44. Read 75 books [18/75] (more info)
Teaching ESL Composition: Purpose, Process, and Practice ****
Another textbook down! This was written by the same authors as those who wrote Teaching Readers of English (which I briefly wrote about here). Again, four stars because it is worth the read if you are teaching or plan to teach a composition course.
44. Read 75 books [17/75] (more info)
Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course ****
If you want a comprehensive overview to the theories behind acquiring and learning a second language, this is your book. However, it is not for the faint of heart. It does require some background knowledge in linguistics, and it is highly theoretical. I would only suggest this book if you’re looking to understand how people acquire an L2 or you have to read it for a graduate course, like I did.
44. Read 75 books [16/75] (more info)
Teaching Readers of English: Students, Texts, and Contexts ****
I give this book four stars not because I really liked it, but because if you are an ESL or EFL [future] teacher, it is a book definitely worth reading. Eventually I’ll get around to posting a longer review on my yet-to-be-launched ESL blog.
Many of you have probably already seen Tara’s post about filling out a form about the 101 in 1001 challenge here. I am posting to reiterate this – if you haven’t done this yet, please do it! Tara and I are working on a special side project and we need your input to make it work.
Click here to fill out the form.
Thanks for your time!
7. Compose 10 poems or free writing pieces [9/10] (more info)
Inside, you could hear me screaming
giving up on the agonizing fight
of attempting to fit squares into
circles of influence, cause, and concern.
I blasted through the bolted doors
on my knees, looking for solace.
49. Eat at 15 new-to-me restaurants [10/15] (more info)
Mongo’s Grill
No school today, so a couple of my classmates and I took the opportunity to go out to eat to work on a group project. We chose Mongo’s because they have the option of getting a vegetarian meal. Mongo’s is basically a build your own stir fry place. They give you a bowl, and you’re allowed to fill it up with as many things as you want. All the options are set up in a buffet style where you help yourself. After you’ve filled your bowl and picked your sauce from their 18(!) different sauce choices, they cook your stir fry on an open grill while you watch.
This was a lot of fun, and the food is good. I need to take Kyle here. I would definitely go back again (obviously), and I would recommend this place to anyone who likes stir fry or the ability to make your own food creation. :)
69. Give 5 “just because I can!” gifts [3/5] (more info)
Here is my spiel:
My brother recently moved to the east coast to a new AFB. He’s going through some personal struggles and trying to work on doing things for himself (he’s a people pleaser). He’s reading a book by Stephen Covey (I think the 7 habits one) and how you have to have an end goal in mind, as well as little goals to achieve that end goal.
This is what I would like to do for him:
- Send him a journal to write in
- Write motivational quotes in the journal before sending it
- Also give him a chart of some sort so that he can write down his goals and maybe even stick the chart on his wall.
I need help with the last two.
What is your favorite motivational quote(s)? Or, what quote makes you want to be a better person? Does anyone know of a good chart or spreadsheet or something to track your goals?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. My brother is a great kid, and I hate to see him struggle. I think this would help him. Or at least make him feel like someone cares. :)
From TaraSG: 38. Run in five 5k races
Gray Ghost Run [3/5]
October 31st, 2009
This was the much anticipated race against Kyle. There were A LOT of people, so it wasn’t the best race to use as a competition. Because this was a Halloween race (and indeed, the annual Halloween parade follows the 5k race), many people were dressed up. I went as a soccer goalie, though this was mainly because it allowed me to wear a long sleeved shirt and goalie gloves so that I could stay warm. But the weather turned out to be nice and these extra precautions against the cold probably hurt me more than it helped. This was not a very good race for me. I struggled through most of the race just to keep running, and it was my worst time (at 34 minutes and change) of my races thus far. In the end, Kyle did beat me although it was only by about a minute and now I know that it is possible for me to beat him – I just need to be on the top of my game.
I would definitely consider running this race next year, just because it’s so much fun to dress up and the huge amount of people who come out to watch. But I wouldn’t run it to better my race time or to race against someone again, because it’s just not designed that way. And as for losing to Kyle – he gets to keep his manhood. I don’t really mind losing to Kyle; I am more upset at myself for not keeping up with my running, which resulted in an off day. However, I have challenged Kyle to the best two out of three races. The next race? Possibly in May. When it’s a little warmer outside. :)
Previous races:
Bunker Stampede on 9/12/2009
Walk for Hope on 10/10/2009
When you read a review of a movie or book (or even a restaurant?) on a blog, what do you look for? What is necessary? Not necessary?
Because I always feel like I write crappy reviews. How can I change that?
Tell me!
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