What kind of coffee do you like? regular, decaf, non fat, cappuccino, latte?
How intense do you like it? strong, medium, or light?
What kind of milk do you use? whole, 2%, 1%, skimmed, non fat, soy?
What temperature do you prefer? extra hot or iced?
Do you like anything on top of your coffee? whipped cream, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon?

Think about someone you really love and care about. It could be your spouse, your best friend, a family member, your boy/girl friend. When you don't see them, don't you miss them? Sometimes when you spend every moment with someone, you probably won't miss them or think about them as much because you see them so often. But if you don't see each other for a long time or if you're physically far away from each other, you begin to miss them a lot more!

A popular saying is that "absence makes the heart grow fonder." The word 'absence' (noun of absent) means 'not there' or 'away.' The word 'fond' means 'loving and affectionate'. When our heart grows fonder, we love and appreciate more, your feelings grow!

Let me share an example with you. This is my funny, cute, and sweet nephew. Since I live in Seattle, I can't see him all the time. When I don't see him, I miss him so much and I think about all the ways he makes me smile. The longer I don't see him, the more I want to see him! But let me tell you, when I'm with him, he is so naughty and unstoppable!! Being away from him definitely makes my heart grow fonder for him!

But there are people who disagree with this and say, "out of sight, out of mind!"  This means if you don't see them and you're not with them, you don't think about them, they're out of your mind!

What do you think? Do you think "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or do you think, "out of sight, out of mind?"

Studying a new language is not easy, but if you can provide your body with good nutrients, you'll have better concentration, less memory loss, and energy to keep studying! Taking care of your body and mind is just as important as studying! Find out why these five types of food below are great for your brain.

Take a look at this picture. When you see this glass of water, do you think it's half-full or half-empty?

If you think it's half-empty, you're probably a pessimistic person. If you think it's half-full, you're more likely a optimistic person.

But what does that mean? Someone who has optimism (noun) is known as optimistic (adjective) or an optimistic person. Optimistic people see the positive in situations, they look on the "bright side" of life. This person always thinks the best will happen.

A pessimistic person is the opposite of an optimistic person. This person is more negative and see the down side to every situation. They will see the cloud instead of the sun.

What do you think these people are?
(1) Sally gets a job promotion and thinks it was just luck. It will never happen again. Is she pessimistic or optimistic?
(2)Henry has had trouble trying to sell his home. He thinks it will sell at the right time to the right people. Is he pessimistic or optimistic?

Are you an optimistic person? What do you think makes people more optimistic than others?

What does it mean when someone says you have "bad taste." Beware, it's not a good thing! 

When we taste something we put it in our mouths and chew. The taste may be sweet, salty, bitter, or sour. I really don't like the taste of oysters. In my opinion, it tastes bad, I prefer not to eat it, but someone else could think I'm crazy and think it's the best thing in the world!

This is the same when we say someone has "bad taste" (also known as "poor taste"). It means we don't agree with that person's choice of something. It "tastes bad" to you, you don't like it. We say it to describe our feelings and state our opinions (and sometimes to criticize someone!)

If you say someone has "bad taste in men," it simply means you don't agree with that person's choices.

If you agree with your friend that Jim Carrey is the most handsome actor, then you could say, "you have good taste in men! "

This is the same as movies, music, fashion etc. I could think you have bad taste in music but anyone who likes the same music as you will disagree with me!

So good taste or bad taste are all matters of opinion. You might think someone has bad taste in music or men but not everyone likes the same kind of men! It is really up to the individual preference.

Do you know anyone who has good or bad taste in fashion? Can you write a sentence using "bad taste" or "good taste"?

Now that technology is so advanced, we make very little time to sit down and read a book like before. We play games, check emails, chat, Facebook, Instagram. The list is endless! But don't let technology take the place of a book! Make time to read, read, read because there are so many benefits. It's exercise for our brains! There is a popular saying, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

Here are some more reasons why reading is so important:
Increases your vocabulary
Improves writing skills
Exercises your brain
Fights off Alzheimer's disease (read here)
Reduces stress
Learn new things
Increases attention span
Helps you sleep better (Read here)
Allows you to use your imagination
Makes you more empathetic (read here)


Today, sit down and read something, even if it's in your own language. Your brain will thank you. And if you have children, remember to teach them the importance of reading a physical book, not on the I-Pad! The good thing is if your kid drops a book on the floor, it won't cause too much damage ;-)

What is your favorite book in this world? Why do you like it so much?