Rain, Rain, Go Away

This morning my alarm clock went off, bright and early as usual. I hit the snooze button because I was just not quite ready to get out of bed yet. I laid there listening to the sound of the rain against my window and I curled up under my blankets. My room was cold and everything was dark and gloomy. The last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed. My ten minutes of snooze felt like 30 seconds and it was time to get out of bed. I'm pretty sure I slept walked through my morning routine. I left my house a half hour late for work and was stuck in traffic for about an hour. Most people forget how to drive when it is raining and I'm surely not happy about it. Now I am sitting here at my desk, eating soup and wearing a giant sweater. I am tired and yet for some reason sad today. Why is it that the rain does that to people? The only thing that I want to do today is stay in bed, but the show must go on. I just wish the sun was shining and I was smiling so that this day would go by a bit faster. I wish I was outside on a beautiful fall day pumpkin picking or riding my bike. That would really make the day enjoyable. So, rain, rain, please go away, come again some other day, all Jen wants to do is play!

Check out this silly YouTube clip I found. I think you might enjoy this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3v0rJqyCTM

Vocabulary Review

Gloomy: (adjective) dark or dim

Routine: (noun) a regular course of procedure

Traffic: (noun) the movement of vehicles, ships, persons, etc in an area

Reason: (noun) logic; premise of an argument

Shining: (adjective) radiant; gleaming; bright

Enjoyable: (adjective) capable of giving joy or pleasure

Vocabulary Practice

1. There was heavy __________ on the parkway this morning.

2. I would not talk to my brother for my own certain _________.

3. You could tell a storm was coming just by looking up at the _________ sky.

4. The sun was ________ in my eyes when I was driving.

5. The park was very ________ today because all of my friends were there.

6. My sister and I share a bathroom, therefore we set up a morning ________ so that we do not get in each other's way.

Grammar Point - Adjectives that describe the weather

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or a pronoun. It is a word that provides more information about another word. This can be used to describe weather.

Example: gloomy and shining

Practice: Can you come up with 15 words that describe weather?

Questions

What is your favorite type of weather?

How do you feel when it rains?

What is your idea of a perfect day in the form of weather?

Ninjas

This past Saturday, I celebrated my friend Kristin's birthday at Ninja. Ninja is a Japanese restaurant in New York City located in the West Village. The restaurant is 2 floors and is decorated like a ninja castle, which they like to call the "rock garden." Once you walk in, a ninja greets you and takes you in an elevator to the next floor. Once you get out of the elevator, there are more ninjas waiting for you. They ask you if you want to go on the "ninja path" or the "safe path," so of course we went the ninja way. You walk through this dark, winding passageway and ninjas pop out of nowhere and scare you. This is absolutely hilarious. The safe path is just a walk to your table, which is definately not an exciting ninja experience. Once you make it through the "ninja path," you are escorted to your table. We had about 30 people with us, so you could just imagine how thrilled the ninjas were.

We were all settled into our seats and the ninjas brought out tons of ninja-like things like swords and nunchucks, which were fake of course. They brought out our food and drinks and put on a ninja show for us. I loved every minute of it. We got tons of saki and sushi, but the best part was when they brought out the salads. On the salad, there was a crisp cheesy like covering over the bowl and the ninjas came by and broke open your salad with chopsticks. These are extremely crafty ninjas might I add.

Once dinner was over, the ninjas brought out dessert, which was up in flames. Awesome. They then handed out ninja stickers and snuck up on us to decorate us. Overall, this was an amazing time. It was very entertaining and very funny. I recommend everyone of all ages to go to this super ninja castle. I guarantee you won't regret it!

Vocabulary Review

Greet: (verb) to address with some form of salutation; welcome

Passageway: (noun) a way of passing into, through, or out of something, as within a building or between buildings; a corridor, hall, alley, or the like

Escorted: (verb) to attend or accompany as an escort

Crafty: (adjective) skillful in evil schemes; cunning; sly; deceitful

Recommend: (verb) to represent; urge; suggest

Guarantee: (verb) to ensure for another; promise

Vocabulary Practice

1. My friends and I walked through the dark ____________ to get to the parking lot.

2. The host of the party ___________ all of the guests at the front door.

3. I _____________ that you are going to love the cheesecake here.

4. The man ____________ the woman to the table at the restaurant.

5. My teacher ____________ this wonderful book.

6. The workers at the haunted house were so spooky and __________.

Grammar Point - Past Tense

The past tense is a verb tense expressing action, state, or being in the past of the current moment, or prior to some other event, whether that is past, present, or future.

Example: This past Saturday, I celebrated my friend Kristin's birthday at Ninja.

Practice: Can you write a short story of 10 sentences in the past tense?

Questions

Have you ever been to or heard of Ninja?

Do you like restaurant that are entertaining?

What is your favorite restaurant?

I Hate Being Sick

I believe that there is nothing worse than being sick. High Fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, bad cough, and achy body; what else could go wrong?

I've been in bed for the past 3 days and this simply is not getting any easier. I have made the couch my place of rest. I have been bundled up in sweatshirts, sweatpants, and big chunky socks with the tv remote in hand and my dog by my side. I've watched about 20 movies already and the tv is starting to bore me, but how many naps can one possibly take? I'm full of chicken soup and orange juice. I'm sick of it all.

No one wants to come near me because after all, who wants to get sick? My sister keeps disinfecting everything I touch. It's actually kind of funny. This weather does not help either. It's cold and gloomy outside, which makes me just want to curl up on the couch anyways. I just want to get better and go out continuing my days as I would. The stress does not help either. I keep thinking about the work I have to do at my job, the classes I am missing at school, and the hours I have to put in for my pre-professional phase. This silly germ could not have come at a more worse of a time.

I am determined to say goodbye to this germ. Adios, ciao, auf wiedersehen, au revoir, adeus! Wish me luck and stay healthy folks!

Vocabulary Review

Bundled up: (verb phrase) to dress warm or snugly

Bore: (verb) to weary by dullness, tedious repetition, unwelcome attentions

Possibly: (adverb) perhaps, maybe

Disinfecting: (verb) to cleanse of infection, destroy germs

Gloomy: (adjective) dark, dim, deeply shaded

Determined: (adjective) decided, settled, resolved

Vocabulary Practice

1. The long speech was starting to ____________ me.

2. A blizzard was raging but the children were all ____________.

3. The dark sky seemed cold and __________ this morning.

4. It may ____________ rain today.

5. Michelle was ____________ to pass her spelling test.

6. The doctor was _____________ his tools before seeing the next patient.

Grammar Point - Verb Phrase

A verb phrase is a syntactic structure composed of the predicative elements of a sentence and functions in providing information about the subject of the sentence. For example, I used the verb phrase "bundled up" to give more information about the subject "I."

Practice: Write 5 sentences using verb phrases.

Questions

Have you been sick lately?
What do you do when you are sick?

Can you describe how you feel when you are sick in 5 words?

NYC Wine & Food Festival

The New York City Wine and Food Festival is an annual event that has just recently moved to New York as of last year. I attended the event last year and had a fabulous time! The festival this year is this Sunday and I couldn't be more excited!

The Wine and Food Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank for New York City and the Share Our Strength Foundation. One hundred percent of the proceeds directly benefit these foundations. There is also an auction held during the festival that give people a chance to bid on amazing dining packages, exciting getaways, and many other luxury items. Throughout the festival, there are over 80 events that are held throughout the Meatpacking District and beyond. The events range from walk-around tastings, to educational food and wine seminars hosted by Food Network stars, to interactive cooking experiences, and more.

Some of the people that I am most interested in meeting are Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Giada de Laurentis, and Guy Fieri. Last year I met Mario Batali and Alex Guarnaschelli. I love watching the Food Network. It is constantly on in my house, however I don't really cook. This may sound unusal, but I really enjoy the entertainment. I like to watch all the cooking shows and challenges. It's quite informational. I've learned some tips and tricks that I do use whenever I do cook.

If you love food and wine, this is the place to be! It's never too late to buy tickets! Maybe I'll see you there :)

Check it out! http://www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com/2009/

Vocabulary Review

Annual: (adjective) occurring or returning once a year; yearly

Host: (noun) a person, place, or company that provides services, resources, etc., as for an event

Proceeds: (noun) the profits or returns from a sale, investment, etc.

Benefit: (noun) something that is advantageous or good

Auction: (noun) a publicly held sale at which property or goods are sold to the highest bidder

Unusual: (adjective) not usual, common, or ordinary

Vocabulary Practice

1. We will be holding a special charity _________ hosted by eBay in order to sell all of our items.

2. Michelle was the _______ of the party, who coordinated all of the food and activities.

3. The ________ carnival happens every year and it is always a good time!

4. There was an ___________ looking cat outside with 5 legs and 3 eyes.

5. All of the __________ from the event go to a foundation that helps the homeless.

6. Mary would ___________ from eating healthier foods.

Grammar Point - Nouns

A noun is a word used to name a person, place, thing, or abstract idea. For example, I used a variety of nouns in my blog to do just this.

Practice: Can you find all the other nouns I used in the blog, besides the ones listed in the vocbulary review?

Questions

Do you like the Food Network?

Do you enjoy learning about food and wine?

Have you ever attended this event?

Music That Heals

This past Sunday, I attended the Music That Heals 5K race. My boyfriend's mother's friend, Kathy Lord, is the founder of this fund.

The Music That Heals is a fund set up by musicians in collaboration with Hospital Audiences Inc. (HAI), an organization that provides health and wellness through the arts. Music That Heals provides musical entertainment to seriously ill children and adults. Performances are adapted to the needs of various audiences and may take place in hospitals, schools for special children, AIDS care facilities, hospices, homeless shelters, or at the bedside of the patient.

This fund is in it's 11th year and the race is held every September. I attended the race last year as well. I go with my boyfriend's family to help set up and work the event. We also receive staff t-shirts that I love! Last year the shirts were red and this year the shirts were orange. This year, I was responsible for checking everyone's time with the stop watch so the time could be recorded and awards can be given. Once the race is over, there is an award ceremony, raffles, food, and live music.

Music That Heals provides joyful activities that help bring a little happiness to people's lives at an otherwise difficult time. Come join the race next year or you can donate any time!

Vocabulary Review

Collaborate: (verb) to work, one with another; cooperate

Organization: (noun) a group of persons organized for some end or work; association

Entertainment: (noun) something affording pleasure or amusement

Responsible: (adjective) answerable or accountable, as for something within one's control

Joyful: (adjective) showing or expressing joy; glad; delighted

Donate: (verb) to make a gift, grant, or contribution of something

Vocabulary Practice

1. I have never been so _________, free, and peaceful as I am now.

2. We are going out tonight to enjoy the nights ___________ in the West End.

3. Michael worked at the ___________ that raised money for a special cause.

4. I called the hotline and asked if I could _____________ money to the fund.

5. The two songwriters decided to _____________ on a song.

6. Who is ___________ for bringing the soda to the party?

Grammar Point - Adjectives

Adjectives are describing words; information about quality of something described in a noun, noun phrase, or noun clause. For example, I used the word joyful to describe the activities that Music That Heals provides.

Practice: Which of these 10 words are NOT adjectives?

1. old

2. unhappy

3. carefully

4. drinking

5. determined

6. people

7. all

8. they

9. across

10. easy

Questions

Have you ever participated in a race for a cause?

Have you ever donated to an organization of any kind?

What are some other ways you can help an organization?

Autumn

Although I am sad to see the summer pass, I welcome Autumn with open arms. I will miss the beach and the ocean, the hot sun and the frozen cocktails, but mostly I will miss having the summer off! So, so long sweet summer. Bring on the fall!

School has now started and the work has begun. The cool air and the falling leaves just feel so comforting at this time of change. I personally love this season because I feel the temperate weather is just right! It is not too hot and it is not too cold. It is perfect! I love to see the leaves change colors. From green to red, orange, and brown. It is truly amazing.

Another word for Autumn is Fall and many people use these words interchangably. I like the Fall because it is a great time for holidays and activities. Football is back. Halloween and Thanksgiving are right around the corner, which means Christmas and the New Year are close behind! What is your favorite thing about the Fall? My favorite things to do in the Fall include pumpkin picking, apple picking, haunted houses, and football games. How wonderful does that sound? I went to the Giants opening game last week. I went with some friends and we had great seats. We tailgated before hand. We made some food and played some games. It was such a great time and the Giants won! I plan to go pumpkin/apple picking soon. I went last year with my boyfriend and we picked out the biggest pumpkins we found and then went home to carve them. It turns out that I am not a very good pumpkin carver. We also brought home apples and sweet treats. For Halloween last year, my boyfriend and I dressed up as Popeye and Olive Oyl. It was a big hit! I wonder what I am going to dress up as this year. Any good ideas? I didn't get to go to the haunted house last year. My sister went and said she had an amazing time. I plan to go this year. I love scary things, so hopefully it is as creepy as she described. As far as Thanksgiving goes, who doesn't love some turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and yams. Mmm I'm making myself hungry!

So as the cool winter breeze starts to sneak up on us and the hours of sunlight each day are slowly decreasing, I will be busy with school, work, and enjoying all these fantastic things I just described. Before we know it, we will all be surrounded by a winter wonderland, drinking hot chocolate, and indulging in a variety of pleasurable activities.

So breathe in the breeze, check out the leaves, and put on some sleeves because Autumn is here to make us all pleased! :)

Vocabulary Review

Temperate: (adjective) moderate in respect to temperature; not subject to prolonged extremes of hot and cold weather

Interchangably: (adjective) capable of being put or used in the place of each other

Haunted: (adjective) inhabited or frequented by ghosts

Creepy: (adjective) having or causing a spooky sensation of the skin, as from horror or fear

Indulge: (verb) to yield to, satisfy, or gratify

Pleasurable: (adjective) to give pleasure; enjoyable; agreeable; pleasant

Vocabulary Practice

1. The majority of the time, words that are ___________ in a sentence are known as synonyms.

2. Fall and Spring are two ____________ seasons of the year.

3. People tend to ___________ themselves with food at a buffet.

4. That pitch black streets were so ___________ that I got goosebumps all over my body and I was trembling.

5. Another stop in my journey through Italy would have made my trip even more _________.

6. That house had to be __________ because I could have sworn that I saw ghosts!

Grammar Point - Verbs in the Past Tense

I used some verbs in the past tense in my blog because I was talking about some of the things that I did last year. For example, started, went, and dressed up. These are all verbs describing what I have done in the past.

Practice: Put these words in the past tense.

• Plan
• Awake
• Study
• Come
• Dig
• Fight
• Mistake
• Seek
• Write
• Go

Questions

What is your favorite season?

What are some activities you like to do during that season?

What do you plan to dress up as for Halloween this year?