/10/2024 - UTA @ ANA

aly lozoff: well, how are you embracing that role this season so far? (expanded responsibilities) pavel mintyukov [laughing]: ah. what embracing means? aly: just, how are you enjoying the opportunity i suppose? minty: yeah of course, yes. enjoying the moment, definitely yeah. aly [with visible joy]: well you know your english has really improved since we started working with you, so we're proud of you.

[ID: Gifset of Anaheim Ducks player Pavel Mintyukov during a post-game interview. He has a headset on and stands against a Ducks press backdrop. He giggles sheepishly as he answers the question, his face flushing slightly red. /. End ID.]

[melikes-reads]

What if we were strangers but you saved me from bullies in high school?

What if we became the best of friends?

What if I saved you from your violent father?

What if you ran away for 15 years?

What if you came back into my life, unexpectedly?

What if I told you you're the centre of the world?

What if you told me: "Of your world, maybe"

WHAT THEN? WHAT THEN?

[prettyboy-remi]

Trying to look like a tough guy

[catgriosaich]

okay no more messing around. time to use some REAL language learning techniques for SERIOUS students: reading fanfiction

[incorrect-hs-quotes]

Jake: Gay sex will not fix this situation. in all honesty it would probably make it worse. that being said i think we should give it the old college try anyways