Archive for 'Culture'
What’s the Difference? Inauguration Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 19, 2017
With a new administration taking office, it seems a good time to remind ourselves that the words of our leaders can have real significance. The misuse of a word, even selecting one simile when another would have been more appropriate, could lead to misunderstandings. And misunderstandings may have consequences. It may not lead to…
Great American Cities – New Orleans Posted by sasha on Jan 17, 2017
Our journey around Great American Cities continues with a trip down south to New Orleans. Known for its music, cuisine, and wild nightlife, it’s a city that attracts millions every year. Name – The city originally had a French name (La Nouvelle-Orléans), as it was named after the Duke of Orleans. It later had a Spanish…
Winter Weather in the United States Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 6, 2017
January is typically the coldest month in the northern hemisphere, and therefore is likely to give us some extreme winter weather. Different areas in the United States experience winter storms which are unique to their regions. Each type of storm also has its own meteorological term. Let’s take a look at the different names of…
White Elephant – A Fun Christmas Game Posted by sasha on Dec 28, 2016
You may know about Christmas traditions like putting a tree in your living room and singing carols, but have you ever heard of a game called White Elephant? This is a fun and easy gift-giving game you can play with friends and family. See what it’s like playing White Elephant and learn the rules in…
For the Holidays, a Rice Salad with the Colors of the Season Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 22, 2016
I like to entertain for the holiday season. I have hosted Christmas at my house for many years, usually have at least one holiday party, and may find myself cooking for other gatherings as well. Of all the things I serve, one recipe invariably gets shared with friends – my holiday wild rice salad. Wild…
Christmas Through Emojis Posted by sasha on Dec 19, 2016
These days, people are using emojis more and more to communicate. They’re fun, cute, and very easy to use. Look on social media or in your text messages, and you’ll probably see a whole lot of emojis. With Christmas approaching, there are a few you can use for the holiday. Let’s practice English and learn…
Hygge and the American Dream Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 16, 2016
Hygge (n): a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. It is regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture. The Oxford English Dictionary, as it does every year, selects a “Word of the Year” from a list of ten finalists selected by its editors. This year, the…